X10 appliance module modification current sensing removal
BEFORE YOU PROCEED READ MY DISCLAIMER BY CLICKING HERE
Here is a simple how to on how to modify the x10 appliance module to eliminate the circuitry that handles voltage sensing. These appliance modules have a circuit built in so that if it was connected to a light switch and one was to turn it on or off the appliance module will sence the voltage on the line and turn on or off the appliance. The problem with such a circuit is that if the power going to your home is not very clean or you have some other problem in your homes wiring the circuit will be triggered falsly which was my case. I was going crazy for a couple of months trying to figure out why in the world my aquarium lights were turning on and off whenever they felt like it and at any random times. I started to narrow the problem down by eliminating variables and did a simple search on the web which led me to someone complaining about the same problem. Eventually I did another search and found a site that showed how to go about doing it but it was not very clear so I though I would clear it up a bit here. The last pictures didnt come up as clear as I would have wanted but they are useable. If you wish to see any pictures in more detail just right click and view image...
First get your tools ready you will need a set of needle nose pliers, clipers, screw drivers, soldering iron could be helpful but not necessary. Really all that needs to be done is clip a diode on the circuit board to break the circuit.
1st step:
Get your tools ready
2nd step:
Unscrew the module to get to the guts.
3rd step:
Find the diode pointed out here with the screw driver
4th step:
Clip the diode with your clipper or unsolder it from behind. I unsoldered it so that I can put it back later if I felt like it but well we all know thats probably not going to happen so you might as well just clip it and remove it all together. I have done this to about 6 modules now and have never had an incident but just because I havent doesnt mean you wont so do this at your own risk!!! I cant and will not be held responsible for anything explained here as this is for informative purposes only...
5th step:
Put it all back together and plug it in... Congratulations you are done...
BEFORE YOU PROCEED READ MY DISCLAIMER BY CLICKING HERE
Here is a simple how to on how to modify the x10 appliance module to eliminate the circuitry that handles voltage sensing. These appliance modules have a circuit built in so that if it was connected to a light switch and one was to turn it on or off the appliance module will sence the voltage on the line and turn on or off the appliance. The problem with such a circuit is that if the power going to your home is not very clean or you have some other problem in your homes wiring the circuit will be triggered falsly which was my case. I was going crazy for a couple of months trying to figure out why in the world my aquarium lights were turning on and off whenever they felt like it and at any random times. I started to narrow the problem down by eliminating variables and did a simple search on the web which led me to someone complaining about the same problem. Eventually I did another search and found a site that showed how to go about doing it but it was not very clear so I though I would clear it up a bit here. The last pictures didnt come up as clear as I would have wanted but they are useable. If you wish to see any pictures in more detail just right click and view image...
First get your tools ready you will need a set of needle nose pliers, clipers, screw drivers, soldering iron could be helpful but not necessary. Really all that needs to be done is clip a diode on the circuit board to break the circuit.
1st step:
Get your tools ready
2nd step:
Unscrew the module to get to the guts.
3rd step:
Find the diode pointed out here with the screw driver
4th step:
Clip the diode with your clipper or unsolder it from behind. I unsoldered it so that I can put it back later if I felt like it but well we all know thats probably not going to happen so you might as well just clip it and remove it all together. I have done this to about 6 modules now and have never had an incident but just because I havent doesnt mean you wont so do this at your own risk!!! I cant and will not be held responsible for anything explained here as this is for informative purposes only...
5th step:
Put it all back together and plug it in... Congratulations you are done...