Do X-10 Lamp Modules Die?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

David White - 30 Aug 2004 01:51 GMT

Hello. I have a several Powerhouse X-10 modules used in my house. I have
recently noticed that one of them will no longer turn off. When I plug a lamp
into it and plug the module into the wall, the lamp goes on immediately.
However, from none of the controllers in my house can I turn it off even after
first sending a ON signal. I have tried the suspect module in many locations
and in places where other modules are working just fine. I have tried setting
different unit numbers on the suspect module and get the same results. If these
do wear out, perhaps this one is just dead and gone. If not, something is odd.
In either case, is there any chance of fixing the thing to get it working
again? Thanks, David.

Reply to this Message

Charles Sullivan - 30 Aug 2004 03:02 GMT

> Hello. I have a several Powerhouse X-10 modules used in my house. I have
> recently noticed that one of them will no longer turn off. When I plug a lamp
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> In either case, is there any chance of fixing the thing to get it working
> again? Thanks, David.

Yes, these modules can crap out. And yes, it can probably be
fixed if you know what you're doing and want to spend a few hours
diagnosing, locating the replacement parts, and doing the repair.
But for the $13 it would cost you to pick up a new one at
Radio Shack, it's hardly worth the effort.

Reply to this Message

David White - 30 Aug 2004 17:11 GMT

Thanks to all who responded. I did note this failure after a bulb problem
incident so perhaps this was the cause but I am not sure. I notice that there
are now many competing lamp modules out there. Are any better built than the
Powerhouse (standard X-10) units to survive this sort of thing or are they all
pretty much the same in this regard? My needs are simple, I really need only on
and off, no dimming, two-way, etc. David.

>>Hello. I have a several Powerhouse X-10 modules used in my house. I have
>>recently noticed that one of them will no longer turn off. When I plug a lamp
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> But for the $13 it would cost you to pick up a new one at
> Radio Shack, it's hardly worth the effort.

Reply to this Message

Dmitri(Cabling-Design.com) - 30 Aug 2004 22:35 GMT

If you agree with the actual concept of X-10 modules being expendable,
then you'd probably appreciate eBay's variety. Most vendors sell
Powerhouse though, but they are real cheap, so just get two for future.
This is not to say that there is anything wrong with Powerhouse, really.
My entire system is built around those (with few parts by others), and
functions well for more than 3 years.
Your lamp module sounds fried to me, BTW. Just throw it away. The cost of
parts is actually HIGHER that some of the eBay sellers offer for the whole
new thing, and you run the risk of electrocuting yourself while
troubleshooting, which is really difficult to put a price tag on ;-)
Good luck!

Signature

Dmitri Abaimov, RCDD
http://www.cabling-design.com
Cabling Forum, color codes, pinouts and other useful resources for
premises cabling users and pros
http://www.cabling-design.com/homecabling
Residential Cabling Guide
-------------------------------------

> Thanks to all who responded. I did note this failure after a bulb
> problem
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> only on
> and off, no dimming, two-way, etc. David.

>>>Hello. I have a several Powerhouse X-10 modules used in my
>>> house. I have
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>> But for the $13 it would cost you to pick up a new one at
>> Radio Shack, it's hardly worth the effort.

##-----------------------------------------------#
Article posted with Cabling-Design.com Newsgroup Archiv
http://www.cabling-design.com/forum
no-spam read and post WWW interface to your favorite newsgroup -
alt.home.automation - 2277 messages and counting
##-----------------------------------------------##

Reply to this Message

Homeowner Forum / Home Automation / August 2004

Do X-10 Lamp Modules Die?