Re: Smarthome PowerLinc 1132B frequent failures

["Jeff Volp" <JeffVolp@xxxxxxx>]

Two people reported problems using the 1132B with the XTB.  However, their
system worked fine with a X10 TW523.  Because of this, I do not recommend
pairing the 1132B with the XTB.  Sorry...

Jeff

<googlegroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1165700029.873745.112110@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> I use a PowerLinc 1132B [http://www.smarthome.com/1132b.html] with a
> Ware Brothers sprinkler controller [http://www.warebrothers.com].  It
> sends X10 signals to control landscape lighting.
>
> The 1132B fails fairly often, perhaps every six months or so.
> Monitoring the X10 signals with another unit and the Synapse PC
> software shows symptoms of seemingly garbled commands.
>
> I order another unit and replace it, and the symptoms clear.  But then
> several months later, the same problem recurs.
>
> One highly unscientific test:  Malfunctioning units seem to smell of
> burnt electronics, although opening the units doesn't reveal any
> visible damage.
>
> Judging by other posts on the newsgroup, the 1132B suffers from a
> reputation of poor quality.  But I don't see an easy alternative, as
> it's the only unit available compatible the Ware Bros. sprinkler
> controller (with which I'm quite happy).
>
> Does anyone have suggestions about how to avoid these frequent
> failures?  Would some sort of filter protect it from noise or spikes
> burning it out?  I've read of Jeff Volp's XTB
> [http://jeffvolp.home.att.net], but this seems designed to boost
> outgoing X10 signals, not to protect the transmitter.
>
> Or shall I just program the Smarthome warranty replacement number into
> my speed dial?  :-)
>
> Thanks!
> Larry Lang
>