"Spaarlamp" problem

Post by **RdP** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:25 am

Yesterday I was at a friend who bought a X10 starterset. After getting rid of a X10 error we put a "spaarlamp" on a AM12, but after switching the lamp of it keeps flashing lightly. I've seen this behaviour with the LM12 modules but not with the AM12. I thought the relais inside the AM12 would cut of all the power, but I guess it's not. I tried several AM12 devices, same result)
Anyone seen this before ??

Post by **RDNZL** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:27 am

Maybe this has something todo with local control?

http://www.automatestuff.com/

It's a 'bypass' circuit which can just give enough power to let a spaarlamp glow...

Regards,
Ron.

Post by **Chiel** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:22 pm

I have the same problem with the am12 with power saving lamps.
An 1.2W led bulb dont flash but stays on on a lower level!
I opened a module and there is a wire on the output that the module uses to verify if the power is on or off (because its not a regular relais, it "toggles").
The elektronics inside "leaks" just enough power to keep your power saving lamp flashing and a led lamp burning a little..

Post by **Digit** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:58 pm

I have a LED bulb that has the same. When it's really dark i can see it glowing. There are no modules involved...

Post by **pesmi** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:16 pm

I'm the friend Rien (who started the topic) mentions.
I opened up the AW12 but it looks different from the pictures posted in http://www.automatestuff.com/

*My* AW12 looks like

I am not sure what to cut.
In fact: I am not sure yet whether I'm going to cut anything at all.
When I connect multiple lamps in parallel the problem seems to disappear also. I think together they drain more power than the 'leak' can provide.
I think that when I cut a wire (or whatever) I'loose the possibility tot switch on manually. And that I wouldn't like to miss.

I am a newby in the domotica-arena and am still puzzling with the most simple things.

Post by **RdP** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:08 pm

A big welcome for Pesmi, which is now infected by the domotica virus (just like us)

Post by **Peterpc** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:58 pm

The AM12 has a sense function for local control. Therefore it needs to "see" if there is any load or not. That is the little flow that can flash some "spaarlampen". You can't disconnect this flow. In the past you could disconnect a pin on a IC, so local control did not work anymore, but the sense was still there.
When you want to operate a spaarlamp, just try an other brand or one that is 9 or 11 Watt and you will be fine. For local control you can switch your load OFF and ON again and the AM12 will switch ON.

Post by **Chiel** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:48 pm

I dont have any local control on my AM12's, if i cut the brown (that's the 1 for the elektronics to check if the relais is really on)wire, the relais wil switch on and off 2 times (X10 signal is send twice).
Switching several lamps with 1 module might solve the problem (or like peterpc said, a higher wattage)...

Post by **DJF3** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:35 am

I had the same problem in my garden shed:
-AM12 with 'spaarlamp' which kept flashing

SOLUTION: ordered a dimmable spaarlamp.

I'm not dimming it, but the lamp handles the AM12/LM12 a lot better.