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

I've still got a number of x-10 modules here as well, and it's getting
tough to find incandescent bulbs for them, so this will be very helpful.

Jim- do you have a part number for the triac you used in your modules?
Thanks.

Joel

On Sun, 31 Jan 2021, it would appear that Rick Steeves wrote:

> 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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