X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: steelgtr on July 22, 2007, 11:18:04 AM

Title: Need Capacitor
Post by: steelgtr on July 22, 2007, 11:18:04 AM

Hi Guys,

I have a 50 year old small house (no ground) and am trying to get x10 to work.  Apparently, I have the phase coupling problem ( controller only works modules in certain rooms unless I move the controller)

I tried to locate a  .1 uf 600vdc cap locally but they only have the 250V version.

Can I try it across the 250V cap across the 220 breaker we have?   If not, where can I find the 600V version?  I don't want to buy the expensive x10 coupler/repeater unless I really have to!


thx

bob

Title: Re: Need Capacitor
Post by: JeffVolp on July 22, 2007, 12:39:29 PM

A better choice than the .1uF coupling capacitor is the XPCP.  The old version is available on eBay for about $9 plus shipping.  There is also a fellow who sells a coupling cap on eBay, but it is not UL rated for across-line use.  (He put his own "phase coupler" label on the photo.)   If you want a .1uF UL rated for across-line operation, just send me a PM.

More info on couplers:  http://jvde.us/x10/x10_couplers.htm

Jeff

Title: Re: Need Capacitor
Post by: steven r on July 22, 2007, 01:21:58 PM

Bob: If you'll search around here, you'll find Jeff is a wealth of knowledge on making X10 work. He also sells a few products many of us use and highly recomend.

Title: Re: Need Capacitor
Post by: steelgtr on July 22, 2007, 03:22:46 PM

Thanks, guys.

I've pm'd Jeff.   Just curious if the .1 cap RS sells (250V) is AC or DC?  Apparently it's = to 600 VDC if it is?


thx

bob

Title: Re: Need Capacitor
Post by: JeffVolp on July 22, 2007, 04:32:31 PM

Unless it specifically states 250VAC, it will be a DC rating.  Across-line rated capacitors are not easy to find locally, but are available from the big electronic distributors, such as Mouser and Digikey.

A followup on this:  the Radio Shack .1uF 250V capacitor #272-1053 is indeed rated for 250VDC.  DO NOT USE this capacitor for across-line applications.  A 250VAC UL rated class "X2" capacitor will operate safely even in the presence of significant line spikes.

Jeff

Title: Re: Need Capacitor
Post by: steelgtr on July 22, 2007, 05:41:40 PM

Quote from: JeffVolp on July 22, 2007, 04:32:31 PM

Unless it specifically states 250VAC, it will be a DC rating.  Across-line rated capacitors are not easy to find locally, but are available from the big electronic distributers, such as Mouser and Digikey.

Jeff

Thanks, Jeff

Got your PM, paypal sent :)


thx

bob

Title: Re: Need Capacitor
Post by: Brian H on July 22, 2007, 06:45:51 PM

Until I installed my ACT CR234 repeater. I had a .1 uf 275VAC cap on my phases. Was rated for AC Powerline connections.

Title: Re: Need Capacitor
Post by: Dan Lawrence on July 22, 2007, 08:58:23 PM

If you have an electric stove, you can get a 0.1 uF 250 VAC Capacitor at a good electronics store and install it in the box the stove plugs into or is wired to. That will allow X10 signals to cross the phases.   The general cost of those capacitors is around a dollar.

Title: Re: Need Capacitor
Post by: Hemingray on July 27, 2007, 01:24:30 PM

I salvaged my .1uF/250VAC capacitor from an old dead monitor. Scrounging is a good way to get such things too :)