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Author Topic: Xps3 switch and nearby dimmer = led bulb flickering  (Read 2384 times)

nabril15

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Xps3 switch and nearby dimmer = led bulb flickering
« on: February 07, 2025, 08:48:37 PM »

Hello Brian and all
I see old posts in the thread listing, so I'm not sure if x10 remains a 10 or a dying 2....

I'll ask anyway so as to tug at the thinking strings.
In a dual gang box are an Xps3 and a new dimmer.
That box feeds an overhead ceiling fan with constant power, an outdoor sconce controller by the xps3, and an indoor sconce controlled by the dimmer. The dimmer controls 2 led bulbs that have the long orange led "filament", if you will; I believe they're called Edison bulbs.
The line feed to the dimmer comes out of the second line post/screw of the xps3.

On most nights, the bulbs of that interior sconce flicker regardless of the dimmer slide location, so I turn it off to preserve the bulbs.

Could something in the xps3 be causing that flicker? Should I create a jumper and bypass the xps3 for the line wire perhaps?

I thank you
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Brian H

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Re: Xps3 switch and nearby dimmer = led bulb flickering
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2025, 09:56:21 AM »

Are the LED bulbs have a dim able rating?
Some LED bulbs just don't like some dimmers.
Some have had success with a different brand or model LED bulb.

You could try a separate AC feed but I kind of doubt it would change much.

They do make a module that can be wired across the LED bulbs. Reported to help.
I looked for data on the Insteon forums. The modules are also fine for X10 situations.

https://www.insteon.com/support-knowledgebase/get-started-led-filter
https://shop.insteon.com/products/led-flicker-glow-eliminator
Note they are available directly from the manufacturer the photos are clear enough to see the manufacturers name and part number.

X10 is not dead but users maybe going to more recent products.
Traffic here is always spotty but users still get here and all will assist them.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2025, 10:09:41 AM by Brian H »
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gadgetboy

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Re: Xps3 switch and nearby dimmer = led bulb flickering
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2025, 12:19:27 PM »

I have had much the same difficulty with X10 dimmers and LED bulbs. I have found two things that may help if you can use them.

1: an older 120 volt power supply with a transformer will allow a tiny amount of current flow and stop the flicker.

or (preferred)

an older incandescent night light will do the same.

This basically gets the current somewhere to go other than the highly efficient LED bulb. The current through the nightlight is too low to light the 5 watt bulb.

Yes the nightlight will be on when the LEDs are but not while they are off.
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Brian H

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Re: Xps3 switch and nearby dimmer = led bulb flickering
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2025, 01:32:18 PM »

Those are a great tip.  :)%
I had forgotten the small incandescent night light and old small wall wart supplies.
Fixing many problems with X10  dimmers and LED bulbs,.
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brobin

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Re: Xps3 switch and nearby dimmer = led bulb flickering
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2025, 07:10:12 PM »

Jeff Volp used to make an LED shunt but I don't think he makes them anymore.
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JeffVolp

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Re: Xps3 switch and nearby dimmer = led bulb flickering
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2025, 12:12:35 AM »

Jeff Volp used to make an LED shunt but I don't think he makes them anymore.

They were discontinued several years ago when the initial production batch was gone.  I just have the prototype left that I'm keeping for myself.  I tried to have X10 to manufacture them, but that didn't work out.

I'm down to just one product left now - the XTB-523.  There are also a couple of XTB-IIR kits left for custom builds.

Regarding the LED bulb flickering, I've tested a whole bunch of different LED bulbs on a variety of X10 modules and wall switches - some dimmable and some not.  None would work with 2-wire X10 switches, but most work OK with switches that have a neutral connection.  But some of the dimmable LED bulbs will flicker, usually at a low brightness setting.   But the ones I put in our family room fixtures flicker at max brightness on a Leviton X10 compatible "Red Line" dimmer switch.  Stepping back one step stops the flickering, and they are actually brighter.

Jeff
« Last Edit: February 09, 2025, 12:19:50 AM by JeffVolp »
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X-10 automation since the BSR days

nabril15

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Re: Xps3 switch and nearby dimmer = led bulb flickering
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2025, 09:42:39 PM »

Are the LED bulbs have a dim able rating?
Some LED bulbs just don't like some dimmers.
Some have had success with a different brand or model LED bulb.

You could try a separate AC feed but I kind of doubt it would change much.

They do make a module that can be wired across the LED bulbs. Reported to help.
I looked for data on the Insteon forums. The modules are also fine for X10 situations.

https://www.insteon.com/support-knowledgebase/get-started-led-filter
https://shop.insteon.com/products/led-flicker-glow-eliminator
Note they are available directly from the manufacturer the photos are clear enough to see the manufacturers name and part number.

X10 is not dead but users maybe going to more recent products.
Traffic here is always spotty but users still get here and all will assist them.

Thanks Brian and all.
The bulbs are dimmable and of the HD Ecosmart brand.
I'll try the direct ac connection bypassing rhe xps3 tomorrow.

Tonight, they're not flickering with the dimmer slider all the way up.
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bkenobi

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Re: Xps3 switch and nearby dimmer = led bulb flickering
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2025, 11:07:43 AM »

I tried some "dimmable" LED in my game room a while back.  That room has a 3-way dimmer setup installed (dimmer at one location, on/off at the other 2 panels).  I found that if I had those bulbs turned all the way up, they worked fine.  If I turned the dimmer down more than a very small amount, they would flicker.  If I remember, they also glowed when turned off and also didn't turn on to full brightness either.  The issue in my case was likely that the dimmer module was not really LED compatible.  I can't remember if I switched to a different LED or went back to incandescent but I know I didn't change the dimmer because an LED compatible 2- or 3-way dimmer model wasn't easy to find.
 

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