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Author Topic: Voltage leak on X10 light modules ?  (Read 6848 times)

Brian H

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Re: Voltage leak on X10 light modules ?
« Reply #15 on: February 27, 2023, 06:17:36 PM »

I have used some resistors.
Not too easy to safely add them to the circuit sometimes.
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Nurb432

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Re: Voltage leak on X10 light modules ?
« Reply #16 on: February 27, 2023, 07:41:47 PM »

Ya that is on my list if i cant get a lamp that will work out.  Stopped at another store tonight, all LED, so its Amazon or bust i guess

I have used some resistors.
Not too easy to safely add them to the circuit sometimes.
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bkenobi

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Re: Voltage leak on X10 light modules ?
« Reply #17 on: March 06, 2023, 11:35:20 AM »

I use small form factor bulbs under my unheated shop sink to keep the pipes from freezing.  They are incandescent and seem to be available to date albeit more expensive now.  They are the size of a golf ball and have different wattages.  I typically install 2 on a bulb splitter so when one dies I still have the other.  In my case, I use 25W but they also have 40W and perhaps smaller too.  Last I checked, they did have some in the 2-10W range in that specialty bulb section of my Lowes.

https://www.lowes.com/pl/Specialty-light-bulbs-Light-bulbs-Lighting-ceiling-fans/1227965004

Also, many stores sell "high efficiency" incandescent bulbs that have a halogen inside a standard bulb.  They are 75% efficient which is enough to meet the regulations.  The specialty bulbs are not subject to those regulations either which is why they should stick around for the foreseeable future.
« Last Edit: March 06, 2023, 11:40:58 AM by bkenobi »
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Nurb432

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Re: Voltage leak on X10 light modules ?
« Reply #18 on: March 06, 2023, 11:46:03 AM »

turns out im hosed in this case.  What i was doing to drain the current works enough to dim out a LED bulb, but this stupid device on there i wanted to control still sees it and (sad) beeps.  I'm sure an older module where you can cut the jumper would work. But its not end of world, was just to add some convenience to this new device in the house and we dont "need" it.  So not worth me trying to get lucky to find an old module.

For those with suggestions, thanks much.. really.
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bkenobi

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Re: Voltage leak on X10 light modules ?
« Reply #19 on: March 07, 2023, 12:06:55 AM »

Glad you found some resolution even if it's not exactly what you were planning to do.  For closure in case others are looking for a similar small load...  I went by my local Lowes to get some incandescent bulbs for my shop under the sink to keep it from freezing.  I have used a lot of these and may have to change next time since it appears even the specialty bulbs are no longer being stocked like they used to.  Although the SKU is still active, the local Lowes doesn't carry the G16.5 25W bulbs I used to use.  Walmart had them, but I imagine it's only a matter of time.  I do wonder what we are supposed to use in an oven?  I'm pretty sure a plastic bulb might pose a toxic smoke hazard if not fire waiting to happen.

DocHallie

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Re: Voltage leak on X10 light modules ?
« Reply #20 on: June 28, 2023, 02:35:42 PM »

FWIW- I use the 7-watt incandescent night lights in various colors to let me know when certain X10 controlled devices are on/off. (Water lines, pool pump, garage doors, space heaters in garage for my dogs) They are over the back door I exit to let me know what is on/off before I leave. (realizing this not a true tell-back circuit, it reminds us if something is in a safe state before leaving) I found mine bulbs at 1000bulbs.com.
Some I use to swamp out the leakage current of X10 modules when controlling high impedance devices such as LED lights.
I noticed that my Christmas lights being controlled by newer appliance modules were only dimming when the module went to the off state. The 7-watt bulb in parallel was not enough. I had to use 15-watt bulb.
I have a long vinyl fence on my property line. I ran wire inside the hollow fence and mounted miniature carriage lamps on the hollow posts. Because I used 60-watt LED bulbs, I had to go through an interposing relay controlled by an appliance module.
I just wanted to share this as ideas in dealing with leakage current and high impedance devices in the LED world we live in today and disappearance of incandescent lights.
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AMXoldhack

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Re: Voltage leak on X10 light modules ?
« Reply #21 on: December 27, 2023, 02:12:15 AM »

I thought I'd reply to this dated post as I have a similar feedback circuit with Xmas bulbs mounted in my living room so I can see what's been left on before I go to bed. some are driven directly by X10 on off commands, some are true feedback from power flash modules coupled to current relays. I'm considering converting all of these indicators to true feedback, though I'm concerned I may run into X10 commend clashes. I'll post my results when I get "round toit".
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dave w

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Re: Voltage leak on X10 light modules ?
« Reply #22 on: December 27, 2023, 11:00:49 AM »

FWIW
I am still finding incandescent 7 watts at Dollar Tree.
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