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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: idbl_fanatic on October 31, 2007, 01:21:11 AM

Title: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: idbl_fanatic on October 31, 2007, 01:21:11 AM
Looking at this: http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/xpcr.pdf can you just connect this to 2 existing breakers? or do I have to add 2 new breakers?

I have a manufactured home, and I have determined that 1 half of the house will not work, but the other half will, so I am assuming that this will resolve this. unfortunately, I don't have ANY 220 (dryer, or stove) in this house.
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: Puck on October 31, 2007, 02:11:55 AM
Quote from: idbl_fanatic on October 31, 2007, 01:21:11 AM
I have a manufactured home, and I have determined that 1 half of the house will not work, but the other half will, so I am assuming that this will resolve this. unfortunately, I don't have ANY 220 (dryer, or stove) in this house.

Have a look at this thread by medvampire; he has a Manufactured home and I recall he had some issues with Arc Fault Breakers to work around; there may be some info here that will help you: Phase Coupler (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=10797.0)
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: idbl_fanatic on October 31, 2007, 09:51:33 AM
Thanks, I actually read through that post last night, but he ended up using a plug in coupler.
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: Tuicemen on October 31, 2007, 10:52:15 AM
idbl_fanatic looking at the pic in your supplied PDF file shows the coupler atached to existing Breakers!
The Phase coupler I installed stated in the instructions that it needed to be connected to new independent breakers (nothing else on them).
Your best to contact technical support: 800-832-4003  ;)
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: Walt2 on October 31, 2007, 10:53:31 AM
Quote from: idbl_fanatic on October 31, 2007, 01:21:11 AM
Looking at this: http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/xpcr.pdf can you just connect this to 2 existing breakers? or do I have to add 2 new breakers?

Technically you could re-use existing breakers, but in most towns, doing such is a violation of their building/electrical codes.    While you might not think that's a big deal, if there is ever a problem, having violated the codes, would void your insurance.
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: dave w on October 31, 2007, 12:00:40 PM
FWIW
Originally these Leviton/X10 repeaters had permanently attached, stranded wires and you could not add stranded wires to a breaker which already has solid copper wire connection, hence the separate breaker.  The strands tend to compress over time leaving a loose connection on the solid conductor.

On this new design, it  appears the user must supply the jumper wires from repeater to breaker. In my local code, multiple circuits can be combined on a breaker as long as the conductors are identical size and compposition (no aluminum/copper combinations).

If local code allows multiple circuits on a breaker the thing to remember is for safety you should tie the repeater to smaller breakers ( i.e 15 or 20 amp, don't connect the repeater to your 60 amp breakers feeding your electric furnace).
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: idbl_fanatic on October 31, 2007, 07:25:14 PM
ok, next question.......................should I get a repeater one, or a passive one? 1875 Sq foot manufactured home
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: KDR on October 31, 2007, 07:57:39 PM
I started off using a repeater and had nothing but problems. I had multiple signals causing lights to dim more then I wanted, some lights not going on at all and what seemed to be a flood or firestorm of signals that got stuck in a continues loop. I got a passive coupler and that solved all my phase issues. My house is about 1700 to 1800 sq. ft. So I'm guessing that the repeater coupler was over kill in my minor coupling problem. I would recommend trying the passive first. If that doesn't do the trick you can then go to a repeater type and you won't be out a lot of bucks.

(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)----KDR
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: HA Dave on October 31, 2007, 08:27:12 PM
Quote from: KDR on October 31, 2007, 07:57:39 PM
I would recommend trying the passive first. If that doesn't do the trick you can then go to a repeater type and you won't be out a lot of bucks.


Or ... at least try the old dryer on, oven and burners on...IF you have those items in electric.
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: G. L.Tirebiter on October 31, 2007, 09:40:09 PM
Quote from: KDR on October 31, 2007, 07:57:39 PM
I started off using a repeater and had nothing but problems. I had multiple signals causing lights to dim more then I wanted, some lights not going on at all and what seemed to be a flood or firestorm of signals that got stuck in a continues loop. I got a passive coupler and that solved all my phase issues. My house is about 1700 to 1800 sq. ft. So I'm guessing that the repeater coupler was over kill in my minor coupling problem. I would recommend trying the passive first. If that doesn't do the trick you can then go to a repeater type and you won't be out a lot of bucks.

(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)----KDR

Ditto on the repeater - same problems - went back to passive - they went away... Boosterlinc that was built into my Keypadlinc caused the same problems - so I turned it off. Probably noise - but why pay extra money to CREATE a problem....

