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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: EricJ on December 03, 2015, 02:15:50 PM

Title: x-10 not responding to phone
Post by: EricJ on December 03, 2015, 02:15:50 PM

We've used x-10 to control heating in our cabin for many years.  Recently it has become erratic - sometimes working, sometimes not.  Have replaced both the transponder and the universal module but still have problems.  The unit recognizes the 3 digit security code but does not respond to the unit on/off code.  Have tried different unit numbers - no success.  Any suggestions?

Title: Re: x-10 not responding to phone
Post by: Brian H on December 03, 2015, 03:15:53 PM

You are using an X10 TR16A or X10Pro PHC05 Touch Tone Controller and an X10  UM506 or X10Pro PUM01 Universal module?
You tried both a different Controller and Universal Module with no changes?
Do you know if the buttons on the controller will locally activate the universal module?
Are you getting the proper reply tones back from the controller when you call it remotely?
Is it set to no answering machine?
Can you use a telephone to listen to the cabins phone lines for noise, static or hum.
Phone line at cabin is a standard type or an internet VOIP?

Title: Re: x-10 not responding to phone
Post by: EricJ on December 07, 2015, 09:00:48 PM

Thanks for your help Brian.  I am using an X10 Powerhouse Telephone Responder TR551 and the PUM01 Universal Module.  Have replaced both with no changes except that the old responder worked some of the time and the new transponder doesn't work any of the time for the unit code.  The responder will respond to the 3 digit security code from a phone call.  I get the correct 3 beep response indicating that the unit has woken up.  But then the unit code on/off command doesn't get a response.  The buttons on the responder do work for all commands, it's just the phone connection that doesn't work.  The machine is set to answering machine (we use one) and it has worked that way for 12 years.  I will check the phone line at the cabin for noise when I am out there next.  I saw on another thread that certain other power sources can add noise to the line.  We have switched to LED lights and added a wireless router in the last year in the same room.  I'll check out if turning them off helps anything.  Phone line is a standard line.

Title: Re: x-10 not responding to phone
Post by: Brian H on December 08, 2015, 06:04:04 AM

Jeff has a good set of troubleshooting tutorials. You may want to look at.
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm