House Codes that should NOT be used?

[Mr Bob]

Somewhere I read a listing of codes that shouldn't be used.  I've searched but can't find it again.  Does anyone know which list I'm thinking of and point me to it??  Or am I completely confused?

I had a light wall switch set to B1, but whenever I hit B1 ON or OFF on any of three different remotes or from within AHP, the transceiver clicks on and off, but nothing happened to the light.  I changed the light switch code to B2 and all seems to be working better.  So B1 is now on my "Do Not Use" list . . .

Help please?

Thanks

[steven r]

A lot of it boils down to personal preference, however, there should be nothing wrong with the "B1 code". I suspect some problem that may come back to haunt you at a later time. e.g. Was anything else set to B1? Any sensors set to "B1" or "B16"

This is one link on the topic.

[Charles Sullivan]

Somewhere I read a listing of codes that shouldn't be used.  I've searched but can't find it again.  Does anyone know which list I'm thinking of and point me to it??  Or am I completely confused?

I had a light wall switch set to B1, but whenever I hit B1 ON or OFF on any of three different remotes or from within AHP, the transceiver clicks on and off, but nothing happened to the light.  I changed the light switch code to B2 and all seems to be working better.  So B1 is now on my "Do Not Use" list . . .

Help please?

Thanks

You'll see a lot of opinions on this topic, but the truth is that on average no code is really any worse than any other.  Sure, there are situations where a specific defect could cause problems on a particular code.  E.g., if the code wheels on a module fall out, it will only respond to M13.  But they're rare, and if you avoid those codes something else will surely go wrong  with whatever choice you've made.   

I avoid P16 because AHP sends a P16 On when first started up.  And I avoid P1 because my X10 signal generator sends alternating P1 On/P1 Off when I'm testing the lines.  And if I forget and leave the serial cable dangling from a CM11A I tend to see bursts of garbage signals on housecodes I and J.

I suspect you may have a dirty contact in the unit code dial.   Or subtle interference between signals transceived by AHP and by your other transceiver.  (Try unplugging one or the other and see if that makes a difference on B1.)  Or maybe just a bad bit in the wall switch's microcontroller.

[Brian H]

Many of the motion sensors use the motion address+1 for a dusk dawn signal. Sometimes that can make for unexpected things.
Like a Motion sensor on M1 uses M2 for Dusk Dawn.

[JimC]

I avoid P16 because AHP sends a P16 On when first started up

Charles, Thanks for that bit of usefull information. I was unaware of this.

I avoid A1 because most of the X10 RF devices default to this code when batteries are first installed.

Jim

[EL34]

Adding to the list, but kind of a rare situation.

If you have a neighbor that usues X10, you may have to get together and decide on codes.
Or you can install a filter on your house and block the neighbors signals.

[Charles Sullivan]

I avoid P16 because AHP sends a P16 On when first started up

Charles, Thanks for that bit of usefull information. I was unaware of this.

I avoid A1 because most of the X10 RF devices default to this code when batteries are first installed.

Jim

That could be a convenience if you have only one motion detector.  It avoids having to reprogram it after you've changed the battery,   

[dave w]

I had a light wall switch set to B1, but whenever I hit B1 ON or OFF on any of three different remotes or from within AHP, the transceiver clicks on and off, but nothing happened to the light.  I changed the light switch code to B2 and all seems to be working better.  So B1 is now on my "Do Not Use" list . . .

Help please?

Thanks

As the other members have pointed out, your problem isn't with B1 code. Since your transceiver clicks, but the light does not respond, you likely have a phase coupling problem or a noise problem preventing the PLC signal from the transceiver getting to the light switch over the power line. Search the forum for "noise" and "phase coupling". If your system is very small, a simple  fix might be to move the transceiver until it's signal can get through to the light. A more complicated fix might be an amplifier coupler. I reccommend Jeff Volps "XTB-IIR" or the ACT brand (eg. CR234). The X10, Smarthome, and Leviton brands have some issues that make their use questionable IMHO, although the Smarthome "dryer receptacle" unit is the easiest to install..

[EL34]

I agree with Dave.

Here's my recent experience with nailing X10 problems.
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=14221.0

[Charles Sullivan]

I had a light wall switch set to B1, but whenever I hit B1 ON or OFF on any of three different remotes or from within AHP, the transceiver clicks on and off, but nothing happened to the light.  I changed the light switch code to B2 and all seems to be working better.  So B1 is now on my "Do Not Use" list . . .

Help please?

Thanks

As the other members have pointed out, your problem isn't with B1 code. Since your transceiver clicks, but the light does not respond, you likely have a phase coupling problem or a noise problem preventing the PLC signal from the transceiver getting to the light switch over the power line. Search the forum for "noise" and "phase coupling". If your system is very small, a simple  fix might be to move the transceiver until it's signal can get through to the light. A more complicated fix might be an amplifier coupler. I reccommend Jeff Volps "XTB-IIR" or the ACT brand (eg. CR234). The X10, Smarthome, and Leviton brands have some issues that make their use questionable IMHO, although the Smarthome "dryer receptacle" unit is the easiest to install..

That the problem is solved merely by  changing from B1 to B2 implies that noise or signal strength issues are not the cause of the problem.

[EL34]

I have seen problems solved one day and return the next.

Hard to say in the short haul.

[Charles Sullivan]

I have seen problems solved one day and return the next.

Hard to say in the short haul.

Hopefully Mr Bob will tell us whether his problem stayed fixed.  Or if he is inquisitive enough, whether changing back to B1 after a day or two caused the problem to instantly return.