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[ctatham]

Very frustrated. I had a nicely operating system (2 years) consisting of a number of wall dimmers, modules etc both indoors and out, along with a smarthome coupler repeater (dryer plug type). Worked perfectly.  I had a standard wall dimmer go bad, and so ordered a simple replacement (so I thought). The new one, as well documented I have found, now has soft start features.  It has totally screwed up my system as it hangs my repeater.  I tried a passive coupler and I can't hit all areas of my house.  I have tried setting the switch as a LM14 as described in the sticky on this forum to no avail.   I don't want anything other than to be back to where I was.  Is there anywhere to get a non soft start dimmer?  What other options do I have?

[dave w]

I think you have a different problem. All X10 wall switches are receive only, they do not transmit. And Soft Start is nothing more than a slow ramp up to ON or a slow ramp down to OFF, all internal to the module, again, no transmiting. There is no way a new X10 wall switch could cause your repeater to stop repeating.

Do you have anything new that could be a source of electrical noise?

[ctatham]

I can't think of anything that has been added that would be causing issues (famous last words :0)

I found reference to the new soft start switches causing issues with repeaters that can't deal with extended codes....but of course I can't find those pages now....will keep looking.

[dave w]

I can't think of anything that has been added that would be causing issues (famous last words :0)

I found reference to the new soft start switches causing issues with repeaters that can't deal with extended codes....but of course I can't find those pages now....will keep looking.

Perhaps a reference to Smarthome, or PCS line of wall dimmer switches which will feedback status when polled, but X10 no longer makes any modules that transmit back a status indication. If you are using AHP, remove any module designations of LM14, AM14, XPPAM, PAM22, PAM21, PLM21, unless you actually have them in your system.

[MANOWAR©]

Are you using 3.236 or 3.228?

[ctatham]

3.228

Every bit of equipment in the setup is x10 brand other than the coupler repeater

[Brian H]

When the system is acting up. Do the repeaters Receive and Transmit LED's constantly flash?

[ctatham]

Yes Brian....light storm...almost like its hung. When it goes like that I have to unplug it and my interface will not take an update when its like that either.

[ctatham]

Got my answer on the AHP forum!

Using a standara app module setting it is back and running fine! My outside lights have been down for 4 months!  Its amazing how frustrating it is to not have things working after years of it just happening.  Coming home from work and outside lights left on all day....pulling up in the dark and the lights off.  Harmony is restored. Thanks for taking the time to help.

[Brian H]

Yes I saw that in your other post. Glad you found a solution.

[tom j]

Yes I saw that in your other post. Glad you found a solution.

What was causing the problem  I also thought it couldn't be the light switches.


Tom j.

[Boiler]

Hello Tom,

I ran into a similar situation last year using extended code commands with my Leviton HCA02 repeater.  I would get several seconds of "firestorm" that would only occur while my AC condenser was running.  This system had run for years previously without so much as a hiccup.

My condenser is located roughly 5 feet (wire distance) from my load panel.  My CM15a and HCA02 are located at the panel.  The problem would not occur with any other 220V device (well pump, air compressor, range) all of which are located much further from the panel.

I came home one day to find my AC condenser running with the main blower on the furnace off (no call for cooling).  The contactor on the AC condenser had frozen in the on position.  I replaced the contactor and have not had any issues since.  Still can't explain the cause.

[ctatham]

I spoke too soon...after having been away for the weekend I came home to the outside lights on (way before dusk).  I am now not able to shut the lights off with AHP manual or with macros!  Back to frustration!

[Boiler]

Check your repeater to see if it's back to it's looping tricks.  If so, unplug the CM15a for a short period to stop the storm.

I had many problems with my Leviton repeater when using bright/dim commands.  That why I switched to the extended codes to begin with.  It's possible that some device on your electrical system has changed and your system is now prone to lockups.  Have you changed the location of your CM15a recently?

[ctatham]

CM15 has been in the same place for 4 years. I tried a different switch type and got it to respond so I will see how it goes. I noticed that when trying some of the module types, as soon as I added it to the workspace it would start the storm on the repeater....the log would just show over and over "all units off" or some thing like that.  I assume these were modules that had extended code capabilities.