GL ..I mean ...George
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: idbl_fanatic on November 01, 2007, 12:31:48 AM
Cool, AND cheaper is ALWAYS better too  ;D

another funny thing..............I have a porch light on each side of our front door.................one works, the other don't  :-\
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: dave w on November 01, 2007, 12:08:34 PM
OK my $0.02.

I am a believer in amplifier/coupler such as the ACT CR 234. I have had Leviton/X10 repeaters and had DIM / BRI  problems. I have owned or tested three ACT units and they all handled DIM / BRI correctly.

More signal is always better, especially if you have signal suckers and noise generators (and you do whether you know it or not).  If my current ACT units fails, rather than fixing I will use the excuse to by Jeff V's,  XTB II. I have seen nothiung but good reviews and praise for this unit.
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: idbl_fanatic on November 01, 2007, 12:57:16 PM
Quote from: dave w on November 01, 2007, 12:08:34 PM
OK my $0.02.

I am a believer in amplifier/coupler such as the ACT CR 234. I have had Leviton/X10 repeaters and had DIM / BRI  problems. I have owned or tested three ACT units and they all handled DIM / BRI correctly.

More signal is always better, especially if you have signal suckers and noise generators (and you do whether you know it or not).  If my current ACT units fails, rather than fixing I will use the excuse to by Jeff V's,  XTB II. I have seen nothiung but good reviews and praise for this unit.

Ok, I read through his site, but I am still a little confused here, if I were to get a XTB....................would that solve my problem or would I need to still get a coupler?
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: G. L.Tirebiter on November 01, 2007, 01:37:30 PM
Quote from: dave w on November 01, 2007, 12:08:34 PM
OK my $0.02.

I am a believer in amplifier/coupler such as the ACT CR 234. I have had Leviton/X10 repeaters and had DIM / BRI  problems. I have owned or tested three ACT units and they all handled DIM / BRI correctly.

More signal is always better, especially if you have signal suckers and noise generators (and you do whether you know it or not).  If my current ACT units fails, rather than fixing I will use the excuse to by Jeff V's,  XTB II. I have seen nothiung but good reviews and praise for this unit.

Yes - I should have mentioned my problem was with a Leviton repeater (HCA02-10E)  - the ACT has a MUCH better reputation (but is more expensive).

idbl:

1st -To save money I would try a passive coupler first: This is the one I use (I think) http://www.smarthome.com/4816h.html

Of course, there are plug in ones - don't forget you can save a lot of money on X10 stuff on eBay.

2nd - if that doesn't work, I agree with Dave and would try the XTB. Probably able to return if it doesn't solve your problem. Check w/ Jeff. (On the original and still cheaper version of the XTB, it would help to already have a coupler. Quoting Jeff's page:   The plug-in XTB is certainly the easiest to use, but it should be paired with a good passive signal coupler for most installations)

3rd. If the above fails, get the ACT and ONLY the ACT.

But if 1 and 2 don't work - I think you have other problems - ie NOISE.

George
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: idbl_fanatic on November 01, 2007, 02:40:57 PM
Well I just bought an XPCP and will see if that fixes it, I am guessing it will................distance don't seem to be an issue, just that stange one plug here, one plug there will work, like the light on one side of my front door will work, but the light on the other side won't.  :-\
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: djohnactor on November 20, 2007, 06:42:13 PM
XPCP description says: "This signal bridge installed at the breaker box will provide a clear X10 path from one "leg" to the other."
However, it goes on to say "Fits in a single-gang box".
Breaker panels do not have a single-gang box. How, exactly is this to be installed?
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: JeffVolp on November 20, 2007, 10:30:22 PM
Quote from: djohnactor on November 20, 2007, 06:42:13 PM
XPCP description says: "This signal bridge installed at the breaker box will provide a clear X10 path from one "leg" to the other."
However, it goes on to say "Fits in a single-gang box".
Breaker panels do not have a single-gang box. How, exactly is this to be installed?

Install a single-gang box adjacent to the panel, and feed through a 2-pole 240V 15A breaker in the panel.

Jeff
Title: Re: Installing a X10 Amplified Coupler Repeater (XPCR)......question....
Post by: Geewiz on January 15, 2008, 03:07:07 PM
Quote from: idbl_fanatic on November 01, 2007, 02:40:57 PM
Well I just bought an XPCP and will see if that fixes it, I am guessing it will................distance don't seem to be an issue, just that stange one plug here, one plug there will work, like the light on one side of my front door will work, but the light on the other side won't.  :-\

Am curious if Idbl_fanatic has had a positive experience after installing the XPCP unit?