X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: jackb on October 16, 2005, 04:52:44 PM

Title: Re: WS467 [2 of 3]
Post by: jackb on October 16, 2005, 04:52:44 PM
On this WS467 problem, I had that "turn on, <BR>but not off" problem also!  I had read of <BR>these problem right after i had purchased 6 <BR>WS467s, in fact I was dreading putting them <BR>in!  But I had no problem with 4 of them, <BR>but sure enough, the last two were together <BR>on a double plate, one was for a ceiling <BR>light and other, an outside porch light. <BR>Guess my lucky day as the first thing I <BR>tried was move my RF TM751(I had it in a <BR>plug about 4" from those switches).  i put <BR>it in a plug with no X10 accessories.  Bingo- <BR>--  works on and off and dimmer winked at <BR>me. Hope this helps.  Brian H helped with my <BR>decision to do that!  I use both the CR12A <BR>and the Palm Pad as my controllers. I also <BR>have a mini-timer which works great too.


WS467 [1 of 3] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=6942.msg45255#msg45255)

Re: WS467 [3 of 3] Energy Saver bulb flickers when off (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=12385.msg45310#msg45310)


[TTA Edit: Experiment to determine whether or not SPLITTING 'Highly-Viewed' / 'Highly-Replied' but currently

INACTIVE threads from LONG, LONG AGO (I'm starting with ~2 years) into parts will allow current

ACTIVE threads to appear in the Top 10 Topics (by Replies) section of the

Statistics Center (aka More Stats) (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?action=stats) Page.

NOTE: I *WILL* address the <BR> problem...]
Title: Re: WS 467
Post by: Brian H on October 16, 2005, 06:41:43 PM
Oh yes. Any module that can send a line
signal like a controller; tranceiver or a
two way module can absorbe X10 signals; if
it is not the actively transmitting device.
The TM751 is also not polite. If it and
another device are transmitting it will
scramble the signals on the power line.
Title: Re: Automate fireplaces?
Post by: garrett van cleef on October 17, 2005, 03:09:28 AM
Gas fireplace incert companies sell a remote
control for many units. I would not want to
control anything that has to do with an open
flame. Most fireplace units have to have the
doors open when in use. If there is a power
surge it can trigger an unit on. Try it with
a lamp unit,turn the switch at the limp on
and off a few times.  This should cause the
lamp to turn on. Use a fireplace remote,
that way you are for sure at home when in
use.
Title: Re: RF on power line wipes out X10 signals
Post by: jim johnson on October 18, 2005, 08:09:59 PM
I'm back but my x10 isn't. Glad to see the
postings. I am located in Woodbridge, Va and
I am with Virginia Dominion Electric. My
email to them was forwarded to the tech
folks, but they have not been in touch. I
too have been out with portable radios
(currently limited to searching for
harmonics in the LW & broadcast bands)
looking for a source however, there is SO
MUCH noise it is hard to pinpoint but the
highest noise levels appear to be around the
telephone junction boxes (our utilities are
underground) and the cable TV juction boxes.
I don't know if BBOPL may be playing a role
in this problem. The city of Manassas (15-20
miles away) went live with city-wide BBOPL
around 1 Oct (they were in a test mode for
some time before that and I did not have a
problem). Thanks to all for the input. Hope
we find a cure.
Title: Re: RF on power line wipes out X10 signals
Post by: dick on October 18, 2005, 08:49:58 PM
Please keep us posted, as this could be
very important to many of us.
Title: Re: CM15A suddenly not recognized on USB - XP
Post by: rich on October 18, 2005, 11:06:10 PM
This worked for me:
* Unplug CM15A from computer.
* Unplug CM15A from power.
* Remove the batteries.
* Plug CM15A back into computer
* Plug CM15A back into power.

