Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[c east]

I use and X10 transmitter and receiver to turn on a well about 600 ft from my house.....It has worked well
all the sudden intermittent operation...Replace the transmitter and receiver and still there are problems...I can think of no changes except temperature....I use power wiring to transmit signals....does anyone make a power booster of some kind?    Charlie

[Noam]

It sounds like a noise issue. Perhaps one of your devices is producing more noise than it used to (I've had this happen with CFL bulbs that have started to go bad).
If you can do a "breaker box test" (turning off circuits one at a time to try and find the one that might be introducing the noise), you may be able to filter out the  noise (or replace a bad CFL) and fix the problem.

However, you asked about signal boosters.
The best one out there (in my opinion, and I know others here agree) is the XTB-IIR, which is made by Jeff Volp (he is a VERY active forum member here). I bought one from him, and it really does the job!
Here is a link to his XTB-IIR page: http://jvde.us//xtb/XTB-IIR_description.htm

It does require adding a new double-pole breaker to your breaker box, and some additional wiring, which is best handled by an electrician (or a homeowner who is VERY comfortable working inside the breaker box). However, it is by far the best booster out there, and well worth the money.

Jeff also makes a signal/noise meter, the XTBM (which I don't have - yet). I don't have any personal experience with it, but others here swear by it, and it comes highly recommended as THE troubleshooting tool for tracking down noise and signal issues.

I'm sure others will ring in with more information, but that should be enough to get you started in the right direction.

[dave w]

Yes there are PLC (powerline) boosters. But you might do some troubleshooting to find out what has changed (like noise).
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
Is the pump 120V or 220V?
"X10 transmitter and receiver" ain't a lot of help. As example the new "CFL Frindly" Appliance Modules have AGC (gain control) which might be helpful in your application. But you don't mention what the "receiver" is.
What are model numbers?
The best PLC coupler/repeater on the market is the XTBIIR from JV Digital Engineering (link is above). It is a "flamethrower" booster (i.e. very high, solid output).

The X10 "XPCR" is an inexpensive PLC repeater which may also solve your problem.

But if yesterday it worked and today it don't, you probably have a new noise source which is killing the X10 signal.

[luke03]

Maybe unplug all the things from wall. To see if any improvement. If the problem is gone, then one of your device is gong bad.
Add a filter at your power main helps, if noise comes from outside.