X10 Community Forum

🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Topic started by: Ken73 on July 10, 2008, 06:10:03 PM

Title: A new use.. hope you find it amusing!
Post by: Ken73 on July 10, 2008, 06:10:03 PM
I've known about X10 stuff since way back when Radio Shack had it; but never really delved into it other than having a little transceiver kit with a remote for a lamp about 10 years ago.

The wife has been wanting some sort of security so I looked at X10 again; I wound up getting a huge security kit (23 piece) along with the AHP and all the plugins, and a handful of modules & remotes. I've been having a lot of fun playing with it but I've obviously got a problem with UPS's eating up signal and lack of phase coupling, so I bought 4 filters and a SignaLinc coupler from SmartHome.

I picked up an extra 3-pin appliance module though, for a "fix" for my ice machine.

I have a nice KitchenAid ice machine; it's actually comprised of two components: the ice making system itself, and a drain pump. Lately the drain pump has been failing (ON vs. OFF) and sitting there running, potentially shortening it's life substantially. So to solve my problem, I put the 3-pin appliance module on the drain pump, and plugged the ice machine itself directly into the wall. In AHP, I created (a bunch of) timers to run the pump for 1 minute every 20 minutes. It seems to be doing the trick!

My only issue right now of course is phase coupling and filtering; I have a server closet with a huge 1kW UPS, and two other computer systems (on the same phase) with smaller UPS's. Then the TV is also on the same phase; I haven't been able to get anything controlled on that phase, even with a home-made coupler (.1 μF/630v cap in series with a home-made 18 μH choke.) I also have a wall switch in my shop that's fed off the "load" side of a GFCI switch, and I can't control that. I've got a big camera kit on the way and I bought an extra transceiver so I'm going to give that a shot too.

I also wanted to say "thanks" to all the folks on here that contribute and post all these solutions; I've been reading for a week before I purchased any of the equipment and reading as much as I can since. I even made my own design of antenna for the remotes; even though I haven't really had any issues with it yet. I'm just trying to anticipate any of the pitfalls, but having a blast just figuring out the macros in AHP - I made a simple macro that turns the fourier light on for 2 minutes when you open the front door!

This stuff is addicting!!  8)
Title: Re: A new use.. hope you find it amusing!
Post by: AceKeiven on March 07, 2010, 09:55:29 PM
I also have a kitchen Aid ice machine, and I recently bought it. Model: KUIC18NNTS, in the first place, I am thinking about the good features that I should buy. Fortunately, I pick this one because it can produce 50 pounds of ice in a 24-hour. pacquiao vs clottey live (http://groundriver.com/)

Title: Re: A new use.. hope you find it amusing!
Post by: Brandt on March 07, 2010, 11:08:40 PM
They say filters solve 1% of your problems, while the xtb-iir solves the other 99% of them:

http://jvde.us/xtb/XTB-IIR_description.htm
Title: Re: A new use.. hope you find it amusing!
Post by: hawk1 on March 08, 2010, 10:20:52 AM
Like Pomprocker stated:  the XTB-IIR is fantastic!  Send your Signalinc back and get the XTB-IIR you won't regret it.
Title: Re: A new use.. hope you find it amusing!
Post by: Brandt on March 08, 2010, 11:56:19 AM
Like Pomprocker stated:  the XTB-IIR is fantastic!  Send your Signalinc back and get the XTB-IIR you won't regret it.

yeah i sold my signalinc..it just wasnt up to the task
Title: Re: A new use.. hope you find it amusing!
Post by: dave w on March 08, 2010, 12:19:06 PM
Yeah, I have been saying a "blowtorch" repeater (aka XTBIIR) will fix most of the X10 signal problems. I have a bazillion switching powersupplies (OK slight exageration...but I got a lot!) and only need one filter on a microwave oven.