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[C5Guy]

I am expanding my X-10 system. I used a WS13A Decorator Switch to control the built-in garage lights and it works fine. I am also trying to use two appliance modules AM 466 to control some additional fluorescent garage lights that are plugged into the ceiling by the garage door openers. They turn on fine but when turning off you can hear the relay click and the light comes back on. I saw the modifications on this site but they are for the older modules. Will the mods work on the ones I just got? Does this void the warranty? Is it safe? Anything else I can try? Seems like they should produce a module for fluorescent lights.

[Alan V]

Apparently, the mod used for older appliance modules will not work on the new ones.  Check out www.idobartana.com for instructions on how to disable local control for the newer modules.

Safety will have to be determined by you and your assessment of your abilities to make this modification.  And it's save to say that any hardware modification will void the warranty.

[C5Guy]

I think I might be better off buying an INSTEON X-10 compatible module from Smart Home rather than taking any chances. Has anyone used this for fluorescent lights?


http://www.smarthome.com/2856s3b.html

[C5Guy]

This is interesting. Then how come it does not work as advertised?


AM466
Fluorescent Lamp Module
(X10 3 pin Appliance Module)
Plug fluorescent light fixtures such as shop lights and energy-saving screw-in fluorescent light bulbs (in table or floor lamps) to control them with ActiveHome Pro and remote controls. Safe, 3-pin construction for grounded 3-pin outlets.


http://www.x10.com/activehomepro/modules.html

[Alan V]

I think I might be better off buying an INSTEON X-10 compatible module from Smart Home rather than taking any chances. Has anyone used this for fluorescent lights?


http://www.smarthome.com/2856s3b.html

Yes, I have one.  Local control can easisly be switched on or off so it will work with fluorescent lights.  Also, the relay is MUCH quiter then the LM486.  However, this module is larger and more expensive than the LM486.

[Brian H]

I have a mixed system of the Insteon Appliance modules running in X10/ Insteon mode and X10 Modules.
The Insteon ones are; for the most part are fine with fluorescent lights, but not ALL of them. Older types with ballasts; can restart by themselves and may flicker slightly as they cool down when turned off. One of mine with a certain light can be made to sputter and loose its programming.

I have also seen reports of some electronic ballasts not working well with them also. Mine are early ones. The replacements; from the recall; where some loads shorted them out and they smoked.  Few years ago in age.

I also believe the load rating on them is lower than the X10 ones. Many find just adding a small incandescent bulb in the circuit cures X10s flicker and restart problems.

I believe all manufacturers are going to have to release new modules to work with modern lights like LED CFL and ones that are just in the engineering prototype stages right now.

[Alan V]

The Insteon ones are; for the most part are fine with fluorescent lights, but not ALL of them. Older types with ballasts; can restart by themselves and may flicker slightly as they cool down when turned off. One of mine with a certain light can be made to sputter and loose its programming.

Even with local control disabled?  With local control disabled, shouldn't an Insteon appliance module just act like a relay?

[Brian H]

The Local Sensing Current is still on the output just ignored by the firmware. The spike from some older ballasts and noise from some modern ballasts can still effect them.
In rare times users have used a 120 Volt AC relay on their output to switch the load. Should also work with X10 modules as long as the relay used isn't so sensitive the sensing current makes them buzz.

[Alan V]

Thanks for the explanation.  I would have designed the module so that the hardware local control could be disabled.  Maybe it wasn't done because another isolation circuit would have been needed between the microprocessor and the AC load (athough that's just conjecture on my part).

[Brian H]

I can say the X10 Appliance module has some current on the outlet all the time, even if the local sensing parts are removed. The module as most know has a clunk sound when operated. It is a ratchet alternating on and off.
The microprocessor has a power on sensing circuit; so if it is on and see an on command; it will not by accident fire the ratchet and go off.
I have removed that part and the module then sounds like a machine gun trying to find if it is on or off. Clunking at least three times before stopping.