Re: X10 TM751 Endless Dim Problem

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

It may not be entirely coincidental (I suspected the 20 minute abeyance
after (de)tuning might be heat related.) but I suspect the heat is somewhat
normal (or an effect of the endless transmissions). The TM751 draws 1.2W
when idle so should be slightly warm. If you have a ~3W nightlight, the
nightlight should be warmer than the TM751.

It's been a few years since I investigated this but I found I could induce
it in 100% of the TM751 modules I tested (about a dozen) by aligning the
antenna with an extension cord. Inductive feedback of the 120kHz on the line
appears to trigger the phenomenon.

The RR501, while not immune, is far less susceptible.

However, I recommend going to the Leviton HCPRF All Housecode Transceiver.
It costs more but handles all housecodes, has a silent relay, and appears to
be immune to the endless dim syndrome.

     http://www.smarthome.com/4017.html

"Gavin" <gavin.alloyd@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Well, thanks Dave for the response.  Now this is interesting... I
>noticed that the TM751 was slightly warm when I would go over to unplug
>it to reset my lamps.  I didn't think much of it, but the next time I
>plugged it in, I put it right next to a fan running in my apartment,
>with air blowing right across the model.  It's been plugged in for at
>least a couple of hours (a record), and I haven't had an endless dim
>since (I've been testing it every 5 minutes or so)...
>
>Is there any possibility that an overheating module would cause an
>endless dim, or is this more likely a coincidence? (even if it's not, I
>don't really want to run a fan 24/7 just to keep the dimmer working).
>
>And if it does turn out to be a coincidence, is there a newer
>transceiver module that doesn't suffer from this annoying problem?
>
>Sorry for so many questions and thanks again,
>Gavin
>
>
>Dave Houston wrote:
>> It sounds like you've already tried the things that worked for some people.
>> Only a few people reported that detuning worked. If you've tried diffenent
>> outlets and tried reorienting the antenna (horizontal works for some,
>> vertical for others), I don't have any other suggestions.
>>
>> "Gavin" <gavin.alloyd@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> >I know this is an old subject... but I could use some help. :-]
>> >
>> >Just got ahold of a TM751, 2 lamp modules and an RF pad.  Hooked up two
>> >lamps, everything worked great the first day.
>> >
>> >The next day I started to get the endless dim.  Lamps turn on OK, but
>> >when I try to dim, they keep dimming and dimming until the lamp is off.
>> > To get it back on I usually have to unplug/replug the tranciever
>> >module.
>> >
>> >I read about (de)tuning the slug inside the TM751, opened 'er up and
>> >turned it 1/16 of a turn clockwise.  Put it back together, and
>> >everything seemed to work fine, but the endless dim starts up again
>> >after about 20 minutes.  To fix it I then I have to give the slug
>> >another turn, and still this only lasts for about 20 minutes.  I have
>> >tried the TM751 on every outlet in my apartment (about 9 different
>> >outlets).
>> >
>> >Any ideas?  Thanks all.
>>
>>
>> http://www.davehouston.net
>> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
>> roZetta-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


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