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[bitman]

Hi,

I just acquired 3 old off-white x10 powerhouse LM465s. While they are fast on types like I like, they seem to perhaps be more sensitive to noise, as at first, I thought they might all be DOA. I did get them to operate in some areas in the house where the new style slow start ones would work everywhere.

Is it possible that they are pre-agc designs? Were there some that had no agc?

:Ron

[dave w]

Hi,

I just acquired 3 old off-white x10 powerhouse LM465s. While they are fast on types like I like, they seem to perhaps be more sensitive to noise, as at first, I thought they might all be DOA. I did get them to operate in some areas in the house where the new style slow start ones would work everywhere.

Is it possible that they are pre-agc designs? Were there some that had no agc?

:Ron

Yes,  None of the "standard" X10 modules had AGC until the new design "soft start" units (2008?). The old 2-way modules had AGC, X10 PRO units had AGC, and some of the "branded" modules had AGC (I think Stanley and IBM had AGC, but do not know if RCA, Magnavox, Nutone, etc did).

[Brian H]

X10Pro shows their PLM01 has AGC. The PLM03 Soft Start has no mention of AGC.
Has anyone confirmed the new soft start units have AGC?

[bitman]

Yup I have some old IBM "Home Directors" instant on types that work where these old puppies don't.

[dave w]

X10Pro shows their PLM01 has AGC. The PLM03 Soft Start has no mention of AGC.
Has anyone confirmed the new soft start units have AGC?

I was told they are using controllers from the old 2-Way Lamp Modules which had AGC, soft start, resume dim, etc. Obviously the transmit functionality is not possible so Status Request is non functional, probably other functionality is disabled also, although there is a forum discussion on Lamp Modules doing scenes.

The Appliance Module got the AM 14 controller upgrade also.

My guess is; it was a calculated move to squeeze a few more years of sales out of "long on tooth" technology that is getting hammered from a reliability standpoint by newer, noisy, technology, with the advantage of a "marketing bump" of new features such as Soft Start and Resume Dim. Understandably the emerging technologies of Insteon, Z-Wave, UPB, etc has X10 worried. Would be nice if they would try to improve the RF side of the equation as well.

[bitman]

I think I'll be able to work it out.
The system is starting to work as I find the noise offenders.

For me it is worth the hassle as the slow start ones were starting to get on our nerves.
I don't know who thought this was a good idea after what, 100 years of instant on lights?
Did they startle anyone?


well then.......Boo!

 

 

[Brian H]

Soft start maybe a newer trend.
Insteon modules also have soft start, but can be adjusted from .1 seconds to 9 seconds with the paddles and I believe even longer through software.

[dove77]

I know this is a old topic, but just started to set up my X10. I have a TM751 and it is working, but My LM465s are not responding. Is there an easy way to check for DOA?

[Brian H]

Do they work if you connect the lamp module in question. I plugged into the same outlet as the TM751?
If they do you need to start troubleshooting.
Many good threads here on how to start the process.
 http://forums.x10.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=fia4somvt646m1f9ar60hogk94&topic=7951.0

[dove77]

I connected the lamp module on the same line as the trasmitter. Transmitter fine, but no response to module. I don't see how to connect both units on the same plug - not enough room.
Help also on where to go to start troubleshooting ( there are a lot of liks here).

[Brian H]

Try rotating the House Code and Unit Code dials a few times. Then try again. Sometimes the dials get dirty and the address is not what the dial say it is.

[dave w]

I don't see how to connect both units on the same plug - not enough room.

Use an outlet strip or an extension cord. It will tell you if you have bad module or instead a coupling/noise problem.



Puck edit: removed reply from quote.