X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: JSS on March 04, 2013, 09:23:09 PM

Title: Swimming pool light problem
Post by: JSS on March 04, 2013, 09:23:09 PM

I don't know a lot about this stuff, this is my first automation project.  Just purchased a new switch for my pool pump (X10 PRO XPS2) and a new mini controller (X10 Pro PMC01) to control the pump and pool light.  Got the pump working fine with the controller but could not get the light to work with the controller, it does work manually and it looks like it is an X10 PRO switch.  Could it be worn out and only work manually?
Any help will be greatly appreciated,

Title: Re: Swimming pool light problem
Post by: Brian H on March 05, 2013, 05:57:43 AM

Can you find a part number on the switch for the lights?
What kind of light is it? Incadescent, low voltage ,CFL etc.?

Title: Re: Swimming pool light problem
Post by: dave w on March 05, 2013, 09:30:24 AM

Also, is there a GFI on the light. Many GFIs will not pass X10 commands. If the light switch has only two wires (line and load, but no neutral connection) it will only work with incandescent bulbs.

Title: Re: Swimming pool light problem
Post by: dave w on March 05, 2013, 09:53:20 AM

I just thunked of something else.
You may have a phase coupling problem. Your pool pump switch is 220V so it spans both power phase in your home. Your Mini Timer is 120V so it only "talks" on one phase. Your pool light is likely 120V (you didn't say) so it too only "listens" on one phase. If the Mini Timer and the pool light switch are not on the same phase, the pool light will not receive the Mini Timer command where the pump spanning both phases, will.
You might try moving the Mini Timer to different outlets around the home. If some outlets turn on the pool light then it would point to a phase coupling issue OR a noise problem. Here is a good troubleshooting guide: http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm

Title: Re: Swimming pool light problem
Post by: bkenobi on March 05, 2013, 11:09:21 AM

If the pump is 220V, then if it is a phase coupling issue the light should function when the pump is running since it will link the two legs.

Title: Re: Swimming pool light problem
Post by: Brian H on March 05, 2013, 11:18:34 AM

The 220 volt motor maybe too inductive to pass the X10 signals easily.

Title: Re: Swimming pool light problem
Post by: bkenobi on March 05, 2013, 05:22:43 PM

Valid point.  Just thought it might help explain if it worked only during pump operation.  The OP didn't say that, but sometimes it's hard to give all pertinent info when you don't understand the problem fully.

Title: Re: Swimming pool light problem
Post by: Brian H on March 05, 2013, 06:37:15 PM

It still could be the 220 volt motor is passing enough power line signals to allow the switch to work. When running.

Title: Re: Swimming pool light problem
Post by: JSS on March 05, 2013, 06:57:16 PM

Thanks for all the responses, problem solved.
I just happened to find another same switch for a different light and I swapped it out and the pool light worked with the remote.  So it was a bad switch after all.
Thank you all again.