X10 Community Forum

🛡Home Security => Problems and Troubleshooting => Topic started by: tom j on December 12, 2010, 09:32:42 PM

Title: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 12, 2010, 09:32:42 PM
Hello trying to help my sister with her new x10 alarm system.  I recommended the system to her and I'm really starting to think this was a mistake. Mine never gave me that much trouble but I have had difficulties in the past. The problem with her's is that the console is not responding to any commands the alarm wont turn on she can turn lights on or off she also can not add new any new sensors of key pads. I brought over an my older ds7000 that I have and the thing won't recognise or register any of the components it's like there's some kind of interference like I have never seen!!! something blocking the signals and I mean you can be just inches away and for example you can't register a key fob. Shes extremely upset because she essentially have no alarm system and I feel somewhat responsible for suggesting the system in the first place. I did tell her that she should consider something more sophisticated but that this would probably be OK until she had more funds.

Any idea what could be causing this and what a possible fix might be. I've tried my older system at different locations in the house but even from a few inches the console will not respond. Going to take it back home and try it there but What IN THE WORLD COULD BE CAUSING THIS sun spots?  I was going to use mine for a backup to my DSC system but now I'm not sure I could trust it. HELP   ??? ??? ???


Tom j.



Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: Tuicemen on December 12, 2010, 10:12:25 PM
My first guess would be a cordless phone!
But there is something interfering with the RF signals.
Look at what wireless devices she has in her house it most likely is one of them that is causing the issue!
 >!
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 13, 2010, 02:57:25 AM
My first guess would be a cordless phone!
But there is something interfering with the RF signals.
Look at what wireless devices she has in her house it most likely is one of them that is causing the issue!
 >!

Hi I thought the same thing but she said she hasn't bought anything new, her phone is not 2.4 but I'll unplug the cordless phones she has it was my understanding that x10 operated on a pretty low frequency. Actually started working for a few minutes and then cut off again, she has some new neighbors but they have been there for about 8 months and she never noticed anything before, say  Thanks Tuice and other ideas.  ???


Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: Brian H on December 13, 2010, 06:22:57 AM
X10s standard RF frequency is 310MHz. PowerMid IR extender is 418MHz. Cameras and wireless audio/video senders are in the 2.4GHz band.

The trying it in your location will be a good test.
If it works in your location you may have some serious RF interference at her location.
Would not even have to be the 310MHz as it could be something just overloading the consoles RF receiver.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: Tuicemen on December 13, 2010, 08:31:44 AM
Since the DS7000 will run on batteries only, try it unplugged.
Move it around the house to see if it works better in one location.
Moving it around may help to find the source of the problem.
 >!
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 13, 2010, 10:09:26 AM
Since the DS7000 will run on batteries only, try it unplugged.
Move it around the house to see if it works better in one location.
Moving it around may help to find the source of the problem.
 >!

Hi that's the first thing I tried I did move it, and I bought an older unit I had and the same thing happen. Since you think the problem is in the house itself what about hitting the main power cutting everything and then trying it if it is coming from inside that should do it. And then hit one breaker at a time to try to isolate it, what do you think about this procedure? Thanks

Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 13, 2010, 10:12:11 AM
X10s standard RF frequency is 310MHz. PowerMid IR extender is 418MHz. Cameras and wireless audio/video senders are in the 2.4GHz band.

The trying it in your location will be a good test.
If it works in your location you may have some serious RF interference at her location.
Would not even have to be the 310MHz as it could be something just overloading the consoles RF receiver.


Hi just saw this yes that's exactly what I was thinking about doing, ever hear of something like this?? I'm over there this morning and the same thing. Please take a look at my "breaker" idea and tell me what you think.

Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: Tuicemen on December 13, 2010, 10:18:55 AM
That would do it if the issue was from something on the powerline that is generating the interference.
Problem is since you can't program a remote the issue is in the RF there could be a very strong RF generating signal coming from outside.
Thats why I sugested using it in battery mode you could even test it outside, down the street each side.
You can program it in battery mode and even arm and trigger it.
 >!
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 13, 2010, 10:44:30 AM
That would do it if the issue was from something on the powerline that is generating the interference.
Problem is since you can't program a remote the issue is in the RF there could be a very strong RF generating signal coming from outside.
Thats why I sugested using it in battery mode you could even test it outside, down the street each side.
You can program it in battery mode and even arm and trigger it.
 >!


I seeeeeee! got ya good idea. I was also thinking if it was a phone or something inside that was emanating the interference that cutting the power would reveal that. You know I could actually drive around with the ds7000 it in the car to see how far it goes. Now I'm also wondering if she could have a palm pad or something wedged in a sofa or something any of those remotes stuck on could cause something like this right?? Thanks!!!!

Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 13, 2010, 05:42:21 PM
Well I figured out the problem but now I need to determine where it's coming from. Well after I took the battery out of the one I brought with me ds7000 and waiting a few minutes that unit seemed to respond when I tried to register a few key fobs, then I started walking around her house and found when I went UPSTARS where her unit is that the unit would not respond walk down a few stares and it works so it must be something in that area of the house but what I don't see anything up there of any significance but a TV  a blu ray player a dvr and a small space heater that wasn't even on at the time, so what do you think I'm thinking I'll try that breaker thing cut the breaker and see if it still persists and try to trace it that way I need you guys to please put on your thinking caps this one has me stumped I guess she could move it downstairs but I'm afraid shes lost confidence in the system. Thanks!    ???   B:(    B:(    B:(


Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: Brian H on December 13, 2010, 06:57:00 PM
Unplug them. Off is not enough as most have a standby power supply running all the time.
Though with it on batteries AC noise and signal suckers should not be a problem.
Maybe one of them is radiating noise strong enough to overload the consoles RF receiver.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 13, 2010, 07:41:59 PM
Unplug them. Off is not enough as most have a standby power supply running all the time.
Though with it on batteries AC noise and signal suckers should not be a problem.
Maybe one of them is radiating noise strong enough to overload the consoles RF receiver.


You know that's what I was thinking the one she had was defective, I've got both unplugged now I'll wait an hour and retest please check back and I'll let you know what happen. Thanks

Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: dave w on December 14, 2010, 09:29:41 AM
Well I figured out the problem but now I need to determine where it's coming from. Well after I took the battery out of the one I brought with me ds7000 and waiting a few minutes that unit seemed to respond when I tried to register a few key fobs, then I started walking around her house and found when I went UPSTARS where her unit is that the unit would not respond walk down a few stares and it works so it must be something in that area of the house but what I don't see anything up there of any significance but a TV  a blu ray player a dvr and a small space heater that wasn't even on at the time,
Silly question here: You say the "upstairs" has the problem. Could the area have metal backed insulation in the walls? Even with this however, you should be able to get fob registration when standing close to the console.
Just a crazy thought, but I am wondering if a lot of RF reflection could create an muti-path situation where the console does not receive clear enough signal to decipher the coding.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: troll334 on December 14, 2010, 10:03:43 AM
Hmmm, perhaps someone (previous owner maybe) has hidden a video/audio transmitter up there somewhere that's
close to X10's operating frequency. Long stretch but...
Wireless intercom system...
Amateur radio operator nearby...with some spurious RF...
Baby monitor equipment (don't know what freq they generally use)...
I'm really reaching here...
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 14, 2010, 06:31:22 PM
Hmmm, perhaps someone (previous owner maybe) has hidden a video/audio transmitter up there somewhere that's
close to X10's operating frequency. Long stretch but...
Wireless intercom system...
Amateur radio operator nearby...with some spurious RF...
Baby monitor equipment (don't know what freq they generally use)...
I'm really reaching here...


