Hi All,
Question for you...
I am using the X-10 home automation to attempt to set up my lighting for my aquarium. I am having some issues that I hope someone has some insight into.
Here is the setup.
I have two 8 socket(three prong) plugmold type power strips. These are the kind that you can get at Lowes or HD. Each one of those power strips is plugged into one socket of an outlet in the wall.
I am using two and three prong X-10 modules for all of this. Into one of the powerstrips I have most of my low power consumption items like powerheads, moonlights, and fans plugged in.
On the second power strip I have my three 150W MHs and Two 96W actinics plus an additional flourescent light for the sump.
Here is my problem...Using the X-10 software I can control all modules (turn them on and off) while all devices (powerheads, lights, etc) are off. This means that all of the X-10 modules are capable of being turned on and off. If I plug a MG lamp into an X-10 module and turn the switch on the ballast on the light will come on...the problem is that once the MH or flourescent lamp is on I cannot manipulate the X-10 module any longer. The signals do not make it to the module. This goes for all of the MHs and Flourescents. I can turn them all on at once (in the same second) but once they are on I cannot turn them off. I can still turn the low wattage devices like power heads on and off at will though.
I have read some about phase coupling and how signals can get lost between the phase that the transmitter is on and the phase that the modules are on. I read about a test that you can do. I read that if you turn on a 220V appliance like a dryer or oven that it actually bridges the two phases of power in the house and should eliminate a phase coupling problem. So, I did this but it did not work. I have moved the transmitter around to different outlets in the room and have not gotten any results. I have changed the batteries in the transmitter. I have also put an X-10 noise filter between the Actinic ballast and the X-10 module with no results.
I know a lot of people probably dont have any experience in this area but if someone does I would love some advice.
Thanks!
Josh
Question for you...
I am using the X-10 home automation to attempt to set up my lighting for my aquarium. I am having some issues that I hope someone has some insight into.
Here is the setup.
I have two 8 socket(three prong) plugmold type power strips. These are the kind that you can get at Lowes or HD. Each one of those power strips is plugged into one socket of an outlet in the wall.
I am using two and three prong X-10 modules for all of this. Into one of the powerstrips I have most of my low power consumption items like powerheads, moonlights, and fans plugged in.
On the second power strip I have my three 150W MHs and Two 96W actinics plus an additional flourescent light for the sump.
Here is my problem...Using the X-10 software I can control all modules (turn them on and off) while all devices (powerheads, lights, etc) are off. This means that all of the X-10 modules are capable of being turned on and off. If I plug a MG lamp into an X-10 module and turn the switch on the ballast on the light will come on...the problem is that once the MH or flourescent lamp is on I cannot manipulate the X-10 module any longer. The signals do not make it to the module. This goes for all of the MHs and Flourescents. I can turn them all on at once (in the same second) but once they are on I cannot turn them off. I can still turn the low wattage devices like power heads on and off at will though.
I have read some about phase coupling and how signals can get lost between the phase that the transmitter is on and the phase that the modules are on. I read about a test that you can do. I read that if you turn on a 220V appliance like a dryer or oven that it actually bridges the two phases of power in the house and should eliminate a phase coupling problem. So, I did this but it did not work. I have moved the transmitter around to different outlets in the room and have not gotten any results. I have changed the batteries in the transmitter. I have also put an X-10 noise filter between the Actinic ballast and the X-10 module with no results.
I know a lot of people probably dont have any experience in this area but if someone does I would love some advice.
Thanks!
Josh
