Re: Energy use in "off mode" with X10 modules and LED light bulbs

[Brian W. Antoine <briana@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, 22 Aug 2016 07:56:46 -0400, Art Todesco <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>On 8/22/2016 1:05 AM, isw wrote:
>> In article <obkkrb9p5sv79au1u3llbfmn4sumjcsski@xxxxxxx>,
>>  Don Wiss <donwiss@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>> On Fri, 19 Aug 2016 21:09:33 -0700 (PDT), marklewesq@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
>>>
>>>> Does anyone know if there are any ill effects from using LED lamps with X10
>>>> modules.  It is pretty well known that when "off", the LED's dim but stay
>>>> lit.  If I do not care bout them being completely off (like in a closet,
>>>> stairwell, or garage ...), how much current drain is there if I just let
>>>> them glow slightly.  I am switching 11 watt LED's for 13 watt CFL's.  If the
>>>> drain is over 2 watts, then switching would not help much. If drain is
>>>> lower, then it might make sense to let them glow in the off position.
>>>>
>>>> I also don't understand that in one circuit it is half brightness when off,
>>>> but in another, the glow is only noticeable in complete darkness.
>>>>
>>>> I am using Phillips non-dimmable, but they do dim - maybe they might burn
>>>> out sooner.
>>>
>>> You can always use an appliance module. Simply all on or all off.
>>
>> Yup, but noisy.
>>
>> Isaac
>>
>And still the small "leakage" continues because of the local control
>sense current.  So, the lamp will still light dimly or flicker.  I've
>removed the resistor (plenty of on line sites tell how).  If the clicks
>bother you, you can modify an lamp module to make it a click free
>appliance module (again several sites show how).  I have done this to
>several modules and they work just fine with CFLs and now LEDs.  One
>such module seems to get stuck in the on state after a short power
>glitch.  I have to then do a clean power cycle to get it back to normal.

There are modern applicance modules that still click loudly?  I think I
swapped out my last original X-10 module for something programmable and
silent at least 10 years ago.  You should also be able to program whether
the "local on" feature is active, which is usually what wants to pass that
small trickle current through the appliance to detect the local switch
being toggled.  That's the current that is just enough to make a high
efficiency light like an LED come on dimly.