odd behavior with 3-way bulb lamp??

chas6000 · Post by **chas6000** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:19 pm

am trying to use IR543 and lamplink 2000sc module to control a lamp with 3-way bulb and switch. the module works quite well with simple single filament lamp. i thought that with the 3-way bulb, that if i left the switch on the highest watt bulb setting i could just use this as if it were a simple filament type lamp.

but with the 3-way bulb and the module, it works only intermittently and oddly. can get it to come on and dim but not come back up - at this point it wont repond at all. i can 'reset' the effect by using the lamp switch and what appears to be the lowest watt setting will turn the lamp on.

anyone know what is going on and why a 3-way bulb would work oddly when a single filament bulb works fine??

thanks

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:41 pm

My guess would be that 3-way lamps have multiple contacts, and the sequence is OFF-ON-ON-ON-OFF, while the modules (I think) only recognize OFF-ON-OFF.

chas6000 · Post by **chas6000** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:33 pm

Thanks Mark but ...

if I am leaving the 3-way bulb switch alone, why would the X10 dimming module not behave similarly to its behavior with a simple switched lamp?

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:44 pm

Ummm... dunno!

Is there a wattage rating on the module that's being exceeded by the bulb perhaps? I wonder if it might have something to do with resistance within the socket (at the contacts) or something?

In the past, I've had 3-way lamps with regular 1-way bulbs controlled by standard X10 lamp modules without any problems. I can't test anything regarding this because we no longer have any 3-way lamps in the house.

chas6000 · Post by **chas6000** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:09 pm

good idea Mark -- but the module is rated for 300W and the highest filament of the bulb is 250W. i gather that you no longer have any 3way bulbs around because all your stuff is on X10 dimmers???

which other forums might have some more people with experience in this kind of area?

thanks for your help!

Mark Pierson wrote:Ummm... dunno!

Is there a wattage rating on the module that's being exceeded by the bulb perhaps? I wonder if it might have something to do with resistance within the socket (at the contacts) or something?

In the past, I've had 3-way lamps with regular 1-way bulbs controlled by standard X10 lamp modules without any problems. I can't test anything regarding this because we no longer have any 3-way lamps in the house.

Post by **The Robman** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:27 pm

chas6000 wrote:which other forums might have some more people with experience in this kind of area?

At the top of this forum is a thread called "Useful X10 Links", there are links to other forums there.

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:29 pm

chas6000 wrote:i gather that you no longer have any 3way bulbs around because all your stuff is on X10 dimmers???

More like the Mrs. replaced all the 3-way lamps with regular ones when she redecorated!

chas6000 · Post by **chas6000** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:32 pm

thanks guys! - i appreciate the help!