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Author Topic: Problems turning a switch ON, but OFF works fine...  (Read 3107 times)

prosper50

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Problems turning a switch ON, but OFF works fine...
« on: March 15, 2008, 12:44:04 PM »

Can somebody help?? Recently I've been having issues with the timers in ActiveHome Pro (running on XP). Sometimes the timers will work, sometimes they won't. I've cleared the memory many times, and it seems to work for a while, but it's not a permanent fix. It has previously worked for months and months without a problem (no, there have been no power outages, battery life is fine, etc.)

Just the other day I have run into a major problem. The software will not turn one of my switches ON. The off function works just fine though. The physical switch still works perfectly (turning the porch lights on and off), but the software interface has failed to function. All other switches seem to respond fine to on and off commands. I have reset the system, re-downloaded timers, etc. Nothing works. Can anybody provide input??

THANKS!!

-Dave
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Walt2

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Re: Problems turning a switch ON, but OFF works fine...
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2008, 03:29:36 PM »

The software will not turn one of my switches ON. The off function works just fine though. The physical switch still works perfectly (turning the porch lights on and off), but the software interface has failed to function.

When you say the physical switch still works, do you mean locally?   If so, how about from a manual controller?

What comes to mind is, what size bulb do you have in your porch light?  The X10 wall switches are powered by leaking electricity thru the bulb, when you think it is actually 'off'.  If you have too small of a bulb, not enough electricity will be able to leak, and the X10 wall switch will not have enough power to operate.  And in your case, operate means turn 'on'.
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* Sears Home Control System, Radio Shack Plug 'n Power, NuTone, Stanley LightMaker, BSR, HomeLink.
* Tecmar Device Master, CP290 (LightHouse), CM11A (AH), CM14A (AH2), CM15A (AHPro).

Brian H

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Re: Problems turning a switch ON, but OFF works fine...
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2008, 03:33:18 PM »

When you reset the CM15A did it include removing the batteries?
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prosper50

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Re: Problems turning a switch ON, but OFF works fine...
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2008, 09:04:50 PM »

Hello everyone.

First, yes, the battery was removed from the controller while it was unplugged. It was left unplugged overnight just in case.

And this is just a recent event. This switch has always worked for the last 6 or 7 months. The bulbs out on the porch (two of them) are standard 60 watt bulbs. I wasn't aware that the switch funneled power from the bulb - that's pretty intersting. It doesn't explain why this is just recently happening. I even tried replacing the switch with another similar switch. Same issue. Any further thoughts or suggestions???

THANKS!!!!

-Dave

-Dave
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jtykal

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Re: Problems turning a switch ON, but OFF works fine...
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2008, 06:34:08 PM »

Assuming that the location of the switch and the CM15A haven't changed since this was working, is there any chance that something "new" was plugged into the circuit with the offending switch? X10 powerline commands can be affected by "noisy" power transformers, florescent lights, etc.
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Brian H

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Re: Problems turning a switch ON, but OFF works fine...
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2008, 06:56:23 AM »

Even new things you may not have thought about. Many of the new cell phone chargers are known to be noise makers. Also an older item in use for many years maybe deteioating
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prosper50

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Re: Problems turning a switch ON, but OFF works fine...
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2008, 05:22:28 PM »

Hhhmmm.... I never thought about noise on the line. I'm not aware of anything new (it's at my dad's house), but I will have to double check. I think he may be leaving the computer on now (when in the past it wasn't left on 24/7), but other than that, I'm not aware of any changes. At least that gives me a lead to pursue in the mean time!!!!!

-Dave
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