Difference between X10 MS13 and KaKu motion sensor

Post by **jruys** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:51 pm

Just thought I'd share my experience on the forum. I've been using X10 MS13 motion sensors for a while and I though't I get one from KAKU (Klik Aan Klik Uit) to find out the differences.

The main thing is that the KAKU one does not re-trigger, so when it sees motion it sends an "on", waits for the time you set on the codewheel inside (4 sec to 4 min) and _always_ sends an "off". It will not send additional "on" when it senses motion again during this period, nor will it re-trigger the timer. A few seconds after sending the "off", it arms again and can send another "on".

Compare this to the MS13 which seems to send an "on" every time it senses motion, and it only sends an "off" when the timer expires after the last movement detected.

Practically speaking, I have an MS13 in my home office and as long as I move once every 4 minutes it keeps the lights on. This will not work with the KAKU as it kept switching the lights off, and on again, and off, and on.

So, for motion detection like on my staircase, the KAKU is perfect, and I like it because you can "aim" the sensor head and it runs of AA batteries instead of AAA, but for occupancy/presence detection it's no use.

Oh - and of course X10 and KAKU aren't compatible without the help of an RFXcom, but I assume that makes sense.

/JW

Post by **Henk** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:11 pm

Yes the MS13 is sending X10 commands every time it will be triggered by a movement ... i'm using four MS13 in my home and the Home Control Box is handling at least a couple of thousands MS13 generated commands each day ....

Henk

Post by **Mdamen** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:26 pm

What about the dark/light sensor. Does the kaku have one also?

--
Maarten Damen

www.maartendamen.com

Post by **jruys** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:25 pm

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">What about the dark/light sensor. Does the kaku have one also?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Ah, good one, forgot to mention that. Yes and no.

I didn't test it, but it has a button which according to the manual sets the brightness level above which the sensor stops working.

So, you think it's light enough for the light not to have to switch on, press the button on the sensor (it's behind a rubber stoppy thingy at the bottom) and it remembers the current light level. Only when it gets darker than that, it starts working again.

/JW

Post by **Bwired** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:51 pm

The KAKU motion sensor problem can be handled in the software. Once you receive the "ON" command just tell the software It can not receive any more commands for X (lets say 5) minutes. Also set a fail over id no commands are received for X (lets say 10) minutes and the Status is ON just put it to Off.
The MS13 motion sensor is great! The MS13 Dark Light Sensor is not that good because it sends it's Dark or light command only once with the possibility to not receive it!

Post by **Edwin2008** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:15 am

On the marmitek site i only find the MS90. Perhaps new generation. What is the difference between the ms13 & ms90?

Post by **Mdamen** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:19 am

Here's the ms13 on the marmitek site, http://www.marmitek.com/nl/catalogus/pr ... roduct=108

I just finished modifying my first MS14A (US model) -> MS13E. Tough and long job but worth it [:)]
Total cost price: 13 euro's per device. Including shipping and parts.

--
Maarten Damen

www.maartendamen.com