X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: bbeeman on September 30, 2012, 07:51:15 PM

Title: Turn On, but not Off
Post by: bbeeman on September 30, 2012, 07:51:15 PM
I have a WS13A wall switch controlling outside lights.  It works fine when controlled by PHT04 timer.

I've installed a TM751A Wireless Transceiver, and have a pair of RKR24 KeyChain Remotes.  I can turn on the WS13A with excellent range using the remotes, but can not switch off the device.

The WS13A and the TM751 are on the same phase.  I'm out of ideas.  Suggestions?
Title: Re: Turn On, but not Off
Post by: Brian H on October 01, 2012, 06:08:36 AM
The loads maybe making power line noise when On and the power line signal to the module is marginal.
If the PAT04 is in a different location. Try it in the exact place the TM751 is and see if it also shows the same symptoms.
Could also be the PAT04's power line signal is slightly stronger and has enough strength to overcome the noise.

Good tips and information here.
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
http://www.act-remote.com/PCC/uncle.htm
http://www.davehouston.net/
Title: Re: Turn On, but not Off
Post by: pomonabill221 on October 02, 2012, 03:13:07 PM
True about the noise...
What kind of lamps are you switching?  Are there any CFL's, LED's, HID lamps (mercury vapor and/or HP sodium)?
Title: Re: Turn On, but not Off
Post by: bbeeman on October 05, 2012, 03:55:10 PM
The loads are in fact, CFLs, but located at some distance from the switch.  I have a broadband receiver, and don't notice any increase in noise at 310 MHz when the load is on.

So still not sure what is going on.

Bill
Title: Re: Turn On, but not Off
Post by: Brian H on October 05, 2012, 04:01:31 PM
The X10 Powerline frequency is 120KHz.
It maybe possible the CFLs have an internal capacitor across the input. To keep their electronics from spewing noise on the powerlines.
Those caps could be acting like a signal sucker.
Did you try the TM751 in the same outlet as the PAT04? To eliminate differences in the locations power line signals.
The PAT04 could just have a more powerful powerline signal than the TM751.
Title: Re: Turn On, but not Off
Post by: pomonabill221 on October 05, 2012, 04:35:56 PM
You could also try (temporarily) replacing the CFL's with incandescent/halogen, and see if the switch works.
It sure does sound like a signal sucker in the CFL's though.  They could be generating noise as well... your receiver won't necessarily "hear" the RF noise, but it could be superimposed on the line, although that would be radiated as RF as well.
Still sounds like signal sucker.