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[bkenobi]

Has anyone seen any issues with the XPT not always sending commands?  I have a XPT with 4-address keypad installed to control outdoor lighting.  3 of these lights seem to work just fine and are the standard WS467 style.  The final one that seems to be causing issues is a Fixture module (the lamp style with soft start if it matters).  I don't have any issues sending on/off commands to that module, so I'm assuming the issue is with the keypad or the XPT (or the operator I suppose).

My question is...are these reliable?  Do the keypads fail?  I can currently order a replacement, but if it's more likely an issue with the XPT, I may switch to the Leviton version since it's likely to be produced in the future and the X10 unit is...unknown.  FWIW, this is an A-style unit.

[dave w]

My question is...are these reliable?  Do the keypads fail?  I can currently order a replacement, but if it's more likely an issue with the XPT, I may switch to the Leviton version since it's likely to be produced in the future and the X10 unit is...unknown.  FWIW, this is an A-style unit.

Generally - yes.
Yes they fail, but so can the base.
I am pretty sure all Leviton products using X10 protocol are made by X10. BUT they go through a burn-in cycle and better testing. X10 Pro products are supposed to go through similar burn-in and testing, but I wonder...

There has been (old) posts on the forum about poor connections between the switchpad and base connectors. Do you have some contact cleaner you could try?

[bkenobi]

I haven't even pulled the keypad off yet.  I do have some Mass Airflow Sensor cleaner which is basically electronics cleaner that leaves no residue and doesn't attack plastics.  I'll read the label on it and see if it will work, but cleaning the contacts is a good idea.

FWIW, the 4th button has always been a bit stiff.  I figured if one of the buttons stopped working, it would be that one.  I think I'll order a new keypad as a backup since they are still available.  The only question was, do the Leviton units with the led light fit into the style A XPT.  I don't have either available locally, so I'm just trying to avoid ordering the wrong product.

[bkenobi]

This is an ebay link to what I'd be looking at.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leviton-DHC-Ivory-4-Button-Controller-Switch-Pad-Face-/230749591538?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b9bf57f2

I found a picture of the Leviton version of the XPT

http://www.smarthome.com/4210R/Leviton-16400-Wall-Mounted-X10-Transmitter-Base/p.aspx

It looks identical to what I have installed, so I'm thinking it should work out ok.  I just wish there were some confirmation, but it's cheap enough I think I might go ahead and order anyway.

[bkenobi]

Also, looking at the wiki design update notice for the XPT, they show a picture of the new version which has the same hole above the contacts as the Leviton.  I'd say that as long as they didn't use different sized pins, the Leviton version should work fine.

http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/xpt.update.07.pdf

[Brian H]

If the photos are correct. The update file indicates the A version has the larger House and Unit Dials.
It does look like the Leviton has the larger dials also.
There are a few Leviton users here and they may have added information for you.

[bkenobi]

From everything I can decipher from the photos and the X10 product change notice, I'm confident enough to spend $8.90 in an effort to see if it will work.   

Thanks for taking a look!

[bkenobi]

I think the problem is either with the user (pushing the buttons to quickly and cancelling out commands), or some kind of interference on the power.

This keypad controls the lights in my back yard and at my shop.  When we let the dogs out and it's dark, we turn on all the lights to keep the coyotes a little farther away from the fence line since they are SUPPOSED to be afraid of lights.  Since all 4 buttons get turned on typically, we push the on or off buttons in sequence from 1-4.  When I do this, it takes about 2 seconds so that I make sure not to collide signals (if I push them too quickly or coincidentally the lights do not function as expected).

Is it possible that a microwave could cause issues?  This morning lights on buttons 1 & 4 worked, but 2 & 3 did not (for my wife).  This thread was started because she was complaining about button 3.  I'm at a loss since I'm not the one seeing the issue and she's not as descriptive of what the problem is.

Maybe I should just break down and get a signal meter.  Can anyone comment on JeffVolp's XTBM?  I keep jonesing over one, but it's about 25-50% more than I had in the budget for a tool I'll need once.  On the other hand, I bet I'll need it more than once...

[dave w]

Is it possible that a microwave could cause issues?  
Maybe I should just break down and get a signal meter.  Can anyone comment on JeffVolp's XTBM?  

Yes, but most likely from a power line noise stand point and not any RF interferrence stand point.
There is nothing better and I don't think there is anything any less expensive on the market since the old ELK bar graph meter is gone. But it still could not compare to the XTBM.

[bkenobi]

I think I'm going to get an XTBM.  The only question is whether I try to save some money by building it from a kit or having Jeff build it for me and pay for his time.  I haven't done much complex soldering, but I think this might be a nice opportunity to build a real circuit that will be useful!  I've built some other stuff, but nothing that will end up quite as polished as this will be.

[Brian H]

I built mine and it was not too difficult.
You may have found it already but here is a link to the XTBM Assembly Notes:
http://jvde.us/xtb/XTBM_assembly.htm

[bkenobi]

Actually Jeff sent it to me.  I've been talking to him through email today and I think I'm going to order a kit.  It saves a few precious dollars for other projects and it counts as a project in itself!  I haven't built a device quite this complicated/cool before, so this could be fun!  My other circuits have been very simple in comparison.  I've yet to do anything complicated with the Arduino, but that's not much construction anyway (breadboards don't count IMO).