X10 troubles...help please

[reedman]

I have had 2 of my X10s die (for lack of a better term) recently and I was wondering if this is just the fact that they are old (I'm guessing 5+ years) or if there is something killing them.

I have been running them with a first generation aquacontroller for about 3 years now and I bought the setup used. Everything had been working great controlling lights, heaters, fans, etc. without any issues. The first thing that happened was my lights didn't turn on....so I tried to turn them on with a manual override...no luck. I moved the X10 to a different socket, nothing. Finally I pulled out a spare X10 and it worked. A few days later my heaters didn't turn off so my fans came on. Same deal...swapped out with spare X10 and all is fine.

Any idea what is going on? Is there a life expectancy of an X10 module (these are the appliance modules)?

Also, is there a local source for these since I am out of spares

Thanks in advance for any advice.

-Reed

 

[DonW]

I have had 2 of my X10s die (for lack of a better term) recently and I was wondering if this is just the fact that they are old (I'm guessing 5+ years) or if there is something killing them.

I have been running them with a first generation aquacontroller for about 3 years now and I bought the setup used. Everything had been working great controlling lights, heaters, fans, etc. without any issues. The first thing that happened was my lights didn't turn on....so I tried to turn them on with a manual override...no luck. I moved the X10 to a different socket, nothing. Finally I pulled out a spare X10 and it worked. A few days later my heaters didn't turn off so my fans came on. Same deal...swapped out with spare X10 and all is fine.

Any idea what is going on? Is there a life expectancy of an X10 module (these are the appliance modules)?


Also, is there a local source for these since I am out of spares

Thanks in advance for any advice.

-Reed

I think your lucky to get what you got out of them. Are you really controlling your heaters with x10? Local the only place I can think of is rat shack. They used to sell what they called plug n power but I think the line has been discontinued, there may be some old stock out there. I'd stay away from "x-10" branded modules an go with a good brand like leviton if your going to replace them.


Don

 

[reedman]

Thanks Don.
Yes, I am controlling heaters with them...just to turn them on/off at certain temps based on the temp sensor in the tank....works very well actually. Of course, I am always double checking the temp in the tank with 2 other thermometers to ensure all is well, but no issues to date. I was going to go with some of the ones from Smarthome as I have heard they are higher quality...maybe they are levitron...I'll check.

-Reed