Reliability Xanura

Post by **flexer** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:19 pm

My new house will be available very soon an I'm making plans now to install a domotica systems. My focus is now on the Xanura devices, but I still have my doubt about the reliability of the Xanura system. I hear and read different stories. Some people tell me that their lights behave strange and switches on and off unexpectly.

So here is my question: what is youw idea about the reliability? And do you Xanura users all use the SFX40 (sper) filter to clean the incoming powersignal to your house? And I expect to get a 3 phase system in my new house. Anybody experiences with the Xanura FKX phase coupler?

Regards,

Flexer

Post by **MindBender** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:44 pm

Despite my rather negative posts, I still prefer Xanura X10 equipment above any other brand. The real question is the reliability of X10 equipment in general. Soon I'll dump the CM11 interface and get my a screamer instead

My electricity system uses a single phase. I don't have a filter installed in my fuse box yet, but I've already got one on the shelf so I'm planning to do so when I replace my fusebox. I hope this filter will improve my X10 signal integrity a it. I'm not using a phase coupler nor any repeaters.

Hope this helps.

Post by **Lennart** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:43 pm

Hi Flexer,

I also have a 3 phase system in my house and I do use the Xanura FKX phase coupler together with 3 SFX40 filters (one for each phase). I also put some "heavy machinery" behind individual AFX2 filters (washing machine, dish washer, etc.), all according to the official Xanura guidelines.

I'm very satisfied with the reliability of this setup. Of course, it's basically still X10, so you might expect an occasional glitch, but in general it works for me.

Before I switched to a 3 phase system (because of the new kitchen) I had some problems with signal distribution from one end of a group to the end of other groups. The repeater in the phase coupler seems to do its work pretty well.

If you still need to buy the filters and phase coupler, you might consider getting the all-in-one HIFS35/3 S6. It contains the phase coupler, 3 filters and a 3 phase group in a single neat box, all pre-wired. I already had one filter, so I decided to build my own box, but it turns out that it's quite a hassle to fit the FKX into a regular "groepenkast" (it's not a DIN rail module as I expected

.

As far as lights switching on and off unexpectedly is concerned: I only experienced this in combination with an X10 RF receiver, due to a neighbour using the same house code. Correctly setting up shadowing and disabling certain house codes in Homeseer solved this problem (but of course, if some other neighbour starts using other house codes, it may reoccur). It shouldn't happen if you don't use X10 RF and have filters installed.

Lennart

Post by **Bwired** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:14 am

Hi Lennart,
Right, the Xanura Phase coupler is strongly boosting the X10 signal.

Post by **flexer** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:01 pm

I received a price quote from my local electricity installer to place a HIFS35 phase coupler/filter in our new home. Hold your chair: price is € 1650,-. It is a newly build house, so no deinstalling of existing equipment is necessary.

What do you think about this price level? Anybody with ideas what do now?

Regards,

Richard

Post by **Bwired** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:42 pm

He is making 667 Euro extra for this job because the HIFS35 is costing 983 Euro's incl BTW. Do you have/get a 3 phase powerline because this one is equipped for 3 phases.

Post by **Snelvuur** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 10:15 pm

I'am still waiting for my price .. i'am suppose to get the same. If i know the price, i'll post it in here too. (also new building)

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **flexer** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:34 am

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bwired
 Do you have/get a 3 phase powerline because this one is equipped for 3 phases.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Bert,

We don't have a gas supply here in the town were i live. We have to cook on electricity (inductie kookplaat) so I expect a 3-phase system in my new home.
What do you think, is installing a HIFS35 that much complex that it is worth the 667 euros installation costs?

Regards,

Flexer

Post by **Bwired** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:05 am

Hi Flexer,
I like Bert a lot but I'm still Pieter [:D]
They totally rip you off! If you are planning to use Xanura or other X10 products the FKX - fasekoppelaar is in your situation a must. I'm planning to install this device as well in the near future. I have a 3 phase powerline as well and facing some problems now. The FKX is really boosting the signal throughout the house. The SFX40 module is for keeping other X10 power-line signals out off your house, if you benefit a lot of these module is the question? There a 3 of them in the HIFS35. You could go for only the FKX Phase modulator and that one is very easy to install, or get a huge discount from the con company that made you that offer.
Regards Pieter

Post by **flexer** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:37 pm

Pieter, sorry for mixing you up with Bert. But hey, look at the time I wrote the message, it was to early and I wasn't really awake at that moment...

But the question was indeed about the installation costs. In my opinion way to high in relation to the work to be done.
But you don't have a phase coupler in your system at this moment? How do you distribute the X10 signal among the different phases now?

Regards,

Richard

Post by **Bwired** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:01 pm

Hi Richard,
Good question, people from Xanura are really astonished about it! Can't tell you how but it's working in my home without a FKX phase modulator. Somehow the signal is strong enough to go over all the phases? But There are some outlets in my home which are completely dead regarding the X10 signal. So with a Phase modulator I hope to reach them too.
Regards Pieter

Post by **Lennart** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:12 pm

Hi Flexer,

The HIFS35 can be had for approx. EUR 930,-. The FKX is around EUR 475,-. Each SFX40 filter is approx. EUR 92,-. So, basically, if you buy the HIFS35, containing the FKX and 3 SFX40 (one for each phase), you pay approx. EUR 180,- for the box and a three phase group. Installing the HIFS35 should be no problem as it's all pre-wired (note that this would usually add to the costs of the indiviual components if done by an electrician).

The only reason to buy an individual FKX is not wanting the SFX40 filters. However, I don't like the thought of neighbors X10/A10 signals entering my house and/or have them tapping into my home automation system, even though the risk may be low, depending on your situation. It's also the reason why I'm very conservative in accepting RF X10 signals.

Note that in a single phase installation, things are significantly less expensive: you would only need a single SFX40 filter and (if applicable) an SVX10 signal booster (approx. EUR 64,-). You might want to verify whether you will get a 3 or a 1 phase installation. Induction cooking doesn't necessarily mean a 3 phase installation: 7,2 kW induction cooking equipment exists and that should be doable with a double "cooking group" in a 1 phase installation.

Lennart

Post by **DJF3** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:54 pm

In what situations do you need the FKX? I have a 'standard' nieuwbouwhuis (new home, 6 years old). Do I need the FKX to control lights all over my house? Or do I only need it in specific situations?

Are there alternatives for this +/- € 500 device?

Tnx!

Post by **Bwired** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:06 pm

I think its pretty clear if you read the above topics.
3 Phase powerline installation you need the KFX.
1 Phase powerline installation you might consider the SVX10, only if the signal is not good