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[artk]

I have a two INSTEON ApplianceLinc V2 3-pin 2456S3 modules. One to a fish tank compact fluorescent light (CF) and the other to a metal halide (MH) light. The CF comes on and goes off as timed, but it flickers (Dimly) all night. The MH goes off but will not restart. The MH is ballast operated. I am using AHP and the CM15A.

Any ideas?
artk

[Dan Lawrence]

Lamp modules send a "trickle current", so they cannot be used with Fluorescent Lights.  Some applicance modules don't, so they might work. If you have any applicance modules not being used, try one and see what happens.

[artk]

Dave,
This is an appliance module for incandescent and inductive loads. Is this the wrong one?

[artk]

Sorry for the name change Dan

Artk

[Dan Lawrence]

Sorry for the name change Dan

quote author=artk link=topic=9889.msg57785#msg57785 date=1156962909]
Dave,
This is an appliance module for incandescent and inductive loads. Is this the wrong one?

Artk

You might try a straight Appliance Module.  The fact that it mentions  incandescent and inductive loads leads me to believe it passes "trickle current".   You want a straight appliance module which should not pass "trickle current".

[Brian H]

The 2456S3 has a small amount of current flowing on the outlet for Local Control sensing even when disabled. Much less than the amount X10s have. Could be enough to flicker some loads, but my CFLs do not. Except one brand of CFL a TCP Branded 23 watt
Check your hardware Rev number on the modules. There was a recall for a failing part that can smoke [I did two myself] under some load conditions. More details on their BB.

Update as I checked. 2456S3 Rev 1.3 and above. 2856S3B and 2856S3 Rev 1.4 and above; are corrected modules. Below those Rev numbers you may want to get the replacements.

[Tuicemen]

I've gotten out of aquariums and into out door ponds! (I  have bigger fish now!)
artk: They use to make folding tight fiting glass covers that sat on the tank then the light hoods sat over them! do you have one of these? If not moisture may be getting into the fixtures causing them to act up! I have no problem as well using CFLs infact 99% of the house is on them!

[TakeTheActive]

Lamp modules send a "trickle current", so they cannot be used with Fluorescent Lights.  Some applicance modules don't, so they might work. If you have any applicance modules not being used, try one and see what happens.

You might try a straight Appliance Module.  The fact that it mentions  incandescent and inductive loads leads me to believe it passes "trickle current".   You want a straight appliance module which should not pass "trickle current".

On what are you basing this Blanket Statement? 

To the best of my knowledge, *ANY* X10-Manufactured PLC Receiver Module that has the ability to provide Local Control *MUST* also have Current Sense (aka "Trickle Current").

(I don't keep up with other manufacturers. I vaguely recall a discussion that a SmartHome Module might have had a switch to disable Local Control, but I leave that up to the reader to research.)

Now, *IF* the User is comfortable working with printed circuit boards, s/he *COULD* disable Local Control via the instructions posted on Ido's excellent site (see my SIG LINK for more info).

[Brian H]

TTA;
Me too on the X10 Modules. All I have seen have had a Local Sensing Current.
One interesting side note. The TM751 has some current also on it's output when off, but not for local control sensing as far as I can see. It seems it has a ' Is my Output Switch on or off sensor '. Have not checked a RR501 but it may also.

[artk]

Thank for all your help. I'll have to research ST's web site for recalls. I'll be going out of town for a couple of weeks so I'll check it out when I return.

Life in the key of G
Art k

[dave w]

TTA;
Me too on the X10 Modules. All I have seen have had a Local Sensing Current.
One interesting side note. The TM751 has some current also on it's output when off, but not for local control sensing as far as I can see. It seems it has a ' Is my Output Switch on or off sensor '. Have not checked a RR501 but it may also.

Another FWIW
Brian, you are right about the "state of the switch" sensing. All X10 product incorporating the "solenoid cam" latching relay has this. Ito B's mod to make an appliance module "momentary" simply opens this sensing path. The "momentary"  closure actually becomes three machine gun fire pulses on the relay so you get three very rapid closures. The controller chip quits trying after three attempts to see a change in state of the relay contacts. Another ON command and the cycle repeats. If you cut the sensing line when the module was left in the "ON" state, the cycle will then become three rapid fire closings of the relay. Kinda neat, but the Universal module works better in most applications.

[Duck69]

I read so many posts about CFL's, that I had to rest my weary eyes.

I'm wondering if those of you that have had success with CFL bulbs, would post as to what bulbs you're using.

From what I understand the Costco CFL bulbs work well with X10 appliance modules and are made by Feit Electric.
Please correct me if this is wrong.

[TakeTheActive]

I'm wondering if those of you that have had success with CFL bulbs, would post as to what bulbs you're using.

Who Manufactures (and Who SELLS?) *DIMMABLE* CFL?  (Read 1040 times)

[Duck69]

I've read the entire post at Re: Who Manufactures (and Who SELLS?) *DIMMABLE* CFL?
But since it was posted here as a reply, I read it again thinking that there might be some new information. But there wasn't.

What I was trying to elicit from my post was which specific CFL BULBS were being used as I have read that some are problematic and thought that it may be helpful to know which was reliable in order to avoid those that are problematic.

(Brian H) Durabright bulbs by TCP cause excessive noise on the X10 line signal range

These were mentioned by -Bill- (of BXVC) and Brian H as not being problematic.

Ones made by Noma 9 & 13 watt.
Dimmable by GE 29 watt FLE29BQBX/DX/829
Conserv-Energy" model # BPCE13T

What others are recommended ? What others to avoid ?

[JimC]

You want a straight appliance module which should not pass "trickle current".

Dan, What model number would this be? I would like to get a couple as I have applications where they would come in handy. They must be something other than X10 modules as I am not aware of any X10 modules that don't have "local control."

Thanks,

Jim