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[cjr181]

Hello all,
Let me start by saying that Jeff Volp's little gem, XTB-IIR has made my x10 system nearly 100% reliable since installing it ~2 months ago (the rest of my post is unrelated to this, just wanted to give some accolades).

I have been in x10 heaven for the past few months, until one day I noticed that my PAO11 would not turn off.  When I sent either an off or on command to it, it would just make "clicking" noises with no change to the state of the load.  Connected to the "controlled" outlet was a tap which supplies the following: one (1) Lifelite model 8040 fluorescent shop light (70W), containing two 4' F40T12 bulbs; two (2) GE undercabinet F15T8 (model 10185) fluorescent lights; and one (1) 4W nightlight to prevent flickering and other 'local control'-related issues.  Nothing plugged into the uncontrolled outlet.  Everything was working fine under this setup since I installed the PAO11 5 months ago.  I emailed the seller, and he said that it sounds as if the PAO11 is indeed broken.  It has a 2 year warranty, however shipping it back along with the seller's extra fee may not be worth it right now, since I have come across three AM466's as of late.  Right now, I have one AM466 connected to the uncontrolled outlet, which has brought everything back to working order.  I use a XPT/XP1 controller as well as a powerlinc usb with homeseer.
My main reason for using the PAO11 in the first place was to avoid needing a 'wall wart', as I was remodelling at the time anyway.  My question is, should I replace the broken PAO11 with a new one, or would it be okay to use a AM466?  Did my PAO11 bite the dust early b/c of its load being a fluorescent light?  If so, should I expect the same fate with my AM466?  I've read that the socket rocket should not be used w/ fluorescent lights, but have also read that people use them w/o problem (is the warning due to lack of ground, or is something else causing the manufacturer to say 'incandescent only'?).

Thanks for the help!
CJ

[dave w]

Let me start by saying that Jeff Volp's little gem, XTB-IIR has made my x10 system nearly 100% reliable since installing it ~2 months ago (the rest of my post is unrelated to this, just wanted to give some accolades).
My question is, should I replace the broken PAO11 with a new one, or would it be okay to use a AM466?  Did my PAO11 bite the dust early b/c of its load being a fluorescent light?  If so, should I expect the same fate with my AM466?  I've read that the socket rocket should not be used w/ fluorescent lights, but have also read that people use them w/o problem (is the warning due to lack of ground, or is something else causing the manufacturer to say 'incandescent only'?).

Thanks for the help!
CJ

PA011 has a history of mechanical unreliability. A plastic coupling part fatigues and breaks easily. Seems to be just poor mechanical design. There are  posts about this on the forum, I believe some users have fixed the broken part to make the receptacle usable again.

No the fluorescent light should not have caused the failure.

Yes a AM466 can be used with better results than the PA011. Neither the PA011, nor Appliance Module are confined to incandescent only.

If the light has an old fashoned "starter" the starter resetting might cause the Appliance Module to come back on (older AMs). If this happens there are fixes. Search the forum for "comes back on" phrases.

[Dan Lawrence]

Isn't the PAO11 is the X10PRO version of the SR227?  I would not use either to control fluorescent loads like the OP does. Since both have a controlled outlet and a normal outlet, that would overload either outlet.  I use a X10PRO Inline Fixture Module to control a ceiling fluorescent light. 

[cjr181]

Dave, thanks for that info.

Dan, are you referring to the following: http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/xpfm.pdf ?  If so, that is a great solution.  Can't believe I overlooked that module when I set this stuff up.  With the lack of local control, does this mean that I will no longer get a "flicker" when the lights are off?

[JeffVolp]

Thank you for the feedback on the XTB-IIR.

We use several of the Leviton version of the X10 switched outlets here.  They have the same mechanical design.  One was in service less than a year when that little plastic piece broke.  The others that were from the same lot have been working for over 7 years without a problem.  One of those is in a garage that sees wide temperature changes.

The fluorescent lights could not have caused the failure.  The switched outlet would have no problem handling even much heavier loads.

Jeff

[Dan Lawrence]

Dave, thanks for that info.

Dan, are you referring to the following: http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/xpfm.pdf ?  If so, that is a great solution.  Can't believe I overlooked that module when I set this stuff up.  With the lack of local control, does this mean that I will no longer get a "flicker" when the lights are off?

If you mean the florescent lights flicker, using the XPFM will not cause a flicker.  It can be mounted inside the fixture or not. Make sure the load it services does not exceed the recommended load.  

[dave w]

I would not use either to control fluorescent loads like the OP does. Since both have a controlled outlet and a normal outlet, that would overload either outlet. 

How do you figure that?

[Brian H]

PAO11 manual indicates a light load of less than forty watts may flicker or act strange.
I believe the XPFM maybe a better choice.
If the AM466s where the older ones before CFL friendly one where made.
The local control sensing may have made the lights flicker when off.

I have also seen the reports on the plastic actuator breaking inside them.