Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] Wierd X10 stuff Ingo Pakleppa Mon, 08 Feb 1999 22:31:48 -0800

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You can build such a thingamajing yourself - just be aware that this is
definitely clearly against all codes and regulations, and therefore (and
for other reasons) not a great idea.

Essentially, you will want to get a 1 uF capacitor to bridge from one phase
to another. Be sure that it can withstand at least 400 V and can survive AC
(some types of capacitors are for DC only). Then either put that between
two circuit breakers in your service panel, or run cables (BE SURE TO USE
POLARIZED PLUGS) from the two outlets to some kind of plastic enclosure,
where you use the same type of 1 uF capacitor to connect the hot wires from
both cables. You will want to make sure that you use the hot wires. No
point in bridging the neutrals!

Again, I want to emphasize that this is most definitely against code, and
if you don't do it very carefully, it will be quite dangerous.

You are MUCH better off instead buying and installing a regular $40 or so
phase coupler.

By the way, these phase couplers require a separate circuit. You
technically could connect the coupler to two existing circuits (e.g., to
your washer/driver or electric oven), but that again is against the code.
You will need to get two additional 15A circuit breakers installed (get a
coupled pair of 15A breakers).

Ingo

At 06:18 PM 2/8/99 -0800, Mitch Schwenk wrote:
>David,
>  I tried that...... and the dryer (we have a full size washer/dryer in our
>apt)..  tried them both on at the same time..  Turned the kitchen light off
>(flouresnt{sp}).  Nothing seemed to work.
>   How much are those bridging caps?  Where can i get them that would fit
on a
>plug?   Here's a thought.  I have one plug that I think is on one phase and
>another plug that is on another phase.  The wall between the two plugs is
being
>hidden by a bed.  Is there some kind of extension-cord-bridging-cap sort of
>thingy? (Like my techincal terms?). heheh.  Perhaps I can just do it that
way?
>
>-Mitch
>
>David Mccoll wrote:
>
>> Mitch,
>> Try, if you have one, turning your electric oven on to see if the signal
>> then gets across the phase.
>> If this works you need a bridge or phase coupler installed. A cheat for
>> apartment dwellers is to place a bridging cap in the 220V wall box of the
>> stove where the stove plugs into the wall.
>>
>> DAvid M
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Mitch Schwenk <mschwenk@sac.verio.net>
>> To: ecs-list@netbloc.com <ecs-list@netbloc.com>
>> Date: Monday, February 08, 1999 3:58 PM
>> Subject: [ECS] Wierd X10 stuff
>>
>> >Hello All,
>> >  I just moved into my new apartment this weekend.  However, there is some
>> wierd
>> >stuf going on. Heres the deal:
>> >
>> >  I can plug modules in anywhere.  They work great with mini-controler.
>> >However.  Only some work with RF remotes and the RR-501 base.  I don't
>> >understand.  Perhaps it's not transmitting `strong' enough to jump phases?
>> I
>> >don't know. Heres the catch though:  If I turn a lamp module on with the
>> mini
>> >controler, the remote can dimm/brighten it, but it can't turn it on/off.
>> I'm at
>> >a loss for what to do?  I've tried three different RR501's and 4 different
>> house
>> >codes (B, M,O,P) and various unit numbers.  I've tried plugging the RR501
>> into
>> >diferent outlets, and it seems to be seperated by phases. I come to that
>> >conclusion because it only allows either one half the bed room and half
the
>> >family room, or the other half the bedroom and the other half the family
>> room.
>> >
>> >  Any ideas?  What has me is that the mini-control works great, but the
>> RR501
>> >paired with any RF (Palm Pad, Hawk eye, 6-in-1) don't seem to cut it.  Any
>> >suggestions?
>> >
>> >  Thanks.
>> >
>> >-Mitch

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