Two number codes get confused by something

[nabril15]

Hello Brian and Robin
I have an xps2 with code 5, controlling a pool pump, and a bulb rocket socket with code 6 and an led bulb from home depot.

Just about every day, the pool pump comes on just as my NEW mt14 mini timer send the 6 ON signal. I then have to turn the pump, code 5, off with my remote control. And sometimes that turns off code 6 as well.
So whenever 5ON is sent from the mini timer or remote, 6 comes on.
Yes, I can change the pump's code number to another number, like 3, to test. But what can be causing the signals for 5 and 6 to cross?
My MT14A timer is brand new from Big John.

[Brian H]

There is only a single data bit difference between a 5 and a 6.
That could be a reason they interact with each other.
If you had a X10 signal  displaying device. You maybe able to see exactly what is being sent and possibly a cure.

Housecode   Device Code   Binary Value
   A      1      0110
   B      2      1110
   C      3      0010
   D      4      1010
   E      5      0001
   F      6      1001
   G      7      0101
   H      8      1101
   I      9      0111
   J      10      1111
   K      11      0011
   L      12      1011
   M      13      0000
   N      14      1000
   O      15      0100
   P      16      1100

[brobin]

1. If different loads are used (like two appliance modules with nothing plugged into them) does it still happen?
2. Try cycling the code switches to remove any oxidation.
3. Try without the LED bulb.

[nabril15]

1. If different loads are used (like two appliance modules with nothing plugged into them) does it still happen?
2. Try cycling the code switches to remove any oxidation.
3. Try without the LED bulb.

thank you guys
I tried number 2, cycling the code switches on the xps2, and I changed the xps2 to code 3. So, pressing 5 doesn't turn 6 on any more, but I see that 6, the socket rocket doesn't turn off on its own some mornings. I will replace that led bulb with an incandescent bulb (I think I have), to test.

[nabril15]

Guys, help please.

The pump now has code 3, and an hour ago, I used my HR12 remote to turn on lights #2, #1, and #6, and all of them turned the pump on IN ADDITION to their individual lights. Number 1 is a wireless receiver module, number 2 is for 2 XPS3 switches, and number 6 is a socket rocket lamp module.

What can I do to isolate, further troubleshoot, and defrustrate? I'm pondering changing the pump's XPS2 to house code B, and then having to change the code on the HR12 to B to only turn on the pump, and then returning it to A for the rest of the house.

Why oh why, is that XPS2 controlling the pump receiving other numbers?

[brobin]

Have you tried a different XPS2?

See what happens when you change the house code.

[Brian H]

Any X10 repeater in the mix? That could be messing things up?
What are you using for the HR12A X10 RF receiver to the power line?
If it is a TM751 or RR501. They only do one House Code. If you use a second House Code. The TM751 or RR501 will also need to be reset. Along with the HR12A.
The MT14A can only be set to one House Code. So more than one House Code can cloud things up.

[toasterking]

I suggest replacing the XPS2.

I've had problems with XPS3 switches in the past losing their minds when they get old.  Among the quirks I've observed are:

• Not responding to transmissions whose signal is too weak
• Not responding to transmissions whose signal is too strong
• Responding intermittently
• Turning on/off erroneously in response to partial transmissions
• Turning on/off erroneously in response to transmissions intended for other unit codes
• Turning on/off erroneously in response to transmissions intended for other house codes
• Turning on/off erroneously in response to line noise

My theory is that when the switch's electronic components age, the PIC eventually receives a distorted signal and either skips incoming bits, interprets noise as missing bits, or both, though I haven't done any reverse engineering to back that up.

Since XPS2 is the 240V version of the XPS3, they're likely the same design otherwise.

[nabril15]

Have you tried a different XPS2?

See what happens when you change the house code.

Any X10 repeater in the mix? That could be messing things up?
What are you using for the HR12A X10 RF receiver to the power line?
If it is a TM751 or RR501. They only do one House Code. If you use a second House Code. The TM751 or RR501 will also need to be reset. Along with the HR12A.
The MT14A can only be set to one House Code. So more than one House Code can cloud things up.

This may come out funky with multiquotes.
1. I don't have another xps2 to try. I changed its code to 10, and it still turns on on its own when the mt14a sends other on commands. Should I change the xps2 house code to B to try it out or rule out xps2 craziness?

2. I have an xtbr repeater plugged in under the main panel.

3. Perhaps my xps2 is flaking out??

4. I have an IBM HD501 that has RR501 in the fcc id

[Brian H]

Can't hurt to try the XPS2 on B as a test.
Just remembering to use the remote. Both the HD501 and the remote have to be set to B. Along with the MT-14A

[nabril15]

thanks Brian
Yes, using code B is more involved and manual. Agghh

Two minutes ago, I turned on the pump, #10, from the remote, and, as usual, #6 came on; number 6 is a rocket socket screwed in a sconce.
So, in essence, turning on/off other numbers may or does turn on the pump. Or, turning the pump on/off may or does turn on #6 only.

Sure, I could start to disconnect x10 switches, and chargers and bulbs, but, honestly, I don't have the energy to troubleshoot. Obviously, having some sort of x10 signal reader would be an easier start to try to find the culprit(s), but I think they don't exist any more.

[JeffVolp]

This is usually a symptom of powerline noise.  Turn off or disconnect any likely noise generators and see if that makes a difference.  Likely culprits are CFL or LED lights and small plug-in power modules.  But anything with a switching power supply can inject noise onto the powerline.

Jeff

[Brian H]

Power Line noise as pointed out.
Is starting to be a possibility.
You may want to go that route and see if you can find something.
You don't find may X10 signal meters these days.

[nabril15]

This is usually a symptom of powerline noise.  Turn off or disconnect any likely noise generators and see if that makes a difference.  Likely culprits are CFL or LED lights and small plug-in power modules.  But anything with a switching power supply can inject noise onto the powerline.

Jeff

thanks Jeff---what are some "small plug-in power modules"? USB phone charger bases, for example?
And switching power supplies? - tv's? Anything that can be powered on by a remote, right?

[JeffVolp]

thanks Jeff---what are some "small plug-in power modules"? USB phone charger bases, for example?
And switching power supplies? - tv's? Anything that can be powered on by a remote, right?

Small plug-in power modules are just that.  They could be cellphone chargers or power modules for various widgets.  Many things today have a separate power module rather than plugging directly into the AC line.

Most electronic devices today have dispensed with large, heavy, and expensive 60Hz transformers.  Instead they rectify the AC line voltage and feed it to a DC/DC converter to produce lower voltages.  When that converter runs near the X10 carrier frequency, it can cause problems.

Jeff