Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: help with replacing a 3-way switch  (Read 6561 times)

brian h (different brian h)

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 5
help with replacing a 3-way switch
« on: January 11, 2006, 12:15:03 PM »

Hi - I am a different Brian H than the one
who knows a great deal about x-10.  I know a
bit, but not that much.  Hence I am posting
this message.  <smile>

I am trying to replace a 3-way switch with an
XPD3 and XPSS companion.  I’ve installed
XPD3s before with no problem, but never as a
3 way.  I am finding the instructions for
3-way switches very confusing and hope you
all will be able to help me out.

Now my current switches/rockers each use
three wires.  One is connected to “common”,
the other 2 are top and bottom, both
unlabeled.     (I have pictures if it helps)

For the XPD3:  Now, if I am understanding the
instructions correctly, I will be connecting
the “common” wire to the black wire hot/line
wire and the other 2 wires to either of the
other 2 wires (doesn’t matter which).
Common -> black
Wire 2 -> red
Wire 3 -> blue

The companion switch is even more confusing
because there are not any wires connected to
it, only holes labeled SWITCH and LIVE.  Both
switches I am replacing use 3 wires.
According to the instructions for installing
the XPSS, I only use 2 wires.  But I have 3.
Here is where I am really confused.  Is this
correct:
Common -> LIVE hole
Wire 2 -> into one of the SWITCH holes
Wire 3 -> into one of the SWITCH holes

Help help help!!!  ;-)  I am ready to walk
away from this…..

Thanks in advance!!!

The other Brian H.
Logged

dick

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 47
Re: help with replacing a 3-way switch
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2006, 08:53:45 PM »

http://www.act-solutions.com/kingery.htm

Go to later chapters.  Should help
Logged

brian h (different brian h)

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 5
Re: help with replacing a 3-way switch
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2006, 09:18:02 PM »

Thanks Dick. I've looked at this site.
Informative but still confusing.  I'll take
another look....
Logged

ron

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 19
Re: help with replacing a 3-way switch
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2006, 06:50:38 PM »

Oops!  To Brian (other):
This editor doesn't like Tabs or leading
spaces, so Let's try again...

------L1,H--------------------{O}-lamp-----\
.        o------------------o              
Logged

brian h (different brian h)

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 5
Re: help with replacing a 3-way switch
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2006, 08:28:15 PM »

Ron - thank you so much.  I am very impressed
with your knowledge on this board.

Take care and thank you again.

Brian
Logged

brian h (different brian h)

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 5
Re: help with replacing a 3-way switch
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2006, 08:30:47 PM »

Ron (and others)

This is off-topic for this post, but related
to Ron's message.  I have a SS13A and find it
very unreliable at times.  Does anyone have
the same experience?

It's very frustrating because it's a great
device that can be used just about anywhere.

Brian
Logged

ron

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 19
Re: help with replacing a 3-way switch
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2006, 10:10:48 PM »

Brian H (other)
You're welcome.  I just came across this site
today... I don't know how new it is but it
seems like just the right thing. It's obvious
the other Brian knows this stuff pretty well too.

The SS13a has been ok here.  We use several
around the house.  Be aware that there are at
least two different versions internally.  I
know this because I utilize their guts for
that wireless toggle switch I mentioned
below.  I build working prototypes from them.
I add a second pc board to handle the
normally closed contacts of the actuating
toggle so the battery doesn't get run down.
I've been fighting the patent office for more
than a decade over the patent, and I'm still
trying.  And yes, I've approached x10
numerous times - they are simply too short
sighted, their CEO telling me that "they
don't do single point controls".  Hmmm.

Oh, the different versions.  One of the early
so called intermittant problems which still
exists with some of the push button controls
is that the user doesn't hold the button down
long enough to finish the second
transmissions   because the button also
powers up the transmitter.  This included
early models of the SS13A.  To find out if
your unit is of the old or new design, simply
quickly poke the rocker and see if the light
continues a bit after you remove your finger.
They basically incorporated a delay timer in
the later units that allows completion of the
transmission.

You should also be aware that the transceiver
locaton can be critical, depending on
location, line side, what's sharing the line,
and the transmitters themselves.  One of
their older handhelds had a 9v battery and we
still use in one of our cars because of it's
range.

Locating the 751 in the highest location
possible also helps.  Ours is in the attic of
the barn, about 20 feet up.

good luck.
Logged

brian h (different brian h)

  • Newbie
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 5
Re: help with replacing a 3-way switch
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2006, 11:42:37 PM »

I'm new myself.  Started reading yesterday.
You've been busy posting so I just assumed
you were a regular!!  ;-)  Too funny.

On my SS13A - As soon as I let go of the
button, the red light stops.  Holding down
the buttons for a while works except for the
top one.  When you hold that one down for
more than 3 seconds (I think) it goes into
program mode and I end up changing the
Housecode or Unit code.

Take care,

Brian
Logged

ron

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Helpful Post Rating: 0
  • Posts: 19
Re: help with replacing a 3-way switch
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2006, 12:48:56 AM »

Brian H (diff?),
Just having fun with one of my favorite
subjects - I learn too, you know.

The transmission time for two code sequences
is only ('gotta get the 'scope) approx 1
second. Only here I must plea forgetfulness.
My apologies - I mixed up the models and
types.  The X10 unit that got the built in
time delay for transmission is the 8 channel,
HR-12A which replaced the 8 channel RT-504
that didn't have the delay.  The external
appearance is updated too, altho it still
resembles the RT-504.

The SS13A was also replaced by a new, but
identical unit, now carrying the model RSS18.
Altho somewhat reworked electronics are
inside , no transmission delay was
incorporated.

Sorry I confused MY added delay circuit I
needed in the SS13/RSS18s for my single
toggle wireless wall switch prototypes with
the HR12A remote.  It's getting late.  Good
night.
Logged
 

X10.com | About X10 | X10 Security Systems | Cameras| Package Deals
© Copyright 2014-2016 X10.com All rights reserved.