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[davidg]

Is my experience par for the course for LM 465 lamp modules?

Firstly, I'm trying to use one to control a string of christmas tree lights.  So rather than one large incandescent bulb, it's that string of little ones.

I started with one bought as part of a Radio Shack automation package.  That one works, for a couple of days, and then either sticks on or off, refusing to respond to commands.  Unplug it for half an hour, plug it back in and it's good for a few more days, then it jams up again.

Bought another one on eBay, and that one is likely to go back as DOA.  It does not work at all.

Any ideas on how to get a working solution.  I have a couple of appliance modules, but that loud click when they switch is a bit much, so I'd rather not use them.  Am I just having a run of bad luck, or are LM 465's something that I should consider avoiding.

[Brian H]

Small incandescent lights or the newer LED type?

Is the Lamp Module the newer type with soft start?
They take about three seconds to ramp on and ramp off.

I would say the older radio Shack would be before soft start. The EBay one you got; depending on age; could be soft start.

New style LED lights have always on dimly problems. With both Appliance and Lamp type modules. There are ways around the dim glow if they are LEDs.

Well it could be the older Radio Shack module is starting to fail as the power reset and cool down seems the fix the problem and the EBay one is just DOA.

Others with more experience with Christmas Lights may have added data for you.

[Mel99]

This sounds like the problem I'm having with LM465's.  When I control incandescent lights, currently Christmas lights, with a CM11A I get intermittent results.  I have 3 LM's and sometimes some come on, sometimes all, sometimes none.  When they do come on, sometimes some don't go off.  I earlier had the same results with regular incandescent lights.  However, my outside CFL's, controlled by XPS3 switches work ok using the CM11A.  I have a Passive Phase Coupler so I don't have a phase problem anymore.

I 'solved' the problem by using a RR501 Transceiver, slaving the LM's off of it and controlling the setup with a CR12A remote.  All the LM's are set to same code as the Transceiver so one button push turns them on throughout the house and another button push turns all of them off.

I still want to be able to reliably schedule LM operation and will start mapping my circuits and looking for signal suckers on the circuits.

[Mellowmark]

Seems like you could overload a lamp module real easy with Christmas lights.  3 or 4 strands might put it over edge how many strands are we talking here.. If i was going to control Christmas lights, and I have not yet but I will  next year,  I will be using appliance modules or 20 amp switches or contactors.  Christmas lights are known for heating up and causing fires.  I will want to have the max rated device I can supply for them. 

[Mel99]

I don't know about davidg's setup.  I have 2 LM's controlling 2 strings each and the third controls 1.  The RR501 controls a rotating Christmas tree and lots of strings of lights.  I agree with you on being careful to keep the load below the rating on whatever device I'm using.