Strange Local Control on Applicance Module (was Odd Appliance Module)

[David White <whitedavidp@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

David White wrote:
> David White wrote:
>> 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...
>
> I just found yet another appliance module - this one a 3-prong AM 466.
> It has a little, round sticker that reads 04c11. This one has local
> control as well. I will assume it is an older unit too. FYI

Now that I have 2 appliance modules, I am attempting to control a couple
of heating pads on which my cats lie most of the day (sweet life!). I am
doing all this because I sometimes forget to turn them off at night
(when the lie on me instead of the pads).

Each of these pads has its own slider control (off, low, med, hi) and a
small red LED. When the appliance module has been turned OFF using an
X10 command, I can slide the pad's control to off and then back to low
and I hear the appliance module relay snap and the LED shows brightly. I
get a similar result when the slider is in the low position and I turn
on the appliance module using an X10 command.

Sometimes when the the appliance module is turned OFF using an X10
command, I hear the module relay snap. But the red LED still is on. It
shines less brightly for sure. But it still remains lit for a period of
1-3 minutes. It finally goes out completely. This seems to happen mostly
(perhaps only) on the 2-prong appliance module only (but I cannot tell
for sure - it may happen on the 3-prong and I just haven't seen it yet).

This is somewhat disconcerting. Any explanations?

Thanks