🔌General Home Automation > Troubleshooting Automation Problems
Christmas Led Lights with X10
demcgovern:
I would like to have my Christmas Led lights go completely off with my X10 plugin modules. Currently they remain dim when "off" and now the newest string has a slow flash. I have heard of some hacks with a diode and resistors to remove the local load sense. Where can I find details on how to do this? Thanks Don
Brian H:
Dimmer or On/Off type X10 modules?
Wall switch type or plug in type?
The older Lamp and Appliance modules had Local Control Sensing and could cause what you are seeing.
There are modification for the older ones.
The latest Soft Start Lamp and CFL friendly Appliance modules are different circuits.
The CFL friendly Appliance has almost no current on the output and maybe better with LED lights.
I have not seen any mods, for them but have found a resistor in the Soft Start Lamp Modules that reduces it.
Try this. Put a power cube in the output and connect both the lights and a small incandescent 4 or 7 watt night light on it.
See if that makes a difference.
roger1818:
--- Quote from: Brian H on November 27, 2017, 01:07:58 PM ---Try this. Put a power cube in the output and connect both the lights and a small incandescent 4 or 7 watt night light on it.
--- End quote ---
I have done that and it works like a charm. Incandescent lights act as a dead short across the line when off, clamping the voltage to zero. When power is applied, they heat up and the resistance increases.
demcgovern:
They are 15-25 year old X10 plug-in lamp modules. I have no incandescent nights lights at present - all LEDs! I have tried an incandescent string along side of the LED string and the LED lights will go out. However a night light would be intrusive in most of my applications. Still hoping for details to modify the modules. Thanks Don
Brian H:
Look on this web site.
http://www.laureanno.com/index.html
In Tom's X10 Modifications Section.
For the Appliance Modules.
Depending on the exact age. The diode will stop the sensing current from having the LEDs glow dimly.
One of the now off line sites also showed a jumper. I don't think Tom's has it and it was newer than some but before the CFL friendly ones.
If there is also a jumper it would disable local control.
I cut both in my older ones but the diode alone should stop the glow.
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