Radio Shack Programmable Control Center And Timer Manual
My landlord is having a problem with this thing. You're supposed toreplace all your outlets and wall switches with control modules, thenyou can operate any electrical equipment in your house remotely or ona schedule. The manual is sketchy, but it looks like the controlcenter sends a 2.4 ghz signal through the house wires that operatethe control modules. It works somewhat, but it screws some things up.Like it will manually dim a light, until it goes all the way off, butthen it won't come back on again.We have an ISP across the street that broadcasts a wireless internetsignal at 2.4 ghz. Could that be causing problems?The model number of this device is 61-2470. My landlord is having a problem with this thing. You're supposed toreplace all your outlets and wall switches with control modules, thenyou can operate any electrical equipment in your house remotely or ona schedule.
The manual is sketchy, but it looks like the controlcenter sends a 2.4 ghz signal through the house wires that operatethe control modules. It works somewhat, but it screws some things up.Like it will manually dim a light, until it goes all the way off, butthen it won't come back on again.We have an ISP across the street that broadcasts a wireless internetsignal at 2.4 ghz. Could that be causing problems?The model number of this device is 61-2470. I have spent a lot of time in commercial buildings and residencestroubleshooting this technology.
Some people refer to it as X10 because BSRwas one of the first companies 20 or so years ago that developed it andmarketed it under the X10 name.Now there are several manufacturers of these products including Leviton(Decora Home Controls) and Advanced Control Technologies (A10). Radio Shackalso has their own version. Much of the technology is interchangeable.After all that I have experienced, I am reluctant to recommend the use ofthis equipment except as a last resort. I have seen modules work on oneday and the next day don't work, but the day after that work again. Myconclusion is that the equipment never works 100% of the time. 99% underthe best circumstances is what you should expect.
I have had otherelectrical contractors consult with me after they have installed thistechnology in a building or residence because they were getting tired of allthe callbacks.Electrical interference can be a big problem. Motors, computers, andeverything else connected to your power system can inhibit that signaltraveling across your existing circuits. Another problem that arises fromtime to time is neighbors controlling each others lights from their home.One contractor I know was really pushing the use of this technology and madeseveral sales and installations in the same neighborhoods. He particularlywould use the modules for outdoor lighting. Neighbors would talk to eachother and then call up this contractor to install the same set-up in theirhome. I had cautioned this guy about the use of this technology based on myexperiences, but he figured that since the customers were asking for it, hewould give it to them.
Radio Shack Programmable Control Center And Timer Manual Instructions
After several installations on the same street hekept receiving callbacks. The customers were complaining that their lightswere going on and off at all different times of day and night. Thecontractor did not pay much attention to the choice of address codes foreach residence when he did each installation. The neighbors all had thesame codes and were able to turn each others lights on and off. This isespecially true when each neighbor's power is from the same utility companytransformer. This contractor had to go back to each customer's house andchange the codes so that each house was different.
It cost him a lot oftime and manpower to do this. Now he tells me that he cautions hiscustomers about the downside of this type of installation and onlyrecommends it when it is more cost effective.The manufacturers produce amplifiers, couplers, controllers, signal strengthmeters and other components to get a good signal and measure it at eachmodule location.
Radio Shack 61-2670 Manual
Troubleshooting is a very time consuming process. You arenot working with wires that have become loose or broken although a looseconnection can affect performance also. You are fixing something that youcannot see or feel. If you don't have the equipment to test the signal itis difficult to see what the actual problem may be.I couldn't say with certainty that the internet service provider across fromyour location was causing a problem, but I would consider it a possibility.Try contacting the manufacturer of your components for technical support.I expect that this technology will be around for a long time as it is aneasy way to modernize an old house into a 'Smart House'. I also expect thatthe manufacturers will continue to improve the functionality and reliabilityof their systems. My recommendation for anyone considering this type ofinstallation is to plan carefully.
Don't go around and replace every switchand receptacle, but only the ones that you really want to be controlled froma central or remote location or by computer. Also take into considerationthat it is not just a matter of replacing a switch or receptacle. Youshould also install a coupling device across your phases in the electricalpanel. A big house or building should have an amplifier and a repeater.Ideally the circuits used for these components should not have any otherequipment connected to them, but that would be difficult to achieve in aretrofit installation.I hope this information helps.Good luck,John Grabowski.
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