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[geoffhazel]

I have X10 for all the lights in the living room.  We have been using them for years.   Most are the silent ones but two are the appliance modules that "clack" when they turn on/off.  Anyway, about a week or 2 ago, the silent ones quit working.  I put new batteries in the remote, but no help.  The main unit with the antenna always works, and the other appliance unit worked for a while but now NONE of the units except the main one are working.

I am pulling out my hair trying to figure what happened.  I don't recall plugging in anythign that would interfere with the reception but ...well, that's why I'm posting here, to get some ideas as to how to get my X10 working again.

[HA Dave]

........... the other appliance unit worked for a while but now NONE of the units except the main one are working.

I am pulling out my hair trying to figure what happened.  I don't recall plugging in anything that would interfere with the reception but ...well, that's why I'm posting here, to get some ideas as to how to get my X10 working again.

As a bald man... I hate to hear of anyone pulling hair out!

We just had Christmas at my home... and new plug-in devices can always put X10 at risk. Although I feel X10 is hardier than sometimes given credit for... it is true a device that charges batteries can put a lot of noise on a power line. Many new devices can also absorb X10 PLC.

First things first... I'd map that circuit or circuits that are having the problem. Unplug everything that isn't X10 first... and if that fixes the problem plug things back in one at a time testing after each device. It could be that your problem is on another circuit and can be anywhere in the house. Checking every circuit may be needed. If you've never mapped your circuits... so you actually know what line is where and what is on it.. this would be a good time to do that. Puck [here at the forums] wrote a GREAT thread on How to map your circuits.

Many of us here at the forum have discovered that because mapping the circuits involves switching off breakers... it is best done when alone at home. Be sure to remember to ask [family members] about left-in cell phone chargers in bedrooms and other places. And remember to check the garage and/or basement workshop for charging devices (like a Christmas drill).

If you find a offending device [like a new LCD TV sucking up your X10 signal] a plug-in filter can restore order to your system.

[steven r]

...Be sure to remember to ask [family members] about left-in cell phone chargers in bedrooms and other places....

I finally set up a charging station that is plugged into a filter where I charge just about everything. It has a side benefit is that I now know where all my chargers are. I also have a "guest filter" that my daughter uses when she visits with her laptop.

...remember to check the garage and/or basement workshop for charging devices (like a Christmas drill)....

I had a heck of a time trying to figure out why my garage stopped closing automatically till I remembered that I was charging one of those portable battery packs that you can use to jump start your car.

[HA Dave]

I finally set up a charging station that is plugged into a filter where I charge just about everything. It has a side benefit is that I now know where all my chargers are. I also have a "guest filter" that my daughter uses when she visits with her laptop.

We got a cell phone charging station thing for Christmas... I really like it.. and it forced me into get both cell phone charges in the same place. My wife's cellphone charger has always been a problem so getting it locked down to the one place was a big help.

I had a heck of a time trying to figure out why my garage stopped closing automatically till I remembered that I was charging one of those portable battery packs that you can use to jump start your car.

None of my garage stuff seems to be a problem... at this point. But I always try to keep in mind what I have plugged in where.

[geoffhazel]

 
I found it!  it was a Compact flourescent bulb on the outdoor lighting circuit.  I was so excited the other day, one afternoon, the remote was working perfectly, so when my wife got home I went to show her and all of a sudden, nothing!  Dang!  OK, think: what is on now that wasn't on this afternoon?  Lights. Outside lights.  I turned them off, and voila, the remote started working again.  Found the offending bulb (which was actually working OK as far as making light) and replaced it.  Problem solved.

CFL = X10 un-friendly at times.

[Brian H]

Yes some CFL bulbs are not X10 friendly. Some are fine with X10 and other power line protocols. Could even be a slightly different bulb for a brand normally OK. Isn't Automation so much fun? 

[geoffhazel]

We have quite a few CFL's in the house, this one was the first that caused issues.  I suspect that as it aged, it started misbehaving.