Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] Re: X-10 chaos William Biggs Sun, 7 Feb 1999 11:40:23 -0600

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Re: X-10 problems.

Mark I agree that signal problems like this are likely to be due to
interference. Earlier this year my X-10 became entirely inoperable.
Initially I thought it was the CM11a interface. After getting a new one and
still having the same problem,  I realized that regular control pads didn't
work either.

I considered outside interference from a neighbor, but that wouldn't explain
why it blocked my signal 24 hours a day. It eventually turned out to be a
malfunctioning X-10 4 button keypad. It was stuck in the on position and was
repeatedly and continuously sending out a B-10 on signal.

The keypad was for my wife. It had fallen behind the head of the bed (as she
rarely used it) and thus I didn't think of checking out the keypad right
away.

Any other x-10 traffic was colliding with the b-10-on signal and getting
lost.

Simply removing this keypad cleared up the problem.

Unfortunately, in an apartment in Manhattan, you may be getting someone
else's x-10 problem.

They do make x-10 filters that you can install in your circuit breaker where
the electricity comes in. Does Walter have his own breaker box ? If the
problem isn't originating from a forgotten x-10 transmitter in your own
home, the only other good fix would be the x-10 filter (such as Leviton 5120
"whole house surge protector" cost= $172.95 at Advanced Services) .

Also, perhaps in the Big City there is someone who would let Walter rent or
borrow a Monterey Instruments Professional Signal Analyzer which will tell
him exactly what is going on with his powerless, and find out where the
noise is. This is a $325 instrument.

Reddy





>Goodmorning Walter,
>I am not an expert on such problems, but it sure sounds
>like line noise, either from a neighbors's appliance/device
>or possibly that construction project, though I wouldn't
>expect this to be a problem, given that they would be on
>a different transformer. Did this project start up AFTER
>the problems began ? If so, we can eliminate that as the
>cause. I am forwarding your question to our ECS user's list,
>as many of my customers are more knowledgable in this area
>(and they are very helpful).
>
>Regarding call-forwarding, I can only say that ECS can
>respond in any way that a person could: "Push" flash-hook,
>dial another number, etc. I THINK this would do the trick,
>but am not sure.
>
>Further responses from ECS user's will be forthcoming...
>
>WALTER SANDS wrote:
>>
>> Mark,
>> I saw your response to someone regarding doing it himself (home
>> automation). I thought I'd try asking you for help. I had my whole
>> apartment's lights and  coffee maker X-10'd for years. Then over a
>> period of a few months things went blooie. I was used to wall switches
>> that were used frequently needing to be replaced yearly. But I found
>> that modules were not responding to commands from some control boxes and
>> were from others. Then sometimes they would. I tried switching modules,
>> control boxes, channels and replacing items with new ones. There was no
>> (in my mind) discernible pattern that would allow me to narrow it down
>> to any one or several parts. Finally, I removed the entire system. This
>> was quite sad as I really appreciated the convenience. I presumed that
>> the problem lays in the lines or signals coming through the ether,
>> etc... I live in an apartment building in Manhattan. Two buildings down
>> there is a major construction project.
>> I am writing you because I want to know if you can advise me on solving
>> a problem like this? I know there is testing equipment. But I haven't a
>> clue on how to use it. Can you recommend a way to learn? Are there good
>> simple books? Or are there qualified pros? How do you find them? How
>> much do they charge?
>> I hope you can help. I really would like to replace the system. I am
>> interested in expanding on what I had (ie., combined X-10 and A/V remote
>> control, telephone interface, etc...).
>> While I am at it... my phone company does not offer remote call
>> forwarding. That is call forwarding with the ability to switch it on and
>> program it away from home. Got any ideas?
>
>--
>Mark Gilmore
>Omnipotence (ECS Home Automation Software)
>omnip@usit.net
>http://www.usit.com/omnip
>

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