> > I want remote control, not computer control.  Why would I computer 
> > control a ceiling fan (apart from saying I've done it)?
> 
> Sure, Tony.
> But those RF modules can be made working with a PIC and some 
> simple buttons. USB cames later if you ever need it.
> 
> You may want to computer control or rather "network-aware", 
> when, for example, you want to auto activate them according 
> to temperature outside or anyway at the floor (and not at the 
> ceiling).
> I know you may not care a thing about this all :-) I was just 
> suggesting since I love these kind of things !
> 
> Ciao, Dario


My basic criteria was cheap, simple, no wiring, no bashing holes in wall,
and hackable at both remote & receiver ends.  Since I know that they use
MC145026/27/28, these fit the bill.

Especially on cheap.  A single X-10 switch is ~$200 + ~$80 per switch, these
are ~$20 + ~$10 per switch.  It's a hard decision.  :)

Yes, I know I can expand these to sing & dance.  I know X-10 is 'better'.  I
used to be a fan of house automation, but these days I couldn't be bothered.
My sole piece of automation is a small hallway lamp plugged into a timer
(mechanical, no less).  It switches on around 6pm, and off at midnight.
Stops me tripping over things when I come home in the dark, unless it's a
late night (& then I tend to fall over anyway).  Yeah, pathetic, I know.
It's ok, I've got CNC stuff to make up for it!

These are for someone else as well, so an uncomplicated solution is needed.

The only hacking I'll be doing to these is modifying the recievers to
control fan speed.  Multiple presses of the 'On' button will change the fan
speed from low, medium then high.  All I need is to put a bit of extra logic
at the MC145028 output, maybe even as simple as a decade counter.  I need to
read up on the MC145026, and buy some of these to see how they switch the
mains.  How hard can it be?  :)

Tony

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