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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: aba on May 05, 2010, 11:20:29 AM

Title: FakeTV - AM12 or LW12?
Post by: aba on May 05, 2010, 11:20:29 AM

Guys,

I have a FakeTV http://www.faketv.com/index.php (UK version) and currently have it plugged into a AM12U http://www.letsautomate.com/10014.cfm? as instructed by the AM12U seller.

For some reason the FakeTV unit flickers on 1 or 2 led's when its not switched on.  Its not an issue for me, but as we are going away for two weeks I don't want to leave something that is faulty and could cause a fire?? (I have tested with another AM12 with the same results)

I did wonder whether I'd be better off using a LM12U http://www.letsautomate.com/10015.cfm?, I have spare of both.

As I'm really don't understand electrics, I was hoping for some guidance.  The req's for FakeTV are here http://www.faketv.com/pop-ups/ftv_specs.php

Many Thanks in Advance
Stace  :)

Title: Re: FakeTV - AM12 or LW12?
Post by: Brian H on May 05, 2010, 11:37:51 AM

Look at the links you provided. Both say Not For LED lights.
Both the AM12U and the LM12U have Local Control Sensing and the AM12U a relay on or off status sensor. Because many LED lights use very little power. This small current sometimes is enough to keep them glowing or if they have slightly different needs some may glow while other do not.

The instruction sheet mentions an external power supply. So you are connecting the wall wart type supply to the AM12U? The small Local Control Current maybe keeping it partially on and the light bulb trick mentioned below would also help with that

Why don't you try the simple trick we sometime use with LEDs and CFLs that glow or pulse. Get a power tap so you can plug the Fake-TV and a small incandescent night light into the modules outlet. I personally would try the AM12U first as you would not have to worry about accidental dims or maybe soft start if the LM12U has it.

As for an overheating problem it is hard to say exactly. As it would depend on the power supply you are using and staying partially power up.

Title: Re: FakeTV - AM12 or LW12?
Post by: aba on May 05, 2010, 05:09:03 PM

Thanks Brian  >!

Title: Re: FakeTV - AM12 or LW12?
Post by: Brian H on May 05, 2010, 06:42:04 PM

Keep us informed on the situation.

Title: Re: FakeTV - AM12 or LW12?
Post by: aba on May 21, 2010, 06:11:34 AM

Just got back from holiday.

Will have a play now I have more time.  In the end I simply used a analog timer, far from perfect but did the job whilst I was away.