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[Netropy]

I'm trying to get power line signal to a shed and pond in my back yard.  Seems to be about 30' beyond range.  Signal makes it to an outlet on a porch that's on the same run fine and then to an outdoor outlet about mid-way that works reliably but it can't go the final distance. 

I've seen the BoosterLinc which I'd guess might work but really not worth ~$100 to me just to get one thing working out there (a timer for a secondary pump).  Already have the sensor in one of the X10 floodlights controlling the pond lights dusk/dawn and RF works fine for everything that I want to turn on/off out there and for a door sensor, so I'm good otherwise. 

Anyway...

Are there any (relatively) less expensive ways to boost the signal for a single run like that?  For example, is there a way to use one of the XPCR phase couplers on a single run only as a repeater/booster versus as a phase coupler? 

And a different but somewhat related question, are there any X10 devices that act as follows?
 
PLC IN/RF OUT--->........(some distance).........RF IN/PLC OUT--->   

That is, a pair of devices that pass signal from power line to RF and then back again to power line?  I've seen something along those lines for Insteon but I don't think that forwards the X10 signals.

TIA

[Brian H]

Have you checked you installation for things like signal suckers or noise makers?
Correcting signal problems could get you the added distance.

You are correct on the Insteon devices. They repeat their protocol but not X10s protocol.

[dave w]

Are there any (relatively) less expensive ways to boost the signal for a single run like that?  For example, is there a way to use one of the XPCR phase couplers on a single run only as a repeater/booster versus as a phase coupler? 

And a different but somewhat related question, are there any X10 devices that act as follows?
 
PLC IN/RF OUT--->........(some distance).........RF IN/PLC OUT--->   

I am not a fan of the XPCR because they tend to lock-up. In the example of a repeater, my experience is; you get what you pay for. Having given you my $0.02 on that, get the XPCR. They are as cheap as $18 (including shipping!!) off Ebay. 

As far as "PLC IN/RF OUT--->........(some distance).........RF IN/PLC OUT---> "  No. I do not believe there is an X10 device satisfying the left side of the equation. The CM15A with AHP will receive PLC and can transmit RF but I don't believe there is any third party software that can get it to actually transceive the PLC command to an RF command.

[Netropy]

Have you checked you installation for things like signal suckers or noise makers?
Correcting signal problems could get you the added distance.

You are correct on the Insteon devices. They repeat their protocol but not X10s protocol.

Yes, that run is on it's own circuit with nothing else other than what's at the end of the line.  I can unplug basically everything in the house and no difference.  I think it's just a matter of distance.  It is a fairly long run all told from my CM15A given that it has to run all the way back to the panel and then all the way back out.  Actually, I was kind of surprised that the RF works as well as it does.  I should just count my blessings and call it good and done, but you know how that goes... ; )

[Netropy]

Are there any (relatively) less expensive ways to boost the signal for a single run like that?  For example, is there a way to use one of the XPCR phase couplers on a single run only as a repeater/booster versus as a phase coupler? 

And a different but somewhat related question, are there any X10 devices that act as follows?
 
PLC IN/RF OUT--->........(some distance).........RF IN/PLC OUT--->   

I am not a fan of the XPCR because they tend to lock-up. In the example of a repeater, my experience is; you get what you pay for. Having given you my $0.02 on that, get the XPCR. They are as cheap as $18 (including shipping!!) off Ebay. 

As far as "PLC IN/RF OUT--->........(some distance).........RF IN/PLC OUT---> "  No. I do not believe there is an X10 device satisfying the left side of the equation. The CM15A with AHP will receive PLC and can transmit RF but I don't believe there is any third party software that can get it to actually transceive the PLC command to an RF command.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.  For ~$20 I'm not into the XPCR for much.  Can you put those on a single "phase" run like that?  The way that things are laid out in the house and how I'm using it I really don't need to bridge.  I guess what I'd want to do is attach it across the run where my CM15A lives and the run out to the shed?  Still not clear on how/whether that would work.

A little surprising that there's not some device like the above for the X10 after all this time given that it's a fairly obvious plug-n-play solution to a very common problem but I assume that there's some reason(s) why it's not.

[dave w]

Can you put those on a single "phase" run like that? 

No. The XPCR needs to see both phases and neutral to operate. Why is coupling phases a problem?.

[Netropy]

Not a problem, just not sure that it's going to buy me what I'm after.  I don't need to couple and amp the signal across phases so much as I need to amp signal between two circuits on the same phase.  I may have some misunderstanding re how it works but my impression from reading about it is that it serves as a repeater/amp from one side to the other versus amping whatever signal may exist on one side.  That is, whatever amping is done is only to what crosses it versus reflecting back an amped signal on the same phase (if that makes any sense)?

[JeffVolp]

A repeater overlays an amplified copy of the first half of each X10 doublet command on top of the second half.  The module being controlled only needs to receive one half of the doublet command to respond, so the stronger second half helps the signal reach further.  That isn't quite true for bright and dim commands because if the dimmer receives only the repeated second half, that is recognized as a microdim rather than a normal dim command.

The XPCR sends the repeated signal out on both phases.

Jeff

[Netropy]

Thanks.  Appreciate the explanation.