Hello to Everyone, well not technically everyone, just anyone who reads this post.
After about 20 hours of reading (not continuously) I decided to register and see if I could find out any information directly I am looking for and to possibly offer my 2 cents (plus tax) on some of the messages I read here.
Since this is my first post, I will throw in some comments and an introduction based on having read several thousand posts before joining this Message System.
I have had SO many thoughts as I read, but most posts were older and a quick check shows the originator of the post never came back again or even thanked anyone, at least publicly. (shame!) The good part is that I don't expect much from most people anyway, so I am not surprised or let down etc.
A persons first experience on an internet message board can be REALLY HARSH! I have used many message boards since the BBS days and like many here, I finally got used to seeing what I see here... How many message boards has anyone been to where there was more positive/praise posts than negative/bashing posts? (rhetorical) Depending on the type of board, it isn't many. In my opinion, it isn't because there IS so much negative, or even because negative people are more likely to complain or whine about things, but because few people will praise anything. One reason that comes to mind might be because it (e.g. a level of quality) is expected. If a product says it can do X and do it well, and it does, the that is just "ok" and not "great" or something that deserves praise, to most. I don't deny that there is an obvious pattern of unhappy people having to tell everyone about it, while satisfied people tend to just move along. Maybe the satisfied people here are off playing with their X10!
It is my opinion, that most of the positive posts here don't seem to be posted because someone sought out a place to tell others just how great their X10 equipment was. Many of the positive posts are in defensive reaction to the negative posts more so than just "finding a place to praise X10", is my point. (calm down few, I said most, not all) I could go on for hours, days and pages about the psychology involved, but I won't. I will say that most of those "ranters" seldom are here for resolution though. They are just angry and passing it along. I have read hundreds of posts like that mixed in with some valid angry ones. I can see through it, but when I see someone putting a huge effort into "helping" someone who isn't here for help, that actually bothers me. However, on a positive note, there is a LOT of information here for someone who is looking for resolution to problems. People say X10 should do more to support their products and I would have to agree GENERALLY, but they DID put this message board here. Even for a great company, a message system like this can be "dangerous" in a way due the reasons mentioned above relative to "more negative feedback than positive". I have seen many supporters here say the same thing I just said a dozen different ways. (e.g. How often have you written a company to rave about their product compared to the number of times you have written to inform them of your dissatisfaction? Rhetorical example)
Moving along...
My X10. I have been using these X10 products since the Sears and Roebuck days. For what I have, and what I've done with it, I like it a lot. (a WHOLE lot? Yes.)
Here is my (tiny?) negative experience with X10. 12 years ago or so I blew one Radio Shack 61-2676 Transceiver. Within the next couple of years a wall switch and two lamp modules stopped working. One lamp module was my fault because of accidentally using it with a very large old computer I had at the time by accident. (got two same color power cords swapped!) Lesson #(lost count): Never dim a 150 pound computer with Dual 8 inch drives while it is running. This is just asking too much of even X10. Sounds like I was dimmed a bit that day, that wasn't too bright.
Seems the power where I live has some serious (sustained) voltage spikes, so we eat electronics and light bulbs like chips around here. I run 130V bulbs in all incandescent light fixtures.
The point to the above paragraph is that the X10 equipment I have is very tolerant and durable.
I have bought nothing new X10 in more than 10 years. I have not needed to. (until recently, getting to that) My old X10 works very well and has for many years, used constantly for an ever-changing wide range of tasks.
I have most of the standard controllers, switches, and modules from the 80's and early 90's. I used to write some very complex (I thought) software in Basic for my CP290. I still use my CP290 daily as well as my 2676 RF Transmitters and Transceiver. Maybe a couple dozen all together. They have moved with me a couple of times now. My favorite toy... The Radio Shack Homeminder. The heart of my system for YEARS! (yes, that is screaming you must have a Homeminder to understand) I loved that thing! The first few months I had it, it blew the video. No problem, under warranty, they fixed it right up. Later, out of warranty, it blew the video again and I paid a very reasonable amount to have it fixed again. Years later (not sure when, maybe 93? 94?) it blew out again. Times had changed and they wanted $70+ dollars to fix it this time. I had only paid $59 new for the unit, so I chose not to do it. I retired it and packed it up. It was dark times in the land... oh wait, never mind. I was just unhappy for a few days.
I am now remodeling my next house and adding full X10 throughout. New X10 equipment can be had so inexpensively from sellers on eBay these days, it is amazing to me. I have bought hundreds more dollars of just basic items. There are built in 220 volt heaters in each room, so the 220V 20AMP DPDT's are EXCELLENT! The majority of the rooms will have their on controllers and house code. I have 7 house codes already laid out/planned and partially set up for use at this time. Gathering equipment and setting up one area at a time.
Ending the ramble now. I think that is enough introduction. Now to get back to my first question. I will post other questions in the appropriate threads as I present them.
Ramble closing statement: With the X10 items I have and use, I have had what I consider excellent usability and reliability for 20+ years. Now that I have bought a large batch of new stuff to use, I will keep you posted in a comparison. I will not be using much of what I read people are having issues with though. No software (that I don't write), no cameras, no CM15A etc. I have PC's in every room and mobiles (Libretto's) anyway, so with FireCrackers and a mouse, life is simple enough for me. I fully plan on developing my own software when I move in to this house. I am amazed this hasn't been done more, or maybe it has and I have not found it anyway. The Third Party Add-Ons and Software was the first section I read on X10's site along side Google searches.
My First Question...
I have my Homeminder, and I still want to use it just for fun. (like my VIC 20, Commodore 16, Commodore 64, Tandy Color Computers, Lava Lamp, 8088's, Altos, etc etc, you get the idea)
Can anyone help me to fix it? All I know is that the video is blown. It still transmits, but I can no longer program it blind. (and yes I knew it so well, I did for more than a year) I have built single board computers, designed and built simple analog and digital electronic devices with 555's, 556's (insert 100 other IC's here) and can solder well etc, but I really don't know how to analyze this problem. Nothing is obviously visually blown. I have no oscilloscope, but I do have a logic probe, transistor checkers etc. This video issue seems to be a common problem with the Home Minder, so I was wondering if anyone knew of schematics in existence for these devices. I wonder if it is the RF Modulator itself, or whatever circuit links the main board to the Modulator... I just really don't know. If anyone thinks they can help, I will open this thing up and work "with" anything anyone can offer. I plan to buy a working one from eBay next time it pops up so I can compare circuitry power/signal to locate the issue and maybe repair this one. Then I will have a spare one if nothing else. (be hell if they were different models hu?)
So, can anyone help this old relic with an old relic? (ok, just kidding about the age, I am not even 40 yet, it just sounded good)
As I type this excessive first post, I found one of the repair bills inside the perfectly preserved box complete with, packing, instructions, and inserts.
Here is what it can offer. I can make out what appears to be a component. 1 - MX7376 IC $2.77 Is this a particular IC that blew out/ blows out a lot? Could this be all that is wrong with mine? Were there multiple points in the video that were weak? Someone out there knows and hopefully here knows and can share this information.
Thank you,
John Martin
MrBlackCat
Author
Topic: First Posts, Rambles, and Homeminder Repair Question... (Read 13926 times)