X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: Fetzervalve on August 08, 2007, 04:57:16 PM
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I am switching a couple of LED rope lights and when "off" they still light very dimly. One is on a super socket the other on a wall switch (non-dimming). I understand and have found that adding an additional load will put the lights out. So the question is; is there any type of load I can add in parallel to my rope lights to make them shut off completely? Can I add a resistor or something to do it? I don't really want to leave my drill plugged in all the time to make it happen!! :D
Thanks!
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... I don't really want to leave my drill plugged in all the time to make it happen!!...
A simple night light in parallel is usually enough.
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A simple night light in parallel is usually enough.
That could work in a couple of spots, but not real well in the spot with the super socket... it's in a cabinet toe kick space.
[TTA Edit: Corrected unmatched QUOTES.]
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That could work in a couple of spots, but not real well in the spot with the super socket... it's in a cabinet toe kick space.
That could be too tight for it but would there be enough room to screw in one of those adapters that gives you an outlet and a socket?
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Maybe I called it the wrong thing, it is an outlet - the one that has one controlled outlet and one always on. The ideal would be something I could wire in parallel with the rope light, as I have shortened the rope's cord and put a plug on he end, (it's in the toe space of my kitchen island)
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- 1.) Nite light in parallel is the easiest.
- 2.) The Appliance module can be hacked to eliminate the sensing current for local control (it's the "cut the diode" mod, NOT the "cut the jumper" mod which only disables the local control function but not the sensing current). The Appliance module, and Super Socket (and probably the "relay" wall switch) has similar circuitry but laid out differently on PC board. Search the forum for "local control" for pix of the appliance mod. With some electronics savvy you might be able to find the proper diodes in the SS and WS.
- 3.) Use a Super Socket instead of the SS and WS.
Interestingly I too have LEDs under our kitchen cabinets. (I hot glued LED Christmas lights under the cabinet. Bought several 70 light strings for $5 each...score!) Anywho, the Socket Rocket (with proper adapters) works great. No local sensing so the LEDs completely extinguish when OFF.
[TTA Edit: Formatted for visual impact. This was basically the same answer I was formulating while reading the thread from the OP (with the exception of also suggesting a 'hidden power resistor' somewhere safe.]
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3. Use a Super Socket instead of the SS and WS.
Interestingly I too have LEDs under our kitchen cabinets. (I hot glued LED Christmas lights under the cabinet. Bought several 70 light strings for $5 each...score!) Anywho, the Socket Rocket (with proper adapters) works great. No local sensing so the LEDs completely extinguish when OFF.
So you have an outlet with an adapter that allows you to screw in the socket and then an adapter that you plug your lights into?? ??? I'd be half way around the island before I could plug in! ;D
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So you have an outlet with an adapter that allows you to screw in the socket and then an adapter that you plug your lights into?? ??? I'd be half way around the island before I could plug in! ;D
Yup, exactly correct, but I hid it behind the refrigerator. Also put another cheap LED string under a platform coffee table...very cool looking subdued lighting.
OK, OK so the "plug" is 5 inches long, that just makes for more fun finding ways to conceal it :D
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...OK, OK so the "plug" is 5 inches long, that just makes for more fun finding ways to conceal it :D
For an interesting, challenging, inexpensive, LIFETIME hobby (that will also automate your home), choose X10. (http://www.x10community.com/forums/Themes/x10theme1/images/post/thumbup.gif)
For a quick, fairly trouble-free, MUCH MORE expensive method to automate your home, look elsewhere. ;)
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....For an interesting, challenging, inexpensive, LIFETIME hobby (that will also automate your home), choose X10....
Well perhaps inexpensive when compared to any other home option but it does piece meal up from the $49.95 package pretty quickly. ;)
Definitely challenging. You never know when something that worked for the last 3 years will decide not to work because someone decided to charge a battery from a different outlet. :)
Overall it's rewarding even it you do have to put in a few hours "research" every now and then to get things working the way you want.
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I have the same problem and I am using a Super Socket model #SR227. Any suggestions other than the night light solution?
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I have the same problem and I am using a Super Socket model #SR227. Any suggestions other than the night light solution?
Check this post out:
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=9281.msg57138#msg57138
It was originally intended for CFLs. I haven't tried it with LEDs yet but it might be worth experimenting with. Let us know what you find out if you try it.