SC546A REMOTE CHIME

[neal]

I bought the driveway alert kit (MS14A
SENSOR, SC546A REMOTE CHIME and the TM751
MODULE) and I have the following problem;
The MS14A SENSOR will communicate and turn
on the TH751 MODULE but the remote SC546A
REMOTE CHIME fails to sound on a regular
bassis. It will sound on occassion but I
can't trust it to properly notify me when I
have a visitor. What can I do to correct
this problem?

[Brian H]

Does it work better if is in the same outlet
or circuit as the TM751? You could have a
phase problem. Most houses are split phase
with about half the home on each pahse. The
X10 Line Signals have problems going from
one phase to the other. Another test would
be turn on a 220 Volt device. Like a dryer
or stove and see if things get better. If
that does then a phase coupler or repeater
is needed; or using another outlet on the
same phase for the chime module.
Another problem is powerline noise that
masks the X10 signals or devices that
absorbe the X10 signals. You could try some
tests like disconnecting electronic devices
like computers surge suppressors tvs and
anything else electronic. If that makes
things better there are X10 type line
filters for those devices.

[IA2U]

I had to put my Remote Chime on a surge protector outlet in order for it to Chime.   I was about to return the unit as defective until I thought of trying it on a surge.   Sure enough, the damn thing started chiming when the Motion Sensor was tripped.   Can't figure out why a surge protector would do the trick, but it did.    They need to mention that possibility on the instructions.    Now if I can't just figure out the rest of the Multi-camera system to work with the vcr commander.   One thing at a time.

TivoPro

[JimC]

IA2U,

Is the surge protector plugged into the same outlet as the chime was when it was not working? If it is that is really strange. If it is in a different one then the problem is probably as Brian H described.

[Brian H]

If it was noise the surge protector may have made it better. Problem is different protectors treat the X10 120KHz line signal different. One may act like it is noise and suppress it while others may let it pass.

[Tuicemen]

Brian H:  I agree surge protector must have some type of noise supressor in it that likes X10.   A noise filter would have worked just as well I'm sure.

[Brian H]

Absolutely on the noise filter

[tom j]

Ditto sound like a phase problem to me if you have a 240 appliance dryer stove ect, turn it on and see if that improves the transmission if it does it's definitely a phase problem.

Tcj