Re: [mh] Solution for X10 Lamp Modules and LED flicker when on.

I'm another X10 user who's interested. I haven't had the problem yet, 
but I figure it's only a matter of time.

rick

On 1/31/2021 11:36 AM, Giles Godart-Brown wrote:
> Thanks Jim
> 
> I've created 
> https://github.com/hollie/misterhouse/wiki/X10-lamp-modules-and-flickering-LEDs 
> with the content of this (without the diagram)
> 
> Please could you edit it as you see  fit?
> 
> Giles
> 
> On 31/01/2021 13:52, Jim Serack wrote:
>>
>> Short version: I have a solution for LED flicker X10 Lamp Modules when 
>> on and I’m wondering if this is a common enough to put the effort into 
>> a tutorial on how to fix or if everyone has moved on already.
>>
>> Question: Do you have this problem and do you feel it worth fixing the 
>> old tech?
>>
>> Longer version:
>>
>> I’ve got a house with more than a dozen X10 lamp modules (ok some 
>> would say a museum) that have served me well and generally meet my 
>> needs along with UPB, and HAI alarm and control. In total around 150 
>> points of automation, monitoring and sensing of lighting, HVAC, Pool, 
>> Alarm, Irrigation, motorized awnings, etc. Misterhouse has been part 
>> of this setup throughout.
>>
>> So I’m not inclined to discard and replace the X10 Lamp Modules yet 
>> I’ve started to have more and more lamps with intermittent flicker 
>> during the ON state as I end up replacing incandescent bulbs with 
>> dimmable LED’s.
>>
>> I put together a test setup including a digital storage scope and 
>> determined the problem is that the LED bulb current sometimes (~ 5% of 
>> the time) drops below the TRIAC (in the lamp module) latching current 
>> and thus turns off:
>>
>> Persistent trace scope image of an LED Bulb on X10 Lamp Dimmer running 
>> 50% dim – dropout in Quadrant II
>>
>> The 6W LED Bulb current averages around 50 mA and the BTA10-400C has a 
>> typical IL spec of 35mA (and no maximum in the specs). I replaced the 
>> TRIAC with one with a IL MAX of 15 mA and the problem went away.
>>
>> The solution is to do a straight forward component replacement in the 
>> X10 Lamp Module. The BTA10-400C TRIAC in at least some brands of the 
>> modules can carry up to 10A (1200 watts) yet the module states 300W 
>> max. Replacement Triacs with the lower latching current are readily 
>> available up to 8 A of load (960 watts) that still exceed the 300W max 
>> for the module and cost < $2 each – it takes about 30 minutes to do a 
>> module (the first time).
>>
>>
>>
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> 
> 
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-- 
Rick Steeves
https://www.irelandbybicycle.com

It's all fun and games until someone ends up wearing a cone.


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