Is it possible to modify the SD533 mini-controller to switch all 8 devices on and off at dusk? Out of the box it will only control the 4 units that are selected with the top slider switch.
I have looked for a schematic for the controller and the photocell PWB but have had no luck.
What I am trying to accomplish is to control my holiday lighting. I want them to all turn on a dusk and then off at bedtime. I thought that the appliance module would respond to "all lights on" but after buying everything I learned differently.
Now I am trying to make the best of what I have- (8) AM486 modules and this one SD533 controller.
I thought that if I could get the controller to switch all 8 units on at dusk, then I could simply send a "all units off" at bedtime.
As it is now, it looks like I my choices are:
- Manually turn each of the 8 devices on and then all-off later.
- Buy another SD533 controller and have each controller handle 4 units to turn on at dusk and then I use the all-off on both units at bedtime. Probably they both won't turn on within a short time of each other- this defeats the purpose.
- Buy some kind of programmable controller that I can write a macro that will turn on all units based upon dusk or a fixed time and then off at a fixed time.
It's obvious that I am brand new at this. I thought it would be easier.
BTW, the reason that I bought AM486 instead of light modules is that I use compact fluorescents everywhere in my house and I thought that in the non-holiday season I might find a use for the x-10 control of these lights. And now I read that CF and the AM486 may have issues.....
Advice anyone?
TIA, Rich