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Author Topic: Which product repeats powerline commands?  (Read 3827 times)

lobuem

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Which product repeats powerline commands?
« on: April 07, 2011, 11:48:21 AM »

When I search on X10 repeater, I get a lot of info on wireless repeaters, but my problem is with powerline commands.

I have an Insteon switch programmed to N2.  When I turn it on and off, AHP activity monitor shows N2 on and off messages are received by my CM15.  When I send N2-on, the light will not come on.  I put an RR501 halfway from the CM15 to the switch and I am able to hear it click when I send N1-on and N1-off.  When I plug in a maxi-controller at the same outlet as the RR501, I am able to control the N2 switch.  I guess what I need is an X10 repeater in the location where the RR501 is.  I am guessing it only repeats wireless, as it is not repeating the N2-on.  What product can I use?  I do have a coupler installed in my electrical panel as well.

Thanks,

-Mark
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Brian H

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Re: Which product repeats powerline commands?
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2011, 11:54:59 AM »

RR501 does not repeat anything. It takes an X10 RF command and sends it on the power line. It also will respond to an on and off to its X10 address through the power line.

The coupler in your breaker box. Is it strictly a coupler or coupler repeater?

Well the best repeater coupler we have seen is the JV Engineering XTB-IIR
http://jvde.us//xtb/XTB-IIR_description.htm
The ACT CR234 is also a good one.

Before going off in the repeater direction. Have you done any signal troubleshooting. For things like noise makers and signal suckers?
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
http://www.act-remote.com/PCC/uncle.htm
http://www.davehouston.net/
« Last Edit: April 07, 2011, 12:03:34 PM by Brian H »
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lobuem

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Re: Which product repeats powerline commands?
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2011, 12:06:12 PM »

Thanks, I will read these in more detail, but I don't think I can unplug my computer to test if it is a signal sucker....

I do have something already installed in my electrical panel, but it is years old and I don't remember the model, I will have to open that up this weekend.

I have an WGL V572RF32 on order to hopefully solve my RF issues, the RR501 didn't help with that either.  I have the RR501 right inside the front door and an MS14 right outside the front door isn't seen...

-Mark
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Noam

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Re: Which product repeats powerline commands?
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2011, 12:35:52 PM »

The problem may not be in the signal.
How are you defining your Insteon switch in AHP?
If it is being defined as a SoftStart module, it won't understand the Extended Codes that AHP is sending it.

you can look at what AHP is sending in the Activity Monitor.

Try this test:

Turn the switch on (manually, or using another controller).
Then try to turn it OFF using AHP. If it turns off, then you don't have any trouble getting the signal to the switch.

Try re-defining the module using one of the ones in the "Old Lamps - no SoftStart category.
See if that makes a difference for you.
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Brian H

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Re: Which product repeats powerline commands?
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2011, 12:44:40 PM »

Also if the Insteon module with the X10 address is the dimmer type. X10 used one dim method and Smarthome another one. When dimmed locally it will report %dim that AHP will not understand.
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lobuem

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Re: Which product repeats powerline commands?
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2011, 11:42:44 AM »

I have it defined as a Leviton Wall Switch (6381).  Monitor shows when it is turned on and off at the switch, but on or off from the CM15 doesn't work.

I just installed the V572RF32 and that seems to have solved all my wireless issues, I can see signals from outside now.  Looks like I need to get one of those repeaters next.

This is what monitor shows:

172    4/20/2011 8:26:26 AM    Receive    B On (Porch Sensor)
173    4/20/2011 8:26:27 AM    Macro    N2 (Porch)
174    4/20/2011 8:26:27 AM    Macro    N On (Porch)

But the light doesn't turn on.  A Maxi Controller plugged into the same outlet as the CM15 won't turn it on either, but it will from outlets closer to the switch.
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dave w

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Re: Which product repeats powerline commands?
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2011, 02:03:34 PM »

But the light doesn't turn on.  A Maxi Controller plugged into the same outlet as the CM15 won't turn it on either, but it will from outlets closer to the switch.
Renew your search for a repeater:
1. Bestus: http://jvde.us/xtb/XTB-IIR_description.htm
2. Next bestus: http://www.smarthome.com/4821AC/HomePro-CR234-Amplified-X10-Coupler-Repeater-w-Repeated-Signal-Detection/p.aspx
3. Worstes but acceptable when considering price on Ebay: http://www.x10pro.com/pro/catalog/platform.html#couplers
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