I have two fuse boxes in my home(400 amps of service) how do I decide which box I install the phase coupler, or do I need to buy two couplers to solve problems. the problem is some modules or working intermettenly, even though I can control them with IR remote every time?

thx

quick correction, I am using RF remotes to control modules in question, not IR.

sorry

One quick way to determine if a couple will help you is if you have a 220 device, dryer, oven, etc. turn it on and see if you can control your devices. If devices always work with 220 on, a couple will help. All you need is 2 breakers in a row. The coupler will then bridge the signal across both phases of your service. Hope this helps.

The coupler needs to be installed in the box that has the breakers that are controlling you X10 devices. Also try this, open all the breakers that are not controlling any X10 devices. If you problems clear up chances are you have noise on your line corrupting your signals. Turn things back on one by one and see if the problem comes back when a certain device (TV,computer,hot tub heater,) has power restored to it. If so get a noise suppressor to clear the probelm device. For reliable operation most suggest you use a phase coupler regradless.

Mark, no matter which service panel you install it at, it will bridge the phases from both regardless. I am quickly becoming a convert of coupler repeaters as they put out a strong signal that a lot of times is picked up when a coupled signal is not. I find these solve a lot of problems and highly recommend them.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

I am confused as to why I am able to control two lights in question everytime with RF remote but only some time with the Homeseer/cm11????

Is your transceiver plugged into the same outlet as the CM11? Do you have any idea of the strength of the output signal from each device? Outputs between devices does vary.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

No they are not in the same outlet, so last night I did an experiment, I plugged the transceiver into the same outlet as the CM11 and it did not work, so I have moved the CM11 to a different outlet and this has helped tremendously, but not eliminated all the problems.

I have no idea of the strengh of signal. How can I find out?

Are there devices that have a stronger output than the CM11 that will work with the Homeseer? The transceiver and handheld remote works 100% of the time, so it seems like a phase or CM11 output problem, what do you guys think?

Well this goes back to what I said about the coupler repeater. It can take a very week signal that would not be picked up by your X10 devices and boost it to the point that it would. Of course this only works if the signal can get through the noise.

There are some cheap signal analyzers out on the market. We only carry the better models.


Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

I will get one of the coupler repeaters from you Bill, but I would like to see if there is much noise first, do you know where I can get a cheap signal analyzer????

thanks

I will have to let someone else jump in. There was a earlier thread where one of forum users found one for $60., I can not recall where he got it but that’s a good price for getting basic noise levels.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

If the X10 "system" works with a 220V dryer plugged in as (Alan C. suggests in this thread), then are there any phase couplers that plug into a 220V outlet? Maybe with an extra 220V outlet built in so one is not lost?

Here is one type of 220v plug in - [Link: smarthome.com]
However, the coupler/repeater is a better choice overall. I own a coupler and a repeater and wish they were one unit. Here is one test unit, I don't know a thing about it
[Link: smarthome.com]
Good luck!

THANKS to everyone for your help, things are working better, and when I get my allowance next month I will buy the coupler repeater from Bill.

Can I continue to use my present coupler when I buy the repeater coupler combo????

It would be better to just use the coupler repeater without the old coupler. With the amount of X10 users that don't have one that should, the market for your old one should be good.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com