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Author Topic: ms14a motion sensor troubleshooting  (Read 2967 times)

cajunfries

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ms14a motion sensor troubleshooting
« on: June 20, 2011, 09:40:59 PM »

Using a ms14a motion sensor inside the house to switch on the bedroom lights ahead of time while I'm walking down the hallway.  The unit's pointed towards the bedroom so it only catches motion if I'm in the hallway. At first I just let it default to unit code #1 and it worked fine.  Only thing is, I'm passing it thru a TM751 transceiver, which, when using unit 1, has an annoyingly loud click in the relay.  I recently changed the unit code to #9 to get rid of the click, tested it, and all seemed OK, then mounted it back in the same spot on the wall on the approach to the bedroom, and now it just seems to randomly work or not.  While programming the motion sensor, I followed all the instructions, the unit acknowledged with the right number of flashes.  It seems to just randomly work on code #9 every now and then, most of the time doesn't switch on the light at all, and sometimes seems to switch on the last unit code I've used elsewhere in the house.  I'm finding lights on that shouldn't be on...  I know the batteries are good and the unit's working - I approach the unit, the led flashes as if detecting me, but doesn't switch the module on.
I know the easy answer is to go back to unit code #1, but does anyone know why this thing is acting up?  Is there another way to program it other than the instructions that X10 provides?
Thanks
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Brian H

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Re: ms14a motion sensor troubleshooting
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2011, 07:21:27 AM »

You may want to look at the Motion Sensor area in the X10 wiki for added tips.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Motion_Sensors
http://www.x10.com/instructions/ms14a_inst.htm

You have a TM751 receiving the commands from the MS14A and unit one worked OK while unit nine is intermittent.
Do you have any X10 remotes you could use the verify unit nine works from it and it was the motion sensor sending intermittently?
You may also want to test back on unit one. If the TM751 clicks on and off properly and the lights are still intermittent. Something has change on the power line making communications intermittent.

Don't forget. The dusk dawn sensor in the MS14A will be on unit ten if the motion is on unit nine. That could turn a unit set to ten on and off as the light hitting the MS14A changes.
The MS14A can also be set to only detect motion when it is night time.
« Last Edit: June 21, 2011, 07:28:09 AM by Brian H »
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cajunfries

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Re: ms14a motion sensor troubleshooting
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2011, 08:25:56 AM »

Thanks for the reply, Brian.  Just going thru the links you sent.
Using the HR12A Palm Pad Remote, unit 9 doesn't respond at all, even standing next to the transceiver. The palm controller works on all other modules in the house. The #9 module is an old Radio Shack lamp module, and does work on unit 9 when I switch it off or on from my old Radio Shack 61-2690 "Command Center".  (The Radio Shack controller has so far worked ok on any new X-10 modules I've purchased).  I may try swapping the Radio Shack mod with a newer one.
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