Re: x10 activehome pro

["neo" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx>]

"John" <noaddress@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:UsednVoCw7vmjiPYnZ2dnUVZ_vShnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> "Tim Dolan" <tims-pool-leagues@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:MOmvh.2702$MN.1025@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Hi John,
>>            I went to the site and read about the items. It appeared
>> to be an adobe format without links to purchase the products.
>>         In my searches, I found similar products from smarthome. It
>> was a phase coupler and filter and a booster that plugged into a
>> electric dryer plug. I think it was $79. Will that help my
>> activehome pro work again?
>>
>
> Here is a link to the store on the site for filters.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2qntfh
>
> I use AF100 filters on 4 different appliances and the XPF filter
> on an entire circuit.
>
> I think you said that you already had a capacitor across the phases
> so I'm not sure that the $79. device would help.
>
> You need a filter on each appliance that is reducing the level of
> the
> X10 signal.  APC UPSs are almost a short circuit for the X10
> 120 KHz signal.  Many TV sets and most computer power supplies
> also are a significant load on the X10 signal.
>
> If you don't have a meter to measure X10 signal levels, you can
> verify that the phase coupling capacitor is doing the job by testing
> with an electric clothes dryer or an electric range to see if it has
> any effect on X10 operation.  Since both of those appliances
> operate on 240 volts and use a resistance heating element, they
> provide a good coupling of the X10 signal between phases when
> they are in operation.
>
> I use the ELK ESM1 tester to measure X10 signal levels.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/yom4zb
>
>
> John


I am new to the group but I have been using X-10 in my home for many
years. I had my phases coupled with a capacitor. Somewhat recently I
began to make another expansion of my system. I began to experience
problems. Filters did not seem to help. I finally ended up buying a
meter to check signal strength. The problem was low signal strength.
Electric heaters really absorb the signal as do motion floods. I added
a bridge amplifier from Smarthome.com and that has resolved the
problems.

My old controller which is still working well is a SmartLink with
Plato software. I bought a second home and wanted a new controller. I
am not very pleased with the one from Smarthome.com. After reading
this I went to X-10's site and ordered the activehome pro. I hope this
was a wise decision.