| Author |
|
cmsdloma
Newbie
Joined: 16 June 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 18
|
| Posted: 16 June 2009 at 6:27pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'd like to start a new thread regarding range issues
with the signal strength sometimes not reaching the Domia
Lite / BBSB modules.
Has anyone had any problems with this? I am having great
difficulty. I have 3 appliance modules and 1 lamp module
plugged in consecutive sockets in a wooden cupboard. The
lamp module responds quite well, and usually picks up the
command from the little remote control or from the DLC
upstairs. The other modules never pick up anything from
the DLC controller upstairs. It seems that the remote
control needs to be within 1 meter or even less, for them
to respond. I've changed the battery in the remote
control for a brand new duracell too - same problem.
There are some other RF sources in the house! The
broadband router (an 802.11g) has two aerials. There's
also a DECT corless phone system, and the base for that
is also next to the router upstairs. Apart from the
Playstation 3 controller, I don't think there's any other
transmitters in the lounge alongside the 3 modules which
don't respond too well.
I can only think this is down to interference - as the
range is supposed to be much better. I'm ruling out the
modules, the remote and the DLC as I believe they're all
working fine.
Has anyone else had similar problems?
Cheers,
Dave.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Homer
Admin Group
Joined: 16 January 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1514
|
| Posted: 16 June 2009 at 8:27pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Dave,
The normal issue is that the ethernet cable to the controller could do with being longer, but it sounds like you have general rf noise issues here.
Can you do some tesing with the router and phone powered OFF and see if the range improves ? Then try one of those items ON at a time ??
Let us know what you find 
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cmsdloma
Newbie
Joined: 16 June 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 18
|
| Posted: 16 June 2009 at 10:32pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Homer, Thanks for your posts. Its good for me to jump into these forums because we certainly can help each other. I'm puzzled why you mention that the ethernet cable could do with being longer? Do you mean that the "V2 Controller"  is likely to be physically too close to the router, and their transmissions interfere with each other? When I get home at the weekend, I'll go through the process of
elimination as you rightly suggest. Although it's a bit worrying that
the remote signal barely works from 1m, I can't imagine what's causing
such a problem with signal/noise ratio at that range! Due to it not working with the remote very well, I think the problem might be in the lounge, where the modules are!  I'll let you know my findings. Cheers, Dave
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Homer
Admin Group
Joined: 16 January 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1514
|
| Posted: 16 June 2009 at 10:52pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Dave,
1. If you have noise problems, it is best to get each transmitting device as far apart as possible, and so a longer ethernet cable MAY help.
2. The range of the BBSB devices in my house, is basically anywhere inside. 1m is NOT normal.
3. After you had changed the battery in the rf remote and had the same problem, noise would appear to be the culprit.
Give the elimination tests a go and it should all become clear
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Rob Iles
Admin Group
Joined: 10 August 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3731
|
| Posted: 17 June 2009 at 11:47am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Both,
Another suggestion to throw into the mix - and I think this could well be the cause of the sub-metre remote control!
Try seperating the appliance modules - *try* to keep them at least 1M apart from each other whenever possible (feel free to go to extremes in testing!).
What I've seen previously is when two or more receivers are in very close proximity, one/both/all have a very limited recption range. Move them apart from each other, and the problem tends to vanish.
This in no way replaces Homers' recommendations - they're all good :-)
Rob
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cmsdloma
Newbie
Joined: 16 June 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 18
|
| Posted: 17 June 2009 at 1:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Rob,
That's *very* interesting, because my modules are plugged
in to 4 consecutive sockets in a strip adapter. The lamp
module responds from about 1m, but the other 3 appliance
modules don't respond until I'm within about 50cm!
Having said that, I have another lamp module the opposite
side of the chimney breast (1.5 - 2.0m away) and that
responds equally as unwell.
I'm constrained by my A/V cupboard (v2.0 ), which is
oversized as it is. The best I could do is put the
modules in every other socket, and I'll try this at the
weekend.
Fascinating!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cmsdloma
Newbie
Joined: 16 June 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 18
|
| Posted: 17 June 2009 at 1:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sorry to post again - forgot to ask Rob: Why would the
modules struggle with reception if they're close together?
They don't also transmit something in response, do they?
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Homer
Admin Group
Joined: 16 January 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1514
|
| Posted: 17 June 2009 at 5:27pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I think it's just another possibility to add to the elimination list.
One of my previous tests herewas to plug 6 BBSB sockets set to sequential addresses into a 6 way power strip, and command them ON/OFF sequentially with a Harmony event (V2 controller rf to BBSB socket). That worked well enough  The next test was to stack them vertically and do the same thing. That also worked (as long as the sequence went the right way)
Each problem is different. All you can do is work through a logical list until it works, and let us know what it was in your case
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Active Topics 
Memberlist 
Search 
Help
Register 
Login
Harmony : Domia Lite Controller
Topic: Range issues / DLC signal strength
