X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Help & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: SCG on August 14, 2014, 08:31:54 AM
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Purchased a 50W LED flood to replace a 200W halogen flood light. Trying to save on electricity. The light works fine. Output is great plenty of light. The problem is the control with a X10 inline module (XPFM). It turns on but not off. I removed the module and wired it direct to the panel. I have to use the breaker to turn it on of off. This light has it's own circuit. Now when I flip the breaker on the flood turns on with no flicker (No Flicker even with the module installed). Works nicely. The problem is it renders all my other X10 inoperative. I'm using a SmartHome Controlinc Maxi Controller and the pilot light on the controller flickers and none of my X10 wall switches (INSTEON 2334-232 Keypad Dimmer Switch with 6-Button) or the controller buttons work. The same when the XPFM module was installed nothing worked.
This is the flood I used http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JA6TK3I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Smarthome Controlinc Maxi Controller
and INSTEON 2334-232 Keypad Dimmer Switch with 6-Button
Thanks for any help B:(
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It sounds like the LED bulb is a noise generator. This isn't uncommon, the power supply in the bulb generates frequencies near the X10 frequency X10 uses for it's code modulation. The noise corrupts the X10 control signal.
You can try and filter the noise. A filter must go between the LED bulb and the XPFM to block the noise getting back into the rest of the circuit. OR you can try a different brand of bulb. I have LED bulbs in many applications which do not affect my X10. I also have a repeater which boosts my X10 signals to high levels
overriding the noise. http://jvde.us//xtb/XTB-IIR.pdf
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Selecting_a_Filter#XPF
http://www.thehomeautomationstore.com/x10-pro/x10-pro-specialty-devices/x10-pro-filters.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwvLGfBRDfkrr19KDS-7YBEiQA8CoFJ3W3gEx88PdTqdhyHxJvgo42eZ6lAlK2QK6GNg8XMksaAjK08P8HAQ
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Thanks Dave. I'll give the filter a try and let you know how it works.
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The filter did not work. Then I remembered I had a XPDF module. Connected and all is working. :)%
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Keep a close watch on the setup for awhile. For strange things happening.
The XPDF is a dimmer type module. Designed for incandescent bulbs. I would say dimmable LEDs may work also.
The fixture in the link you provided. Does not say it can be run on a dimmer. Even at 100% On. There is some distortion of the AC power into the LED Bulb.
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Will Do. Thanks for the warning. I had it on for a couple of hours with no problem.
But you are correct Crap Happens.
I'll report back in a week or so. Sooner if problems arise.
Thanks again!
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OK Let us know how it works.
Since it has a universal power supply of 85V AC to 265V AC. It maybe fine on the XPDF.
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Well it's been working OK. Just having an issues.
Some times will not shut off using SmartHome Controlinc Maxi Controller - pushing the off button. No matter which I use, the programmed button or punch in the code (C13) and hit off. The light turns off using the computer program and there is no longer any interference with any other X10 switches. Sometimes it will shut off using SmartHome Controlinc Maxi Controller.
So on the timer it work perfectly. It's just when I want to shut the light off manually from the SmartHome Controlinc Maxi Controller.
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Could be a marginal power line signal. From where the ControLinc Maxi is being used and the Flood Lights XPDF. The electronics in the LED bulb maybe absorbing some of the signal and resulting in On is OK but Off will not happen.
You may want to look at Jeff's Tutorials on power line troubleshooting.
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
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ON is OK but OFF is not is a classic indication of noise being generated by the LED. When off there is no noise but when on the noise is sufficient to interfere with valid signals. In this case, the filter may not be 100% effective and/or the signal from the ControLinc Maxi might be marginal (I believe the max is around 3V) while that from other sources might be just strong enough to get through.
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I have an INSTEON KEYPADLINC around somewhere. I think I'll order an Insteon 2402WH Tabletop Enclosure and give it a try.
The Controlinc Maxi Controller is pretty old. Being the KEYPADLINC wall switches now work, well I'm hoping. The wall switch is on the same circuit as the Maxi Controller.