Controller only on phase bridge circuit?

[Rich Gosselin]

Most of the time we use our controllers in a circuit that has all sorts of
other stuff plugged into it. Yes, I've got the filters & other things we use
to get the signal from the controller to the receiver/switch/module, so it's
not a matter of avoiding those filters & things that will always be needed
for signal suckers of one sort or another...

I was wondering why not have an outlet from one side of the unused pair of
breakers I've got my HCA02 wired to. Yes, the instructions say these
circuits are only for the coupler, but has anyone tried putting a single
outlet on one of these and putting a CM11A or CM15A or whatever your using
for a PowerLine Interface? Seems like it would be the one clear circuit in
the house. I getting used to running new power lines for a single object,
such as a computer or dishwasher or...whatever...

Why am I wrong with this?

Rich

[BruceR]

Take a look at the Dryer Outlet installation at
http://community.webshots.com/user/brobin111 and you'll see I've done
exactly that. The two gang box contains a pair of outlets from each leg
and I placed an RF receiver there. Alas, the old ACT repeater you see
pictured there started locking up on me and requiring frequent resets so
I recently replaced the whole thing with a Smarthome Plug-In Repeater
which is working out much better than the one I tried a year ago in a
larger house.

From:Rich Gosselin
rich (a*tt) gossel (dut) org

> Most of the time we use our controllers in a circuit that has all
> sorts of other stuff plugged into it. Yes, I've got the filters &
> other things we use to get the signal from the controller to the
> receiver/switch/module, so it's not a matter of avoiding those
> filters & things that will always be needed for signal suckers of one
> sort or another...
> I was wondering why not have an outlet from one side of the unused
> pair of breakers I've got my HCA02 wired to. Yes, the instructions
> say these circuits are only for the coupler, but has anyone tried
> putting a single outlet on one of these and putting a CM11A or CM15A
> or whatever your using for a PowerLine Interface? Seems like it would
> be the one clear circuit in the house. I getting used to running new
> power lines for a single object, such as a computer or dishwasher
> or...whatever...
> Why am I wrong with this?
>
> Rich

[Mitch]

Hi Bruce,

I checked out your other pictures while looking at your dryer outlet
installation.

Can you tell me about your pool/spa controller? Who makes it? How do
you program/control it? How has it worked for you?

Thanks,

Mitch

BruceR wrote:
> Take a look at the Dryer Outlet installation at
> http://community.webshots.com/user/brobin111 and you'll see I've done
> exactly that. The two gang box contains a pair of outlets from each leg
> and I placed an RF receiver there. Alas, the old ACT repeater you see
> pictured there started locking up on me and requiring frequent resets so
> I recently replaced the whole thing with a Smarthome Plug-In Repeater
> which is working out much better than the one I tried a year ago in a
> larger house.
>
> From:Rich Gosselin
> rich (a*tt) gossel (dut) org
>
>
>>Most of the time we use our controllers in a circuit that has all
>>sorts of other stuff plugged into it. Yes, I've got the filters &
>>other things we use to get the signal from the controller to the
>>receiver/switch/module, so it's not a matter of avoiding those
>>filters & things that will always be needed for signal suckers of one
>>sort or another...
>>I was wondering why not have an outlet from one side of the unused
>>pair of breakers I've got my HCA02 wired to. Yes, the instructions
>>say these circuits are only for the coupler, but has anyone tried
>>putting a single outlet on one of these and putting a CM11A or CM15A
>>or whatever your using for a PowerLine Interface? Seems like it would
>>be the one clear circuit in the house. I getting used to running new
>>power lines for a single object, such as a computer or dishwasher
>>or...whatever...
>>Why am I wrong with this?
>>
>>Rich
>
>
>

[BruceR]

The pool/spa controller is my own handywork. The lower board is an RCS
8 channel relay board that's connected via RS485 to my Stargate
controller which controls the whole house through a combination of X10,
RS485 and hardwired connections. The upper board is simply a 24vac
distribution board. Four of the low voltage relays on the RCS board
operate the four line voltage (110/220) contactors in the upper left
section. Those are for the pool pump, spa pump, spa jets and lights. The
other four low voltage relays on the RCS board control the pool/spa
heater valve, heater on/off, and 2 fill valves to top off the pool and
spa water levels.
Since I built and installed it about a year ago it's been working
perfectly.

From:Mitch
sumcoolgai@yahoo.com

> Hi Bruce,
>
> I checked out your other pictures while looking at your dryer outlet
> installation.
>
> Can you tell me about your pool/spa controller? Who makes it? How do
> you program/control it? How has it worked for you?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mitch
>
> BruceR wrote:
>> Take a look at the Dryer Outlet installation at
>> http://community.webshots.com/user/brobin111 and you'll see I've done
>> exactly that. The two gang box contains a pair of outlets from each
>> leg and I placed an RF receiver there. Alas, the old ACT repeater
>> you see pictured there started locking up on me and requiring
>> frequent resets so I recently replaced the whole thing with a
>> Smarthome Plug-In Repeater which is working out much better than the
>> one I tried a year ago in a larger house.
>>
>> From:Rich Gosselin
>> rich (a*tt) gossel (dut) org
>>
>>
>>> Most of the time we use our controllers in a circuit that has all
>>> sorts of other stuff plugged into it. Yes, I've got the filters &
>>> other things we use to get the signal from the controller to the
>>> receiver/switch/module, so it's not a matter of avoiding those
>>> filters & things that will always be needed for signal suckers of
>>> one sort or another...
>>> I was wondering why not have an outlet from one side of the unused
>>> pair of breakers I've got my HCA02 wired to. Yes, the instructions
>>> say these circuits are only for the coupler, but has anyone tried
>>> putting a single outlet on one of these and putting a CM11A or CM15A
>>> or whatever your using for a PowerLine Interface? Seems like it
>>> would be the one clear circuit in the house. I getting used to
>>> running new power lines for a single object, such as a computer or
>>> dishwasher or...whatever...
>>> Why am I wrong with this?
>>>
>>> Rich

[Rich Gosselin]

Thanks Bruce,

I think I'll install a new outlet circuit soon for the sole pupose of
attaching my PLI. I've always been bothered by the availability of the
'empty' circuit, and thought it would be perfect for such a use. I'll run a
new cable from one side of the breaker pair to my office for PLI use only.

Too bad somone doesn't make a coupler/repeater with a PLI interface
attachment 'in the middle' that would be broadcast equally from the
device...and not duplicated when the PLI is located on one side or
another...would that make sense? Or does it not matter?

Rich

[BruceR]

It doesn't really matter and I don't think you need to run that
dedicated circuit for the PLI. The whole point of the repeater is to
take a weak signal and rebroadcast it to both sides of the power line.
Just because the PLI is on the same leg as the receiver doesn't mean it
doesn't need a repeater. Depending on length of run and noise/suckers
present, the signal can be weak on the same leg too.

From:Rich Gosselin
rich (a*tt) gossel (dut) org

> Thanks Bruce,
>
> I think I'll install a new outlet circuit soon for the sole pupose of
> attaching my PLI. I've always been bothered by the availability of the
> 'empty' circuit, and thought it would be perfect for such a use. I'll
> run a new cable from one side of the breaker pair to my office for
> PLI use only.
> Too bad somone doesn't make a coupler/repeater with a PLI interface
> attachment 'in the middle' that would be broadcast equally from the
> device...and not duplicated when the PLI is located on one side or
> another...would that make sense? Or does it not matter?
>
> Rich