Switchlinc/ActiveHome question
Cory Kidd
switches installed and set up. I am using ActiveHome (for now)
and a CM11A to attempt to control the switches, but have so far
been unsuccessful.
I know that the switches are set up correctly and work because I can
control them with an RF remote and a TM751. ActiveHome can also see
the commands I transmit and show the status on its interface. I also
know that this setup is working for other devices; I have a couple
appliance modules that I can control with no problems. I cannot
send commands from ActiveHome to these wall switches though.
So the question is: is my problem with ActiveHome or the CM11A?
I'm hoping it's the software because what I want is a 2-way powerline
to PC interface, so I can use my own software if the CM11A will do what
I want. If the problem is with the CM11A, can anyone recommend an
alternative solution?
Thanks,
Cory
--
Cory D. Kidd (404) 545-1046
Lab Manager
Broadband Institute Residential Lab
Georgia Institute of Technology
Dave Houston
The CM11A "hears" well. I've seen it properly decode signals that were too
weak to turn on a standard lamp module (with lamp module and CM11A on the
same powerstrip) and too low to register on an ESM1 signal strength meter.
It may be able to hear the TM751 output but not be able to generate a strong
enough signal to operate the switches. The SwitchLinc switches *may* also
require a higher signal than regular X-10 devices although I don't know this
to be the case.
Most TM751s put out a 4V signal while the CM11A only puts out about 2.5V.
See...
http://www.Commander-X.com/tips.htm#esm1
for some comparative readings.
I'd suggest buying an ESM1 signal strength meter. There's a link in the
above cited URL that takes you to Elk Products who manufacture it and they
have links to their dealers. I prefer FutureStandard.
Where is the CM11A in relation to the switches? Where is the TM751? Does
reversing their locations (if possible) make a difference? If the TM751 can
operate the switches when it is plugged in where the CM11A is now, then it's
probably a signal strength problem. You may have things that are attenuating
the signal. If the TM751 cannot operate the switches from the CM11A
location, then it might still be a signal strength problem (or a phase
problem).
co...@cc.gatech.edu (Cory Kidd) wrote:
>I have a number of newly installed SwitchLinc fluorescent wall
>switches installed and set up. I am using ActiveHome (for now)
>and a CM11A to attempt to control the switches, but have so far
>been unsuccessful.
>
>I know that the switches are set up correctly and work because I can
>control them with an RF remote and a TM751. ActiveHome can also see
>the commands I transmit and show the status on its interface. I also
>know that this setup is working for other devices; I have a couple
>appliance modules that I can control with no problems. I cannot
>send commands from ActiveHome to these wall switches though.
>
>So the question is: is my problem with ActiveHome or the CM11A?
>I'm hoping it's the software because what I want is a 2-way powerline
>to PC interface, so I can use my own software if the CM11A will do what
>I want. If the problem is with the CM11A, can anyone recommend an
>alternative solution?
>
> Thanks,
> Cory
---
Dave Houston
http://Commander-X.com
Cory Kidd
tried both of them on the same outlet near the computer I'm working at.
I have found a comment on Smarthome's website that leads me to believe
that it may be the CM11A:
Note to Activehome and IBM Home Director users:
We have found that ON, OFF, Bright& Dim commands sent by these units
during timer and macro events employ signals which are not defined by
the X10 protocol. The Switchlinc Fluorescent Lite was programmed to
strictly follow the published spec. The result is that the Switchlinc
Fluorescent Lite will ignore the commands from these two interfaces.
Users of these systems are encouraged to use the Leviton (2206WI) or
Home Pro Relay Wall Switch (2207ACWI) for your automation system.
I think what they mean is that the CM11A doesn't conform to the X-10
spec. Can anyone confirm/refute that for me? I have also tried using
Jesse Peterson's Java API and get the same results -- CM17A works; CM11A
doesn't. So either it has the same problem as ActiveHome or it is in
the hardware.
So it looks like I should be looking for another 2-way interface.
Suggestions? TW523? (It's not a phase problem either.)
Thanks,
Cory
Dave Houston (dhou...@fuse.net) wrote:
: This could this be a signal strength problem.
: http://www.Commander-X.com/tips.htm#esm1
: for some comparative readings.
: co...@cc.gatech.edu (Cory Kidd) wrote:
Dave Houston
the TM751 which then relays X-10 commands to the powerline. You were really
only testing the TM751.
You did not indicate that you are only experiencing trouble when using
timers and macros stored in the CM11A EEPROM. If you cannot operate the
swiches with manual commands in ActiveHome, it's an indication that the 1.5V
difference in signal strength is a factor. I suspect you have something
attenuating the signal so that it is marginal by the time it reaches the
switches. You could isolate this quickly with the ~$55 ESM1.
I don't have anyway to prove/disprove SmartHome's claim but I would take it
with several tons of salt. I think someone with one of the $400 Monterey
analyzers would have noticed any differences between manual and EEPROM
commands from a CM11A long ago.
Dan Lanciani
| Thanks for the info Dave. Location does not make a difference. I have
| tried both of them on the same outlet near the computer I'm working at.
|
| I have found a comment on Smarthome's website that leads me to believe
| that it may be the CM11A:
|
| Note to Activehome and IBM Home Director users:
| We have found that ON, OFF, Bright& Dim commands sent by these units
| during timer and macro events employ signals which are not defined by
| the X10 protocol. The Switchlinc Fluorescent Lite was programmed to
| strictly follow the published spec. The result is that the Switchlinc
| Fluorescent Lite will ignore the commands from these two interfaces.
| Users of these systems are encouraged to use the Leviton (2206WI) or
| Home Pro Relay Wall Switch (2207ACWI) for your automation system.
Wow. This spin control is getting out of hand.
| I think what they mean is that the CM11A doesn't conform to the X-10
| spec. Can anyone confirm/refute that for me?
Like it or not, X10's products define the protocol. Their written spec
should be interpreted in that context, with ambiguities resolved in favor
of the actual X10 implementations. For reasons I've never understood,
third-party X10 product developers seem to like to build gadgets in a
vacuum and then complain when the results don't play well in the real
world. I've talked to manufacturers who would not invest in either a maxi
controller (to send standard signals) or a lamp module (to compare operation).
They insist on testing by sending signals between their own products only.
| So it looks like I should be looking for another 2-way interface.
More likely you should be looking for another 2-way switch. There are
several bugs in the SwitchLinc firmware (see my past posts for details).
I'm not sure how they would interact with CM11a macros (or if there are
other bugs that would), but based on the statement you copied, it sounds
like SmartLinc isn't moving towards compatibility.
Dan Lanciani
ddl@danlan.*com