X10LM465 Lamp Control Module

This module controls lamps, allowing you to turn them on, off, and dim to specific levels. I think there are 16 or 32 levels of brightness, depending on whether you use an RF remote (16 levels) or a wired conroller (32 levels?).X10 home automation is relatively primitive but relatively inexpensive. I've been using X10 products for decades, and I'd never give them up for Wi-Fi products. When you use software (and Wi-Fi) to control your lights and appliances, the software maker may log your habits and sell them to the highest bidder. No big deal, I just don't like being monitored all the time. X10 is great!

I have a box full of X10 modules and a discontinued timer controller. Mindful of the little quirks and drawbacks of the X10 technology, which predates many of the devices we have in our homes today which can interfere with the X10 signal, it is still the most universal and lowest price way to automate your home.Recently I was donating some things to Goodwill and happened to find a brand-new X10 controller and wall switch on the shelf for $3 and it got me motivated to once again centralize control of a number of lights around my house. As happens, some of my old modules were getting wonky and did not turn on and off dependably. I rarely have any light at home turned on fully bright so a dimmable switch is mandatory.I bought this module to replace one of the older ones that turned the light on to full bright immediately. I like the improvement that the LM465 ramps up slowly (and does the reverse when shut off). It is an improvement over older technology.Note that when dimming using this module it changes the light intensity in one smooth continuous motion. Sometime you may see comments that some X10 modules change the lighting in discreet steps. That is true if you use wireless X10 modules which use a slightly different process to dim lights. Using a Powerhouse MC10A controller with this module there is no stepping effect at all.

I have a number of X-10 devices in my house. Over the past 10+ years all of them have proven reliable without any failure or need of replacement except for batteries in the sensors as you would expect. This particular purchase was for a friend who admired what I had done and wanted to X-10 their own house in a similar way. Unfortunately they had purchased the wrong controller elsewhere. After learning we could not return or exchange the incorrect device device for a lamp module (as Amazon Prime members) we checked Amazon.com. The exact same unit was available for less so it was purchased. It worked perfectly and now helps to control rope lights that beautifully illuminate an otherwise dark basement stairway.

I have had these control modules pretty much since they were sold and branded, I think exclusively, by Radio Shack for those of you old enough to remember that company. I use them on a timer to turn on lights and picture lights all over my house when it gets dark out rather than walking around turning on the basic lights I need manually. For this they work very well if the electricity was properly wired in you abode so the signal will travel to the switches. Problem is sometimes they work for years and sometimes the only work for a month or two, quality control in not inspiring. But I keep replacing them as necessary and keep spares on hand as they are so handy for me. If you purchase them make sure you test them when your receive them to make sure they at least work out of the box.

I used these for about two decades. I used to get something very similar through Radio Shack. When they went out of business X10 took over.I have held off using ECHO to manage my lighting needs. The X10 are in my living room and bedroom. The system set up is quite simple and very easy to install (there is really no installation).The modules vary, depending on what you need. Some dim, allowing you to set the mood you want. I am actually surprised that this unique system has not pushed harder to get the recognition it deserves.If you're looking for something modern yet cost effective in your home or apartment, go with X10.

I still use these, great for controlling general lighting, or night lights for just getting around when you don't want to wake every one up.Probably will not work with LED lights, but with the old incandescent mini Christmas lights works just great.LED lights are just too bright. I know that when I hit the all lights out button, it is time to sleep.

works good

I have used X10 modules and controllers in my homes since the 1980's. IMHO, the best feature was that you could turn a lamp on or off from the lamp switch itself, and still have full function of the X10 module. It is very annoying that this feature has been discontinued, as I do not want to have a lamp I can only control from a box somewhere or from my mobile phone (the wifi module for X10 is wonderful). It was explained to me that the local control feature cannot function with LED or CF bulbs, and since incandescent bulbs are now officially on the way out of our lives, the company does not apologize for this lack of function. I have searched for other systems that might offer this local control feature, but cannot find one. RIP... Are there any innovators out there?? My old Radio Shack modules are >30 years old, and are still working fine, so I grab one whenever I have the opportunity.