Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module  (Read 17818 times)

Appliance Module

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 18
RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« on: August 15, 2006, 09:46:36 PM »

Just purchased above appliance module.    Works with my mini-timer just fine.

It seems to have local control.

However, the instructions say it is ok for  "flourescent or energy saving lamps".

Is this true?  Any comments?

What about turning on and off a wireless router with it?

The instructions would seem to indicate this is ok.
Logged

Oldtimer

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 45
  • Posts: 364
  • Line Noise & Signal Sucker Fatigue Syndrome
    • Oldtimer's X10 Forum Home Page
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2006, 09:54:42 PM »

In my opinion this should work fine turning your wireless router on and off. My caveat is that I assume the wireless router has a switching power supply in a wall wart.  Some of these have been known to have major signal sucking/noise generating problems.  If yours does you may find that the appliance module no longer works because of this and you'll need an X-10 filter between the power supply and the module.  Try it and see what happens.  You shouldn't harm anything.  Good luck.
Logged
Having "fun" with X-10 since 1980.

Appliance Module

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 18
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2006, 09:57:22 PM »

Ok on router and noise.

If it has local control, why can the CFLs be used with it?  Won't they flicker?
Logged

Oldtimer

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 45
  • Posts: 364
  • Line Noise & Signal Sucker Fatigue Syndrome
    • Oldtimer's X10 Forum Home Page
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2006, 10:24:36 PM »

Appliance modules (and most others) allow a leakage current through when they are "off".  This is blocked when the device they are connected to is off.  Local control happens when the current is allowed back through by turning the connected device back on which in turn turns the module back on.  If the connected device is on, but turned off by the module, you turn the connected device off then back on to turn the module back on (sometimes you have to repeate this off/on cycle). CFLs may flicker at a rate the eye can't see but electrically they look like a continuous load to the module.  This is a little over simplified but is a good working model of what's going on.
Logged
Having "fun" with X-10 since 1980.

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13259
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2006, 04:51:50 AM »

Some CFL lamps flicker when the module is off. Some even turn back on as the module thinks the local switch was toggled.
There are hacks to fix this but as we say warranty is gone. :P
Logged

TakeTheActive

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 126
  • Posts: 1047
  • Old !@#$% Tinkerer!
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2006, 12:28:05 PM »

...the instructions say it is ok for  "flourescent or energy saving lamps".

Exactly WHERE are you reading this?

I purchased several RS 61-3003 2-Pin Appliance Modules [$2.97 each during the recent "We're Dumping X-10 *SALE*" - a SHOCK :o to me, considering their long (~20-25 years?) relationship], and I can't find it.

I would imagine that ANY module that supports Local Control would need a Sensing Current, which, in turn, could / would / might cause certain CFLs to flicker and/or turn right back ON after being turned OFF (something to do with "collapsing EMF field" maybe, but, that theory was read a LONG TIME AGO, in a galaxy far, far away... :-[ ).
Logged
Low Post Count != Low Knowledge - High Post Count != High Knowledge ;)

ADVICE TO X-10 NEWBIES FROM AN X-10 OLD-TIMER

TakeTheActive

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 126
  • Posts: 1047
  • Old !@#$% Tinkerer!
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2006, 12:30:34 PM »

There are hacks to fix this but as we say warranty is gone. :P

There's always the "7 Watt Nightlight in Parallel" trick. ;)
Logged
Low Post Count != Low Knowledge - High Post Count != High Knowledge ;)

ADVICE TO X-10 NEWBIES FROM AN X-10 OLD-TIMER

steven r

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 74
  • Posts: 2189
  • Halloween with X10
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2006, 12:56:51 PM »

...There's always the "7 Watt Nightlight in Parallel" trick. ;)
I was wondering it one of those plug in air fresheners would work, also. The one with the built in fan might be best.
Logged
BVC let's me tell my camera where to go!
:) Murphy is my beta testing pal. He helps me find problems whether I like it or not. :)

Appliance Module

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 18
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2006, 02:15:35 PM »

 
Exactly WHERE are you reading this?

