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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: luisc202 on October 11, 2009, 10:35:35 PM

Title: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: luisc202 on October 11, 2009, 10:35:35 PM
I programmed one LM465 for rope lighting for my room on B1 and another LM465 for a lamp on B2 and the B2 one does not work.  What would be causing this?  I have reporgrammed it over and over again with no luck.  I unplugged it and put it on a kamp 10 feet away and it works but not in the same room as the first one.

I also programmed a socket rocket and put it in the back yard porch light and it does not work.  I plugged it into the front door and it works.  The only difference is the CM15A is 15 feet upstairs by the front door.   

Any help would be appreciated.

Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: dave w on October 12, 2009, 01:52:22 PM
Your description sounds like a phase coupling problem, Although kind of odd to have two outlets in the same room on different phases.

Search the forum for "phase coupling", "noise" and "signal suckers" or go here:

http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: Brian H on October 12, 2009, 03:01:36 PM
Well in my house. Half of the Living Room Outlets are on one phase and the rest on the other.
Sure glad I took the time to map everything.
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: luisc202 on October 13, 2009, 02:02:19 PM
Your description sounds like a phase coupling problem, Although kind of odd to have two outlets in the same room on different phases.

Search the forum for "phase coupling", "noise" and "signal suckers" or go here:

http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm


I am happy to report that 95%  of my outlets are on  the right side of the electrical box.   The rear outside light is the only one on hte leftside of the electrical box.    Thank God that most of my stuff is on the right side..   Is it best to buy a meter to check for noise in a system?   I want to automate the chandelier now which is on a 2 way swtich I tihnk.

Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: Brian H on October 13, 2009, 02:34:16 PM
Glad you have about 95% working. Now the fun starts.

Most times the breaker box is not split with one phase on each side. Most have alternate breakers on the other phase so you can have a 220 Volt feed with breakers next to each other.
Sounds like you have most on the same phase or the ones that are poor on a noisy or signal sucker circuit.
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: dave w on October 13, 2009, 04:16:27 PM
luisc202
Sorry, As you have read from Brian, Breakers are not phase divided by right side - left side. Unless you have a very unusual panel.

Remainder of my original comment about determining phase of breakers by position is retracted. To many configurations to speak in generalities.
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: JeffVolp on October 13, 2009, 04:43:31 PM
luisc202
The top row of two breakers are phase A, the next row below is phase B,  and the next row below that is phase A again, this pattern repeats to the bottom.

Actually, that is not correct for all panels either.

(UPDATED)

The panel at our last house (I don't remember the brand) zig-zagged down each side:

A  B
B  A
A  B
B  A
 ...

The new Square D panel at this house does indeed flip every other line:

A  A
B  B
A  A 
B  B
 ...

Check how the busbars behind the breakers run down the panel to be sure.

Jeff
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: Brian H on October 13, 2009, 06:21:04 PM
Thanks Jeff for the added data.
As long as it isn't a Federal Pacific StabLoc  B:(.
A  B
A  B
A  B
B  A
B  A
B  A
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: dave w on October 13, 2009, 07:14:41 PM
AND I KNEW THAT!

Brain is beginning to fester, or the two remaining neurons are acting up again.

Jeff and Brian, thanks for the corrections. I will amend my comments.
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: dave w on October 13, 2009, 07:33:34 PM
Thanks Jeff for the added data.
As long as it isn't a Federal Pacific StabLoc  B:(.
A  B
A  B
A  B
B  A
B  A
B  A

So you can only get 220V at the blue and red positions?
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: bitman on October 13, 2009, 11:00:08 PM
Well in my house. Half of the Living Room Outlets are on one phase and the rest on the other.
Sure glad I took the time to map everything.

That must've made you just mental!

Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: luisc202 on October 15, 2009, 02:48:59 PM
I went around my whole house and plugged an LM465 with a small CFL lamp to each outlet.   I turned it on and off from my laptop and seen I have no signal in my main tv room and the garage area where i put in 2 outlets.   How can I resolve this?   

Thanks,
Luis
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: dave w on October 15, 2009, 03:53:10 PM
A X10 signal repeater is the easiest way. Do you have a 220V clothes dryer outlet?
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: Brian H on October 15, 2009, 07:12:18 PM
Using a CFL with a Lamp Module can lead to problems sometimes. Even at 100% On; I have seen some CFL models not like the AC from them and generate noise or draw more current. Other brands take it in stride.  ;D
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: luisc202 on October 29, 2009, 07:19:37 PM
A X10 signal repeater is the easiest way. Do you have a 220V clothes dryer outlet?


Yes i do.  What signal repeater are you talking about?
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: luisc202 on October 29, 2009, 07:20:49 PM
Using a CFL with a Lamp Module can lead to problems sometimes. Even at 100% On; I have seen some CFL models not like the AC from them and generate noise or draw more current. Other brands take it in stride.  ;D


Brian,

I converted 90% of my whole 2 story house to CFL's.   The CM15A is now partially working.   I don't understand why.
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: dave w on October 29, 2009, 08:33:27 PM
Using a CFL with a Lamp Module can lead to problems sometimes. Even at 100% On; I have seen some CFL models not like the AC from them and generate noise or draw more current. Other brands take it in stride.  ;D


Brian,

I converted 90% of my whole 2 story house to CFL's.   The CM15A is now partially working.   I don't understand why.

 http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm   !!!
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: Boiler on October 30, 2009, 12:11:19 PM
Yes i do.  What signal repeater are you talking about?


I believe Dave was referring to the Smarthome Signalinc active repeater (Model 4826).  While these are very convenient, they are not 100% compatible with the AHP/CM15a.  Smarthome units do not understand (repeat) extended code transmissions.  We (and X10) recommend using the LM14a interface for all softstart units (including the lm465).  The LM14a interface utilizes "extend code" transmissions that the Signalinc will not repeat.

An alternative would be Jeff Volps XTBR or XTB-II repeaters.  Try searching the forum, there's quite a bit of info on them here.

Boiler 

Just realized that I was replying to a question early in the thread (out of synch).  Sorry for the confusion.
Title: Re: 2 New LM465's don't work in the same room
Post by: JeffVolp on October 30, 2009, 05:03:35 PM
I have the first "production" XTBR running my house now.  As Boiler said, it does repeat the "doublet" extended commands produced by the CM15A.  The last of the components should be here by Monday, and it should be available in about a week.  I'll add documentation on the XTBR to the XTB page next week.  The unit will initially only be available in the assembled version.

Jeff