Hi that's a possibility I say that because she has a new neighbor that just moved in they have small children but no babies. Here's the update I had another new unit I have three new units just as a backup to my DSC hybrid system and when I tried to set up a key fob with it actually touching it and with only battery power it WOULD NOT REGISTER, just for the heck of  it I took it into the dinning room and plugged it in and guess what it worked!!!! then I went back to the SAME LOCATION and tried it with just the battery and  IT WORKED! took it upstairs to were the other unit was originally sitting and you guessed it IT WORKED!!! so I'm totally confused.  B:(  B:(  ??? what the heck could be going on here. My sister is happy it's working but just doesn't trust it anymore and is buying a DSC system similar to mine but without all the bells and whistles she said she never wants a wireless system again, if this had happen while she was out of town she would have been totally defenseless. I will still use the mine as a backup in the unlikely event my DSC goes down but now I have my doubts to. Just wondering how the more expensive wireless systems would handle something like interference. And ANY IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE, I'M STUMPED.  ???  ???  ???  B:(

Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: vantech on December 15, 2010, 07:33:15 AM
Ademco  http://cgi.ebay.com/Honeywell-Ademco-Vista-15P-6150RF-Keypad-Wireless-/140479869851?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b540b39b#ht_2022wt_1139

and its done...no fuss...and reliable
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 15, 2010, 11:24:12 PM
Ademco  http://cgi.ebay.com/Honeywell-Ademco-Vista-15P-6150RF-Keypad-Wireless-/140479869851?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b540b39b#ht_2022wt_1139

and its done...no fuss...and reliable

Hi THANKS! now this appears to be a really ice unit similar to my DSC it's also hybrid but way more expensive going to have to check on the availability of the different sensors like fire, glass brake I know it can accept wireless Asemco sensors and any compatible wired sensor. I've always like Honeywell got the DSC because I got it on a close out.

UPDATE.....Well I really need some help with this my sister is frantic the system is out again and here the current situation when I came by today the system once again would not arm. I brought two other units with me one ds7000 and one Monitor Plus well I unplugged the unit she had setup and plugged in a new out the box unit this unit is over a year old and was bought as a backup, I checked it when I initially bought it and then placed it back in the box. So like I said the new one also would not respond until now get this I plugged them both in the same outlet then they both worked but with somewhat limited range. Like I said before this really has me stumped could this have something to do with a powerline problem never considered this a possibility because the communication between the console and the sensors is wireless.  Any  -:)  Please!!  B:(   B:(    Thanks!


Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: Tuicemen on December 16, 2010, 08:51:56 AM
Did you ever trip the main circit breaker and test the unit?
There is the possibility that something up stairs is failing (old radio alarm clock, space heater...).
If it is something electrical it is best to start looking now before the house is ashes.
 >!
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 17, 2010, 01:43:42 AM
Did you ever trip the main circit breaker and test the unit?
There is the possibility that something up stairs is failing (old radio alarm clock, space heater...).
If it is something electrical it is best to start looking now before the house is ashes.
 >!

No Tuicemen but I will be shortly as soon as I can get back over there, any idea what this could be? there's really nothing up there that I can think of. There is a small three year old space heater, but none of the other things you mentioned. Starting to lose my hair over this with her bugging me and I didn't have that much to start with.  ;D     B:(


Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 18, 2010, 10:07:42 PM
Ademco  http://cgi.ebay.com/Honeywell-Ademco-Vista-15P-6150RF-Keypad-Wireless-/140479869851?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b540b39b#ht_2022wt_1139

and its done...no fuss...and reliable

Hi say well I did some checking and this is a really nice system it does have it's limitations though it can only accept 6 hardwired sensors and an almost unlimited number 20 or 30 I can't remember wireless connections I think? So for a person that's only needs a small number of hardwired connections this is really a good deal. Wireless is great for places that are difficult to wire, but after the problem my sister had I'm thinking I'll keep them to a minimum.

