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X10 Haunted House Trick

Last updated on March 24, 2016 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

haunted house x10 home automation kit
X10 products are great for everyday applications such as controlling lights and appliances.  X10 can also be used on special occasions to perform a certain effect.

In this post we will demonstrate how to use simple X10 technology to create a great haunted house experience.  Using ActiveHome, a motion sensor, a USB transceiver, and two appliance modules we will amaze trick-or-treaters.

The effect is to have a trick-or-treaters trigger a motion sensor that will turn a light off and turn an appliance on, then after 10 seconds the light will turn on and the appliance will turn off and will be ready for the next trick-or-treater.  This application is simple yet effective.

First things first:  This application will not work with power strips utilizing a surge protector.  If you are not using a surge protector disregard this statement.

The X10 devices you will need.

  1. A computer running ActiveHome Pro w/Smart Macros
  2. (2)  AM466 Appliance Modules
  3. (1)  CM19A USB Transceiver
  4. (1) MS18A Motion Sensor
  5. (1) TM751 Transceiver

haunted house x10 home automation kit

Other required devices:

  1. A light source (lamp)
  2. A Halloween appliance (strobe light, scary character, something that makes scary sounds, etc.)  Make sure that the Halloween appliance is plugged in and turned on at all times.

Module Setup

X10 MS18A Motion Sensor
X10 MS18A Motion Sensor

Step 1:  Plug in the first AM466 and set the House code to B and the Unit code to 2 then attach a lamp or bright light to it.  This will be the lamp that will be turned off when a trick-or-treater triggers the motion sensor.

Step 2:  Plug in the second AM466 and set the House code to B and the Unit code to 3 and attach a Halloween device to it.  A good idea is to use something that makes sounds and/or lights up.  Use something that grabs attention and puts a little scare in trick-or-treaters.  A strobe light may make for a nice effect.  Note: Make sure that the appliance is turned on at all times.

Step 3:  Plug in the CM19A to a USB port on your computer.

Step 4:  Plug in the TM751 Transceiver and set the House code to B and the Unit code to 1.

Step 5:  Place the MS18A somewhere that trick-or-treaters can see it.

ActiveHome Pro Setup

Step 1:  If you don’t already have ActiveHome Pro, download it, install it, and open it.

Step 2:  Create a new room called Haunted House by clicking on the + button on the Rooms tab on the left.

Step 3:  Click on Sensors under the Modules section then click and drag the MS18A to the Haunted House window above.  You can click on the name of the module and change it.  I named my sensor Haunted Sensor.

Step 4:  Click on Appliances under the Modules section the click and drag the AM466 to the Haunted House window above.  Repeat this step a second time.  I named the first one Haunted Lamp and the second one Haunted Appliance.  You can name them anything you like.

Step 5:  In the Haunted House room, the MS18A should be set to House code B and Unit code 1. (B1),

Step 6:  The AM466 that the lamp is plugged into should be set to House code B and Unit code 2 (B2).

Step 7:  The AM466 that the lamp is plugged into should be set to House code B and Unit code 2 (B3).

Click here to see a screenshot of the room.

Smart Macros Setup

Step 1:  Create a new macros by clicking on the + button on the Macros tab and name it Haunted House Macro.

Step 2:  Click on the drop down below the phrase “Macro resides in” and select Haunted House.

Step 3:  Click on the drop down menu at the top of the right pane and select Haunted House.

Step 4:  Click and drag the Haunted Lamp to the main macros window.  Click the OFF radio button.  This will turn the light off when the sensor is triggered.

Step 5:  Click and drag the Haunted appliance to the main macros window.  Click the ON radio button.  This will turn the Haunted appliance on when the sensor is triggered.

Step 6:  Click and drag the delay option on the right to the main macros window.  This will be used to reset the effect and get it ready for the next trick-or-treater.  I set mine to 10 seconds.

Step 7:  Click and drag the Haunted Lamp to the main macros window.  Click the ON radio button.  This will turn the light back on.

Step 8:  Click and drag the Haunted appliance to the main macros window.  Click the OFF radio button.  This will turn the Haunted appliance off.

Click here to see a screen shot of the macro.

And that’s it.  Try using different Halloween devices and see what works best.  Enjoy!

X10 Home Automation & Security

X10.com is the everyday person’s best source for home automation. Since 1976, we’ve been providing excellent home gadgets at reasonable prices. Visit us online at x10.com and find out what you’ve been missing!

Filed Under: Home Automation, Technology

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