Re: No X-10 in dining room

["D&SW" <d&sw@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

You might want to use a repeater instead of a phase coupler. Phase coupler
couples the signal but provide no amplification. Probably even attenuates.
ACT 234 or XTBIIR are both great repeaters.

"JimH" <JimH@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:IrQqm.43693$4t6.32239@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> David White wrote:
>  > Can you put a controller unit in the dining room and test to see if
> X-10
>> works in a different outlet? I am not sure what this would prove, but it
>> could at least show if X-10 can work at all on that same circuit.
>>
>> One other thing is that I tried a passive coupler unit on my clothes
>> drier and it didn't help that much. I have heard that the
>> coupler/repeaters work much better.
>
> Thanks to your idea, I think I have figured it out.
>
> I attached the X-10 controller to my laptop, and installed the software
> there. I then hooked it up in the dining room, and plugged in a lamp and
> module. It worked in the dining room, but could not control modules in the
> other rooms.
>
> That was when I realized that my dryer is on a sub-panel. When building
> the house, I went over the 200 amps that the panel provided. I had a
> choice of digging the power line trench again, and running a bigger cable,
> along with installing a 400 amp panel. This option would have cost $4,000.
> I also had the option of adding a 100 amp sub-panel in my laundry room
> which cost $400. The choice was clear. Now, the dryer is on the sub-panel,
> and so is the phase coupler. I'd bet that doesn't solve the coupling
> problem for the main panel.
>
> I suspect the only fix would be to put a phase coupler on the main panel.
> But, I'm not an expert, so if others know better, I'm open to any input.
>
> Thanks to all for your suggestions and help.
>
> --
> Jim