[Tutorials] Monitor your X10 DS10A with your Elk M1

[electron]

 
/archive/j/tutorials/2009/6/ds10a.jpgThe X10 DS10A wireless door and window sensor is a great little product which doesn't get enough credit.  Eventho it is made by X10, it uses a wireless signal, instead of relying on your electrical wiring, to transmit the signal to a controller.  The DS10A is not a typical wireless X10 product.  It doesn't send a house/unit code, instead, it sends a 'security code' which gets changed everytime you replace the batteries.  Not many wireless receivers know how to handle these, but the W800RF32 is one of the few (if not the most popular one) which can successfully understand these transmissions.
The goal of this tutorial is to show you how you can monitor these sensors, using an Elk M1, and a W800RF32 attached to an Elk M1 XSP (serial port expander).  I strongly advise against using these devices for real security, but due to the low cost (when they are on sale, you can usually buy 4 or 5 of them for $20 from x10.com), they are extremely useful to monitor non-critical stuff, for home automation purposes.
Some examples:

• Monitor the status of your shed door
• Monitor the status of your walk-in closets, so you can turn the lights on whenever the door opens
• Monitor who is at home (more info)
• Monitor your mailbox, get notified when new mail arrives

As you can tell, there is a lot of potential.  Many people are already relying on DS10A's, but using a PC based system.  However, did you know it's possible to take the PC out of the loop here, by connecting your W800RF32 to your Elk M1 using a serial port expander module (M1XSP)?  Keep reading for the instructions (with pictures and video) on how to configure your Elk M1.


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