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[yogi0000]

I got two Amertac Indoor/outdoor screw-in light controls (Lowes) and tested them (when the sun comes up, the lights go off) and, then wired them into an X-10 Lamp Control module and attempted to switch them with the MT12 Mini-TImer. No Dice.

When I removed the Light controllers, I could switch them on and off with the mini-timer thing.

I am trying to control two 25-40W lamps inside my chicken coop. Turning the power on at 5AM and off at 8PM but want to turn the lamps off when the sun comes up and back on as soon as the sun goes down so they get 15 hours of light.

Do these controllers require an active load to work? Is there a way to fool them?

Is there a controller I can use instead of the lamp modules?

[Brian H]

The X10 lamp control modules. Are they plugged into the wall or wired in like a switch as you post seems to indicate?

The two wire X10 wall switches use some of the power through the load to get their power. The Lowes devices will stop this from working. If you have Lamp Modules that are plugged into the wall they also may not like the Lowes devices.

If you are using modules plugged into the wall. An appliance module would be a better choice.
If you have wired in wall switches and have a neutral wire in the switch box. One of the X10 switches designed for CFL lights and inductive loads would be better. Memory here. I believe the WS13A is the non dimming relay type wall switch.