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[jdub]

I recently got Active Home Pro.  I installed a few modules and everything worked great.  X10 is cool!  However, I installed a WS467 wall switch for some exterior lights that I want to control via a MS14A motion sensor.  I installed the switch and it works manually to turn the lights on and off.  However, when I tried to control via Active Home Pro it wouldn't turn the lights on or off.  I read about phase coupling so I tried to plug in my CM15A into a number of different outlets to see if I found an outlet on the other phase if it work work.  After a couple of hours I found an outlet in the garage that I worked.  Problem solved, or so I thought.  I've order a phase coupler to plug into my dryer outlet.  However, I then realized that now Active Home Pro would control the WS467 from outlets that wouldn't work before.  I was totally perplexed.  Then a few hours later it stopped working again, then later it worked again, so on and so forth.  Tonight after researching noise issues and signal sucking I finally figured out that when my fluorescent lights downstairs are turned on (1 switch) that the WS467 doesn't work.  When they are off it works.

So after all that rambling from a newbie, my question is:  I assume I have a noise issue, where do I put the noise filter?  Do the plug in types do the job? I don't see how just plugging one into some outlet will eliminate the noise from the fluorescent lights.  If I need a wired in filter where do I put it, at the switch or at the lights?

Another thought I had was to put the switch that controls the fluorescent lights on an X10 switch and build a macro that turns those lights off if they are on before sending an ON code to the WS467 location I'm having issues with.  However, that seems a little hokey and do the lights create enough noise that a X10 switch won't be able to control those fluorescent lights at all.

Also, I don't think the phase coupler will help my issue or will it maybe still help?  I think I'm going to keep the coupler when it comes anyway, it wasn't that expensive and it may help future problems even it it doesn't help this problem.

BTW: I added an 18 inch coat hanger passive reflector (I think that is the correct term) to my CM15A and an 18 inch copper speaker wire passive reflector to my MS14A motion sensor, both just taped on and it greatly increased the distance I can have between the CM15A and the MS14A from about 10 feet to about 40 or 50 feet.  Thanks for the help there.

[dave w]

I assume I have a noise issue, where do I put the noise filter?  Do the plug in types do the job? I don't see how just plugging one into some outlet will eliminate the noise from the fluorescent lights.  If I need a wired in filter where do I put it, at the switch or at the lights?

You want the filter as close to the noise source as possible, so put it at the light.

Another thought I had was to put the switch that controls the fluorescent lights on an X10 switch and build a macro that turns those lights off if they are on before sending an ON code to the WS467 location I'm having issues with.  However, that seems a little hokey and do the lights create enough noise that a X10 switch won't be able to control those fluorescent lights at all.

No, trying to turn off the noise with another X10 switch would not be a good solution, the noise would still likely prevent the switch from controlling the light from remote commands.

Also, I don't think the phase coupler will help my issue or will it maybe still help?  I think I'm going to keep the coupler when it comes anyway, it wasn't that expensive and it may help future problems even it it doesn't help this problem.

You might consider trying to exchange the passive coupler for the amplifying model. The stronger the X10 signal is in your system, the more immune to noise it is.

BTW: I added an 18 inch coat hanger passive reflector (I think that is the correct term) to my CM15A and an 18 inch copper speaker wire passive reflector to my MS14A motion sensor, both just taped on and it greatly increased the distance I can have between the CM15A and the MS14A from about 10 feet to about 40 or 50 feet.  Thanks for the help there.

Yup, works good. Adding the external antenna to the CM15 works even better, but your warranty immediately self destructs.

[MeThinks]

I don't believe X10 switches work with fluorescent lights anyways....something about not having enough resistance...I think....

 

[Brian H]

Most dimming modules do not work well or at all with Fluorescent type lights. Modules with a mechanical switch in them that do not dim should. Some may trigger back on if the local control see enough current to restart. Fluorescent light can make enough powerline noise to mask or scramble X10 signals on the line.

[dave w]

MeThinks and Brian, I don't believe jdub is controlling a flourescent light with a X10 switch, be it dimming or not.

[jdub]

Dave W, you are correct.  It is a set of fluorescents causing noise when they are on that is creating havoc with a switch controlling a different set of incandescents.  However, Brian and MeThinks may be referring to my dumb idea of trying to build a macro to turn off the fluoresents before turning on the incandescents.

What about the small types of fluorescents?  My wife has been going "Green" lately and replacing all the burnt out lights with the screw in type fluorescents.  Not that I think it is a bad idea, but I'd hate to think that this will start creating havoc with my new X10 system.  Or is it just the old long bulb fluorescents that create the problem like the ones I have down in my dropped ceiling in the basement.

[Dan Lawrence]

CFLs will not work with modules that dim, but they have been found to work in Socket Rockets.  Standard Fluorescent lights will work with non-dimming modules, but not dimmable modules.

[MeThinks]

Another thought I had was to put the switch that controls the fluorescent lights on an X10 switch and build a macro that turns those lights off if they are on before sending an ON code to the WS467 location I'm having issues with.  However, that seems a little hokey and do the lights create enough noise that a X10 switch won't be able to control those fluorescent lights at all.

I meant that I would advise against doing this...but if it works more power to you!!

BTW no idea is a dumb idea, experimenting is fun, sometimes it works, and sometimes I've found that sometimes the "experts" are wrong....