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[leonpc]

I'll start by saying that I have used X10 in various forms since 1996 and in this house since 2004.  I have decided to add one more light X10 light switch in a location that I have previously missed.  This light switch is on a circuit very close to Electrical box and is not a very long run... only about 20 foot and the switch would be within 8 foot of the distribution panel.  I know all this since I just rewired this circuit in December.  This circuit has 3 lights and a single electrical outlet.

I installed this x10 switch and tested it from a PalmPad, and it does not work.  Tried it manually and I can switch the light on.  Ok so maybe there is some noise or a signal sucker on the circuit but it is highly unlikely since I know what is on this circuit. (I just pulled the cable and connected it)  To test I decided to move the CM15 transceiver and plug it into the outlet within the same circuit.  That should take care of it...  but nope still no joy.  I can control any other light in the house but not the one I really want to.  Ok so I obviously have a bad switch.  I happens every once in a while.  Luckily I just bought 3 more so I have some spare.  I take a replacement but this time I wire it up on my testbed and test the switch.  It works, so I connect it up where I want it.  AND IT DOES NOT WORK.  Mmm that I do not understand.  So one more test.  Put the CM15 back where it belongs.  Plug a lamp module into the outlet and set the lamp module to the same house code as the switch.  Send the command and yep the lamp comes on but not the light.

As I said before.  I am stumped.  Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brian H]

Is the new switch a soft start version. Where it ramps On and Off?
That may make a difference when you get it working and are using AHP. Though should not effect how the Palm Pad accesses it.
What version of AHP are you using?

Try rotating the House Code and Unit Code Dials around a few times. Not too common but we have seen dirty dial switches cause the address to be different than the dials are set to.

Also if the new switch has Soft Start it will also have a resume dim. Maybe it was dimmed real low and turned Off. It would go back to almost off when turned back On again.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Newer_Wall_Switches_and_Preset_Dim

[leonpc]

Hi Brian

I should have mentioned that I am using WS13A Appliance Fluorescent Switch.  Dimming is not possible.  I have changed the switch and am seeing the same issue with the second switch.  I have confirmed that the second switch actually works in another location before using it.

[dave w]

Sure sounds like noise or phase coupling.

[leonpc]

Well as I mentioned I am stumped.   

I was seriously considering ordering an XTBM Pro to see if I can trace down the issue.  But then decided to order a pair of XTB-ANRs one of which I am planning to put in the outlet in the circuit.  Hopefully it is a noise issue and the ANRs fix it.  If not it is time to bite the bullet and order the XTBM-Pro 

[bkenobi]

I didn't know that Jeff had released the Pro version of the XTBM.  In any case, I highly recommend the XTBM.  I haven't tried a different monitor, but I can say that this one worked spectacularly in helping me understand the X10 issues in my home and allowed me to solve 90% of them (the others weren't worth the effort).  I could have probably done the same thing without using this meter, but it would have been a blind approach of buying a bunch of filters and hoping I got things right.  If the ANR's don't fix your problems, definitely go with the XTBM!

[JeffVolp]

I didn't know that Jeff had released the Pro version of the XTBM.

This was posted during the firmware development last summer:

http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=23636.msg152692#msg152692

Jeff

[bkenobi]

I knew it was in development, but I wasn't aware that it was for sale.   

[leonpc]

It always bugs me when somebody posts about a problem they are having and many people give them advice, but that the end of the day nobody responds on what the issue may have been.  So in the spirit of not being like that 

Way back in the beginning I mentioned that I could not figure out why I could not control lights that was on the same circuit as the controller.  I also mentioned that the circuit was very short and that there was no noise generating equipment on that circuit and that I knew exactly where the circuit was going and what was on it since I pulled it in December. Any case ... I did order 2 XTB-ANRs and a XTB-IIR from Jeff Voip. But that did not solve the problem...  I managed to track down the issue before this arrived at my doorstep.

So the issue goes back to adding an additional circuit to my distribution panel.  I have a few of open slots in the panel but I have future plans for those.  To add the circuit I used a tandem breaker on another circuit that I knew was pretty short and only had 3 lights and a single outlet on it.  While trying to troubleshoot the issue it suddenly struck me that I have never switch the companion breaker off to see what happens.  I did not thing I needed to switch it off since the lights were turned off and nothing was plugged into the circuit (or so I thought).  After throwing the breaker off though suddenly the light controls worked.  I investigated the outlet and found that my wife had unplugged the laser printer from the UPS that is plugged into another outlet with an AF120 filter and had plugged it into this circuit without the filter.  She needed to plug in her desk lamp and it would not reach the open outlet but the laser printer did.  I moved the laser printer back to where it needed to be and added a short extension cord to the desk lamp and everything was working fine.

I did however plug the XTB-ANRs into outlets on both legs in the house and then over the weekend installed the XTB-IIR at the breaker box.  I am glad I did... While I had the power off at the breaker box I really took a good look at it and noticed that on one or two circuits the ground was attached to the neutral bar.  Looking at the Ground bars I realized that open connecting spots where were running low.  I took the time to add an additional grounding bar and fix the issue.  I also noticed that 1 or 2 of the screws that lock the wires into the breakers were not tightened and that there was movement on the wire going into the breaker. 

Everything is now tighten down, on filters, XTB-IIR installed, XTB-ANRs plugged in and everything is working like a charm.  Thanks for the help and the info.

[Brian H]

Glad you found the problem device.

Here are some links to troubleshooting problems and general automation information.
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
http://www.act-remote.com/PCC/uncle.htm
http://www.davehouston.net/

[dave w]

It always bugs me when somebody posts about a problem they are having and many people give them advice, but that the end of the day nobody responds on what the issue may have been.  So in the spirit of not being like that  

Thanks for the information. Most people do not take the time to write back and say "this is what fixed my problem:". But 90% of X10 remote control problems can be traced to "phase coupling" for new installations, and/or the biggest culprit: electrical noise in the system. Since the noise source(s) is very system individual, it is impossible to remotely target the specific problem source(s).

On the other hand, if everyone did write back to say "it was my laser printer", "it was my cell phone charger", "it was our new HE washer",  "it was a stuck button on a Palm Pad" etc. I'm not sure how helpful it would be because few take the time to read old threads, or the "stickies" . You are one of the few who has. So we (forum regulars otherwise known as X10 geezers) just keep repeating ourselves and referencing the other troubleshooting sites.

I, for one, assume if they do not write back, they either fixed their problem or dumped X10.