#21288 - 08/27/09 08:59 AM
The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
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Msradell
journeyman
Registered: 08/19/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
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I may have found the solution to problems with X-10 signal strength issues most of us have in one way or another. I discovered the XTB-IIR, which repeats and amplifies all of your signals as well as replacing your TW523 and acting as a signal bridge! It was developed by a retired electrical engineer. Here's a link to the website: JV Digital Engineering Home Page
Edited by Msradell (08/27/09 09:00 AM)
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I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity
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#21293 - 08/27/09 05:48 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Msradell]
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Deane Johnson
active contributor
Registered: 01/09/03
Posts: 186
Loc: Omaha, Nebraska
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That's been available for some time. I wonder if anyone on this forum has tried one. $159 fully assembled and tested (with liability waiver) would be cheap if it indeed solved the X-10 issues.
Delivering 30 times the regular X-10 signal should do something.
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#21294 - 08/27/09 05:52 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Deane Johnson]
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Msradell
journeyman
Registered: 08/19/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
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I'll let you know pretty soon. I just ordered one and it should be delivered next week! It will probably take me a week or so to get someone to install it for me since I have recently become handicapped so I cannot do things like that.
Everything I've read about it is very positive so I'm looking forward to trying it.
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I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity
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#21295 - 08/27/09 06:53 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Msradell]
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Deane Johnson
active contributor
Registered: 01/09/03
Posts: 186
Loc: Omaha, Nebraska
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I'll be watching for your report on results.
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#21298 - 08/28/09 01:29 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Deane Johnson]
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bakers12
journeyman
Registered: 06/06/04
Posts: 80
Loc: Chicago
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I bought the XTB (not IIR) and got an enormous improvement in my Ocelot's performance. Getting signals through was very inconsistent. I think a new furnace caused my problems.
I added the XTB and everything works 100%. It's completely reliable now. The XTB-IIR can only be even better.
I can also say that Jeff Volpe earned high marks in support. I built the XTB from a kit and had trouble at first. Jeff found and fixed a broken solder connection free.
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#21299 - 08/28/09 04:53 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: bakers12]
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Msradell
journeyman
Registered: 08/19/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
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That makes me feel even better about my purchase! I was going to get the XTB but decided I might just so well go ahead and get the XTB-IIR and eliminate my TW-523 and signal bridge at the same time!
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I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity
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#21358 - 09/19/09 02:17 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: John Warner]
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Chris Anderson
addict
Registered: 01/08/04
Posts: 507
Loc: Michigan
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Any thoughts on how this compares to Lightolier firewalls? I got lucky a while back and grabbed an 8 cct firewall off of eBay for about $200. The guy had 2 of them for sale but someone else beat me to the other one. I never installed it, though, as I have more than 8 ccts that need to be on the system, so I need another firewall. But I can't afford a new one and haven't seen a used one come up cheap anywhere in a while. Chris
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#21359 - 09/19/09 02:38 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Chris Anderson]
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Msradell
journeyman
Registered: 08/19/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
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I have no idea how the Lightolier firewall operates or what it does. I looked up when it said about it and it's strange that you have to have a channel on the firewall for each device, looks like it maybe very hard to wire in and not be very flexible.
I have my XTB-IIR up and operating and so far I haven't had any signal problems at all. Signal strength is very good throughout the house. I used it to replace my PSC05 for the interface of my Ocelot and plug my PSC04 from my alarm system into the plug on its face. It's certainly a device I would recommend to any one who uses X-10! It's certainly cheaper than switching to a different technology (UPB, etc.) and appears to make X10 just as good or better than any of them.
Edited by Msradell (09/19/09 02:40 PM)
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I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity
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#21360 - 09/19/09 03:10 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Msradell]
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Chris Anderson
addict
Registered: 01/08/04
Posts: 507
Loc: Michigan
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Msradell,
The firewall just interfaces with your main house panel. You need to hook it to each circuit on which you have x-10 devices. It amplifies and filters signals on each circuit. It also "firewalls" your x-10 devices from everything else in your house, as well as your neighbor's house.
Chris
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#21361 - 09/19/09 03:25 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Chris Anderson]
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Msradell
journeyman
Registered: 08/19/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
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I guess the big difference is that the XTB-IIR doesn't have any filtering or blocking ability. It just amplifies X-10 signals and acts as a bridge between the two phases of power in your home. Sounds like the Lightolier adds filtering and the firewall function. I didn't look at the wiring schematics for it, is it wired in series or in parallel with the load of each circuit? It seems like it maybe effective but certainly a lot more difficult to wire in and expensive than some of the other alternatives.
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I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity
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#21362 - 09/19/09 03:33 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Msradell]
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Chris Anderson
addict
Registered: 01/08/04
Posts: 507
Loc: Michigan
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MSradell,
Firewalls are expensive ($700 full retail) and complex. I might still go with them cuz I landed my first one so cheap.
They are wired in series. Your wire that used to go straight to your breaker panel, now goes into the firewall then into the main panel, if that makes sense.
Chris
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#21379 - 09/24/09 05:44 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Chris Anderson]
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Msradell
journeyman
Registered: 08/19/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
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It certainly does make sense and that is how I would have guessed it was wired in. Basically the signal that never go through the breaker panel because the firewall is between each circuit and the panel. Certainly sounds like a good system once it is installed but it seems like installation would be difficult to install and might require a licensed electrician to meet code (if you worry about that).
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I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity
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#21387 - 09/28/09 03:29 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Msradell]
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tshep
newbie
Registered: 03/16/09
Posts: 5
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If your system is relatively small, or your panel large, it seems to me you could (carefully!) put all your X10 stuff on the same side of the line(s). Most panels are arranged so that any 2 vertically arranged breakers pull from different, well, let's say phases, thus a 240 breaker pulls 120 from 'phase' A and 120 from 'phase' B. If you rearranged your breakers so all your toys were on A, then the comms would not have to leave the house, panel, etc. to get to the other side of the 'phase.' For most little stuff (lights and stuff) this would not create an imbalance by re-arranging. Carefull planning could leave power strips and such on one side, and X10 on the other.
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#21389 - 09/28/09 05:40 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: tshep]
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Msradell
journeyman
Registered: 08/19/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
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Putting all your X10 devices on one phase sounds a lot easier than it is in really isn't that effective. It doesn't overcome the noise problems that are generated by other devices in your home such as CFL lights, transformers and other noise generated devices. It also above the overcome the relatively weak signal strength generated by X10 transmitters. The XTB-IIR overcomes all these problems except very high signal noise.
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I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity
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#21431 - 10/12/09 08:03 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Msradell]
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Msradell
journeyman
Registered: 08/19/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
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I've had the XTB-IIR in operation for over a month now and it has helped my system immensely. I haven't had any events that were supposed to happen that didn't even some of my modules that had occasional problems have been working flawlessly. Based on this experience I'm no longer thinking about changing to a different format such as UPB.
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I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity
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#21508 - 11/30/09 06:01 PM
Re: The ultimate solution for X-10 signal problems?
[Re: Msradell]
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VMachine
newbie
Registered: 11/30/09
Posts: 1
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Thanks for the information on the JV Digital Engineering products. After several years of unreliable X-10 operation and countless wondering about the Leviton X-10 repeater (which I never bought) I had all but given up on X-10 and my Ocelot when I stumbled across this page. I haven't been very active with HA in a long time and only came here occasionally. After reading the feedback on the JV products and giving it some thought I decided to order an XTB-IIR and XTBM. I can't wait to get these two kits assembled and (hopefully) get my X-10 dimmers working reliably.
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