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[peb121]

I am stumped.

I have had an x10 system installed for many years with no problems.

Here is my setup:
   1  TM751  Transceiver Module
   3  MS14A  Motion Sensors
   4  WS467  Wall Switch Module

The idea is to turn on outside lights when motion is detected.  Again, this has been working fine for years.  However, ever since I went to change the batteries in the MS14As things have been screwy.  Now, only one of the WS467 modules turns on/off.  The other 3 WS467s do not respond.  The WS467s respond to the manual on/off on the switch, just not to the signal from the TM751.

What troubleshooting should I do?
How do I test if the WS467 module is working?

I find it hard to believe that 3 of the 4 WS467 modules failed at the same time.  I don't recall a lightning strike recently, but it is summer and we do have a bit of lightning this time of year.

I have been working on this for a bit, but I can't seem to get it worked out.

Thanks for your help.

[Brian H]

When you changed the batteries.
Did you reprogram the house and unit codes in them?
Most times they revert to A1 the default address.
Is there anything new in the home as many times a new device or moved device can cause power line signal problems.

[peb121]

When you changed the batteries did you reprogram the house and unit codes in them? 
Yes, that is what is strange.  One of the Wall Switch modules works, the other 3 do not.  So I assume I have the motion sensors programmed properly because I did not change any settings in the Wall Switch modules.

Is there anything new in the home as many times a new device or moved device can cause power line signal problems.
There is nothing new in the house that I am aware of.

This was all working fine until the batteries went dead.

[dave w]

Assuming none of your WS467s are set as Unit 1, make the TM751 Unit 1 and force each of the motion sensors ON with the button under battery cover, does the TM751 click? If so you probably need to reprogram the motion sensors again. They can be tricky to program.

If the WS467s are operating properly with the local switch, then they are "probably" good. No guarantee, but for the local switch to work means about 70% of the internal circuitry is working.

[peb121]

Oh I forgot to mention the settings:

   House: A
   Unit: 2

What has me stumped is that 1 of the WS units is responding and working properly.  The other 3 WS units are not responding to the TM, but do work locally.  All 4 units were working fine until I changed the batteries on the motion sensors.  No changes were made to the WS modules.

[Brian H]

We where asking if anything in the home was new or changed. Cell phone charger or anything. Even some of the new electronically controlled washing machines have been known to make problems.

[peb121]

Would new electronics cause 3 out of the 4 to not work, but 1 WS to work as before?

I could check my panel to see if I can determine if the 3 non-working WS units are one on leg and the working WS is on the other leg.

I did get a new Bosch washing machine a few months back.  I am trying to remeber if it coninsided with the X10 problem.

[dave w]

Another regular , Brandt, recently mentioned he has noise problems with a new washer.

Are the WS and MS all on same HCUC? or Are you sure the MS all reprogrammed correctally.?

[peb121]

If the problem is noise, what is the solution?

[Dan Lawrence]

Easy.  Noise Filters, both plug-in and wire in.

[dave w]

If the problem is noise, what is the solution?

Filters or a "blowtorch" repeater.
You might try unpluggin the washer and/or flipping OFF breakers one at a time to see if the wall switch modules start working.

[peb121]

That is what I was thinking of trying

[peb121]

I unplugged the new washing machine, but no difference.

I plugged in an appliance module and connected an incandescent lamp.  I set the module for A2, which is what all the WS modules are set to and the MS turns it on and off consistently.

Does this mean anything.  Would an AM work differently than a WS module?

[dave w]

I unplugged the new washing machine, but no difference.

I plugged in an appliance module and connected an incandescent lamp.  I set the module for A2, which is what all the WS modules are set to and the MS turns it on and off consistently.

Does this mean anything.  Would an AM work differently than a WS module?

Technically, no.

However the two wire wall switch does depend upon receiving the X10 signal via the incandescent bulb it is controlling. Hence the resistance of the bulb might reduce the signal fractionally.

Unless you have the AM plugged in to the same circuit branches that the troublesome wall switches are on, it tells you little.
The rule of thumb is: If it worked once, and now it don't...what has changed?"   Something has. It could be as simple as moving a noise making device from one outlet to another. It could also be a CFL going bad.

[JeffVolp]

Even though your system had been working fine for years, you may have had marginal signal levels that were barely adequate for reliable operation.  It doesn’t take much to tip the scale – something as simple as a new cell phone charger can kill a properly working X10 system.

A couple of decades ago all we needed was a passive coupler at the distribution panel to get our systems working.  Now we have to deal with all kinds of electrical devices that are hostile to X10 powerline communication.  To get a better understanding of the issues and how to deal with them, you might want to read some of my troubleshooting guides:

   http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm

Jeff