X10 Community Forum
💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: sierra on September 25, 2011, 04:29:50 PM
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Twice within 2 weeks I came home and our floodlights were on. I have security cams and the lights came on without any motion. Last night before I went out I unplugged the transceiver module and the lights were on again. I think a neighbor is turning my lights on with somekind of remote or possibly a laser light. Can this happen and what can be done to stop it. The lights only come on and stay on when we are not home.
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I think a neighbor is turning my lights on with somekind of remote or possibly a laser light. Can this happen and what can be done to stop it. The lights only come on and stay on when we are not home.
IF the neighbor is on the same pole transformer as you, and has X10, they could be accidentally turning on your floodlights when controlling something in their house on the same House Code-Unit Code you have you lights set to. In that event you could change the HCUC on your lights. If you have a X10 xxxxEye motion sensor, remeber they use the programmed Unit Code +1 for a dusk to dawn signal. Could that be turning on your lights?
Laser? Very doubtful. The lights look for moving/changing Infrared light (heat), not single wavelength light like a laser. Use a red laser pointer and see if you can set them off.
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Thanks Dave, my lights are 2 stories high and before i attempt to change the codes I am trying to make sure that will correct the issue. The lights are only on when we are out. I think he is doing it on purpose.
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Thanks Dave, my lights are 2 stories high and before i attempt to change the codes I am trying to make sure that will correct the issue. The lights are only on when we are out. I think he is doing it on purpose.
Well IF the neighbor is doing it to make you nuts, if you change the HCUC on the lights the neighbor can fairly easily find what you have changed it to. However that would indicate your neighbor has X10 in his house also. If his signal can get to you, your signal can get to him. Firing off a bunch of "ALL OFF" commands on all 16 house codes a few times, or a couple of ALL LIGHT ON at 3:00 AM may let him know that two can play them game. Although a pain to install, there is always the PZZ01 whole house blocking filter.
And finally a FWIW: Is this a new install? Have they EVER worked right? and why do you suspect neighbor is doing it? There is a history of the non camera model of lights acting strange. $0.02
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Just got back. I don't think he has x10, just a hunch but what really has me thinking is that the lights don't come on when we are home only when we are out. Like I said before, last night I had the transceiver module unplugged and they were still on. They were installed about 3yrs ago. Not many issues that I recall. i do want to look at the pzz01. thanks...
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How about thunder storms? Nearby lightning flashes can turn ours on. Sometimes they will turn off again themselves, but usually not.
Jeff
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A flicker in the power will sometimes turn mine on, then they stay on until turned off with an X10 command.
It's usually one of those really quick flicks that makes you wonder if you imagined it :)
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thanks for the replies. No storms in the area last night. Power surge? Maybe? But why only when we are not home?
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.... They were installed about 3yrs ago.
I just tried to trigger my PR511 Floodlights using my laser pointer.... did NOT work here for the X10 lights or any of my others ether.
Seems to me that some time ago someone reported erratic behavior of the floodlight camera when they installed too high a wattage of lightbulbs. Have you recently changed a bulb or two on this setup?
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Nope. No recent changes. thanks for the test results. i feel better about that.
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Maybe take that light down, put in the garage for two weeks to see if it will trigger by itself.
Don't know how long that light up there, all electronics stuff could fail from time to time.
I prefer to have the floodlight controlled by a X10 appliance module, then from controller
sending the X10 commands over power line.
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I Have a PRS11 Floodlight that is X10 controlled with ZERO problems ever. it has worked perfectly.
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I Have a PRS11 Floodlight that is X10 controlled with ZERO problems ever. it has worked perfectly.
Same here Dan. I have a couple PR511 floodlights, that are near the heart of my home automation. They detect dusk/dawn for macro conditions, as well as trigger camera views and Voice Warnings (http://www.youtube.com/user/suitmanIM?feature=mhee#p/u/5/tkAwQ4KXkHA).... and oh yeah... they shine light on the walks and patio so we can see when its dark outside. Mine has also worked well for years. I think I will order a couple spares... just to be sure.
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I received the PZZ01 on Friday to help with my problem. Monday I had my electrician over and ran into a problem with our service. The incoming line is aluminum and it is too thick to pass thru the filter. He called around to his suppliers and they don't even carry copper wiring anymore, too expensive. Anyother ideas to filter or block out the incoming signals?