Remote control electrical outlet recommendation?

[MossRoad]

X-10 has been turning a dozen or so lights on at dusk for thirty years via a sundowner. Also controls my X-mas lights. It's failing is that it was a one way system. They actually developed a two way system with feedback but it did not meet with market approval on account of the increased cost.

Funny, whenever I or friends tried to control block heaters, we were almost always greeted by a stone cold block!

X-10 is a DEAD issue, on account of electronic power supplies and lighting are way too noisy for that (Line Carrier) technology to work reliably.

As for block heaters. If I don't know if a machine needs to be plugged in, I use my homemade little timer motor driving a microswitch. Simple, no electronics and saves power. With the SPDT microswitch, I have two settings 20 min on, ten min off or the other way around. It keeps equipment just nice and warm, not HOT which isn't required.

What do you mean by DEAD issue?

 

[k0ua]

What do you mean by DEAD issue?

He is saying that there is too much RFI on the power lines nowadays with the power company's use of RF and also with all the trash that many LED lighting solutions emit that x-10 range and reliability is suspect. I have no personal experience, with x10, I am just reading what he said and interpreting it for you.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Thanks. Yes, that is what I meant. I know someone whos X-10 system stopped working one day. He realized it was the day he got his new computer. The switching PSU was quite noisy. Even wall warts have gone to switching supply type technology.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks. Yes, that is what I meant. I know someone whos X-10 system stopped working one day. He realized it was the day he got his new computer. The switching PSU was quite noisy. Even wall warts have gone to switching supply type technology.

Hmmm... hadn't heard of that, but in all honesty, I haven't been looking for that. Mine still works. I know X10 sells some noise filters and such, but never had a reason to look into them.

 

[Dave M7040]

Hey Dave, Mine has worked at minus 30c.

Thanks for doing the test.

Usually a manufacturer would specify an operating temperature range but when they don't publish anything and further, say it was intended for indoor use, in the absence of a real world test like you have done, I would be reluctant to suggest that product.

Dave M7040

 

[Dave M7040]

Thanks. Yes, that is what I meant. I know someone whos X-10 system stopped working one day. He realized it was the day he got his new computer. The switching PSU was quite noisy. Even wall warts have gone to switching supply type technology.

I had some device which was a power line carrier type product. In its literature, and in real life, you had to have the transmitter and receiver on the same phase in the main electrical panel so I would be hunting around for a receptacle being fed from the same bus bar.

Dave M7040

 

[MossRoad]

I had some device which was a power line carrier type product. In its literature, and in real life, you had to have the transmitter and receiver on the same phase in the main electrical panel so I would be hunting around for a receptacle being fed from the same bus bar.

Dave M7040

They make a module that bridges the legs so that doesn't happen on X10 stuff.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Or you could use capacitors at less than a dollar which is what is in the modules. I don't remember the mfd value.