Re: X10 Question

[Art Todesco <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 3/20/2015 10:29 AM, Art Todesco wrote:
> I thought I'd again try to start some conversation here.
> I have a lot of x10 stuff in my house.  I have a non-x10
> IR detector across my driveway. It has a normally closed
> contact, which is connected to a 5 minute retriggerable
> timer, that has a relay output, both open and closed
> contacts.  The timer is there so we don't constantly trigger
> a signal to the house when we are just in that area doing
> yard work, walking back and forth.  The normally open
> contact is connected to a PowerFlash module, set up for
> a dry contact and sends a C16 On when the contact closes and
> a C16 Off when the contact opens.  I have 2 of these modules
> and neither is reliable.  It will work for a few days and
> then will just quit. I put in the 2nd unit, it works for a
> few days or weeks, and then it quits.  I have no clue what's
> going on.  So, what I'm looking for is a unit/hack/modification
> that would send out an X10 signal when a contact closes.  I
> don't even care about sending the Off when the contact finally
> opens. I use, in my case, the C16 On to trigger events in an
> 1132CU controller. Depending on times, it will ring a chime
> and/or turn on floods.  Anyone have a neat way of doing this?
> Thanks.
Well, I'm probably talking to myself here, but here goes. I did some
testing around the house. There seemed to be multiple problems. I
noticed the green LED on the 1132CU was off at times, or very dim. This
is indicative of an x10 signal coming in or some noise. It should
normally stay on and only blink out when there is x10 traffic. This
morning I noticed the green LED on the 1132CU was out. My 1st thought
was to replace the 1132 ... I have a spare. Same thing with the new one.
So, next I turned off the repeater in the breaker box. Same thing, only
now some things couldn't be controlled ... but this is expected. Next I
noticed an LED flood on the range hood was on, so I turned it off.
Bingo! No more noise, the green LED on the 1132CU was now on steady.
These LED flood lights are brand new. Got them at Amazon. They are
miniature floods, PAR16 with a standard medium base. I guess they're
going back. I'm sure they don't pass FCC requirements for emissions on
the power line. I know FCC regs for conducted emissions on the mains,
are less stringent than in Europe, but this is totally nuts.

But, after all the testing, I still think there is something wrong with
the 2 PowerFlash modules. I had one set up on the workbench and shorted
the terminals with a pair of long nose pliers, which should send the
signal. Absolutely no x10 output. I hit the test button ... same
results.  AND, the above mentioned LED floods were not on at the time.
Now, that same module seems to be working again. Lots of weirdnesses.