This time it was recognized by Windows and by
AHP, at which point I put the batteries back.
My guess is that something in the embedded
computer crashed/hung and a hard reboot (i.e.
eliminate all power) was needed to clear it.
Title: Re: Automate fireplaces?
Post by: alex on October 22, 2005, 12:11:33 AM
Bill mentioned a module that closes dry
contacts when turned on. it's called the
Universal Module.
Title: Re: wall switches turn on by themselves.
Post by: alex on October 22, 2005, 12:31:44 AM
i'm having the same problem except that
it's only with ONE light in my sister's
bedroom. my parents aren't too happy with
me for putting one there although my sister
enjoys it very much, but it keeps waking
her up in the night. it doesn't seem like
it would be that magnetic thing because
only hers does it and none of the others
do. any other ideas? maybe a defective wall
switch?
Title: Re: wall switches turn on by themselves.
Post by: roger1818 on October 22, 2005, 09:21:47 PM
Alex:  I wouldn't rule out a "glitch"
causing the problem.  If her wall switch is
on the same circuit (or possibly the same
phase) as what ever is causing the glitch
and the others aren't, the glitch might not
be strong enough to cause the light to turn
on.

It also might be a defective switch, or a
phantom on command.  Why don't you first
try changing the address for her switch?
If that doesn't solve the problem, then try
swapping her switch with one that works
properly and see if the problem stays in
her room, or moves to the new room.
Title: Re: wall switches turn on by themselves.
Post by: alex on October 22, 2005, 11:37:47 PM
Roger,

that very well could be. if i'm correct, my
sister's light is on the same circuit
braker as some fluorescent lights we have.
i'll try grounding that pin on the chip and
see if that fixes it.
Title: Re: X10 module power consumption
Post by: alex on October 23, 2005, 12:19:05 AM
seems like an awful lot for an IC. why that
much? i've got loads of X10 modules around
the house. how much would that raise a
power bill?
Title: Re: Palmpad range
Post by: alex on October 23, 2005, 12:21:52 AM
strange that you wouldn't get that good
reception. i get perfectly fine reception
in the street (about 40 - 60 feet away from
AHP computer interface) and i've almost
never had to push the button more than once.
Title: Re: X10 module power consumption
Post by: Brian H on October 23, 2005, 07:04:32 AM
Besides the power supply that is always
drawing power. Both of the modules I tested
have local control sensing. Physically there
is low level current flowing all the time
through the load [lamp appliance etc.] that
senses when you turn the local power switch
on and off to turn on the module without an
X10 signal. Wall switches [two wire ones
anyway] have to steal power through the load
all the time to run.
Title: Re: wall switches turn on by themselves.
Post by: roger1818 on October 23, 2005, 11:06:46 AM
If you feel comfortable doing that, it would probably be a good idea.  Just a word of warning though, wall switches are a pain to re-assemble.  You can find some hints for doing this at: http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/modifying_wall_switch.htm (http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/modifying_wall_switch.htm)
Title: Re: X10 module power consumption
Post by: Brian H on October 23, 2005, 11:06:48 AM
Most X10 Modules use a power line derived
power supply. Part of it is a Zener Diode.
It keeps the current about the same all the
time keeping the supply about the same. If
the iC is the only thing doing much the
diode draws more current. If the triac in
the dimmer or triger for the appliance
modules relay draw more current the diode
draws less. Only thing that could mess up my
measurements is X10 uses a capacitor as a
line dropping device and could make my AC
measurements off.
Title: Re: wall switches turn on by themselves.
Post by: roger1818 on October 24, 2005, 04:09:51 PM
I just found a better description (with
pictures) of how to disassemble and
reassemble a Wall Switch.  You can find it at:

http://siber-sonic.com/X10/newWS.html
Title: Re: wall switches turn on by themselves.
Post by: alex on October 24, 2005, 05:08:15 PM
thanks. that website (siber-sonic) is
great. shouldn't have much trouble taking
it apart.
Title: Re: wall switches turn on by themselves.
Post by: roger1818 on October 25, 2005, 10:12:58 AM
Taking it apart is the easy part, it is
putting it back together that can be
challenging ;).  It is the “bulb-change”
switch contact that is challenging, but if
you follow this procedure you shouldn’t have
any troubles. BTW, he doesn’t mention it, but
you will probably need a pair of tweezers for
reassembly.
Title: Re: wall switches turn on by themselves.
Post by: Brian H on October 25, 2005, 04:02:45 PM
I naver had problems with apart. Back
together is another story.
Title: Re: X-10 devices must be on same circuit to work?? Am I missing something?
Post by: tim m on October 27, 2005, 03:32:42 PM
Would someone please point me in the
direction of the Coupler and the
Coupler/Repeater combination that is
mentioned in this posting? I have looked
but cannot find them on the X10 website.
Title: Re: X-10 devices must be on same circuit to work?? Am I missing something?
Post by: tim m on October 27, 2005, 03:32:44 PM
Would someone please point me in the
direction of the Coupler and the
Coupler/Repeater combination that is
mentioned in this posting? I have looked
but cannot find them on the X10 website.
Title: Re: X-10 devices must be on same circuit to work?? Am I missing something?
Post by: john t. on October 27, 2005, 03:52:15 PM
Tim,

