Re: X10 continuous bright problem...

[martin.reynolds@xxxxxxxxx]

On May 7, 5:18 am, Art Todesco <actode...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Dave Houston wrote:
> > Martin,
>
> > In addition to Bruce's suggestion of a stuck button, there's a fairly common
> > occurence with X-10 transceivers getting locked into a continuous state (I
> > dubbed it "endless dim syndrome".) where they send DIM or BRT until
> > unplugged. There's also a condition usually referred to as "powerline
> > storms" which usually is associated with the Leviton HCA02-10E
> > coupler/repeater although the symptoms you see do not seem to match those
> > usually seen with the coupler.
>
> > Are you using any X-10 transceivers or do you use your BX24-AHT? If you are
> > using the BX24-AHT it will log any received RF as well as any received PLC
> > codes so it can help isolate whether this signal is originating as RF or
> > only as PLC, telling us whether to look under couch cushions or look for PLC
> > gremlins.
>
> > martin.reyno...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
> >> I've been running a fairly large X10 system for almost 20 years. 60
> >> modules, repeater. I've eliminated the wireless leg over power lines.
> >> It's been generally reliable, with a few soft spots on long runs and
> >> the occasional killer power supply in a PC, printer or game device. No
> >> whole house filter, but my neighbors are 100 - 200 feet away.
>
> >> So today, it stops working. Total shutdown. A little research turns up
> >> a continuous E9/bright command. My little tester flags it as a strong,
> >> clean signal with noiseless zeros and full strength 1s.
>
> >> A long search reveals no suspicious devices, so I turn off the
> >> breakers one at a time. Doesn't work. I open all the breakers, and
> >> find that the signal is on at least two separate circuits. I have the
> >> repeater disconnected as well.
>
> >> Then comes an indiscretion with the tester as I connect it across the
> >> two lin phases, and it ejects black smoke. So I never quite nailed it
> >> as an external influence, but it seems that is what it has to be.
> >> Almost like one of my neighbors is blasting e9/b with a big amp.
>
> >> Of course, it is gone now. And the whole house filter will arrive this
> >> week.
>
> >> Anybody ever seen anything like this? It was almost like a deliberate
> >> jamming signal.
>
> I had a similar problem, my wife spilled
> a bit of tea on her nightstand and
> it splashed on the manual controller.
> It sent out continuous stuff.  I finally
> found it, unplugged it and all was well.
>   After a complete drying out, it
> worked again perfectly.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks, all. Dave, your point on the BX24 s a good one: mine feeds a
PC which runs an Ocelot, and it was reporting nothing on the RF link.

The odd thing is that I opened ALL the breakers, and still found the
signal on two separate legs, with each only powered on individually.
Ialso pulled the coupler/repeater, that was not the guilty part.

Had I then connected my tester across one line and neutral, I would
have had a definitive observation instead of vaporized PCB traces.