Problem with dimmers

[jgeissin]

I am using the X10 Powerhouse controllers (model HR12A and RW724) with the X10 Powerhouse transceiver (model TM751).  I have both the Leviton and X10 lamp modules (wired and plug in).
On occation, when I press the dim down button on either type controller, the lamp selected last will dim down to just about off (you can see that the lamp is not off, just barely glowing red).  You have to wait for quite some time to gain control of the target module (turn it off and then back on).
It does not matter what combination of controllers or modules I use; I cannot predict when this is going to occur.
I have the old pyramid shaped remote control repeater to watch TV in the bed room off the sat receiver in the basement; and I have unplugged both ends with no change in this issue.
There are no other X10 type devices in the house, I am at the end of the electrical grid, it does not matter what house code or device number I try.  The issue is totally random.
I have tried putting both a passive and active crossovers on the house in the CB box (active unit is a Leviton HCA02 and the passive is a capacitor) with no effect.
I'd love to keep using the system, but I need consistency.
thanks in advance.
Jon Geissinger

[dave w]

I am using the X10 Powerhouse controllers (model HR12A and RW724) with the X10 Powerhouse transceiver (model TM751).  I have both the Leviton and X10 lamp modules (wired and plug in).
On occation, when I press the dim down button on either type controller, the lamp selected last will dim down to just about off (you can see that the lamp is not off, just barely glowing red).  You have to wait for quite some time to gain control of the target module (turn it off and then back on).

I believe this is normal operation. If I understand from your description. For both the RF switches you named, if one hits the "BRI" or "DIM" buttons with out first pressing a unit number, the switch simply sends BRI or DIM commands with no HCUC.  The result is, the last unit which was controlled (addressed) in your system will be the one to respond to BRI or DIM command which is not preceeded by a unit addres. The answer is to always press the unit number first.

[Brian H]

That is normal. Untill the last addressed module see a different address not its own. It will follow the Dim and Bright commands. Also a dimmed module will not go back on untill it first sees a off command.

[jgeissin]

Sorry, problem not addressed correctly.
When you turn on a module, then momentarily press the down arrow to dim it, it goes completely dim (not off, it goes down slowly) as if I were HOLDING the down arrow.  This is NOT normal operation and it does not happen every time to every module or with every remote.
How do I 'see' the messages transmitted onto the power line?

Thanks in advance!

[Boiler]

Joe,
If I understand things correctly, a single "dim" press is locking your system up (flooding the powerline) for a period of time.  After x amount of time you regain control and are able to command your lamps again.

Do you have any other transceivers or computer interfaces installed (TM751, RR501, CM11a or CM15a)?

Do you still have your Leviton repeater installed (HCA02)?

How do I 'see' the messages transmitted onto the power line?

There are a number of devices that will allow you to monitor communications on your Powerline - the CM15a has a monitor built in.

Your HCA02 will flash it's LED when it is repeating commands.  If you still have it installed, check the status lamp the next time your problem occurs.  If you see a long period of activity (green led flashing) your system is stuck in a loop and is flooding the powerline.  If you see the red led flashing the HCA02 is sensing signal collisions or unrecognizable transmissions.

The Boiler

[JeffVolp]

The dim lockup with the wireless transceivers is a known problem.  It is easy to do if you hold the button a bit too long.  Just yesterday I locked up my RR501 while testing the XTB-IIR dim repeat.  If you do lock up a TM751 / RR501, just unplug it for a few seconds.

Jeff

[Oldtimer]

The dim lockup with the wireless transceivers is a known problem.  It is easy to do if you hold the button a bit too long.  Just yesterday I locked up my RR501 while testing the XTB-IIR dim repeat.  If you do lock up a TM751 / RR501, just unplug it for a few seconds.

Jeff

There's one additional thing I do with the RR501 to unlock it.  Instead of unplugging it just change the status of the switched outlet in the RR501.  Depending what you're using it for just ON/OFF/ON or OFF/ON/OFF.  In fact the one in the garage which is just use as an RF repeater is switched, by the CM15A, ON every other day and OFF every other day in between (sort of - since there are 7 days in a week).  It has never locked up on me.  I  learned this trick when I was using the CM11A with the RR501 as the primary RF receiver. The RR501 would occasionally lock the system up I would unlock it with an ON/OFF command to the RR501.  I eventually programmed the CM11A to do it for me and had no more troubles.


-Bill- (of wgjohns.com) Edited to repair quote foramatting.