Re: [mh] X10 reliability issues?

[Joel D. <jr...@io...>]

On Thu, 29 Dec 2005, it would appear that Joey French wrote:

> So, how reliable has X10 been for you guys? I have only run X10 a little,
> but am gonna step it up a bit in the near future. I will be ordering an
> arsenal of modules here soon. I have had good luck with the lone module I
> used long term in the past, but I hear talk of issues from you guys. Is X10
> unreliable? What are the more reliable of the X10 products? Does it follow
> the general rule that the more expensive of them are the most reliable? What
> are some things to look out for when setting up an X10 system?
>
> Just as a point of reference, I am using a few modules in very close
> vicinity to each other, same circuit: CM17 Firecracker, TM751 Transceiver
> Module, LM14A Lamp Module, lots of AM466 appliance modules. What problems do
> you guys foresee, or can you help me avoid when shopping for X10 products?
>
> Joey

   I've been using X10 for about 16 years, with really no major problems
   at all in that time.  I've lost a couple of modules due to lightning
   strikes over the years, but never the whole setup.

   I'm currently using about 10 Leviton decora wall switches, 3 or 4
   X10 lamp modules, a few X10 appliance modules (mostly grounded, but
   a couple of 2 wire), a couple of mini controllers and one of those
   fancy smarthome programmable controllers.  I have a quad outlet box
   in the garage where I have my mh pc, cm11 and a fridge plugged in,
   though I have a Leviton filter wired into the box between the 2 duplex
   outlets, with the fridge and pc plugged into the isolated outlet.

   I also have a homemade inductor/capacitor coupler in a dryer outlet
   about 10 feet away from the cm11.  The only reliability issues I have
   are if I leave a plug strip turned on that has a rarely used pc on it,
   as the power supply in the pc seems to be a major x10 signal sucker.
   One of these days I'll get a filter for it, but since I don't use the
   pc much it's not really an issue.

   Overall, I've been very happy with x10.  I agree with others that the
   stuff manufactured by X10 has generally sucked in the past, though the
   newer stuff seems to be fairly well made.  The decora switches from
   Leviton are really nice, though when you pry off the paddle to set the
   house and unit codes you'll see that mechanically they're similar to
   the X10 wall switches.  Not sure if they're made on the same factory
   line or not, though the Levitons do seem to have a lower failure rate.
   They're definitely easier for non-tech people to use, as they look
   more like a real light switch.

   In my experience, most, if not all x10 reliability problems can be
   solved with some patience and advice from those who have gone before
   you.  It's time consuming and frustrating, but it can be made to work
   well, though it might cost a bit if you have a big house.

   I don't think I'd want to use it on anything that my life depended on,
   as it's open loop and does occasionally miss a command, but for lights
   and fans I think it's great.  I use an rs-232 based thermostat
   controlled by mh, and I think if I was going to have mh monitor a
   fishtank or other environment with expensive pets I'd use hardwired or
   at least closed loop sensors and controls so the system knows that
   commands have been received and acted upon.

   Hope this helps some.

   Joel
   --
   Joel Davidson
   Austin, TX