Re: Additional X10 data points

[Charles Sullivan <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 02 Oct 2005 04:46:52 -0500, Neil Cherry wrote:

> On Sat, 01 Oct 2005 11:02:06 GMT, Charles Sullivan wrote:
>> On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 17:12:07 -0500, Neil Cherry wrote:
>>
>>> On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 20:21:50 GMT, Charles Sullivan wrote:
>>>> On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 12:13:19 -0500, Neil Cherry wrote:
>>>>
>
>>> We only have problems with 2 sets of bulbs. The first is anything on
>>> an X10 dimmer, the second if a set of Halogen bulbs that hang down at
>>> the front door. The opening and closing of the front door causes
>>> problems with the halogen and they have to be the type that can hang
>>> down. The rest of the bulbs in our home last (alot) longer than 6
>>> months.
>
>> Could your experience have anything to do with bulb orientation?
>> Most of the lamps controlled by X10 dimmers at my place have the bulbs in
>> socket-side down orientation.  I know that some bulbs are rated only for
>> socket-side down or horizontal orientation, and wonder if perhaps _all_
>> bulbs are more susceptable to earlier failure if operated socket-side up.
>> I assume the difference has something to do with the effect of heat on the
>> glass-metal seal where the wires go through the glass.
>
> All the bulbs on the X10 are horizontal. We (my wife an I) didn't
> learn about orientation problems until we purchased the halogen.
> On the issue of power, the power in the are is ok. We had problems
> until a few years ago when we discovered that the power only 'blinked'
> during strong wind storms. Turned out the power couplers had come
> loose. A call to the power company brought out a field tech and he
> recrimped them with a massive crimper.
>
>> BTW, most of the X10 wall switches and dimmers at my place are
>> Radio Shack branded and were installed ~ 1997.   One wall switch
>> failed and was replaced about 2 years ago.  Lighting is controlled
>> primarily by timed macros and remotes - wall switch push buttons are
>> rarely used.
>
> The troublesome swith is the cheap Radio Shack one. The pushbutton is
> seldom used (it's difficult to get to which is why it's on X10). The
> other is a RS Lamp module.

Unless you have some very weird power situation (which I can't
imagine), the only other thing I can think of is vibration -
either external or some self-resonance of the filament.  Have
you tried different brands or styles of bulbs?  (Clear bulbs let
you see how the filament is mounted and it can vary markedly.)