X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Topic started by: EL34 on September 06, 2008, 08:29:39 PM
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Just this afternoon, I noticed my X10 activity monitor was showing constant activity
plc A1 on then plc A1 off
As fast as you can watch the activity monitor screen scroll by, maybe 60 or more times a minute .
I do not have any X10 motion sensors that can trigger radio signals.
I ran around and removed batteries from all X10 remotes thinkning that a button was stuck or the batteries were dying and causing this.
I have unplugged two TM751's thinking maybe they went haywire.
I unplugged the CM15A, removed the batteries waited a while.
Installed fresh batteries back into the CM15A, plugged it in.
I moved the CM15A to another computer and plugged it in, same thing on that computer.
Nothing stops this runaway A1 on and A1 off plc .
I did not have any A1 modules so I just added a A1 appliance module to AHP pro just to watch it.
I am sitting here watching the newly added A1 appliance module turn on and off as fast as it can.
This just started this afternoon and I have no idea what the heck is going on.
The X10 network traffic is pegged right now from this A1 on - A1 off plc command.
Anyone ever see this?
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Do you have a V572A or V572RF32 installed some where ? That can cause what you are describing, and will only stop this loop when it's unplugged and plugged back in. If you don't have this installed then I don't have a clue.........
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Jmac, I do't have either of those and It can't be a neighbor. No one is close enough to me here.
It is still doing it this morning.
I unplugged the CM15A last night and removed the batteries.
I just put fresh batteries back into the CM15A this morning and went into AHP.
Same thing, A1 is turning on and off as fast as is it can, over and ove and over.
This is really wierd.
My X10 traffic is so heavy that I can't really use my X10 devices.
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Sounds to me the module on A1 is failing. Try unplugging it and see what happens.
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There is no module on A1
I added a phantom software only A1 in AHP only so I watch it.
I only use F - G - H - I - P - house codes.
Could some other module fail and revert to A1 code?
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Any repeaters?
I believe I've read that when a security sensor fails (or because of low power resets itself) it goes first for A1 (which is why the advice is, "Never use the A1 address").
I had an A1 PLC Flood with my V572 when it was too close to RF sources (like my SR731 RF repeaters).
I'd:
1. Move the CM15A as far from the PC as possible
2. Turn off or unplug all other plug-in modules, so that the CM15a is the only device plugged into the PowerLine.
3. (don't have a coupler-repeater?)
4. re-wipe the CM15A and pull the batteries - then plug it back in..
5. Use AHP to transceive NONE, then download.
4. If you still get the A1 PLC Flood, I'd start pulling the batteries from my sensors - one-at-a-time.
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I have two X10 pro active coupler repeaters installed in my house and garage panels.
I also have a passive couple in one panel.
I do not have any security devices.
Most of my stuff is - in the wall modules lamp modules and in the wall 3 prong electrical outlets.
I have unplugged every external plug in module.
I also have several filters on electronic devices.
I have to go somewhere in a bit.
When I get back later, I will go to the panels and discconect the active couplers and see what happens.
I have two of these devices
http://cgi.ebay.com/X-10-PRO-Coupler-Repeater-XPCR-BRAND-NEW-X10_W0QQitemZ380023800952QQihZ025QQcategoryZ50587QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
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Ahhhhaaa!!!
Pajama guy nailed it!
I went to one of my sub panels that has a active coupler/repeater.
I had to remove the panel front cause I could not remember what breaker it was installed on.
it was installed on my 240V clothes dryer breaker.
I threw the breaker closed and went back to the PC.
Low and behold the A1 on and A1 off traffic had stopped.
i went back to the panel and turned the breaker on and the traffic started again.
Ok, put this one into the wierd X10 problems FAQ
Thanks so much PJ and others.
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We have also seen Leviton's and Smarthome's repeaters do similar things.
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I ordered a couple more XPCR's just now.
I have 3 panels on my property.
A main panel - passive coupler
a house sub panel - XPCR
a garage sub panel - XPCR
I only have a passive coupler on the main panel, gonna replace it wath a XPCR
The two buildings are 150ft apart and I noticed a huge improvement when I added the XPCR active coupler/repeaters plus filters on the two sub panels.
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Using multiple repeaters is asking for trouble because they can play command "ping-pong" with one another. The ACT CR234 repeater is specifically designed for this type of application where all repeaters can be connected together with a hardwired digital link. You might also consider a single XTB-IIR at your main distribution panel. Its stronger output should make multiple repeaters unnecessary.
Jeff
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I understand what you are saying.
I watch the X10 traffic on my custom SDK program.
I don't see multiple commands ping pong'ing.
Been working very well for about a year so far.
I have two buildings that are 150ft apart.
Maybe just a coupler repeater on the main panel is enough?
This is what the panel layout looks like.
(http://www.el34world.com/Misc/home/images/HousePanels.gif)
The house and garage have the active coupler repeaters.
the main panel has a passive coupler.
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Assuming that most of your "house" X10 loads are fed by the house sub-panel, a repeater there may be sufficient. If you don't have much in the way of signal suckers in your garage, you may still receive an adequate signal there with a single repeater at the house. With the repeater only 20 feet away, you shouldn't need a passive coupler at the main panel unless that is the PZZ01 blocking coupler (or Leviton equivalent). Depending on how loads balance at the garage, a passive coupler there would help distribute the available signal across both legs. If one normal X10 repeater doesn't do the job, you might consider a XTB-IIR at the house sub-panel.
Jeff
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I actually have as many X10 devices in the garage building, as I do in the house. Maybe more.
The garage building is a two story building and my business is upstairs.
There X10 devices upstairs and downstairs.
Plus there's a 20amp run off the garage panel that go out to my green house.
There's appliance modules out in the green house also.
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Your earlier posts didn't make it clear how your X10 system was partitioned. Since you have more X10 devices in the garage than in the home, you might consider moving the repeater to the main distribution panel if that is feasible. That would provide a slightly stronger signal in the garage.
X10 receiving modules are not the issue, signal suckers and potential noise sources are. Each X10 transmitter is a signal sucker, which is why Insteon systems with their multiplicity of transmitters cause problems for X10 communication. If using an ordinary repeater, your office computer and any other electronics should be isolated by X10 filters to minimize the load on the X10 signal. Incandescent lights and fluorescents with magnetic ballasts are fine. Most shop equipment often found in a garage should also be fine. As long as you are careful to isolate devices that cause problems for X10 communications, a single repeater should still do the job.
If you do choose to stay with multiple repeaters, it is a good idea to choose one that has an option to prevent command ping-pong in a multi-repeater installation.
Jeff
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I have several of the big 20 amp filters on all the UPS's ( I have a network of 5 PC's here)
I have several 10amp and 5 amp filters on all offending electronic devices like battery chargers, TV's, etc
The whole X10 sytem has run very well since I added the filters and couplers about a year ago.
Before that, I had all sorts of problems.
The X10 net work used to be very unreliable.
Thanks for the help Jeff