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[Dragnet]

Any commrnts? good...bad?

[dave w]

So-so.

It does a reasonable job of boosting the X10 PLC signal, but mine would lock up about every three months for reasons I never discovered. That was several years ago, so it might be fixed by now. Personnaly I recommend a "flame thrower" repeater like the XTBIIR or the ACT CR234. However both are very pricy when compared to the $18 "Buy It Now, free shipping" price for a XPCR off Ebay.

[Dragnet]

flame thrower" repeater like the XTBIIR or the ACT CR234.,,,?
Are they made by x10?
How pricey?
Have you used these?
Thanks
Ozzy

[dave w]

I have owned both the Leviton HCA02 and X10 XPCR and both exhibited the periodic lock up problem (this was back in the '90's). X10 made both models. The lockups were easily resolved by cycling the breakers the XPCR was installed on. In frustration I upgraded to an ACT CR234 http://www.smarthome.com/4821AC/HomePro-CR234-Amplified-X10-Coupler-Repeater-w-Repeated-Signal-Detection/p.aspx. The ACT CR234 has much higher output than the X10 models and is more reliable.

The king of repeaters IMHO is the XTBIIR from JV Digital Engineering. http://jvde.us/. If I classify the ACT CR234 as a "flame thrower" repeater because of it's high output, I would have to put the XTBIIR in the category of tactical nuclear weaponry as it cranks out 30V or more of signal.

High PLC signal not only insures the homes power lines are well saturated on both phases, but also goes a long way in solving any noise problems (present in almost every home) and "signal sucker" problems. So filters on TVs, computers, switching power supplies, CFL lights, etc. are either unneeded or only needed for the most hideous noise offenders. In a previous home with the XPCR I needed 6 to 8 filters to remove noise. With the CR234, I need a filter on the microwave, but suspect the filter would be unneeded if I upgraded to XTBIIR.

[JeffVolp]

Personally I recommend a "flame thrower" repeater like the XTBIIR or the ACT CR234. However both are very pricey when compared to the $18 "Buy It Now, free shipping" price for a XPCR off Ebay.

Yes, you can get the XPCR for less than I pay for just the machined case and PCB for the XTB-IIR.

Jeff

[Dragnet]

Ok so NO on the  XPCR

[Brian H]

I have also seen reports of the XPCR causing signal firestorms with a CM15A.
I used a CR234 and it was fine, but the signal from my XTB-IIR gets me at least 1.75 volts of signal at my most problemsome circuits in the home.

[Dragnet]

So the XPCR Pro Phase Coupler Signal Repeater Module will take the place of my CM15A, or it is used in conjunction with it...............?

[Brian H]

Conjunction with the CM15A.
It would take the X10 power line signal on one phase and resend it back on the homes other phase. Which is frequently a cause of "Half My Home Doesn't Work" problems.

[Brian H]

Some users of the XTB-IIR have moved their CM15A or CM11A to the controller interface outlet on it. Thus sending a direct X10 signal to both phases.