Re: X10 Question

[Paul H <thisisme@xxxxxxxxx>]

I only have a couple LED bulbs, and found them to be noisy, so I have
them behind a filter.

Compact fluorescent are all over my house and have caused me X10
problems for years.  Then I found GREENLITE compact fluorescent bulbs.
They are a godsend.  That's all I will use now -- they are not X10 noise
monsters (google "X10 greenlite" and read a bit).

But to repeat, you have to convince yourself that noise is the cause of
your problems before spending $$$ to filter it and/or replace offending
equipment.

Turn everything else off and test only the X10 hardware that is
malfunctioning.  If it starts working reliably, turn everything back on.
  If X10 starts failing... well, you've probably got a noise problem.

I've found X10 devices to be remarkably reliable, and long-lived
(decades).  The plastic will yellow and they continue chugging along.
Time does not seem to effect their sensitivity.  I have dozens of X10
devices, and the only time they've caused me grief is due to noise from
other hardware.


On 3/21/2015 4:25 PM, Art Todesco wrote:
> On 3/21/2015 6:37 PM, Paul H wrote:
>> Sounds like noise to me.  All my frustrating X10 problems over the
>> decades have been due to noise, either on the powerline or RF.
>>
>> Some devices will pollute the power line X10 signal.  Compact
>> fluorescent bulbs, or tube fluorescent.  Computers and peripherals.
>>
>> Other devices will overwhelm the X10 RF signal with noise.  I have a
>> Homedics chair massager that disables my RF X10 motion sensors.
>>
>> The first thing to do is turn off your entire house and test the
>> questionable X10 modules (while hoping your neighbor isn't sending X10
>> noise to you).  If the module(s) work reliably, you have a noise
>> problem.  Start buying X10 filters to filter out the noise.
>>
>> I was lucky enough to buy an ELK ESM1 X10 signal meter cheaply years
>> back when they were still made.  It's been invaluable to me to track
>> down noise.  You may have to put out some significant $$$ to get a noise
>> meter now, eg:  http://jvde.us/xtb/XTBM_description.htm
>>
>> Other useful links:
>> http://thisautomatedhouse.com/XTBMReview.html
>> http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
>>
>>
>> On 3/21/2015 10:10 AM, Art Todesco wrote:
>>> 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.
>>
> Yeah, now I'm gun shy. Although, I do have other LED light bulbs around,
> and a lot of CFLs, too. I have some mini LED floods which are supposed
> to be 35 watt equiv and they never have caused problems.  These 50w
> equiv minis, just killed power line stuff in my house. As I said, I will
> try to return them. There is another product which I will try next.