Re: Flourescent kills X10

["Jeff Volp" <JeffVolp@xxxxxxx>]

Interesting idea Dave, but I don't think there is room.  The Miller choke is
about 1/2 inch diameter by 1 1/2 inches long.  There may be smaller torrid
chokes available.  Something to consider is that the 1000 uH choke is only
rated for 1A.  That's ample for a CF bulb.  But any modified appliance
module would have to be identified so it isn't used for another purpose.

Along a similar line, I have modified floor and table lamps for screw-in
compact fluorescents driven by an appliance module.  I just snipped the hot
lead inside the base of the lamp, wired a choke in series, and encased
everything in shrink sleeving.  But I used the 125 uH choke (3.5A) for these
applications in case someone put in normal high wattage bulbs in the future.

Jeff

"Dave Houston" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:43970ebb.98002883@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Could the choke go inside the appliance module?
>
> "Jeff Volp" <JeffVolp@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >Keith,
> >
> >Sorry you are frustrated with X10, but it CAN be a reliable system.  It
does
> >take some planning and management to keep it reliable.
> >
> >We use a bunch of compact fluorescents in ceiling cans to save energy.
Most
> >are controlled with Leviton 16293 relay X10 switches.  To prevent
potential
> >problems, I included Leviton 6287 noise blocks in line between the
switches
> >and the ceiling cans.  These filters are small enough to fit in the back
of
> >the switch boxes.
> >
> >Unfortunately, the solution is not quite as easy with an appliance
module.
> >Years ago I ran into your problem when compact fluorescents first came
out.
> >The Lights of America CF bulbs had a filter capacitor directly across the
> >power input.  That killed any X10 signal on that circuit.  I you are
running
> >into a similar problem.
> >
> >The solution was fairly easy.  I ordered some Miller 1000 uH Hash Chokes
> >from Digikey and wired them in series with the bulb center contact.  You
can
> >probably do the same with your under cabinet light.  Just wire the choke
in
> >line between the "hot" input line and the circuitry.  Be sure to well
> >insulate the choke with shrink tubing to prevent any possible contact to
the
> >case.
> >
> >We use X10 here for all lighting, sprinkler control, hot water
> >recirculation, and exhaust fans.  With hundreds of X10 commands sent
daily,
> >we see a missed command perhaps once a month.  Not 100% reliable, but
> >certainly better than 99%.
> >
> >With some care, it should work fine for you too.
> >
> >Jeff
> >
> >"kviator" <kviator@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >news:1133936286.615372.230650@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> These flourescent lights are high-end, 13 watt, quick start lights for
> >> under counter use.  I'm not sure that replacing the bulbs would make
> >> much difference, but I may try as a last resort.
> >>
> >> I guess I was looking for something like some sort a band-pass filter
> >> or something that I can put in the up-stream outlet that will bypass
> >> the flourescent light when on and pass the X10 signal down-stream to
> >> the next outlet.
> >>
> >> Any other ideas?  Maybe my macro idea is the only practical solution.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Keith
> >
>