Home Automation X10 signal problems...

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Subject Author Date
X10 signal problems... mike2711 10-18-05
Posted by on October 18, 2005, 10:47 am
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I have a leviton 6308 X10 photocell controlling 2 landscape lighting
transformers in my garage. Ever since this was installed, it has never
had a problem receiving the "on" command at dusk. About 2 days a week,
the lights won't turn off at dawn. At first, I thout it was the
photocell at fault, and replaced it, only to have the same problem with
the replacement. Then I figured that since the transformers always turn
on but have trouble turning off, that the transformers may be causing
line noise. They aren't suppose to since they are the coil type but I
plugged them into filterlincs anyway to check, and a few days later,
same problem. Then I attached filterlincs to the 2 computer strips in
the house, which actually improved the signal to some other modules,
but again, the transformers didn't turn off this morning. The only
other electrical devices that are on overnight into morning are 3
portable heaters, 2 oil filled radiators and an older electric element
type. Do these cause line noise? What else can I try? I've thought
about just getting a Powerlinc (1132CU) and just configure it to send a
repeated off command multiple times at dawn to increase reliability.
What do you guys think?


Posted by Charles Sullivan on October 18, 2005, 10:10 pm
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On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 10:47:11 -0700, mike2711 wrote:

> I have a leviton 6308 X10 photocell controlling 2 landscape lighting
> transformers in my garage. Ever since this was installed, it has never
> had a problem receiving the "on" command at dusk. About 2 days a week,
> the lights won't turn off at dawn. At first, I thout it was the
> photocell at fault, and replaced it, only to have the same problem with
> the replacement. Then I figured that since the transformers always turn
> on but have trouble turning off, that the transformers may be causing
> line noise. They aren't suppose to since they are the coil type but I
> plugged them into filterlincs anyway to check, and a few days later,
> same problem. Then I attached filterlincs to the 2 computer strips in
> the house, which actually improved the signal to some other modules,
> but again, the transformers didn't turn off this morning. The only
> other electrical devices that are on overnight into morning are 3
> portable heaters, 2 oil filled radiators and an older electric element
> type. Do these cause line noise? What else can I try? I've thought
> about just getting a Powerlinc (1132CU) and just configure it to send a
> repeated off command multiple times at dawn to increase reliability.
> What do you guys think?

1. Are you aware of the phase problem with X10? I.e., the transmitter
is on one side of the +120V - neutral - -120V feed and the receiver
is on the other. You may get a reasonably good signal path between
the two when a 240 appliance, like an electric stove or hot water
heater, is operating and a poor (or no) signal path otherwise.
Check the phases - you may need a signal bridge.

2. You may have noise from appliances like TVs, VCRs, and stereos
even when they're "turned off". (The power supply has to be operating
for an IR remote to "turn it on".)

3. Depending on what other loads you have on the power lines, you
may just have a marginal signal. And having the transformers
operating is the final straw.


Posted by Stanley Barthfarkle on October 19, 2005, 6:41 am
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I installed a phase coupler/repeater and haven't had any X-10 problems
since.


>I have a leviton 6308 X10 photocell controlling 2 landscape lighting
> transformers in my garage. Ever since this was installed, it has never
> had a problem receiving the "on" command at dusk. About 2 days a week,
> the lights won't turn off at dawn. At first, I thout it was the
> photocell at fault, and replaced it, only to have the same problem with
> the replacement. Then I figured that since the transformers always turn
> on but have trouble turning off, that the transformers may be causing
> line noise. They aren't suppose to since they are the coil type but I
> plugged them into filterlincs anyway to check, and a few days later,
> same problem. Then I attached filterlincs to the 2 computer strips in
> the house, which actually improved the signal to some other modules,
> but again, the transformers didn't turn off this morning. The only
> other electrical devices that are on overnight into morning are 3
> portable heaters, 2 oil filled radiators and an older electric element
> type. Do these cause line noise? What else can I try? I've thought
> about just getting a Powerlinc (1132CU) and just configure it to send a
> repeated off command multiple times at dawn to increase reliability.
> What do you guys think?
>



Posted by on October 19, 2005, 9:29 am
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OK, last night I tried a few things. I turned on the fluorescent light
in the master bedroom, I was able to turn off the transformers. I then
turned on the 3 portable heaters 1 by 1 and the transformers turned off
every time! I don't think the Signalinc bridge will work because the
controller and modules are all on one phase, in fact they are all on
one circuit. I can't imagine the signal not being strong enough because
the controller (photocell) on the outside is about 2 feet from one of
the modules! Is it possible that the Leviton 6308 just simply isn't
sending the "off" command every morning? I called Leviton and spoke
with a tech guy and he said he uses the same photocell for his
landscape transformers. He had the same problem and bought a
Boosterlinc which resolved the issue, BUT Boosterlincs are about $100
and that's an expensive gamble! Is it possible the Leviton doesn't
output a strong enough signal? When it does send the "off" command it
does control a module upstairs on the other side of the house though,
so how could it be a weak signal? Any ideas?


Posted by Stanley Barthfarkle on October 19, 2005, 11:24 pm
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Install a coupler/repeater. The repeater portion will amplify and
re-broadcast the signal.



> OK, last night I tried a few things. I turned on the fluorescent light
> in the master bedroom, I was able to turn off the transformers. I then
> turned on the 3 portable heaters 1 by 1 and the transformers turned off
> every time! I don't think the Signalinc bridge will work because the
> controller and modules are all on one phase, in fact they are all on
> one circuit. I can't imagine the signal not being strong enough because
> the controller (photocell) on the outside is about 2 feet from one of
> the modules! Is it possible that the Leviton 6308 just simply isn't
> sending the "off" command every morning? I called Leviton and spoke
> with a tech guy and he said he uses the same photocell for his
> landscape transformers. He had the same problem and bought a
> Boosterlinc which resolved the issue, BUT Boosterlincs are about $100
> and that's an expensive gamble! Is it possible the Leviton doesn't
> output a strong enough signal? When it does send the "off" command it
> does control a module upstairs on the other side of the house though,
> so how could it be a weak signal? Any ideas?
>



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