I purchased several RS 61-3003 2-Pin Appliance Modules [$2.97 each during the recent "We're Dumping X-10 *SALE*" - a SHOCK :o to me, considering their long (~20-25 years?) relationship], and I can't find it.

61-3004 three zero zero four

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/uc/rsk/Support/ProductManuals/6103004_PM_EN.pdf

I would imagine that ANY module that supports Local Control would need a Sensing Current, which, in turn, could / would / might cause certain CFLs to flicker and/or turn right back ON after being turned OFF (something to do with "collapsing EMF field" maybe, but, that theory was read a LONG TIME AGO, in a galaxy far, far away... :-[ ).
Quote

I agree.  That is why I asked.   Was wondering if anybody had experience with these modules.  Will be getting some new CFL later today and try it.  All my other ones are up about 14 feet in my garage.
Logged

Appliance Module

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 18
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2006, 02:18:22 PM »

Appliance modules (and most others) allow a leakage current through when they are "off".  This is blocked when the device they are connected to is off.  Local control happens when the current is allowed back through by turning the connected device back on which in turn turns the module back on.  If the connected device is on, but turned off by the module, you turn the connected device off then back on to turn the module back on (sometimes you have to repeate this off/on cycle). CFLs may flicker at a rate the eye can't see but electrically they look like a continuous load to the module.  This is a little over simplified but is a good working model of what's going on.

I think the "leakage" current is on when the module is off.  I suspect that it is the interuption of this circuit by switching the light off then back on that triggers the module.

Anybody else agree?

Also anyother comments about using it to switch a wireless router from anyone?
Logged

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13259
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2006, 04:14:39 PM »

Yes some flicker with the local control sensing circuit. Some CFLs will turn back ON just like you toggled the lamps on/off switch.
I have had a few do that myself. Ended up doing one of the hacks to disable the sensing circuit. The CFL still flickered. I have seen hacks that removes the sensing current also.
One site is:
http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm
« Last Edit: October 24, 2009, 03:59:32 AM by -Bill- (of wgjohns.com) »
Logged

Appliance Module

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 18
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #11 on: August 18, 2006, 01:01:12 AM »

Yes they flicker in both the new RS appliance module and an old RS appliance module.

Logged

Duck69

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 36
  • Posts: 246
  • Unselfish Love
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2006, 09:04:06 PM »

I would imagine that ANY module that supports Local Control would need a Sensing Current, which, in turn, could / would / might cause certain CFLs to flicker and/or turn right back ON after being turned OFF (something to do with "collapsing EMF field" maybe, but, that theory was read a LONG TIME AGO, in a galaxy far, far away... :-[ ).
Quote

I put a CFL bulb (Commercial Electric EDSO-14 (14watt)) into a lamp plugged into an appliance module (AM486). When turned off it would flicker.
I did the mod expecting the flicker to stop but lose local control.
To my surprise the flicker stopped and I still have local control.  ;D
« Last Edit: September 01, 2006, 09:07:19 PM by Otis69 »
Logged
"I'm not lazy, I'm just Resistant to exertion."

Brian H

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 305
  • Posts: 13259
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #13 on: September 02, 2006, 06:54:47 AM »

Otis69; Did you cut the jumper or the top of the diode [D10 if fuzzy memory is correct]?
Logged

father0fseven

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 16
    • Personal Site
Re: RadioShack 61-3004 Universal Appliance Module
« Reply #14 on: September 02, 2006, 02:20:32 PM »

I put a CFL bulb (Commercial Electric EDSO-14 (14watt)) into a lamp plugged into an appliance module (AM486). When turned off it would flicker.
I did the mod expecting the flicker to stop but lose local control.
To my surprise the flicker stopped and I still have local control.  ;D

Ok, just what is "local control"?
Logged
Darren Benham, RRT, AE-C
Pages: [1] 2
 

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