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[paul warshawsky]

Over the past two weeks I have consistently had the same problem.  Nothing is new in my house or my AHP setup.  I have two lights (both on lamp modules) which will not respond to certain remotes (in one case a slimline wall switch, in the other a credit card thin remote.)  The problem is not the switch/remote because the same switch/remote will control other modules correctly.  The problem is not clearly with the lamp modules as the same modules will respond to timers and other switches/remotes.  In one case it is a simple on/off, in the other it is an inability to trigger a macro (which I can trigger from another switch!)  I don't think it is the transceivers as the other switches that work successfully work through the same transceivers.  This has been 100% consistent.  My AHP module is not connected to my computer (it is actually 2 floors away) because I was having problem with electrical noise in the computer room (and I needed another transceiver in the basement.)

I'm going to unplug the CM15a and remove the batteries and the reload my program, but I'm trying to get setup on a laptop that I can bring to the CM15a instead of bringing the CM15a up to my computer.  I can't see how this will fix the problem, but its worth a try.

Has anyone seen a similar problem?

BTW - this has worked properly for well over a year!

Paul

[JimC]

paul warshawsky ,

I have, on occasion, had similar problems which were taken care of by reseting and downloading to the CM15A.  I have also seen this type problem caused by simply changing the location of where a noise generating device was plugged in. In my case moving a wall wart from one outlet strip to another was all it took to keep signals from reliably being received by the CM15A. Apparently one outlet strip did a better job of filtering out the noise.

[JeffVolp]

Problems like this often crop up this time of year.  We forget about the little plug-in devices received as Christmas presents.  It may be a new cell phone with a noise generating charger.  Or it can be something as simple as a LED nightlight that is attenuating the X10 signal.

If you have a significant investment in X10 equipment, a signal level meter like the Elk ESM1 is a very valuable tool to keep your system running perfectly.  It can check the signal levels at the offending modules, and identify what devices on their circuits are causing a problem.

Jeff

[jimsnorton]

This is typical "X10 speak" for "Our products & software are flaky, so find someone else to fix it for you"!!!
You'll get little to no help from X10...

[JeffVolp]

This is typical "X10 speak" for "Our products & software are flaky, so find someone else to fix it for you"!!!
You'll get little to no help from X10...

First, I want to make it clear that I am not associated in any way with X10.  I have developed a product that boosts the output of X10 transmitters.  I have also written several tutorials that I hope help the average fellow here who takes the time to understand his system.

This may gain me a neg from you, but there are people who don't have a clue about how X10 operates.  It was designed 30 years ago when the electrical environment was vastly different.  Since then we have added an enormous number of electronic devices to our homes, and some of them are downright hostile to X10 communication.  Is that X10's fault?  Their system was here first.  Maybe you should be angry at the companies whose devices cause these problems.

People should understand that when you buy a X10 product (manufactured by X10), you are getting a bargain basement product at a bargain basement price.  Knowing what it costs to make these things, the CM15A is an incredible value.  If you want a controller with good software and support, plan on spending several hundred dollars minimum just for the controller.  And mid-line switches from good companies are in the $40 to $50 area.  You get what you pay for.  I find it amazing how well many of the bargain-basement X10 products actually work.

For those who take the time to understand how their system works, X10 can indeed work VERY well.  Others can't be bothered, and complain.  Tough.

Jeff

[Brian H]

Yes as the electronic powerline noise and such increases. We see more problems. Not X0s fault. When developed we didn't have such electronic proliferation. This is not limited to X10 signals either. Other protocols can also be wiped out if the noise is bad enough or absorbed like X10 signals are.
I have seen a small switching type Cell Phone Charger wipe out many X10 devices range and reliability. Now we are even seeing my new Washers and  Dryers with microprocessor controls effecting range and reliability.