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[ThomS]

Hi, everybody.  I'm new to the forum but not to X10 (I got my first modules years ago, as Radio Shack 'Plug and Power's).

I have a total of 7 LM15s that I've gotten over a couple of orders.  As of this writing, I can't get 6 of the 7 to work at all.  The other one is working flawlessly in an outdoor light fixture above my garage.

The units have different date codes (that is, I discarded the idea of a "bad batch.")

Of the units that don't work, a couple are completely dead (can't get them to take programming, and a bulb won't light up in them); three are conducting power but won't take programming (that is, they're lit when power is applied, and won't respond to anything, including "All lights off"); and the remaining one is responding to commands "halfheartedly," (by which I mean, "Off" results in a reduction in brightness, and "All lights off" causes a flicker.)    Bizarre, no? 

I was trying to program two units to use in overhead lights in my garage.  Before my decision to use the Socket Rockets in there, there were 100W bulbs in place.  I didn't think the garage was bright enough so I decided when I installed the Socket Rockets to use 150W (incandescent) bulbs.  I know that this is the maximum rated wattage for the Socket Rockets.  (The unit that's working, by comparison, has a 100W bulb in it.)

This isn't a signal strength issue, or anything, all of the above happens with a mini controller in the same wall outlet as a corded lamp containing the Socket Rocket.

I'm at my wits' end.  THe only thing I can think of is that perhaps in programming I was through all six of these LM15s in trying to find one that would work properly.  (Since then, I've tried each again and again, and with lower wattage bulbs.)  Could it be that the units were damaged in my use of a 150W bulb (even though this is in keeping with the rating)?  Has anyone had a similar experience?

Many thanks to anyone who can help me shed any light on this.  I guess if I can't get these to work I will put in XPDF inline modules, which are rated at 300W; but of course this isn't my preferred solution since the XPDFs are $29 each and  I already have the Socket Rockets.

[Brian H]

The ones that are always On and will not program are defective.
Did they ever work and then fail? If so a light bulb burning out in the Socket Rocket can damage it. 150 Watts is the maximum rating so it should be OK, but maybe the cold bulbs surge blew them out.
If they where that way from the factory. DOA sound like it.

The one that flickers sounds bad also.

Even if AHP didn't reprogram them. A test of A1 [default code] should control them. So the ones that didn't seem to program should work on A1 if the programming didn't take. They also sound defective. Did you try the mini controller and socket rocket in the same outlet for programming?
If no code turns them on and off. Also sound defective.