Re: Odd Appliance Module

[David White <whitedavidp@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

David White wrote:
> David White wrote:
>> Anthony R. Gold wrote:
>>> On Sun, 3 Oct 2010 18:10:10 +0000 (UTC), David White
>>> <whitedavidp@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Seems like it doesn't rain but it pours!
>>>>
>>>> I am seeing what I believe to be odd behavior in one of my 2-pin
>>>> appliance modules (AM 486). In most of my modules of this type, even
>>>> if an X-10 command has turned the module OFF, I can switch-on the
>>>> attached device and it will work. I hear the module click when I do
>>>> this. This is the behavior I want and expect.
>>>>
>>>> But today I discovered that another of my AM 486 modules doesn't
>>>> exhibit this ability to switch-on the attached device if an X-10
>>>> command has turned the module OFF.
>>>>
>>>> Which is the "correct" behavior? What does it mean that this one
>>>> module doesn't behave like the others?
>>>
>>> It is designed to work the way you want and expect but the type of load,
>>> whether resistive or reactive, may affect its reliability:
>>>
>>> http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Local_Control_for_Lamp_and_Appliance_Modules
>>>
>>> Try using a known resistive load, such as lamp with incandescent bulb
>>> or a
>>> kitchen appliance that heats (water pot, toaster, electric fry pan
>>> etc.) to
>>> test whether the issue is the type of load or whether that feature of
>>> your
>>> AM486 has failed. Some people (me included) dislike the local control
>>> feature
>>> and would consider the change you have found to be an improvement :-)
>>>
>>> Tony
>>
>> Thanks Tony,
>>
>> I did try multiple attached devices. One was a heating pad, the other
>> an incandescent lamp. I have also identified that more than one of my
>> units seems to lack this feature (or bane for others) called "local
>> control". So I conclude that this is not just a buggy module. I did
>> find the following page that indicates that the standard X-10
>> appliance modules (at least the 3-prong ones) no longer have local
>> control. This implies that it once was there and now no longer is
>> included. I think it is safe to assume that the same change was made
>> to the 2-prong module. So I am inclined to conclude that some of my
>> appliance modules are older than others (which, no doubt, they are).
>> Thanks, David
>>
>> <http://www.thex10shop.com/product/x10-x-10-powerhouse-am466-3-pin-appliance-module>
>>
>
> Following-up, all of these were purchased new in the box. I have 4 of
> them in all. Based upon the conclusion above that older ones have the
> local control feature that newer ones lack, I tested each of them with
> my electric can opener (as that was handy). Turns out that only 1 in 4
> of the units I own has local control. A close look at the modules shows
> that the one that DOES have local control has a little, round sticker on
> it that reads 04c10 while all 3 which lack local control have similar
> stickers that read 07a05. Perhaps this is not meaningful or conclusive
> but...

I just found yet another appliance module - this one a 3-prong AM 466.
It has a little, round sticker that reads 04c11. This one has local
control as well. I will assume it is an older unit too. FYI