I tell HAL to turn a light or appliance on, but it only seems to work some of the time.

Cause:

HAL's listening mode "timed out". If HAL doesn't hear any commands within a set time period, then HAL will ask, "Are you still there?" If you don't answer "yes", then HAL will say "Goodbye" and stop listening. Time out periods can be set for interacting with HAL through microphones and remote phones and can be changed from the Voice Recognition Settings screen.

Solution:

Get HAL's attention again.

Cause:

"Noise" on the electrical wiring in the home is interfering with X-10 signals. Some lights or appliances, such as some televisions or fluorescent lights, may generate "noise" that interferes with signals sent over the power line.

Solution:

There are several modules or devices that you can use to block the "noise" from the light or appliance. A television, for example, could be plugged into an X-10 Noise Block. Several of these types of devices are available for purchase from home automation suppliers.

Cause:

The X-10 signals are only travelling on both "legs" of the home's electrical wiring when one or more two-phase devices are turned on. There are two "legs" to a house's electrical wiring, each "leg" being 120V. Some appliances, such as dryers, hot water heaters, etc., draw power from both legs (240V). In some cases, X-10 signals are only able to travel between both legs when one of these large appliances is turned on. The appliance, in effect, creates a "bridge" between the two legs and the X-10 signals travel across this "bridge".

Solution:

Install a Power Line Signal Bridge or a Power Line Signal Amplifier with Coupler (available from home automation suppliers). Either of these devices can be installed so that a permanent bridge is created between the two legs.

Cause:

There may be a problem with the power line adapter. The power line adapter is what HAL transmits X-10 signals through. If the power line adapter is defective, then HAL's signals won't be sent.

Solution:

Replace the power line adapter (available for purchase from the HAL Store).