Re: Odd Appliance Module

[David White <whitedavidp@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

David White wrote:
> Anthony R. Gold wrote:
>> On Sun, 3 Oct 2010 18:10:10 +0000 (UTC), David White
>> <whitedavidp@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>> Seems like it doesn't rain but it pours!
>>>
>>> I am seeing what I believe to be odd behavior in one of my 2-pin
>>> appliance modules (AM 486). In most of my modules of this type, even
>>> if an X-10 command has turned the module OFF, I can switch-on the
>>> attached device and it will work. I hear the module click when I do
>>> this. This is the behavior I want and expect.
>>>
>>> But today I discovered that another of my AM 486 modules doesn't
>>> exhibit this ability to switch-on the attached device if an X-10
>>> command has turned the module OFF.
>>>
>>> Which is the "correct" behavior? What does it mean that this one
>>> module doesn't behave like the others?
>>
>> It is designed to work the way you want and expect but the type of load,
>> whether resistive or reactive, may affect its reliability:
>>
>> http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Local_Control_for_Lamp_and_Appliance_Modules
>>
>> Try using a known resistive load, such as lamp with incandescent bulb
>> or a
>> kitchen appliance that heats (water pot, toaster, electric fry pan
>> etc.) to
>> test whether the issue is the type of load or whether that feature of
>> your
>> AM486 has failed. Some people (me included) dislike the local control
>> feature
>> and would consider the change you have found to be an improvement :-)
>>
>> Tony
>
> Thanks Tony,
>
> I did try multiple attached devices. One was a heating pad, the other an
> incandescent lamp. I have also identified that more than one of my units
> seems to lack this feature (or bane for others) called "local control".
> So I conclude that this is not just a buggy module. I did find the
> following page that indicates that the standard X-10 appliance modules
> (at least the 3-prong ones) no longer have local control. This implies
> that it once was there and now no longer is included. I think it is safe
> to assume that the same change was made to the 2-prong module. So I am
> inclined to conclude that some of my appliance modules are older than
> others (which, no doubt, they are). Thanks, David
>
> <http://www.thex10shop.com/product/x10-x-10-powerhouse-am466-3-pin-appliance-module>
>

Following-up, all of these were purchased new in the box. I have 4 of
them in all. Based upon the conclusion above that older ones have the
local control feature that newer ones lack, I tested each of them with
my electric can opener (as that was handy). Turns out that only 1 in 4
of the units I own has local control. A close look at the modules shows
that the one that DOES have local control has a little, round sticker on
it that reads 04c10 while all 3 which lack local control have similar
stickers that read 07a05. Perhaps this is not meaningful or conclusive
but...