Flood Cam: Camera working but not lights? Look here...

[J.B.]

Long time X10 user here.
I thought I would pass this along in case it hasn't been posted before.
I just bought my first flood cam, even after hearing a lot of horror stories about them.
The camera was working fine but I could not get the lights to work at all.
I tried resetting the flood cam by killing power to it (which in my case has to be done from my electrical box).
This did nothing. I noticed the insulating rings that you install between the bulbs and the sockets were a tad bit tight so I removed these and voila! Let there be light!
No issues at all now. Simple fix but something some people may run into an issue with.
It may not be the best idea to leave the sockets open so much to the weather but if you can locate a more flexible rubber type gasket to install, I would think this would be ideal.

Just thought I'd pass this along should there be some chance anyone else runs into a similar issue.

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

J.B.,

Thanks for the thoughtful post!

You know, I had the same issue with the PR511 motion lights.  The weather gasget is very tight and wasn't sliding far enough up the bulb to allow the bulb to contact at the base.  You screw it in, and it feels like the bulb is all the way in because the gasget is catching, and of course, no light.

Good pointer!   

You get a "helpful" from me!

P.S.

I wouldn't suggest most types of "rubber" gasgets as the heat of the bulb could easily melt it and / or catch fire!   

[J.B.]

Thanks for the helpful Bill, appreciate it.

I have seen rubber-like (flexible) gaskets at some hardware stores made for outdoor lighting fixtures.
They probably aren't just a standard rubber but a special heat resistant material.

Good point though that it probably wouldn't be wise to make your own out of any old rubber or other material unless you are certain it is safe to do so.

[sshuda]

I am having a similar issue with floodcams not providing any picture.  I purchased the items in July of 2009 and have not been able to get them to work.

I have the following:
VT38A color floodcam
VR36A video receiver
V11A USB interface

Now, before everyone tells me to make sure the drivers are loaded.  I want to say that I have verified the driver is loaded.  I have connected the Video receiver directly to a TV and get nothing.  I have even gone so far as to put the video camera within 6 inches of the receiver, with it still hooked up to the TV and get nothing. 

When I have the video receiver connected to the USB interface on my computer, all I get, at best, is a very brief picture that is mostly blue with white lines running through it.  When I say brief picture, I mean brief - less than a second.  No color. 

I have communicated with tech support via email to no avail.

Any suggestions??

[Brian H]

What operating system sshuda?
The VA11A does not work with Vista or Windows 7. You need a VA12A for those systems.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/VA11A

[nybuck]

I have connected the Video receiver directly to a TV and get nothing.  I have even gone so far as to put the video camera within 6 inches of the receiver, with it still hooked up to the TV and get nothing. 

Sounds like a channel problem...  (ABCD)

[dbemowsk]

With a channel problem, make sure that both the camera and receiver are both on the same channel letter.  Next, make sure the lights are on.  If the unit isn't activated/turned on, you won't get a picture.  the camera doesn't run all the time.  If all that is okay, you may have a defective unit, and if just bought recently, check with X10 on the warranty.

Hope that helps.

Dan B.

[nybuck]

Oh, and I would test it in "Manual Mode" as the motion could turn off the camera in automatic!