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[just4fn]

I am trying to use a AM466 appliance module to control an electric blanket. Sounds easy. When the module turns off, the reset relay in the blanket control flutters. It makes a popping type noise. I am assuming a little power trickles back from the module. Is there a fix for this or a different module? Thanks for the help, Doug

[Brian H]

The am466 appliance module has a local control sensing circuit. It basically looks for the local power switch on the controlled device to be toggled off then on. The module then turns on locally with no X10 commands. That small current sometimes messes things up. CFL bulbs many times flicker or the thing turns back on when turned off. Try as a test a small incandescent bulb in a cube tap with the blanket. If better;r it is the sensing current. There are hacks to fix it on some automation sites. You void the warrante. I don't think X10 has a module with no sensing currents.

[wayneaking]

The am466 appliance module has a local control sensing circuit. It basically looks for the local power switch on the controlled device to be toggled off then on. The module then turns on locally with no X10 commands. That small current sometimes messes things up. CFL bulbs many times flicker or the thing turns back on when turned off. Try as a test a small incandescent bulb in a cube tap with the blanket. If better;r it is the sensing current. There are hacks to fix it on some automation sites. You void the warrante. I don't think X10 has a module with no sensing currents.

AM466 does not work well with any fluorescent bulb or fixture including CFL's (as described above).  I've tried the hacks and they don't work well (and sometimes damage the module).

Given this:

* WHY IS X10 ADVERTISING AM466 FOR FLUORESCENT LIGHTING???

* WHY DOESN'T X10 OFFER AN APPLIANCE MODULE WITHOUT THE (often not needed) LOCAL CONTROL???

More and more people are switching to CFL's -- either for environmental concerns or just to save money on electricity.

[Brian H]

The new ones are redesigned.

No local control and a very small current on the output. To determine if the mechanical switch is on or off.

Most CFL bulbs are now fine with the newly designed Appliance Module.

There is still enough current there to keep LED bulbs glowing dimly when off.

Only thing is X10 didn't change the part number so unless you know how old it is. You can't tell if you have a CFL friendly one. I would say early 2008 as my Date Code 08A02 AM466 is the CFL friendly.

[jrwhit]

Doug,
I also thought electric blanket control would be handy for an X10 appliance module. My blanket, a Sunbeam dual control, didn't exhibit the symptoms you described. It would shut the blanket off with no problem but once it was off, it would not turn back on without pressing the blanket's controller button again. Without this functionality my prewarmed bed was a no-go. If you come across a blanket that doesn't have this kind of controller, I would be curious to know what it is.

[Dan Lawrence]

That's the way Sunbeam blankets controls work.   I have the same problem - the timer turns the module on at 9:00 PM and I or my wife has to go in and turn both bedside controllers on.   The module turns the power off at 8:00 AM and the controller lights go dark.

When I first got X10 in the late 1980's, electric blankets had no electronics to turn them on or off after a built in time, so X10 turned it on and off. (we used to have friends in to play games or cards. In the winter, every body used to put their coats on the bed - when they left, their coats were nice and warm!!) Then either the electric blanket industry or the Feds made them  built so you had to turn them on and if you did not turn it off yourself, the blanket turned itself off after a pre-set number of hours.  Those of us who use X10 just have to live with it.

[HA Dave]

I am trying to use a AM466 appliance module to control an electric blanket.

I am always looking for... things to automate and ways to cut electric use. I am not sure if an electric blanket control could easily or SAFELY be hacked or modified to be X10 controlled. I do like Dan's solution of turning the blankets OFF (and extra safety feature) using a module on a timer macro.

I am also a big BVC fan/user and recently my wife asked me if I could have the computer remind her to make a daily phone call. I am always mindful of my WAF rating... and so I [of course] setup such a reminder. I setup a gentle little ding ding wav file to be played.. then [followed by] a pleasent BVC Voice reminder.

But even a simple AHP macro triggering an X10 chime... to remind someone to pre-heat the bed.. could be handy.