Socket Rocket always on?

Started by ohmarty, November 17, 2005, 06:47:38 AM

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ohmarty

I had a brand new RLM20 (Socket Rocket) set
to default A1. It was working fine until the
bulb blew. Now it is always on. I can't get
to shut off or reprogram it. I have several
that I have set many different codes with no
trouble. Is this one just useless anymore?

Brian H

The surge from the lamp burning out has
shorted the triac [component that turns the
thing on and off]. It is now useless. I have
burned out three the same way and have put
any remaining I have in a box unused!
Someone here has had sucess in changing the
part in theirs, I now use the X10 screw in
dimmer that is bigger but offhand forget the
part number.

ohmarty

Thanks. That screw in dimmer is SL575, but
it's too big for my application. I've asked
X10 for some help, but haven't anything as
yet.

dave w

FYI Light bulb burning out and shorting
triac.

An enormous number of years ago, I remember
reading that burn-out of Phillips brand
lightbulbs shorted the triacs far less often
than other brands. The speculated
explaination was: Phillips did not stretch
their filiment, in manufacture, as taut as
other brands . The bulb is less likely to
burn out at turn-on (turn-out burn-out
usually happens when the switch makes
contact, or the triac fires, when the AC
sine is at peak - creating larger inductive
kick when the filiment breaks which is
greater than the mediocure 400v PIV triacs).
I don't know if true or not, but I do know I
have had Phillips bulbs burn out and the
lamp module(s) survived.

FWIW
"This aftershave makes me look fat"

jerry r

X10 should improve this product before
selling it and replace the defective ones
that have been sold!  I have 4 of these
that have blown over the past 2 years.  I
don't know about you, but I don't like
paying $20 every time a light bulb blows.

Brian H

X10 replaced a few of mine, but if memory
serves me. I had to pay the poatage back to
them. I actually had one DOA right from the
box. I doubt X10 will do much about the
problem. Thay are too busy pushing their
wares. Even those stupid pop ups and pop
unders are back!

dick

I use DuraMax (made by Phillips) in mine
and have had several bulbs burnout but no
socket rockets.  Just lucky, I guess that I
settled on that brand of bulb.  I use them
because they are available in 25 and 40
watt small bulb configuration which is
perfect for my night time use.

mike ellaby

I put 2 lights into one of these sockets
and when 1 bulb blows there is no surge
cause there is still the load from the
othere bulb. That is my assumption cause I
have only had 1 bulb blow since and it did
not fry the socket rocket.