X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: rmarz on January 05, 2007, 01:26:56 AM
-
At the risk of getting 'flamed', I have researched this issue for a long time. I have been using X10 modules for 20 years so I'm not quite a newbie. I have had phase bridging issues for a long time. I have tried 0.47uF, 630V capacitors in every breaker box in the house, but still can't get 100% coverage. The problem wasn't too bad when I used a CP290 interface that must put out a healthy signal on the power line. Now I'm trying to use the ActiveHome Pro CM15A attached to a PC. Can't get full coverage despite trying the bridging caps everywhere. The house is large, over 5,000 sq ft. Would an amplifier/repeater likely solve the problem? Any recommendations on what make/model. Thanks very much for any assistance.
-
The problem wasn't too bad when I used a CP290 interface that must put out a healthy signal on the power line. Now I'm trying to use the ActiveHome Pro CM15A attached to a PC.
The CM15A signal is probably smaller than your CP290 interface, so you may have a noise source somewhere that the CM15A can't overcome.
Have you determined any particular breaker line(s) that are having problems?
-
At the risk of getting 'flamed', I have researched this issue for a long time. I have been using X10 modules for 20 years so I'm not quite a newbie. I have had phase bridging issues for a long time. I have tried 0.47uF, 630V capacitors in every breaker box in the house, but still can't get 100% coverage. The problem wasn't too bad when I used a CP290 interface that must put out a healthy signal on the power line. Now I'm trying to use the ActiveHome Pro CM15A attached to a PC. Can't get full coverage despite trying the bridging caps everywhere. The house is large, over 5,000 sq ft. Would an amplifier/repeater likely solve the problem? Any recommendations on what make/model. Thanks very much for any assistance.
I presume you've already checked your problem circuit branches for noise generators or signal suckers (including the circuit where your CM15A is plugged in).
X10 repeaters often seem to create more problems than they solve. If you already have passive phase couplers installed, a straight X10 signal amplifier will be better. I can highly recommend Jeff Volp's XTB (X10 Transmission Booster) for this purpose. See: http://jvde.us/xtb/xtb_ordering.htm
-
Good Evening,
From what you say it appears that the first unit had a stronger signal then the second unit.
Charles appears to have hit it on the head.
The other option is to align all of the modules to the transmitter. It is possible to modify the design to get a bit more power out of it if you have the skills and equipment needed. If you do this you need to be careful a fire hazard could be created, also it would be easy to get a bad shock or even worse killed.
Good Luck
Gil Shultz
-
At the risk of getting 'flamed'...The house is large, over 5,000 sq ft. Would an amplifier/repeater likely solve the problem? Any recommendations on what make/model. Thanks very much for any assistance.
rmarz,
It's not the size of the house that affects your X10 communication. With 5000 square feet you just have far more opportunities for signal absorption and noise injection.
I have a home on the same scale, which continues to grow (with my family) electrically. I started with a Leviton HC02 active coupler which has served me well for four years. Unfortunately, we continue to add devices to the electrical system.
Around a year ago, I added a Smarthome BoosterLinc to the system which improved reliability on some problem circuits significantly. However, this required a lot of work (with an X10 signal meter) to determine where to place the Boosterlinc amplifier.
Jeff Volp's XTB-II amplifier dives both phases simultaneously so you won't need a separate active coupler. I don't personally have one of Jeff's units installed, but I am very impressed with Jeff's detail and openness on his design (as are a number of forum members). If your house is growing electronically (as mine is) this may be the low cost, and more importantly the low pain, option. I've been considering it for a while (waiting for my system to break - again).
With regard to flaming - In my experience, poster's that go out flaming came in that way. Many of the new posters are experienced X10 users that happen to be posting on the forum for the first time. If you have a legitimate question, and can communicate the question rationally, you will get a legitimate answer. If this weren't the case I wouldn't be posting now (I was a forum newbie not long ago).
Welcome to to forum
-
Good Evening,
I live in 6700 Sq foot, part below ground. I experience a major improvement when I aligned all the receivers to the appropriate transmitters. I have two capacitors across the phases (there are five panels) and most of the stuff works most of the time. I am cheap and did not want the problems associated with repeaters. Anything that is critical is simply hardwired for reliability. I also redid all of my grounding from the ground rods to the outlets and that made a fantastic improvement.
You need to be very careful with anything that can attenuate the power line signal.
Have Fun
Gil Shultz