Does the ebay one dollar phase coupler work?

[wyx2000]

I see a one dollar phase coupler , anyone tried it? does it work?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/X-10-PHASE-COUPLER-STOP-INTERMITTENT-X10-PROBLEMS-/160119208413?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2547d939dd#ht_2031wt_906

[Dan Lawrence]

Go for it!!  For a buck each you could get 5. You can't miss.

[dave w]

I see a one dollar phase coupler , anyone tried it? does it work?

I agree with Dan, for a buck...what the hey.
But a repeater, which not only couples the signal between the two phases but also amplifies the signal on both phases, will fight noise problems.

[Brian H]

I had a .1uf AC rated cap across the power lines. Even got fancy and tuned it with a 18uh inductor.
Smarthome's dryer outlet coupler was a .1uf cap with a 18uh coil in series across the power line.

They work sometimes , but as pointed out. Only couples what is getting to the breaker box back on the other power line.
So lets say your CM15A is transmitting at 5 volts and by the time it gets to the breaker box. It has been reduced to 1 volt.
You start out with 1 volt on the other power line that has to then deal with noise and signal suckers.

The XPCR was a low cost repeater coupler but there seem to be a large price jump lately.
Better is an ACT CR234.
Best JV Engineering XTB-IIR

[JeffVolp]

You beat me to it Brian - about the series inductor.  Also, if it is the capacitor in the photograph, that is not X2 rated for across powerline operation.

Here is more info on couplers than you probably care to know:

http://jvde.us/x10/x10_couplers.htm

Jeff

[Brian H]

I also didn't see any markings indicating across AC power Line Rated.
Mine specified it was a X2 across AC line rated at 275 volts AC.
The ones in the Smarthome Dryer Outlet coupler didn't say AC rated either.

[wyx2000]

I also didn't see any markings indicating across AC power Line Rated.
Mine specified it was a X2 across AC line rated at 275 volts AC.
The ones in the Smarthome Dryer Outlet coupler didn't say AC rated either.

It is $5 to me since I have to pay $4 for shipping. Tail wigging the dog.

If it works, I guess I guess I only need one, if not, 5 doesn't help

[Brian H]

Here is the phase coupling X10 knowledgebase information.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Phase_Coupling

It indicates X10 does not recommend a capacitor across the power lines.
Though they are talking a 600 volt DC rated capacitor and I used one specified for across AC power line use.

I don't think the one in your link is rated for across AC power line use.
I know someone here reported one failing and blowing apart. I don't know if it was from that vendor or what the users capacitor was rated at.
Smarthome had the nerve to use a 400 volt one in their dryer outlet coupler.

The X10Pro XPCP is a passive coupler but made for X10 signal coupling and is rated to be connected to a breaker box.
http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/xpcp.pdf

[JeffVolp]

It is $5 to me since I have to pay $4 for shipping. Tail wigging the dog.

Even though it is only a fraction of an ounce, that will have to ship as a First Class "package" at $1.75 (when printed on-line).  Add the cost of a padded envelope and some time to print the label and packing list, and $4 isn't unreasonable for S&H.

The XPCP is a far better choice, and can still be picked up for $13 on eBay.  See my report on couplers listed above.

Jeff

[wyx2000]

Open the powerbox control panel sounds a big thing to me, I was planning to install the $1 one into the 220V socket, seems much easier?

[dhouston]

Open the powerbox control panel sounds a big thing to me, I was planning to install the $1 one into the 220V socket, seems much easier?

And much, much more dangerous. You have been given excellent advice about needing an X2 type capacitor if you insist on proceeding this way. Take the advice.

The $1 capacitor is not rated for this. If it fails, it will likely short across 220V. If you are lucky, it will make a loud bang - if not so lucky, lots of smoke and flames.

X2 capacitors are rated for things like this - they fail open by design.

[dave w]

Open the powerbox control panel sounds a big thing to me, I was planning to install the $1 one into the 220V socket, seems much easier?

It is a big deal. You can get 'cuted if you don't know what you are doing. I had not looked at the Ebay auction when I said to go for it for a buck. I am now going to redact that recommendation.
You will be a lot happier if you go for a real repeater rather than the cap.

[wyx2000]

ok, so no $1 coupler, no passive coupler, but a coupler repeater.

[dave w]

You gonna be  a sooo happy!

[rjniles]

Open the powerbox control panel sounds a big thing to me, I was planning to install the $1 one into the 220V socket, seems much easier?

And much, much more dangerous. You have been given excellent advice about needing an X2 type capacitor if you insist on proceeding this way. Take the advice.

The $1 capacitor is not rated for this. If it fails, it will likely short across 220V. If you are lucky, it will make a loud bang - if not so lucky, lots of smoke and flames.

X2 capacitors are rated for things like this - they fail open by design.

I had them go pop two different times, I now use the x10 bridges.