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Author Topic: 2 WS12A switches for one application.  (Read 6948 times)

rjhodder

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2 WS12A switches for one application.
« on: April 05, 2011, 10:15:25 AM »
I have my exterior lights on 1 WS12A and 1 WS14A, and as seems common the 14A is not working but the 12A is. I was wondering if I could put 2 WS12As on those lights? Just so I can control the lights from either location.

Thanks.
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Brian H

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Re: 2 WS12A switches for one application.
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2011, 10:25:26 AM »
No that would not work. The WS14A triggers the WS12As companion switch input.
Did the WS12A and WS14A combination work at one time or is this a new installation and it never worked?
Standard Incadescent type outside lights?
« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 10:28:52 AM by Brian H »
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rjhodder

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Re: 2 WS12A switches for one application.
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2011, 10:58:02 AM »
It is a new installation that never worked. The outside bulbs are 2 Incandescent bulbs and 4 Halogen Flood. I've switch locations and the Black and White wires in the 14A Live slots - leaving Red in the Switch position, still only the 12A works. Likely I'll have to just leave the switches installed for timer purposes while I'm on vacation and then remove them when I get back.

Wonder if I should just take the halogens out to see if they are causing the issue.
« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 01:39:09 PM by rjhodder »
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dave w

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Re: 2 WS12A switches for one application.
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2011, 05:55:16 PM »
Quote from: rjhodder on April 05, 2011, 10:58:02 AM
Wonder if I should just take the halogens out to see if they are causing the issue.
The halogens are incandescents as far as the WS12A is concerned, they should not cause a problem.
Maybe the Pro instructions are better:
http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/plw02.pdf
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rjhodder

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Re: 2 WS12A switches for one application.
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2011, 06:00:47 PM »
Quote from: dave w on April 05, 2011, 05:55:16 PM
Quote from: rjhodder on April 05, 2011, 10:58:02 AM
Wonder if I should just take the halogens out to see if they are causing the issue.
The halogens are incandescents as far as the WS12A is concerned, they should not cause a problem.
Maybe the Pro instructions are better:
http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/plw02.pdf

Those are clearly superior instructions. I'll wait for some daylight and go at this thing again.

Thank You.
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Brian H

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Re: 2 WS12A switches for one application.
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2011, 06:05:26 PM »
Yes the X10Pro instructions are much clearer.
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rjhodder

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Re: 2 WS12A switches for one application.
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2011, 11:44:40 AM »
OK multimeter in hand.

- the live wire, black, is down stairs. Hook the black white to the live and re to switch for the slave/companion WS14A.
- Upstairs I hook black to black, red to red and blue to white on the WS12A

It still does not work from the 14A.

One thing I noticed is after installing the 14A downstairs I now have 2 live wires upstairs, white and black.
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dave w

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Re: 2 WS12A switches for one application.
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2011, 01:50:52 PM »
Unscrew the bulb in fixture and find the true "hot" wire and put the WS14A on that end.
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rjhodder

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Re: 2 WS12A switches for one application.
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2011, 03:30:41 PM »
 -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:)

It's been a journey, but an educational one.

Here is what worked in the end.

Installed the WS14A on the hot end downstairs.
  • Red to Switch
    Hot, black to live
    White to live

Installed the WS12A upstairs.
  • Red to Red
    Black to White
    Blue to Black

In the end it was my confusion over which wire ran to the lights, and not taking the time to test for the hot wire.

dave w. this link was very valuable. http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/plw02.pdf

I could not have done this without Forums.x10, thank you so much.   >!
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dave w

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Re: 2 WS12A switches for one application.
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2011, 04:13:25 PM »
Quote from: rjhodder on April 06, 2011, 03:30:41 PM
dave w. this link was very valuable. http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/plw02.pdf

I could not have done this without Forums.x10, thank you so much.   >!

Everything you ever wanted to know about 3-ways and X10 from "Uncle Phill" who remarkably does not own a single X10 or ACT module, or any home automation...which makes him a wise man.   :D

http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/dec97/articles/kingery/kingery6.htm
http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/feb98/articles/kingery/kingery7.htm
http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/apr98/articles/kingery/kingery8.htm
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