I have a Home Director expansion kit that I picked up cheap a while back. So far, I've only used it to control Christmas lights, but I'd like to venture into complete home automation gradually. Anyway, last year, It worked for both of hte modules I used. This year, the modules are in the same outlets they where in last year, and I'm 99% sure that the "Mini controller" is in same location but it only will operate one of the modules. I moved it to an outlet near the module it wasn't operating, and it'll make that module function, but not the other one. Based on this, I suspect I have some kind of propogation problem. Is there any way to fix that? If not, are there any relativley inexpensive Wireless HA modules that can be purchased piecemeal?
Home Director Issues
- Thread starter Cougar281
- Start date
Thanks for the tip. That makes sense, although after doing some more searching and reading after your tip, I tried turning on my electric range (Don't have an electric dryer) and trying it. It still didn't work. Could this just be because of the distance everything is from the load center (it's at the far end of the house, with the range about 1/3 down the house, and the device that isn't working about 2/3 down on the opposite side)? Do you think a hardwire phase coupler at the load center would work better?
Rupp
Senior Member
Hardware coupler/repeaters work much better. One word of advice though, if you are seriously considering moving to a whole house automation setup I would strongly recommend looking at one of the newer protocols such as Z-Wave or UPB. It will make life easier in the long run and work without all of the inherent X10 problems such as weak signals, ghost signals, filters, etc. There are some good starter kits available here:
http://store.homeseer.com/store/KitsCombos-C3.aspx
I gotta agree with Rupp. If you're just starting out, go with one of the newer technologies instead of X10. It might cost you 3x more upfront, but in the long run it will save you both time and aggravation. I've 40+ of what used to be the high end Leviton X10 switches, but when I start to finish off the basement next year, I plan on biting the bullet and switching to a newer technology for the new work. MUCH greater reliability, more features, etc.
Re: units previously working but not now. I've found out that you are using X10, you really need to go through the house with a signal sniffer at least every other year. You add new appliances, or old ones start to generate line noise, and all of a sudden switches start to go flaky.
Re: units previously working but not now. I've found out that you are using X10, you really need to go through the house with a signal sniffer at least every other year. You add new appliances, or old ones start to generate line noise, and all of a sudden switches start to go flaky.
For now, I picked up a few more X10 modules. I've got less than $65 "invested" in it. I got a few more lamp modules, a Firecracker and wireless controller, and a phase coupler. Apparently I have a propogation problem as even with the phase coupler, I was unable to control all the modules from the wired mini-controller. My "solution" was to place the wireless reciever at the outlet right under my load center, and just use the wireless controller. With that setup, I can control all the modules.
For the future, once things have settled down and I have some extra cash to burn, I'll look into one of the other options.
For the future, once things have settled down and I have some extra cash to burn, I'll look into one of the other options.
jwilson56
Senior Member
Most likely you have devices that are 'sucking up' the X10 signals and interfering with the small signal being sent through the power lines. Things like TV, UPS, PC's can cause problems. They make filters that you can use to stop this (you plug the TV into this filter then plug the filter into the wall).
This is one reason people getting into this should look to newer protocols. I got into X10 many many years ago and as I have added more devices in my home I have had to get more filters. I now have a dozen of these filters to keep the X10 gremlins under control.
Most of us started out like you with a firecracker but it won't be long if you get the 'bug' to want to do more and eventually have a home automation system. So I would totally agree with the previous guys and say again to look past the X10 and research other methods.
Like I said, I don't have much into x10, and right now, it's only controlling my Christmas lights. I already have the bug... It's cool to be able to control stuff from anywhere. Once I have extra money to burn, I'll definately look into one of the newer HA protocols.
Funny thing is it worked last year. Not sure what I added since then that could be sucking the signal up. Oh well. It's working like this for now.
Funny thing is it worked last year. Not sure what I added since then that could be sucking the signal up. Oh well. It's working like this for now.
