Coupler not working

[daviddoria]

I have two X10 appliance modules that are apparently on different phases.

I got one of these:
http://www.smarthome.com/4816A2/SignaLinc-...-Coupler/p.aspx

And plugged it into the dryer outlet. However, the appliance module on the other phase is still not getting the signals. The dryer outlet is only about 50' from the breaker, and the appliance module is in the room right next to the dryer. So the distance shouldn't be a problem, no?

Any other hints?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[CollinR]

With X-10 there can be more at play then just phase coupling, X-10 works on at 120hz between the 60hz of the HV electricity. Anything that produces it's own 120hz signal on the line or attempts to smooth the line to 60hz will interfer with X-10's operation.

The easiest thing you can do is label the breakers in your breaker box, shut off those not involved and test the operation. If that works you can enable breakers one at a time until if fails again. Then you will at least know which circuit the interference is coming from.

 

[daviddoria]

So I did that experiment, and with only the dryer breaker and the two breakers in the room that I want to both work on, it still didn't work! Am I just SOL?

 

[electron]

Since you had 2 breakers left on, there is still a chance that the culprit was on one of those 2 circuits. I have seen bad computer power supplies (either cheap units, or good units gone bad), surge protectors, UPS units, etc. cause these kind of problems, so you need to start playing with that as well.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Take a look at this post. You probably have a signal sucking device on that line.

http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showtopic=1300&hl=

 

[daviddoria]

You guys were right on! I do need the phase coupler, but there are a couple of surge protectors that break the signal. Even with nothing plugged into the surge protector (but the surge protector plugged into the wall), the X10 doesn't work! Is there anyway to fix that? One of them is a belkin surge protector and the other is APC, but they both equally break it!

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[electron]

Could be 2 reasons: the design (many of them just like to suck the signals like that), or there actually did their job, and you were hit by a surge (which is what happened in my case). Testing it with a brand new one is the only thing I can think of right now.

 

[MikeB]

You could try adding a filter, but if they're cheap-o surge strips I'd simply replace them. I've seen similar things with Belkin surge strips.

 

[JeffVolp]

Let's back up and look at the whole problem. The coupler is plugged into a dryer receptacle about 50 feet from the distribution panel. The actual wire length is apt to be somewhat longer, but let's use 100 feet round trip. Then the appliance module that doesn't work is probably another 50 feet from the distribution panel. If the transmitter is on the opposite phase, the run length is at least 150 feet, and probably considerably more. Most of the signal strength can be lost over a run like that, and it doesn't take much of a load from a surge protector or other signal sucker to reduce the level to the point that reliability suffers.

Obviously, it is a good idea to isolate potential signal suckers with suitable X10 filters. Also, since the dryer receptacle is that far from the distribution panel, it may be worth moving your coupler much closer to the panel. More information is available in a X10 troubleshooting series I wrote: http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm

Jeff