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    Christmas lights ???

    I was so happy to finally get my new led outside lights up this weekend and until I hooked them up. It seems that most appliance modules these days are not relay driven at all. When I tried to switch off the lights with either X10 or Insteon appliance modules the lights don't turn off, they just dim for the most part ???

    What is everyone else doing, or is this a new problem just for me
    -Skybolt

    #2
    Usually a resistive load in parallel with the LEDs solves the problem. A 4 watt night light, for instance. Anything to allow the trickle current running the module to bypass the LEDs.
    Mike____________________________________________________________ __________________
    HS3 Pro Edition 3.0.0.548, NUC i3

    HW: Stargate | NX8e | CAV6.6 | Squeezebox | PCS | WGL 800RF | RFXCOM | Vantage Pro | Green-Eye | Edgeport/8 | Way2Call | Ecobee3 | EtherRain | Ubiquiti

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      #3
      I am still using both incandescent and LED connecting multiple strings to outdoor old X-10 Firewire switches.

      The mixture allows the shutoff of the lights with the appliance module.

      I have though thrown out every LED set purchased every year at the end of the holiday season for the last few years.

      The newest 300 LED net lights that I am using have the LEDs almost integrated into the wires which I like and the controller has a memory this year.
      - Pete

      Auto mator
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        #4
        Originally posted by Pete View Post
        ... I have though thrown out every LED set purchased every year at the end of the holiday season for the last few years. ...
        Why? There expensive, or relatively so anyway.
        -Skybolt

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          #5
          I have typically installed them around Thanksgiving and they have literally fallen apart or eaten by New Years. Mostly been just big box whatever is on sale purchases. (cheap).

          I still install old style C9's outside too. These are getting harder to find and a real PITA to install. I have been able to purchase sets for use of spare bulbs.
          - Pete

          Auto mator
          Homeseer 3 Pro - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e 64 bit Intel Haswell CPU 16Gb
          Homeseer Zee2 (Lite) - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e - CherryTrail x5-Z8350 BeeLink 4Gb BT3 Pro
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            #6
            yeah, actually the leds that I bought are C9's and C5's HD specials, but not bad they are supper bright and have color controllers built in (all white or multicolor). I would have thought they drew enough to be turned off ...
            -Skybolt

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              #7
              I have 3 or 4 led c9 strings plugged in to an insteon outietlinc with no problems. Must be enough of them to create enough resistance
              HS Install Date: Feb. 16, 2007

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                #8
                The new 300 LED net lights I purchased are each on one X10 switch.

                The controller this year has memory such that it remembers whatever setting I use.

                I might keep them if they do well.
                - Pete

                Auto mator
                Homeseer 3 Pro - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e 64 bit Intel Haswell CPU 16Gb
                Homeseer Zee2 (Lite) - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e - CherryTrail x5-Z8350 BeeLink 4Gb BT3 Pro
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                  #9
                  Originally posted by Pete View Post
                  I have typically installed them around Thanksgiving and they have literally fallen apart or eaten by New Years. Mostly been just big box whatever is on sale purchases. (cheap).

                  I still install old style C9's outside too. These are getting harder to find and a real PITA to install. I have been able to purchase sets for use of spare bulbs.
                  Wow, I am shocked. I have around 20 strands of LED icicle lights on my house. This is their 4th year in use and they still look great and are working well. I got them on sale at Wal-Mart after Christmas one year.
                  Billy

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                    #10
                    Originally posted by Uncle Michael View Post
                    Usually a resistive load in parallel with the LEDs solves the problem. A 4 watt night light, for instance. Anything to allow the trickle current running the module to bypass the LEDs.
                    I missed your post, that did the trick. Literally a 15w night light that had a pass-through plug did it.
                    -Skybolt

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                      #11
                      You can tell that you've put up too many outdoor lights (and have a house with poor circuit distribution), when you have to give your wife a HomeSeer button to turn off the lights before she uses her hair dryer
                      cheeryfool

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                        #12
                        I have been using Simply UMA20 (has a real relay output).This year I went to a weather proof box instead of zip lock bags for weather proofing and switched to Simply UFR (Fixture Relay Module). Both work great and are relay modules.

                        Merry Christmas

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