AM12 problem

Post by **hopper** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:42 pm

I received my X10 starterkit yesterday and tested the modules.
The TM13 and LM12 modules worked flawless.
However the AM12 module did work with a lamp (ON/OFF/ALL OFF) but didn't work in combination with a waterboiler and my TV. (No Switch on/off)

To discover the problem I first unplugged the TV and tried the waterboiler again with the same (unwanted) result.
Then I connected the TV to the TM13 module and now I could switch on/off the TV with the remote X10 control.

Did anybody experience the same and/or knows a solution ?

Post by **ktruyens** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:48 pm

Maybe too simple, but doesn;t the waterboiler have it's own on/off button? I mean, once its complete, it will switch itself off. Try pushing the waterboiler 'on' button prior using the AM12.

Post by **hopper** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 3:04 pm

The boiler does have it's own button which I did switch on upfront in all cases.

Somehow I noticed two different modes after switching on local button and connecting the module to the power outlet;
Mode 1: Boiler didn't start to cook at all
Mode 2: Boiler started to work without activating by X10 remote control

I read something today on a forum about the AM12 module recognizing by sensor whether device has been plugged into module upfront or after connecting AM12 module to outlet and thus switching on device immediately or leave it in standby waiting on X10 activation (Sensor ?)
Unfortunately I lost this thread and I'm trying to find it back again

Does anybody know more ?

Post by **ktruyens** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 3:09 pm

Not heared of that yet. AM12 should provide power independantly of something connected. Maybe there's some sort of protection on the boiler which disables it to start automatically (or basically stops it from being armed if switched on without power). Try this: arm the AM12 module (so that it gives power); then plug in the boiler (off); then switch on the boiler (my guess is it works); switch off AM12 (boiler should stop); switch on the AM12 again (curious what happens here)

Check my project on http://domotica.computercity.be

Post by **hopper** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 3:15 pm

I found back the forum topic and it referred to auto-sense. SO this probably explains why sometimes the boiler started automatically.
I will test this again this evening.

Still I have no clue why the devices do not react on my X10 remote control.

Post by **hopper** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:37 am

Did some further checking last night and found out that all modules (incl AM12) are working, as long as I connect both TM13 and module to the same double power outlet. At the moment that I use seperate "double poweroutlets" for TM13 and module, the X10 signal is not received by the module.
I do have a 1 phase system, but it is divided in group 1-4 and 5-8 with both their own earthingswitch.

Do I need a phaseconnector module or does somebody know another solution (I will check again this evening for all groups if the system works when I connect the TM13 and modules within 1 group)

Post by **Bwired** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:57 pm

Hi Hopper,
Yes I have does problems as well. Some outlets I just can't reach with X10 [V]. Try other outlets and they will probably work. To solve these problems check this forum and search on "Phase". Also this topic tells a lot about it. http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?T ... erms=phase
regards Pieter

Post by **Willem4ever** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:15 pm

I used to have problems

Most of the time you have a device connected which 'short circuits' your X10 signals. Placing filters in front of those devices should resolve the problem.

Post by **hopper** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:17 am

I went on last night witch checking and found the source of "noise".
First I checked which outlets/switches belonged to an electrical group.
Now I was able to find out that the system is working for all groups, except for group 2, being the livingroom and kitchen.
Having read something about halo lighting and transformers I turned off all halo lighting and guess......the X10 system is working !

Nevertheless someting strange is going on. To explain I give you some detail. I do have the following number of switches and halo-fixtures. All halo fixtures have their own trafo.
switch 1: 5 halo at the rear of the house
switch 2: 6 halo at ceiling of kitchen
switch 3: 3 halo for kitchen countertop
switch 4: 4 halo in wallcabinet
Switch 1 I always need to turn off to make the X10 system work.
Switch 4 I also need to turn off to make the X10 system work.
Switch 2 and 3 can stay on without disrupting the X10 system.
Any other combination does not work. (for example turn off switch 2 and leave on 3 and 4). Strange, since switch 2 has the biggest load with 6 fixtures.

Can anybody explain and or give a solution which enables me to have a working X10 system incl above halo lighting ?
And on top of that: In the future I want to build in X10 modules for the halo lighting.
Can I / How should I make that work, considering above problems ?

Thanks for all your help sofar !

Post by **Bwired** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:43 am

As Willem told above you have to place filters in front of those devices. In think in your case the Marmitek FM10 Plug-in filter is the best option to solve the problem. Check with Xanura, I think they have modules for halo lights.

Post by **Digit** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:10 am

From my own experience i can tell you that trying to understand why some combinations of switching off potentially interfering devices *do* work and why other combinations do *not*, or why some wall outlets give better results than others, is a waste of time. I tried, but apparently there are too many 'unknowns'. I had the same weird things going on here just as you mentioned. Just install filters where needed, i think.

Regards,
Robert