Sorry for the name change Dan
quote author=artk link=topic=9889.msg57785#msg57785 date=1156962909]
Dave,
This is an appliance module for incandescent and inductive loads. Is this the wrong one?
Lamp modules send a "trickle current", so they cannot be used with Fluorescent Lights. Some applicance modules don't, so they might work. If you have any applicance modules not being used, try one and see what happens.
You might try a straight Appliance Module. The fact that it mentions incandescent and inductive loads leads me to believe it passes "trickle current". You want a straight appliance module which should not pass "trickle current".
TTA;
Me too on the X10 Modules. All I have seen have had a Local Sensing Current.
One interesting side note. The TM751 has some current also on it's output when off, but not for local control sensing as far as I can see. It seems it has a ' Is my Output Switch on or off sensor '. Have not checked a RR501 but it may also.
I'm wondering if those of you that have had success with CFL bulbs, would post as to what bulbs you're using.
You want a straight appliance module which should not pass "trickle current".
What model number would this be? I would like to get a couple as I have applications where they would come in handy. They must be something other than X10 modules as I am not aware of any X10 modules that don't have "local control."
If this mod is applied to the appliance module will the power switch (on\off switch) still work?
"Local current sensing is the feature that automatically turns the appliance module on when the device connected to it is turned on."When disconnecting this feature (cutting the diode), Won't this prevent the appliance module from seeing the switch turning on and keep the light off ?
Quote"Local current sensing is the feature that automatically turns the appliance module on when the device connected to it is turned on."When disconnecting this feature (cutting the diode), Won't this prevent the appliance module from seeing the switch turning on and keep the light off ?
Will someone with electrical knowledge chime in ?
I put a CFL bulb (Commercial Electric EDSO-14 (14watt)) into a 3-way table lamb plugged into an appliance module (AM486). When turned off it would flicker.
I did the mod I got the mod from , http://www.laureanno.com/ expecting the flicker to stop but lose local control.
To my surprise the flicker stopped and I still had local control. I did the mod on another 2 pin appliance module. Same result, no flickering, still have local control. I have not tried it in a regular lamp, so I don’t know if the fact that I used a 3 way lamp made a difference.
Will someone with electrical knowledge chime in ?
I put a CFL bulb (Commercial Electric EDSO-14 (14watt)) into a 3-way table lamb plugged into an appliance module (AM486). When turned off it would flicker.
I did the mod I got the mod from , http://www.laureanno.com/ expecting the flicker to stop but lose local control.
To my surprise the flicker stopped and I still had local control. I did the mod on another 2 pin appliance module. Same result, no flickering, still have local control. I have not tried it in a regular lamp, so I don’t know if the fact that I used a 3 way lamp made a difference.
Perhaps the mod you performed merely reduces the sense voltage or current to a level low enough that the lamp won't flicker but still high enough for the module to detect the change. Some users have reported wiring a small night light in parallel with a regular fluorescent fixture can stop the flickering.
I haven't seen this myself (although I have never actually tried to use local control after modifying a module) so I can only speculate as to the cause, but my best guess is that the capacitors inside the CFL are holding a charge after the appliance module is switched off and when you turn the local switch off and then on again you disconnect and then re-connect this charge from the local control circuitry causing the module to turn on. I would suspect that if you left the module off for an extended period, this charge would dissipate and the local control wouldn't work. I will have to give this a try when I get home.
I'll be very interested in hearing of your results. If you have the time, try your experiment two ways: 1. When the CFL switch remains On when the module is turned Off; and 2. When the CFL switch has been turned Off before the module has been turned Off.
However, I can report that there is no way to avoid a flickering flourescent when using the AM465 (lamp module) due to the bias requirements for proper operation of the triac in the module (unless maybe using a parallel incandescent bulb is enough to bypass the trickle current away from the flourescent). So, cutting the diode in that module only, and completely, disables local control feedback. No mod on a AM465 could possibly prevent a flourescent from flickering, unless you introduce a relay (as with the AM466 and AM468).
However, I can report that there is no way to avoid a flickering fluorescent when using the AM465 (lamp module) . . .
I cut the diode on my am466 (per the instructions of the previous posts) and now the fluorescent light connected no longer flashes when it's set to be off, however I still have local control at the lamp. Does this make sense? If so, what's the use of the diode then.
Also, just cause I'm a worry wort, does cutting the diode create any potential for a hazard with the module now?
I cut the diode on my am466 (per the instructions of the previous posts) and now the fluorescent light connected no longer flashes when it's set to be off, however I still have local control at the lamp. Does this make sense? If so, what's the use of the diode then.
Also, just cause I'm a worry wort, does cutting the diode create any potential for a hazard with the module now?