|
Home > Archive > Home Automation > June 2005 > A real poser
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
|
|
| Spectrum 2005-06-16, 2:17 pm |
| OK. Background. Been X10ing for 10+ years. Everything in the house is
automated. Use JDS Timecommander, coupler/repeater, whole house surge
suppressor, 3 house codes, noise filters on all computers.
Now, about a month ago, one light (3 way switch) stopped coming on at
night. I can turn it on manually at the switch, then I can dim and
turn it off, but it will not come on by X10. You can call this guy C6
I assumed the 3 way had crapped out (they do, sometimes) and ordered a
new one. When it came in, I replaced it but same thing.
Then I did a little more investigation. Seems the thing works great
DURING THE DAY. But in the evening it stops. Won't turn on by X10.
That led me to look at my X10 dusk sensor. However, opening the
breaker that feeds it made no change. I've also tried opening all the
other breakers (one at a time) and had no effect. I was thinking that
one of my other modules was about to die.
During the day, when it works fine, I've tried turning on all the
evening lights (evening lights macro) and it still works fine.
In my evening lights macro, this light is the first thing that
operates.
It's got me stumped. I don't have a signal strength meter (never
needed one) but I'm totally flabbergasted here. Perhaps tomorrow, I'll
try a different house code. But tomorrow it'll work fine.
Any ideas would be appreciated. I've never run into anything like this
before.
Thanks,
John
| |
| Badger 2005-06-16, 2:17 pm |
|
"Spectrum" <none@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:1gbh41hlfe4o6nmm4es8u1ei4sfi82jci8@4ax.com...
quote:
> OK. Background. Been X10ing for 10+ years. Everything in the house
is
quote:
> automated. Use JDS Timecommander, coupler/repeater, whole house
surge
quote:
> suppressor, 3 house codes, noise filters on all computers.
>
> Now, about a month ago, one light (3 way switch) stopped coming on
at
quote:
> night. I can turn it on manually at the switch, then I can dim and
> turn it off, but it will not come on by X10. You can call this guy
C6
quote:
>
> I assumed the 3 way had crapped out (they do, sometimes) and ordered
a
quote:
> new one. When it came in, I replaced it but same thing.
>
> Then I did a little more investigation. Seems the thing works great
> DURING THE DAY. But in the evening it stops. Won't turn on by X10.
>
> That led me to look at my X10 dusk sensor. However, opening the
> breaker that feeds it made no change. I've also tried opening all
the
quote:
> other breakers (one at a time) and had no effect. I was thinking
that
quote:
> one of my other modules was about to die.
>
> During the day, when it works fine, I've tried turning on all the
> evening lights (evening lights macro) and it still works fine.
>
> In my evening lights macro, this light is the first thing that
> operates.
>
> It's got me stumped. I don't have a signal strength meter (never
> needed one) but I'm totally flabbergasted here. Perhaps tomorrow,
I'll
quote:
> try a different house code. But tomorrow it'll work fine.
>
> Any ideas would be appreciated. I've never run into anything like
this
quote:
> before.
>
> Thanks,
> John
>
>
>
Have you checked the slave?
Or it could actually be a problem with the x10 product. Some times
nearby noise, even from the house next door can cause it to happen.
I'm talking about line noise here. Have you added any new appliances
anywhere in the house? X10 is very susceptible to things like that. I
used to have a house full of it. Most of the time it worked
flawlessly, but every once in awhile, it just acted funny. Eventually
as I added certain items to the house it got worse and worse. Finally
I started replacing controls to "fix" the broken ones, but it didn't
work. As you've seen.
Try replacing the slave first.
Keep us posted as to the results.
Clay
| |
| Spectrum 2005-06-16, 2:17 pm |
| On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 02:18:34 GMT, "Badger" <cferriola@gmail.com>
wrote:
quote:
>
>"Spectrum" <none@nowhere.com> wrote in message
>news:1gbh41hlfe4o6nmm4es8u1ei4sfi82jci8@4ax.com...
>is
>surge
>at
>C6
>a
>the
>that
>I'll
>this
>Have you checked the slave?
>Or it could actually be a problem with the x10 product. Some times
>nearby noise, even from the house next door can cause it to happen.
>I'm talking about line noise here. Have you added any new appliances
>anywhere in the house? X10 is very susceptible to things like that. I
>used to have a house full of it. Most of the time it worked
>flawlessly, but every once in awhile, it just acted funny. Eventually
>as I added certain items to the house it got worse and worse. Finally
>I started replacing controls to "fix" the broken ones, but it didn't
>work. As you've seen.
>Try replacing the slave first.
>Keep us posted as to the results.
>Clay
>
Yep, I replaced the master and the slave. It's definitely a problem
with a unit somewhere. I just got up (6:00 am) and old Mr. C6 works
fine.
I just turned on every other unit and it still works fine. Perhaps
today I'll climb up and disconnect the dusk sensor at the box.
Damn!
| |
| Richard 2005-06-16, 2:17 pm |
| Spectrum wrote:
quote:
> On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 02:18:34 GMT, "Badger" <cferriola@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Yep, I replaced the master and the slave. It's definitely a problem
> with a unit somewhere. I just got up (6:00 am) and old Mr. C6 works
> fine.
>
> I just turned on every other unit and it still works fine. Perhaps
> today I'll climb up and disconnect the dusk sensor at the box.
>
> Damn!
Could be your phase coupler is bad, and a 220v water heater might be
doing the "coupling" only when it cycles...
| |
| Spectrum 2005-06-16, 2:17 pm |
| On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 04:07:17 GMT, Richard <rflebbe@hotmail.com> wrote:
quote:
>Spectrum wrote:
>Could be your phase coupler is bad, and a 220v water heater might be
>doing the "coupling" only when it cycles...
I don't have any 220v anythings. The coupler/repeater was the first
thing I replaced. Lights indicate OK. Damn, it's working fine now at
7:30 am. Last night wouldn't turn on for anything. Turn on manually,
it will dim/brighten/turn off. Darnest thing I ever saw.
| |
| AutomatedOutlet.com 2005-06-16, 2:17 pm |
| That is pretty strange.
First thing I would do is change the address of C6. That way you can
see if it's related to the address or perhaps some noise messing with
that address.
It could also be some noise from outside of your house coming in at
night. If so, a blocking filter would fix that.
We also do have free loaner test meters available if you need it.
Martin Custer
www.AutomatedOutlet.com
| |
| Spectrum 2005-06-16, 2:17 pm |
| Thanks very much. Next to my control computer, I have a lamp module
set at C6. It works flawlessly. It's definitely something on that leg.
City Hall next door is on the same transformer. They say they haven't
put anything new on.
I may take you up on the signal strength meter. I'm totally flummoxed.
John
On 3 Apr 2005 11:09:46 -0700, "AutomatedOutlet.com"
<Martin@AutomatedOutlet.com> wrote:
quote:
>That is pretty strange.
>
>First thing I would do is change the address of C6. That way you can
>see if it's related to the address or perhaps some noise messing with
>that address.
>
>It could also be some noise from outside of your house coming in at
>night. If so, a blocking filter would fix that.
>
>We also do have free loaner test meters available if you need it.
>
>Martin Custer
>www.AutomatedOutlet.com
|
|
|
|
|