Testing Modules to make sure they work?

[Q-man]

I just purchased an 3 Pin Appliance Module AM466 (from x10.com) and I don't think it works.  I have ran all kinds of tests, like taking out a lamp module that i know is working and replacing it with the appliance module and then nothing.  Anyone know another way to test?  Should i send it back?  Thanks for the thoughts.

[Dan Lawrence]

Give the appliance module a different address and add it to AHP with that address. Plug it into an outlet with a night light set to be on plugged into the module. Turn it on from AHP. If you can see it or hear it click and see if the night light is on, it's good.  If no click or the night light's not on, it's bad.

[Puck]

Q-man: If you set the Appliance module's House Code & Unit Code to the same as the Lamp Module's and then plugged it into the outlet that the working lamp module was in, then if it doesn't work, there's a good chance you identified a bad one.

But before you give up on it, check it in a few outlets around your home. The signal could be on the fine line of working at that lamp module's location. If you have a plug-in controller, put them both on the same outlet and try it that way.

[Q-man]

Thanks Gents, ill have to swing out and pick a night light up.....its been a few years sense ive need one of them..LOL!

[Charles Sullivan]

I just purchased an 3 Pin Appliance Module AM466 (from x10.com) and I don't think it works.  I have ran all kinds of tests, like taking out a lamp module that i know is working and replacing it with the appliance module and then nothing.  Anyone know another way to test?  Should i send it back?  Thanks for the thoughts.

Make sure it's identified as an appliance module in the software.   ActiveHome Pro will by default turn on a lamp module by sending it a BRIGHTEN signal, which will not have any effect on an appliance module.

[robster]

Hi Charles.  When you go to Tools and tell it to send an ON command instead of brighten, does this cover just one module or all modules?  If revisiting an earlier-installed (in software) module, can you change it or should you removed it and reinstall it?

Thanks for your help,  Rob

[Charles Sullivan]

Hi Charles.  When you go to Tools and tell it to send an ON command instead of brighten, does this cover just one module or all modules?  If revisiting an earlier-installed (in software) module, can you change it or should you removed it and reinstall it?

I'm not running Windows now so can't check.  But as I recall, the "On" instead of "Brighten 100%" option in Preferences applies to all standard lamp modules - I'm not sure about 2-way modules like the LM14A.

I don't remember whether you need to reinstall a lamp module for this option to take effect.  Logically it ought to take effect immediately when you save the preferences, but AHP has fooled us before.

Note: If a lamp module is dimmed, an On (or All-Lights-On) signal will NOT bring it to full brightness.   You either need to Brighten it or else first send it an Off signal.  (This could lead one to believe that a lamp module isn't working if it happens to be dimmed all the way.)