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Author Topic: Help with XPCR Coupler Repeater  (Read 3323 times)

roblsmith

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Help with XPCR Coupler Repeater
« on: August 10, 2016, 12:06:17 PM »

I've got a 1900 sq ft house with a pretty standard setup of about 8 zones and lots of lamp and appliance modules as well as mini controllers. I've been using a single XPCR mounted at my 220 volt clothes dryer plug to bridge the 2 electrical phases. For many years this worked fine with only occassional signal problems particularly if the dryer was running.

I just upgraded my main electrical panel and had the electrician mount the XPCR directly inside the panel using 2ea x 20amp breakers which I thought was the preferred solution.

Now I really have intermittent problems getting the X10 signal to devices on both sides of the 110v.
I assume I am getting interference from somewhere?

1. Would a 2nd XPCR mounted at the other end of the house help?
2. How can I troubleshoot this problem further.
3. If I needed professional help, is there any one in the Southern California area I could contact?

Very frustrating!
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Brian H

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Re: Help with XPCR Coupler Repeater
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2016, 12:56:41 PM »

I am not sure if a second XPCR at the other end of the home may help or make things worse.

2. Moving the XPCR may have caused a signal problem it was helping with get worse. As now the actual problem area is not getting enough power line signals.
Jeff's great set of tutorials may give you some testes to do and find possible problems.
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm

You may want to do some tests by unplugging typical signal effecting devices like. Computing equipment, UPS units, any type of battery chargers like cell phone, game console or laptop. Then see if anything unplugged helps in the problem areas.

I have one of the JV Digital Engineering XTB-IIR and it is known to fix many issues as it blasts a very large power line signal back on both phases of the home.
http://jvde.us/xtb-iir.htm
« Last Edit: August 10, 2016, 12:59:35 PM by Brian H »
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roblsmith

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Re: Help with XPCR Coupler Repeater
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2016, 02:09:08 PM »

Brian,

Thanks for the helpful info.
I disconnected the XPCR from the main panel and put it back on the dryer which definitely helped.
It doesn't really make sense but ....

I'll check on the other links you mentioned.

Rob
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roblsmith

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Re: Help with XPCR Coupler Repeater
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2016, 02:12:01 PM »

Brian,

Since I'm kinda new at this:

1. How do you find your post when you first login?

2. How do you edit your post or reply after it's posted?
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JeffVolp

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Re: Help with XPCR Coupler Repeater
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2016, 02:37:23 PM »

I just upgraded my main electrical panel and had the electrician mount the XPCR directly inside the panel using 2ea x 20amp breakers which I thought was the preferred solution.

The thing that jumped out at me here was the two independent breakers.  I understand there may be a sequencing problem with a single 240V breaker, but have you confirmed the two independent breakers are indeed on opposite phases?  Some people think that if the breakers are on opposite sides of the panel, they are on separate phases, but that is not the case.  The two breakers must be one above the other (for full-width breakers) to straddle both phases.

Jeff
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Tuicemen

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Re: Help with XPCR Coupler Repeater
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2016, 03:05:15 PM »

Brian,

Since I'm kinda new at this:

1. How do you find your post when you first login?

2. How do you edit your post or reply after it's posted?
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=10516.msg60146#msg60146
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roblsmith

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Re: Help with XPCR Coupler Repeater
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2016, 04:11:49 PM »

Jeff,

Thanks, I thought of that too. The other day I had the electrician show me that he definitely had 220v across the two breakers. On the new panel, he said the breakers alternate between both phases.
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roblsmith

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Re: Help with XPCR Coupler Repeater
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2016, 04:24:29 PM »

Tuicemen,

Thanks for the link.

I found the Modify tab but didn't see anything about:

"How do you find your post when you first login?"

Usually forums have something on the first page that shows all those "hints"?

Did I miss it?
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Tuicemen

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Re: Help with XPCR Coupler Repeater
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2016, 07:15:33 PM »

If you wish to see replies to your posts the link is at the top beside your avatar.
If you wish to see all your posts you need to access your profile then the notifications and email this will display all your posts starting with your latest posts provided you have notifications turned on.
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