You'll find it at SmartHome. It's a device
that plugs into an electric dryer (220v)
outlet, bridging the two phases (coupler)
and amplifying the plc signals (repeater).

Worth every penny!
Title: Re: X-10 devices must be on same circuit to work?? Am I missing something?
Post by: tim m on October 27, 2005, 04:18:30 PM
Thanks John, Should I get the 4-Pin
SignaLinc™ Plug-in Coupler-Repeater
for $89.00 or the SignaLinc™ Plug-In Phase
Coupler for $24.99.  My house is close to
3500ft so I think I need a repeater also.
Do you think the Built-n repeater will give
me the same results as using the regular
coupler and using the X10 Smart RF Repeater
(SR731-2, $64.99).  Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: X-10 devices must be on same circuit to work?? Am I missing something?
Post by: john t. on October 27, 2005, 04:31:31 PM
Tim,

You want the $89.99 coupler/repeater. And,
BTW, that repeats Power Line Carrier
signals. Nothing to do with RF. With a
house that large, depending on where the
coupler/repeater is relative the the
electrical "center", you may need to put a
power line carrier repeater or two (NOT RF)
at the far reaches of your electrical. But,
wait and see after you put in the
coupler/repeater.

Can't remember for sure, but I think my
coupler/repeater is 3-pin. You need to
check your 220v dryer outlet and match it.
The idea is that the coupler repeater plugs
into the wall and the dryer plugs into the
coupler/repeater as a pass through.

Have fun!
Title: Re: X-10 devices must be on same circuit to work?? Am I missing something?
Post by: john t. on October 27, 2005, 04:36:37 PM
Tim,

I'm pretty new to this also. You need to
explore both this and the accessha forums.
There are some RF deficiencies with the
CM15A that can be overcome with something
like a V572A RF Transceiver and a TW523
power line interface. Idea here is that the
v572A is a great RF receiver and grabs rf
remote device signals that the CM15A can't
see, then it sends those signals to the
TW523A (there a cable between them) which
puts them on the power line.

You have to be careful to avoid
interference between V572A and CM15A
receivers, but it's easy to set them up.

Sorry for the info overload.

Title: Re: X-10 devices must be on same circuit to work?? Am I missing something?
Post by: roger1818 on October 27, 2005, 08:33:37 PM
With regards to phase coupling, I wrote a
tutorial a while back on it.  You can find
it at:
http://www.x10.webhop.org/Phase_Coupling.htm

I find Automated Outlet has much better
prices than SmartHome and they give
excelent service.  They have a promotion on
right now for new customers where if you
buy more than $100 worth of stuff on your
first order, they will give you a free
PalmPad.  To take advantage of this, just
type "palmpad" (all lower case) in the
coupon code section of the online order
form.
Title: Re: X-10 devices must be on same circuit to work?? Am I missing something?
Post by: roger1818 on October 27, 2005, 08:39:48 PM
I forgot to mention that Automated Outlet's
website is http://www.automatedoutlet.com
and I checked and their price for a
SignalLinc 4826 (plug-in coupler/repeater)
is $69.99.
Title: Re: X-10 devices must be on same circuit to work?? Am I missing something?
Post by: roger1818 on October 27, 2005, 08:47:00 PM
John:  I would stay away from signal
amplifiers (such as SmartHome's
BoosterLinc) unless you have ruled out all
other posibilities.  If you have a
coupler/repeater and are still having
troubles I would try to find sources of
powerline noise or signal absorption and
use X10 noise filters to fix the actual
source of the problem.  There are some
cases where signal amplification is needed,
but in most cases you are just putting on a
bandaid and ignoring the real problem.