garage door interference and more?
We’ve had several issues…they may be unrelated, but I’m doubting it so I’m listing them all.
Our lights downstairs used to go in and out (now only one of 8 comes on and it’s not bad bulbs – it’s been suggested the ballasts are bad). We had AT&T U-verse TV for several months with no issues and for the past 5 months we’ve had nothing but trouble…having to reset our modem and all systems repeating resulting in 6 in-home services visits.
Our wireless network is dropping in and out and is very unreliable. The two hard-wired to the internet have no issues, but anything on wireless is very up and down.
Now our garage door opener only works using the remotes to open the door. The remotes will not open the door at all (neither will our outside keypad) and the pad by our door will not work to close it unless we hold it down until the door is completely closed. There is nothing obbstructing the door’s path.
Also, recently, anytime we try to use electrical outlets outside they work only for a few moments and then the reset buttons kick off. This has never been an issue before using the exact same equipment.
Our landscaping lights are not working outside now either.
What could be causing this? Is this electrical? Should we be contacting an electrician? I just don’t know where to begin!
An AT&T rep told me our compact fluorescent bulbs could be causing the problems. Could this really be when we’ve had those lights for more than two years and are only recently experiencing these issues?
3 Responses
mikeamadison@sbc
14 Jun 2010
ms manners
14 Jun 2010
Call an electrician, and start there. All of these problems may not be related, but Im betting several of them are.
The electrician can eliminate the ones that are electrical, and then you can deal with the rest (in my experience, wireless is problematical, so that may be a completely different issue).
BTW….virtually every light inside and outside of my house is fluorescent, and I do not have any of these problems.
thewrangler_sw
14 Jun 2010
Well, just to toss out some thoughts here…..
Internet wireless connections can be affected by other wireless connections nearby, or radio interference from a source outside the home. Having a tech service provider come in and inspect the set up might help (Either your IP provider, or someone from a local store, like Geek Squad).
Garage door remote problems could be low batteries, or again, signal interference. If there has been any settling, the door may be in a slight bind, or the sensors may not be aligned as precisely as needed (sometimes they get bumped).
Problems with interior lights, landscape lights, and outside outlets could all be related to problems with the electrical circuits in your home… loose connection(s), low quality fixtures, heat, age… there are a number of things that could affect them. I’d try the obvious and least expensive tests first, like eliminating extension cords, making sure circuits are not overloaded, change bulbs, etc. Calling in an electrician would be helpful in running down any problems here.
Good Luck
And bad connections (especially an arcing connection) can send out enough Rf signal to mess up your door opener. Arcing connections also burn down houses.