X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: AdamF on November 27, 2007, 09:47:28 AM
-
I've been plugging my aquarium fluorescent strip light into a lamp module for a year now and for the most part it works well but not 100%. Sometimes after turning off it flickers and it doesn't always respond to all commands. I'm thinking that a lamp module isn't best for this kind of light. Can someone suggest a module that I should use?
Thanks.
-
I'd recommend using an appliance module as it is never a good idea to use a lamp module that could accidentally try to dim the florescent light. That said, be aware that florescent lights can add line noise to the line that may interfere with your X10 signal. Also the flicker can sometimes fool the local sensor turning on the light.
There has been a lot of discussion on the subject of florescent lights. Way too much for me to summarize fairly in one reply. You might want to search the forum for some of many previous tips.
-
I'd recommend using an appliance module as it is never a good idea to use a lamp module that could accidentally try to dim the florescent light. That said, be aware that florescent lights can add line noise to the line that may interfere with your X10 signal. Also the flicker can sometimes fool the local sensor turning on the light.
There has been a lot of discussion on the subject of florescent lights. Way too much for me to summarize fairly in one reply. You might want to search the forum for some of many previous tips.
Thanks for the response. I'll do some research on this forum. Now that I think of it, I have a WALL RECEPTACLE MODULE PAO11 sitting around that I'm not using. Could I just replace the outlet with one of these and plug the light into the controllable outlet?
Thanks.
-
...I have a WALL RECEPTACLE MODULE PAO11 sitting around that I'm not using. Could I just replace the outlet with one of these and plug the light into the controllable outlet?...
Yes but you may still have to deal with some line noise and local control issues. Still it's a safer solution than the lamp module.
-
...I have a WALL RECEPTACLE MODULE PAO11 sitting around that I'm not using. Could I just replace the outlet with one of these and plug the light into the controllable outlet?...
Yes but you may still have to deal with some line noise and local control issues. Still it's a safer solution than the lamp module.
Thanks, I'll give the PAO11 a try first and see if I have better luck. If not, I'll investigate signal noise. I have a 200w transformer controlling my low voltage lights outside that I have plugged into a standard plug controlled by an X10 switch. I'm learning that it shouldn't be a dimmable switch. So, I plan on replacing it with a non-dimmable but understand that I could still have noise issues from the transformer and may need a filter. But, I have another thread on that.
-
FWIW $0.02
With creative use of adapters, I have used Socket Rockets for small (7W-10W) fluorescent with inductive ballasts with no problems. The Socket Rocket (although limited to 150W) works better than an Appliance module. 1) It doesn't "clunk". 2) It has no local control, so does not flicker low current bulbs, 3) It can not dim, so can be used with lights that do not like to be dimmed, 4) operates very much like a SSR (solid state relay) so works with LED bulbs and small inductive loads like wall warts.
Have not tried a SR with larger inductive loads (i.e. 80W fluorescent fixture) but suspect they may not like or survive the current spikes associated with big ballasts.
tiny print disclaimer follows: Since X10 specifies the Socket Rocket for incandescent lights only, understand that I am NOT recommending this, only telling of my personal experiences with the Socket Rocket.