Also saw these two wireless units from Honeywell these have the ability to upgrade to a DIGITAL COMMICATOR that's real nice no worry about the bad guys cutting your phone line and the unit will fit right inside the Wireless Keypad "Installing a GSM radio or Internet communicator is now even easier with the GSML and 7847i-L models. They simply install inside the same plastic case as the LYNXR-2 with no additional enclosures to mount."  see below. Still a little bit leery about going completely wireless after what happen to my sister I do have three wireless sensors on my new DSC system but that was out of complete necessity don't know if I really trust the wireless stuff after this regardless of the cause.  But I did use a ds700 for maybe 9 years and although I had my share of problems I had nothing really like what my sister is experiencing.  :(  :o

Tom j.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150534437607&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Great Deal Actually
See Below

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130341555857&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT


UPDATE

Just read that this panel Honeywell-Ademco-Vista-15P-6150RF also accepts a hardwired expansion board but they don't don't say how many additional inputs it accepts. The wireless version also appears to support x10 which is a definite plus!!
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 20, 2010, 12:43:21 AM
Guys I might have found an electrical hot spot in the wall of my sisters house I got a buddy with one of those infrared cameras and he's going to shot the area I accidentally found it with my infrared thermometer. This system operates somewhere in the 300 mhz range from what I've been told so is it possible something like this could cause this type of interference.  ???  ???


Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: Brian H on December 20, 2010, 06:01:46 AM
X10 is 310Mhz. Strong 300MHz RF could definitely overload the X10 receiver.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 20, 2010, 08:15:20 PM
X10 is 310Mhz. Strong 300MHz RF could definitely overload the X10 receiver.

Could an electrical problem actually cause this, like a short or something could it actually produce a frequency in this range?

Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: -Bill- (of wgjohns.com) on December 21, 2010, 12:21:58 AM
X10 is 310Mhz. Strong 300MHz RF could definitely overload the X10 receiver.

Could an electrical problem actually cause this, like a short or something could it actually produce a frequency in this range?

Tom j.

Pretty much any electrical arc is a high power broadband RF jammer.  ;)
 >!
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 22, 2010, 08:38:40 PM
X10 is 310Mhz. Strong 300MHz RF could definitely overload the X10 receiver.

Could an electrical problem actually cause this, like a short or something could it actually produce a frequency in this range?

Tom j.

Pretty much any electrical arc is a high power broadband RF jammer.  ;)


 >!

I'm sure it's not actually arcing could just a short in the wire cause interference like this?? For some reason it's been working perfectly for the last 5 days, never had a chance to check the breakers DARN!! I really wanted to try to find out if this was inside or outside the house.  She plans on ordering that Honeywell system and just use the x10 in case of an emergency with the main system so it's not really money lost. Wonder how the more sophisticated wireless units handle inference I know there has to be some other way then the way x10 deals with it or actually doesn't deal with it. Thanks

Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: Tuicemen on December 22, 2010, 08:49:15 PM
It would be a shame to order that Honeywell and the the issue effects it as well!
I'd be trying to root out the problem before I throw more money at another wireless system!
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 23, 2010, 08:56:39 PM
It would be a shame to order that Honeywell and the the issue effects it as well!
I'd be trying to root out the problem before I throw more money at another wireless system!

Hi Tuice, and Marry Christmas, well in case that's not politically correct Happy Holidays! Yep I told her to wait but she has become so dependent on an alarm system and although she lives in a upscale actually very upscale area there was a break in a few weeks ago and now she's really nervous about the X10 system basically locking up again. She actually already received the Honeywell but it's a hybrid system mostly going to be hardwired having our uncle come over and drop most of the wires in the basement and use maybe two wireless contacts upstairs. I will continue to try to trouble shoot the problem and I've showed her how to flip the breakers and try to arm/un-arm the system if it occurs again. I haven't seen the new system yet but I recommended it over the DSC because the wireless sensors appear to be a lot cheaper and I've read the programing is more more user friendly plus she can add a daughter board for more expansion. Will keep you posted and thanks! for your concern.

Tom j.
Title: Re: System Not Responding
Post by: tom j on December 24, 2010, 02:29:57 AM
I'm still thinking maybe sunspots   -:)  ;D  :'  rofl  >*<


Tom j.