x10 issues

[Brian H]

You may want to try the Smarthome Forums for 2412N tips and fixes.
http://www.smarthome.com/forum/default.asp
http://wiki.smarthome.com/index.php?title=SmartLinc_-_INSTEON_Central_Controller_Owner%27s_Manual

[Noam]

I asked if I could unscrew his cfl spotlighted he has had on the front of his house running continuously for EIGHT years he said.  Holy crap stuff works now!

That is why I developed this:  http://jvde.us/xtb/XTB-ANR_description.htm

Jeff

Perhaps you should have named it the XTB-NHBC: X10 Booster - Neighbor Has a Bad CFL. 

[dave w]

FWIW CFLs and certain style LEDs put out noise, but not always in the frequencies that effect X10. I have a bunch of GE 23W and 13W CFLs, but can still push X10 signals throughout house reliably with a good amplifier coupler. I have 86 modules so have modules on every circuit branch.

[Noam]

FWIW CFLs and certain style LEDs put out noise, but not always in the frequencies that effect X10. I have a bunch of GE 23W and 13W Cfls, but can still push X10 signals throughout house reliably with a good amplifier coupler. I have 86 modules so have modules on every circuit branch.

In my case, the noise from the bad CFL across the street was "loud" enough that even the XTB-IIR (which I had bought to try and combat the problem) didn't help. Of course, it did help me in other ways, and I'm still glad I spent the money on it, even though the fix my problem was replacing a $7 light bulb.

[bkenobi]

In cases like this were the problem is outside the house, does it make sense to suggest a whole house filter (PZZ01 or similar)?  These "require" professional installation since the ring goes around the main neutral line coming from the meter, but if I understand correctly, this is the reason they are available.

[JeffVolp]

In cases like this were the problem is outside the house, does it make sense to suggest a whole house filter (PZZ01 or similar)?

A couple of years ago one of my customers was plagued with noise coming in over his utility feed.  He installed the PZZ01, but it did not completely solve the problem.  We also tried adding signal suckers to try to kill what was leaking through, but even that was not sufficient, and he eventually gave up on X10 completely.

Since I had pretty much solved the problem with weak signal levels, I began working on how to deal with powerline noise.  A pair of  XTB-ANRs would probably have solved his problem by themselves, and certainly would have when coupled with the clamp-on ferrite clamshell filters that are part of the smart meter rejection kit.  While the clamshell filters require opening the distribution panel, they can be installed without the main power being disconnected.

Jeff