Does anyone happen to know the Radio Shack catalogue # for a Plug-in Noise Filter. I need one for my computer since I notice one appliance module always turn on itself while the computer is running. Do I need a 15A or just 5A is fine? The computer is a 486DX-33 with a 14" monitor.

I went down to Radio Shack today and they had too many customers so they didn't bother to look it up for me :(

Thanks

Simon

If I can't get a Noise Filter, would a good surge protector do it job since they always advertise removing noise?

Thanks

Simon

I don't know the Radio Shack part number. The Surge suppresser in not a good idea. It removes noise to your computer by dumping it back into the electrical circuit. That's not what you need for X-10. 5 amps should be plenty...it's equal to 600 watts at 120 volts. If your computer draws more than 600 watts or 5 amps, you will need a larger filter. BTW, you have a UPS, are you using the plug in filter on it? The UPS is a surge suppresser so you don't need a suppresser for the computer.
Are you using a coupler or amplifier coupler? I would suggest you get an amplifier for the X-10 if you are having problems. I know you have many surge protectors and the UPS in your home. The cost of the amplifier verse the cost of several Plug in filters will become about the same and the amplifier will improve your X-10 dramatically.

Chris Couture

This may be a possible cause:

I have a sneaky suspicion it might be the Commander-X software. Have you noticed your lights turning on pre-Commander-X era?

I have the garage door open notifier (bought from Smarthome.com) that sends "enhanced" X-10 commands to the receiver module. When I look on the debug.log of the Commander-X software, it shows up as some funky code. I'll post an example when I'm home.

Once in a blue moon, this has known to turn on the dining room light.

Also, once, I turned on the family room lights (macro) and I held the button down a tad bit too long and it turned on the dining room light. I'm not sure why, but it doesn't do it every time. It only happened once. Maybe the macro command is interfering with Com-X somehow????

BTW, transmitted macros from ActiveHome will show up as a funky code on Commander-X. Com-X doesn't act on the commands, but at the bottom of the Com-X box, you can see what command it was transmitted.

??????

Roland

Chris,

Here is the situation, the SwitchLinc switch I got from you is installed in my bedroom. I also have a P2 PC in the same room that plugged to an UPS as well as other devices.

The plug-in filter is not for the P2, is for the 486 that I'm running the HA Software (Commander-X). The 486 used to be sitting in the basement, but since I'll be using it more often to check any X10 activities, I thought I could put it in the guest bedroom upstairs. The 486 PC was purchased not in Canada so the voltage is 220V. I have to use a regulator to convert from 110V to 220. You may ask why don't I replace the power supply? I wish I could, but it's a pure IBM PC and the power supply is kinda different than a general clone PC Power Supply.

I put the ActiveHome 2-way interface to one of the wall receptacles. Then I plug a surge protector to the 2nd wall receptacle. There is nothing plugged to the 2-way interface. From the surge protector, I plugged the monitor (110V), and the power regulator (110V to 220V), then the output from the regulator goes to the Power Supply of the PC.

As soon as I put the computer upstairs, one of the appliance module in my room started to act weirdly. Well, I tried to change the module to a different HouseCode/UnitCode, but it still turns itself on all the time.

It happened before when the PC was in the basement, but it's not as bad as it is now. I read somewhere else that power regulator or transformer will generate noise so I thought a Noise Filter might help.

I could put the PC back downstairs but if it can stay upstairs then I can network it to the PC Network and somehow I can monitor X10 status from the Internet (future plan).

I don't have a coupler or amplified coupler, is it a DIY project?


Roland,

I have this problem right from the start when I first got ActiveHome Kit. However, it wasn't as bad as I moved the PC upstairs.

I guess Commander-X and ActiveHome don't understand each other at all. Probably this is why I can't execute a code from Commander-X to trigger a macro in ActiveHome.

Thanks guys for the ideas.

P.S. Another thing I can try is to plug the PC to another outlet using an extension cord, this way I can make sure if the PC is causing troubles.


Simon

Well, I moved the PC back in the basement as soon I came home tonight. Gez, it was very bad. I noticed tonight when I tried to turn on SwitchLinc from the PC, hmm, it didn't work. After I moved the PC back downstairs, it works again. I'm just going to stick like this for now. But if anyone could find the catalogue # for a Noise Filter, I'd still appreciate it.

Thanks

Simon

www.radioshack.com

Plug-In Interference Filter 120Vac, 5A

Cat.#: 980-0358

Filter extra noise with this convenient plug-in receptacle. This filter module runs on 120Vac (+/-10%) 5A. (Mfr. Warranty: two-year limited. Size: 2.9x2.1x1.43" (HWD).)

Chris Couture

I headed down to a local Radio Shack today and asked for the Noise Filter with catalogue #. You know what, they don't have the damn thing in the database nor in the store. I'm going to try to call up Radio Shack (head office) and make sure they don't have the thing. My feeling is they just don't bother to find it.

Simon