Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[robster]

I am using a fair number of AM466 3-pin appliance modules.  Used for landscape lights, fountains (outdoor) as well as various indoor lighting and small fountain control.  Two of my modules will turn on but not off.  When I replace them (same location, same code) the replacements work fine.  Is there a known issue with these?  Is there a simple fix?  My alternative is to try returning them to X10.   

Informational: I did the range fix on my CM15A using an FM-style antenna and have complete range with all controllers in a two-story 4500 sq ft house.  I have a dryer-plug phase bridge and I use filters in front of "noisy" and or "signal sink" devices.  The AM466s are defined as appliance modules, no dimming allowed!  The system has been bullet-proof with the exception of these two AM466s. 

Thanks for any help or advice!   

robster

[Charles Sullivan]

I am using a fair number of AM466 3-pin appliance modules.  Used for landscape lights, fountains (outdoor) as well as various indoor lighting and small fountain control.  Two of my modules will turn on but not off.  When I replace them (same location, same code) the replacements work fine.  Is there a known issue with these?  Is there a simple fix?  My alternative is to try returning them to X10.   

Informational: I did the range fix on my CM15A using an FM-style antenna and have complete range with all controllers in a two-story 4500 sq ft house.  I have a dryer-plug phase bridge and I use filters in front of "noisy" and or "signal sink" devices.  The AM466s are defined as appliance modules, no dimming allowed!  The system has been bullet-proof with the exception of these two AM466s. 

Thanks for any help or advice!   

robster

If you plug the problem modules into the same AC socket as the CM15A, do they continue to refuse to turn off?  If so, you have defective modules.  But if they work properly in that location you may have modules which are a little less sensitive than the average combined with a marginal X10 signal.   You might try using the problem modules in locations other than where they exhibited the problem to see if that makes any difference.

If you purchased the modules within the past 6-9 months, compare the date code stickers on the problem versus non-problem modules.  X-10 has recently made hardware changes to lamp modules and may very well have made changes to appliance modules which might affect their sensitivity.

[Brian H]

Yes I believe we have seen messages on Local Control with Appliance Modules. The PC Boards looked different than what we have seen. So it is a good chance they also got a revision.

[robster]

Thanks for the replies.  I'll check the date codes on the bad modules.  I'll also check in different locations closer to the CM15A.  Rob

[dave w]

Yes I believe we have seen messages on Local Control with Appliance Modules. The PC Boards looked different than what we have seen. So it is a good chance they also got a revision.

Pursuing this thought...Since the new lamp module exhibits features found in the "2-Way lamp module" feature set (i.e. SoftStart) I wonder if X10 is using the chip die from the discontinued LM14A? Which leads to the second incoherent rambling thought...do you think X10 is utilizing the AGC function from the LM14A?

Initially my guess would be no, only because the AGC would likely require additional parts and PC redesign to incorporate the function. I doubt X10 will do anything to increase manufacturing costs. However enabling AGC would help reduce the constant customer complaints caused by system noise. Also elimination of the chip package would save a penny or two which might off-set the cost of a resistor or two. The PC board would have to be redesigned anyway to incorporate the direct die mount mod.  So, how do we inquisitive minds find out if the new modules have AGC, other than waiting for the X10.com product descriptions to be updated?

Note to the CO - I didn't know where to stick this...move it wherever you deem appropriate.

[Boiler]

So, how do we inquisitive minds find out if the new modules have AGC, other than waiting for the X10.com product descriptions to be updated?
Note to the CO - I didn't know where to stick this...move it wherever you deem appropriate.

Interesting question.  Maybe a head to head test with a known AGC module on an isolated circuit.  You could use a CFL as a noise source, similar to some of JeffVolp's testing with the XTB-II.  I could try a comparison between an old AM466 and a Leviton or Smarthome unit, but I can't take it much past that.  May be useful as a baseline.

What is also interesting is that a number of new features have been showing up on modules.  Two of these have had a Date Code of 07A05 (WS467 and XPFM).  I've just just uploaded a copy of a database that TTA and I have been working on (a BIG thanks to TTA for setting this up). 

Firmware Thread Anyone Interested in Firmware Revisions?

robster,
If you could post the Date Code of your unit and any "Behavior" you believe is new to this device, I'll add it to the database.