Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: Mt14a doesn't send commands  (Read 3604 times)

nabril15

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 165
Mt14a doesn't send commands
« on: August 28, 2016, 08:36:18 PM »

Hello community
I've had an mt14a controlling lights for many years, but as of a few weeks ago, it doesn't turn anything on or off. I moved it around to different outlets and tested several light numbers and nothing came on. I unplugged different usb phone chargers,  cordless phone bases, the toaster, etc,  and nothing comes on; using my remote and tm51,  everything works fine thanks to its stronger signal.

Do i have a bad controller? I'm guessing yes.
I can replace it with another mt14a,  xpmt4,  or pmc01.  No?

Thank you
Logged

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13260
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2016, 06:10:01 AM »

It sounds like your MT14A may have a problem or you still have not found a device effecting the power line commands.

If you connect it to the same outlet as the TM751. Does it still have the problems?

If you put the MT14a and an Appliance or Lamp module in the same outlet. Can it be controlled?

Jeff has a great set of troubleshooting tutorials if you have not found them yet.
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
 
Are you using the preset timer features in the MT14A?

Both the X10 MT14A and X10Pro XPMT14 have a built in preset timer. Can control one House Code Units 1-8

The X10 MC10A and X10Pro PMC01. Have no preset timer features. Can control One House Code Units 1-8.

If you are using preset timers. The MT14a or XPMT14 would work.
If you are only using the local buttons and no preset timers. The MT14a,XPMT14,MC10a or PMC01 will work.
« Last Edit: August 29, 2016, 06:58:45 AM by Brian H »
Logged

nabril15

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 165
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2016, 07:53:04 AM »

Thank you Brian
If I plug in my mt13a into the same outlet as the TM751, it will NOT power on that lamp when I  manually press it's number (1) on the timer.

Correction.  I have an mt13a, not 14.
Logged

JeffVolp

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 122
  • Posts: 2286
    • XTB Home Page
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2016, 09:39:36 AM »

If I plug in my mt13a into the same outlet as the TM751, it will NOT power on that lamp when I  manually press it's number (1) on the timer.

The TM751 does not respond to powerline commands.  It only responds to RF commands sent by a PalmPad or some other wireless remote.  So it would not respond to commands sent from the MT13A.  The RR501 transceiver does respond to commands sent over the powerline.

Jeff
Logged
X-10 automation since the BSR days

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13260
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2016, 09:42:53 AM »

The MT14a is the updated MT13a so it would be fine.

As Jeff pointed out. If you where trying to control the TM751 with the MT13A. It would not work.

Could you control other modules in the house. From the TM751 location?

« Last Edit: August 29, 2016, 09:45:06 AM by Brian H »
Logged

nabril15

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 165
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2016, 09:58:39 AM »

Could you control other modules in the house. From the TM751 location?

No I cannot control other modules from that location. Or any other, for that matter.

Thank you Jeff and Brian
Logged

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13260
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2016, 10:06:10 AM »

If the MT13a can't control any X10 modules from any location.
I would suspect the MT13a has a problem.
Logged

nabril15

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 165
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2016, 08:23:33 AM »

Brian/Jeff/Experts

I replaced the MT14a, and surely now I can even turn my car on from that controller.
I have, however, a stubborn XPS3 that receives the ON commands from the controller, but it won't receive the OFF command from the controller; it will turn off if I use the remote.

Logged

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13260
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2016, 11:11:45 AM »

On but not Off. Can be caused by a weak X10 power line command and the load making some noise or absorbing the signals.
When the load is Off the signal is strong enough or there is no noise from the load. So it will go On.
When the load is On the signal is not strong enough or there is enough noise from the load. So it will not go Off.
Logged

nabril15

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 165
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2016, 11:46:52 AM »

thank you Brian

I can manually turn on and off that xps3 at the controller (pushing on/off). But at the programmed time, the OFF signal doesn't make it.
Logged

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13260
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2016, 03:05:22 PM »

The On and Off buttons on the new MT14A will turn the XPS3 on and off? 
An automatic off time setting on the MT14A will not turn the XPS3 off?
An automatic on time setting on the MT14A to the XPS3 will turn it on?
Logged

nabril15

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 165
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2016, 03:08:03 PM »

Pressing the buttons will turn on and off.
Automatic time settings turns ON but does not turn OFF.
Logged

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13260
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #12 on: September 16, 2016, 05:55:47 AM »

That is a unique finding.
By chance is there more than one module on the same X10 address?
If so do the other ones work with the On and Off Times? Only the one XPS3 is a problem?
Logged

nabril15

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 165
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #13 on: September 16, 2016, 09:38:21 AM »

I know Brian, this is vexing indeed. Only that XPS3, code 2, was the problem in obeying the off time.
No, I don't have another number 2 in the house.

This morning it got turned off by the automatic setting. I will see if it continues for a few days, and thus the issue got self-resolved.

thanks again
Logged

bkenobi

  • PI Expert
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 24
  • Posts: 2081
Re: Mt14a doesn't send commands
« Reply #14 on: September 16, 2016, 12:35:21 PM »

Cell phone charger (etc) plugged in at the automatic times but not when testing?
 

X10.com | About X10 | X10 Security Systems | Cameras| Package Deals
© Copyright 2014-2016 X10.com All rights reserved.