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[Avilly]

I want to rip out these modules and throw out of my window right now!  So frustrated. Someone please help. Here is the scenario and set up below:

Background:
I've had the front, side and patio modules working fine for 3 years now. They have always been set to work on macros to turn off and on at certain times. I only had one lamp module plugged in and it would always turn itself on when the motion sensor on the flood light would trigger the flood lights to turn on.

Issues:
Today I decided to make use of all the other lamp modules I had. I thought I had set everything up fine.  All moduelks work from remote and AHP. The front, side, and flood macros all worked fine. Then I walked outside and the craziness started.  The motion sensor triggered all the lamp modules to turn on except the transceiver module.  Then the exterior front and side modules began to turn off on their own. I would turn them on and they would turn off within minutes.  Sometimes AHP would the correct status of moduels and sometime it wouldn't. This is driving my bananas!!!! if my dogs go outside the flood light motion sensor will trigger the light modules around my whole house.

Since I wanted my living room lamp to turn on with my x10 alarm system, I moved some clodes around to have the transceiver module connected to the lamp since it is set to A1 by default. Midn you, no matter what codes I have the lamp modules set to, the motion senros triggers everything on.  If I have the back flood lights on, I can control all the lamp moduels with the remote off and on just fine.  The issues only happen when the flood lights are off and teh motion sdensors triggers everything.


Here is the full setup:

Exterior-
-socket rocket on front porch and side entrance light set to A2 and A5
-flood light with motion senor on back patio set to A3

Interior:
-living room - 1 transceiver module set to A1
-lamp module set to A4

-bedroom 1 -lamp module set to A6
-bedroom 2 - lamp modeule set to A7

[Brian H]

What model is the Motion Sensor Flood Light?
It may have a dusk dawn sensor in it.
If it is a PR511 it can control 4 addresses and maybe influencing your setup.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Dual_Floodlight_Motion_Detector

[beelocks]

What Brian said.

If that's a PR511 and you have the dipswitches set then it will also send an A4, A5, A6 and A7 on motion. Also it will send an A8, A9, A10 and A11 on dusk/dawn.

Dan knows all about this issue, although I suspect he may mis-remember having this issue with his dusk/dawn settings

Sounds like you might want to map out exactly what you want each module to do and write your macros (and recode your modules) accordingly so you can avoid conflict. Or you could change the dipswitches on the PR511 so it's not sending the motion and dusk/dawn additionals.

[dave w]

Yeah, what Brian and bees said. Also, If you are using the motion sensors to trigger AHP macros, I would give them different house code/unit code address than the lamp modules. Or at least a different HC.  That way motion sensors turning OFF will not turn off your your lights and you can better manage through the macros. My $0.02 is, your motion sensor floodlight is the culprit.

[Avilly]

What Brian said.

If that's a PR511 and you have the dipswitches set then it will also send an A4, A5, A6 and A7 on motion. Also it will send an A8, A9, A10 and A11 on dusk/dawn.

Dan knows all about this issue, although I suspect he may mis-remember having this issue with his dusk/dawn settings

Sounds like you might want to map out exactly what you want each module to do and write your macros (and recode your modules) accordingly so you can avoid conflict. Or you could change the dipswitches on the PR511 so it's not sending the motion and dusk/dawn additionals.

Thanks for the responses everyone.  What I ended up doing is waking up at 3am, since I couldn't sleep after writing the original post and reworking the house codes...lol.

I left the PR511 flood light/sensor on A1, moved all interior lamps to B, and moved front and side exterior socket rockets to C.  So far, it seems like that fixed all my issues.  However, it is pretty annoying to have to reach for a dime or key every time I need to switch the House Code letter on the remote if I want to switch off my patio flood when we're outside if its too bright. At least the biggest issues seems to be fixed. It only took me three years to figure it out!

[Brian H]

What remote are you using?
I know at one time Smarthome and maybe others. Carried a snap in knob. To allow you to turn the House or Unit Code Dials by hand.
Though I believe the HR12A Palm Pads trim around the House Code Dial was too thick for it to fit. Without some reworking.
http://www.smarthome.com/4824R/X10-Code-Clickers-10-pack-Red/p.aspx

[dave w]

Avilly,
I use the small knobs that Brian is refering to in my Palm Pads. They do need a little Dremal tool trimming to fit the smaller HC dial on the Palm Pad. They were originally sized for the modules and the Maxi controller. Don't know if Smarthome still carries them but they were called "X10 Code Clickers".

$0.02
Since you mentioned "macros" I assume you are using AHP or some other automation program. You can set up macros which do nothing but convert ON-OFF comands to the appropriate lamp HCUC. All your Palm Pads could control the lights without switching their HC. But you lose dimming capabilities.

[Brian H]

They still show the Red ones on line and seem to be on sale to maybe close them out. The Black Ones are no longer there.

[Avilly]

Avilly,
I use the small knobs that Brian is refering to in my Palm Pads. They do need a little Dremal tool trimming to fit the smaller HC dial on the Palm Pad. They were originally sized for the modules and the Maxi controller. Don't know if Smarthome still carries them but they were called "X10 Code Clickers".

$0.02
Since you mentioned "macros" I assume you are using AHP or some other automation program. You can set up macros which do nothing but convert ON-OFF comands to the appropriate lamp HCUC. All your Palm Pads could control the lights without switching their HC. But you lose dimming capabilities.

This feels like Christmas in July!  Thanks for the tip. I just purchased them.  So I have to make the insert part a bit thinner to fit the remote?

I misspoke earlier. I meant timers, not macros.  Day 2 and everything still seems to be working fine.  Its almost too good to be true.

[dave w]

So I have to make the insert part a bit thinner to fit the remote?

Yes.
It is too late now, but I also hot glued small washers in the Palm Pad HC dial. But Code Clickers are prettier.