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[mike]

I have fought and fought not being able to turn off flor lights for years.  Added the XPF (which tends to catch fire here and burn the wall studs - but that is another story), switched to the good 5 & 15 amp smart home filters, bought the nice code reader to see codes on the line and noise levels, but still fought the darn lights not turning off.

On a whim this weekend I decided to try TWO filters in series - BAMB!  Lights turn off now! 

My code reader thing shows like 50mv of noise with the lites on and no filter, and 5-8mv with a filter;  instructs with  it says anything below 10-15mv should be ok - not so here.  I doubt I can make a reliable reading of noise with 2 filters in series as it will be down in the 4-8mv noise that is everywhere anyway.

Soooooooo, the moral of this story is GO FOR IT -  if you have MULTIPLE (I have 3-4-5-6 depending on location) florescent lites on ONE lite module, and they turn on 100% reliably but have trouble turning off, consider plugging a filter into a filter for 2 in line with the lites. 

[Knightrider]

This is good information to have, thanks for sharing.

A long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) I caught wind that the old style magnetic ballasts were on their way out, and picked up a couple of cases of them.  Till I absolutely HAVE to switch to the newer electronic ballasts, I'm safe.  When I do have to switch, I'll heed the information in this thread.

[dave w]

  Added the XPF (which tends to catch fire here and burn the wall studs - but that is another story),

We love good stories. When you have time, please share. Especially if there is a lesson to be learned.

[Brian H]

http://forums.x10.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=ol495jv6glhsq4a2qbmp98crt7&topic=18404.msg106518#msg106518

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

mike,

Thanks for sharing!   

Most people, including me, would probably not have thought to try plugging two filters together like that!   

I'm sure this information will be helpful to many!

You get a "helpful" from me!   

 

[Brian H]

I think I saw the two filters mentioned way back.

Some have the theory that the noise sneaks back on the neutral return as most of the filters have coils only on the line side.

Thanks for posting the two filter information. It will help others.

Mike, XPF or XPPF for the overheating. The XPF is a 20 amp wired in one the XPPF is the questionably rated 5 Amp plug in filter.

[dbemowsk]

Maybe someone could think about building a unit that contains two filters in one mega-filter designed for flourescents.  Maybe Jeff Voip can chime in on this.

Dan B.

[JeffVolp]

Maybe someone could think about building a unit that contains two filters in one mega-filter designed for flourescents.  Maybe Jeff Volp can chime in on this.

The problem for me would be cost.  I could certainly build a super filter, even packaged in a plug-in module.  However the cost would be way too high for anyone to consider buying it.

The X10 XPPF is a tremendous bargain, and it is a very good choice for low-current applications.  While rated 5A, I recommend limiting it to 3A to be conservative.  It is a low-pass filter.  So, while it doesn't provide as much attenuation at 120KHz as a well-tuned notch filter, it will also block wideband noise.  A super filter would combine a low-pass filter with a 120KHz notch to pretty much block any noise that might bother X10 communication.

Jeff

[dbemowsk]

How complex do you think the circuit would be for a 120KHz notch filter?  would there be a way for a techie like me to modify an XPPF to add the 12KHz filtering capability?

Dan B.

[JeffVolp]

How complex do you think the circuit would be for a 120KHz notch filter?  would there be a way for a techie like me to modify an XPPF to add the 12KHz filtering capability?

Sure, just add a "T" filter with the arms being parallel resonant LC circuits, and the leg a series resonant LC, all tuned to 120KHz.  8.2uH inductors and .22uF capacitors get pretty close.  The arm inductors must be rated for the full current, and the .22uF in the leg must be rated for line voltage.  Place the arms of the "T" in series with the load side of the XPPF filter.  Obviously, the leg shunts any noise to neutral.

Or, you could also just add a Leviton 6287 in series with the XPPF.

Jeff

[dbemowsk]

Well....Now that you put it that way, the Leviton 6287 does sound like an easier route.

Dan

[mike]

2 of the smarthome 15 amp in series, and also 2 of the 5 amp smarthome filters are not quite enough filtering for 3 or more florecent lites on the circuit;  Here is breakdown of my scenario from the last 2 weeks of logging:

1) NO filter & 3-5pc 4' (80watt total)or 3-4pc 8' (120w high output) flor fixtures :  100% reliable ON command,   0% reliable OFF command
2) 1   filter & 3-5pc 4' (80watt total)or 3-4pc 8' (120w high output) flor fixtures :  100% reliable ON command,  20% reliable OFF command
3) 2   filter & 3-5pc 4' (80watt total)or 3-4pc 8' (120w high output) flor fixtures :  100% reliable ON command,  70% reliable OFF command

Next step is get 3amp pigtail minifuses from Digikey and put them in the XPPFs to try to prevent recorrence of fire and try them at each lite in addition to the 2 filters at front end of em all.

More after I do that - if any one cares..... If not tell me and I will cease and desist reporting here.

[dave w]

More after I do that - if any one cares..... If not tell me and I will cease and desist reporting here.

Are you kiddin us?! We are ALWAYS looking for information on keeping X10 working.

Thanks!!