On Sep 19, 7:34*am, wrote:
On Sep 19, 12:20*am, RickH wrote:





On Sep 18, 4:39*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:

I installed some X10 components today and have some issues.

First, it's interesting that the specs for the MS16A Wireless Motion
Sensor given on the X10 site make no mention of the transmission
range. Wouldn't you think that that is a pretty important number to
know?

http://www.x10.com/products/x10_ms16a.htm

However, you can find them here and they state the transmission range
is 100'.

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/MS16A

Using the test buttons on the sensor, I can trigger an RR501 receiver
consistently within 40', intermittently within 40' - 50' and not at
all above 50' - and that's with nothing obstructing the line of site
between the two units.

Put a garage wall between them, and I'm limited to a max of about 25',
less than 15' in some locations.

I've tried 2 different MS16A units and 2 different RR501's and got the
same results. Yes, they were brand new batteries. I even tested them
to eliminate the batteries as the problem.

Next issue: When using the dimmer feature of the WS4777 3-way switch
or WS467 single switch, the bulbs do not dim to nothing. You can still
see the light in a 65W outdoor spot even when the sun is up. I don't
know how often I'd want to dim them to nothing, but I'm just wondering
if that is normal.

Lastly (for now) I seemed to get inconsistant operation of the system
when the RR501 were plugged into GFCI outlets. They seemed to work
about 90% of the time, but every now and then the test buttons on the
sensors wouldn't do anything even if I was standing right in front of
the RR501. If I move the RR501 to a standard receptacle it starts
working again. I tried two different GFCI's and got the same result.
What's up with that?

If this is normal operation, then I'm going to be very limited as to
where I place my sensors since I appear to be restricted by both
distance and receptacle type.

My new toys aren't making me happy!

The older 2 wire X10 devices keep some current flowing through the
filament all the time. *The latest non-X10 devices all use a neutral
and completly un-power the bulb at fully dim or off.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Contrary to the claims of it being a toy, I have been using
essentially the same X10 settup Derby is attempting for 2 years.
It's used to turn on lights outside the garage when motion is detected
and to turn the front door lights on at dusk and off at dawn. *All
that is done with the outdoor motion detector, the wireless
transceiver, and two wall switches.

Some key differences:

The transceiver is located at an outlet in the garage which is only
about 5 feet away from the outdoor motion sensor. * Had I known Derby
wanted to use it at ranges greater than 50ft, I would have said that I
doubt it is capable of those ranges. *The initial application we were
talking about was to turn front door lights on/off with a motion
detector. * Nothing about that suggested the need for a long range.
Also, with outlets being everywhere, for most apps I would think you'd
have an outlet available for the transceiver to plug in that is not
too far away and with only one wall seperation. * I do agree that they
should make the specs and limitations on distance better known. * But
those limitations aren't unique to X10 and exist with a lot of
wireless devices, let alone one that cost $10.

Regarding GFCI, I'll have to check on that. * The transceiver is
plugged into a garage outlet, which I assume would be on a GFCI
circuit and it works. *But, I'll confirm that. *The switches and
modules are all plugged into standard outlets.

I'll also check the dimming feature, which I never use. *My suspicion
is that it's just the way it's designed, ie you can't dim it beyond a
certain point.

I also use X10 with their controller/timer unit to turn 3 lights
around the house on/off when I'm away. * It's done that fine. * The
only issue I had was getting the correct modules that will work with
CFL. *Is it 100% reliable? *No. *But it's certainly been reliable for
the applications I'm using it for. *And considering the cost, I think
a good solution.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

For cfls, are apliance modules needed, do they have relays. Ive used
the dimming feature with modules and switches and they dim to zero.