LED issues

[Derrick Bang]

Hello

I have a Windows Vista (brand new Gateway computer), and am running LOR software version 1.4.0.

I run a 16-channel light-and-music show at the top of each hour, runs about 10 minutes. The idea is for X10 controllers to turn off all OTHER lights while the show is on, and then turn them back on again when the show is over.

This worked fine two years ago, and then last year I began subbing regular strings of lights with LED strings. After a lot of tweaking, I got everything to work properly last year, as well.

Replaced more "regular" strings with LEDs this year, but otherwise set everything up the same way ... and I just can't get the X10 modules to behave properly. I've gone nuts, trying to test things with the hardware controller; some of the X10 modules work, but others simply don't. Some go on, but then won't go off; some go off, and then won't come back on.

Help!

[PaulXmas]

I have used X10 a few years ago to control my lights but found them unreliable.
This year I used a relay and one LOR channel to turn my lights off and on.
The relay is set to be Normally ON and when LOR send a voltage it shuts OFF the lights.
Nice thing about this set up is that they react without delay!
I still use X10 to power on and off my inflatables, radio (for music) and about 18 AMPS of lawn ornaments.
A few seconds either way is no big deal.

[Derrick Bang]

Okay, forgive what will sound like an ignorant question ... what's a relay? And how does that make a difference with LEDs?

Derrick

[PaulXmas]

Its not an ignorant question!
A relay turns the power off and on.
It is kind of like a light switch except this one can turn off 2 circuits (or more).
I have it set up to be ON until there is power applied then the lights turn OFF,
Be cause my lawn ornaments take soooo much power (I think about 18 AMPS) I have the relay controlling 2 circuits.
And the react fast!

[JBullard]

Derrick Bang wrote:

... and I just can't get the X10 modules to behave properly. I've gone nuts, trying to test things with the hardware controller; some of the X10 modules work, but others simply don't. Some go on, but then won't go off; some go off, and then won't come back on.

Help!

As a long time X10 user, it seems to me that your problems appear to be excessive noise on the powerline, that can mask or confuse the X10 signals.

A lot of things can cause this "noise", computer power supplies can be one of the worse, and may require filtering.

You mentioned having a new computer. Can you try with the old computer? Complety unplugging the new computer from all 120vac power.

Or do you have an X10 signal meter, that will help you find the household items that are polluting the power lines.