X10 Community Forum
💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: suckered on July 08, 2006, 12:22:56 PM
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Great advertising. Lousy product. Purchased AHP and a couple of WS12A dimmer switches, a couple of lamp modules, and an RF style (3 unit) switch. I would say the AHP module stuck to the programmed schedule the first couple days. After that, lights may or may not go on. Or, go on at non-scheduled times. The RF switch will only work if it's 10 feet from the control module (what range!). The WS12A dimmer switch started going on whenever it wanted, even after I disconnected the control module and even with no bothersome appliances going (e.g. washer, dryer). I finally decided to re-install my original (basic) switch, and in removing the WS12A I discovered that it was almost too hot to touch! Needless to say I was glad I was removing this thing before something really serious happened. What a waste of money!
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:'( I am with you pal. I purchased over $400.00 worth and its a crap shoot on what will and what will not work.
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...and in removing the WS12A I discovered that it was almost too hot to touch!...
While AHP & X10 have some challenges, a WS12A switch under normal use should never be that hot. You may of had a defective switch.
BTW... What where you switching with it? (It's recommended for incandescent lights only 60-300 watts.)
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:'( I am with you pal. I purchased over $400.00 worth and its a crap shoot on what will and what will not work.
X-10 came onto the scene ~30 years ago. Unfortunately, in the years since then, *MANY* new (and unexpected!) electronic devices came onto the market that INTERFERE with X-10. :o
Sadly, X-10 doesn't make this "critical information" public in their ads. :(
CLICK on my SIG LINK and spend some time reading - you'll learn how to get it all working... :)
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...and in removing the WS12A I discovered that it was almost too hot to touch!...
While AHP & X10 have some challenges, a WS12A switch under normal use should never be that hot. You may of had a defective switch.
BTW... What where you switching with it? (It's recommended for incandescent lights only 60-300 watts.)
Just my front porch lights. All incandescent and well below 300 watts.
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Interesting.....since the WS12A uses a neutral, it usually works better than the WS467.
Taketheactive is absolutely right. Since X10 hit the streets 30 years ago, a lot of things have come along (mainly switching power supplies) that throw monkey wrenches in the works.
It is not "a crap shoot" but it is not "Plug -N-Play" either. You have to work at it a little, especially if you jump in in a big way.
You describe classic symptoms of noise and coupling problems. They are solveable, but at some additional cost and effort.
Check out "taketheactive" link, or search "noise" , "coupling" "filters" "repeaters" etc in this forum.
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I've seen conflicting specs for the WS12A. I read one place that it was rated for use between 60 to 300W. Most specs I'm finding now say it is rated for 500W.
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Wall switches will get warm and this is normal. A metal wall switch cover will act as a heat sink to dissapate some of the heat.