Hi,

I am having a weird problem with my X10. Ok Here goes.

If I plug the RR501 into one plug, I can operate my curio cabinet lights (on, off and dim). If I plug the RR501 into some other plug in the house (really varies), I cannot get the curio cabinet to respond at all. I thought it was a phase problem, but I do not think so. Read on....

I currently have my front projector plugged into a 3-pin appliance module and I can control it (on and off) with the RR501 in certain plugs and from some plugs I can only turn it on, but NOT off and off but NOT on. Weird. In some plugs I cannot turn the projector on or off at all.

Does this sound like noise or is it that the X10 signal is not strong enough. My home is roughly 3300 square feet complete. Since I do not have an electric dryer or stove, I cannot try that test, but my dad (who is an electrician) did connect a 220V heater directly to the panel dryer breaker and we powered it on. It made no difference whatsoever with the 220V heater on.

So I do not think I have a phase problem. Could it be a noise or signal strength problem. I do not know what it is. I need the experts to lend me a hand.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this. Also, I would like to know (based on your thoughts), where I might be able to purchase the products I need to fix the problem.

If it is a noise or signal problem, I would like to install one device, preferrably at the panel to do the entire house.

Also, I live in Canada.

Thanks
Bob

This message was edited by Blade9123 on 08/17/03 15:55.

Bob, I agree with you. A whole-house coupler/repeacer should help.. The heater is not a repeater, which amplifies the signal, too. Check out the CR-230 and CR-234 here.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

Thanks for the reply Larry.

Maybe Bill E. can answer this one. What is his policy on returning items if I find out that the ACT CR230 did not fix the problem. I just do not want to be out $129 US if it does not fix my problem. I live in Canada so that $129 US translates to almost $180 CDN.

Please let me know if I can return it for a full refund if I find out that it does not fix my problem. I have heard that his customer service is top notch.

Will the CR230 amplify the signal and if so, what will be the power of it on the power lines?

Also, I have heard that the CR230 is not CSA approved in Canada. Is it safe? Can something happen if I use it?

Thanks
Bob

Blade9123, I believe that it is either CSA or ULc approved. The c in ULc stands for the Canadian approvals. Either one is recognised by Canadian insurance companies, if that's what you're worried about.

Unfortunately, none of ACT's online documentation shows any approvals information. Therefore, I would suggest that you send them an email. They're pretty good about prompt responses.

The CR230 is not CSA or UL approved. I had one shipped to me in Canada and sent it back for two reasons. One it did not work and two it was not CSA or UL approved.

You ask if it is safe? Well you are relying on a company that follows bad engineering practices by selling a product that has not had the proper certification done on it. Ask yourself if it is worth the risk to you and your family.

The 220 Volt trick with the dryer didn't work for me either. I'd suggest two things. Your problems sound similar to mine. I added a Coupler repeater which amplified the signal from the base 0.5w to 5.0w. I also added filters behind my home computer and home theater, which drastically improved the system. You see the power strips I had plugged in, as well as the components themselves, treat X10 signals as noice, and try and filter them out. Plugging them into a couple of $40 filters solved the trick.

I had troubles getting x10 signals to my family room reliably. I had three leviton (non x10) dimmer switches on that circuit. If I had one or two of the dimmer switches turned on, everything was fine. When I turned on the last switch, no more x10 signal. So, these things do absorb some x10 signal. Not sure if this is your problem, but that's my two cents.

I think it's more likely that the dimmer or load was creating noise than absorbing the signal.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Nope, I put filters on each, but to no avail. It was definitely not a noise problem. Good thing too because I would have had a heck of a time getting the filters inside the wall.