X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: cookie1054 on March 25, 2007, 11:43:46 AM

Title: new ennergy saving lights
Post by: cookie1054 on March 25, 2007, 11:43:46 AM
I did try to instal one of those new energy saving light also known as pigtails lights with my home system
i had no problem with lamps modules
But with wall switchs they were either not active by remote or worst some sparking noise came  from the outlet. This seem very dangerous and i wonder if there is a save solutions to combine those news lights benefiits to our automation system
Title: Re: new ennergy saving lights
Post by: Brian H on March 25, 2007, 12:52:33 PM
Wall switches steal their power through the light bulbs, lamp modules have a neutral pin besides the line one; so it can power directly from the wall socket.
The two wire wall switches probably are not compatible with your new lights.
If you have a neutral inside the wall switch box along with the line and load one. A WS13A should work. It does not dim and has a relay in it that clicks on and off. It can be slaved with a WS14A Companion switch for three way installs.
Title: Re: new ennergy saving lights
Post by: cookie1054 on March 25, 2007, 08:44:05 PM
that will solve my problem and eventualy serve with others devices

thank you

Title: Re: new ennergy saving lights
Post by: TakeTheActive on March 26, 2007, 12:40:54 AM

...also known as pigtails lights...

I ' assume ' (no insult intended) that you're referring to the [C]ompact [F]luorescent [L]amps (CFL) that we've all been talking about for quite some time. But, out of pure curiosity, what part of the country are you from where they refer to the CFL's as "pigtails"?
Title: Re: new ennergy saving lights
Post by: -Bill- (of wgjohns.com) on March 26, 2007, 09:52:51 PM
Hmm...  Now that you mention it...  They DO LOOK LIKE PIG'S TAILS!   :D
Title: Re: new ennergy saving lights
Post by: Hemingray on May 10, 2007, 12:39:49 AM
That they do! Although the ones in the guest bathroom are bulb shaped. (And do a nice job of hosing my TM751! With those turned on I can only control the module located at B9)
Title: Re: new ennergy saving lights
Post by: -Bill- (of wgjohns.com) on May 10, 2007, 10:10:14 PM
That they do! Although the ones in the guest bathroom are bulb shaped. (And do a nice job of hosing my TM751! With those turned on I can only control the module located at B9)

I have heard (read) quite a few times that people have had trouble with CFL's being noise makers and swamping X10 signals.  So far, my experience, having replaced ALL of my indoor bulbs with CFL's, has been very good.  Only a couple "100 Watt equivalent" bulbs caused me any problems at all.  I also have "40 Watt equivalent" bulbs (that look like bulbs) installed in my dining room fixture.

Just lucky I guess???
Title: Re: new ennergy saving lights
Post by: steven r on May 10, 2007, 11:26:31 PM
...So far, my experience, having replaced ALL of my indoor bulbs with CFL's, has been very good.  Only a couple "100 Watt equivalent" bulbs caused me any problems at all....
Just lucky I guess???
I went for several years without any signal problems in spite of having 6+ UPS units in use trough out the house as well as having both desktop and laptop computers on 24/7. Then one day my X10 signal went poof. No new added items or changes that I could trace down. Now I'm adding filters left and right. Count your blessings and keep your fingers crossed.  ;)

Anyone know the best place to buy filters? Are the 5 amp ones enough for most applications?
Title: Re: new ennergy saving lights
Post by: JeffVolp on May 10, 2007, 11:57:04 PM
Quote
Anyone know the best place to buy filters? Are the 5 amp ones enough for most applications?

There are a couple of dealers on eBay who offer excellent prices on X10 products.

5 amp should be fine for most applications.  10 amp and 15 amp filters are available from other manufacturers for heavier loads.

Jeff
Title: Re: new ennergy saving lights
Post by: Duck69 on May 11, 2007, 05:20:48 PM
I usually buy from https://www.automatedoutlet.com/home.php

$7.50 Flat rate shipping on most orders for US ground shipments!