New CM15A doesn't work
dneizer
it to work. This is the first X10 product that I have ever had trouble
with. I've unsuccessfully done all the problem solving steps. Is there
an expert out here that can help?
Thanks in advance,
Don
J Miller
thing to try if not is to plug it in to a different USB port.
It does need to be plugged into the wall too...
D&SW
This is like saying "my car won't run, why not?"
Need a little more from you.
"dneizer" <dne...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:19d84563-4820-48c8...@s24g2000vbp.googlegroups.com...
dneizer
> Don,
>
> This is like saying "my car won't run, why not?"
>
> Need a little more from you.
>
>
> news:19d84563-4820-48c8...@s24g2000vbp.googlegroups.com...
>
> >I purchased the Computer Interface and USB Cable (CM15A) but can't get
> > it to work. This is the first X10 product that I have ever had trouble
> > with. I've unsuccessfully done all the problem solving steps. Is there
> > an expert out here that can help?
>
> > Thanks in advance,
> > Don
I did all the standard testing that X10 Tech Support told me to do.
Things like; don't use a surge suppressor, tried different outlets,
tried various lamp module/lamp setup tests, and removed the batteries
to reset the unit.
Yes, it was plugged in. 8^P
The one thing they didn't tell me to do was try different USB
connections. So that's my next step.
Thanks in advance,
Don
J Miller
Will it not control modules? Can you not see module status? How about
RF - is that the issue? Are things happening at the wrong time?
Please explain exactly what problems you're seeing.
dneizer
Okay, here we go. I have the CM15A plugged into one of 6 USB ports and
plugged into a wall outlet. I have ActiveHome Professional running and
have a New Room created with a LM465 Lamp Module placed into the room.
The LM465 Lamp Module is plugged into a lamp on the same circuit. The
lamp was tested without the module to confirm that the lamp works.
The LM465 was set as A1 and the Lamp Module was set as A1. The was
lamp plugged into the LM465. From the ActiveHome Professional
application, the LM465 Lamp Module has no affect on the lamp.
I've tried the other USB ports with the same result, unplugged the
CM15A to clear its memory, and have also rebooted the computer with no
luck. I also confirmed that the LM465 Lamp Module is good by
installing and testing it in my working X10 system.
Hardware Interface Configuration was checked and it was set to monitor
house code A which confirms that A1 should have worked. The Find Other
Computer reports that A1 is good. I also tested with the module set to
P16 and had no luck there.
The Activity Monitor produces an On/Off transmit report that looks ok.
Let me know if more information is needed.
Don
J Miller
with a long extension cord, plug the cma15a into the same outlet as the
lamp module and see if it works. (Long cord so you can keep the USB
connected)
-or-
plug the lamp module into the same power strip as the cm15a, and plug
the strip in as far away from the computer as possible.
If it works, what I'd suspect is a "signal sucker", more than likely the
PC or the monitor (I've seen both). Some cm15a don't put out a strong
signal, and some power supplies can "suck them up" to the point they
don't go far. A UPS may do it too....
To correct it, you can get an x10 filter - Smarthome sells them as a
"FilterLinc". Plug the computer/monitor into the filter.
dneizer
Thanks.
I tried the recommendations but no luck. I even tried an extra long
extension cord and plugged in on my second circuit.
Here's what I also noticed. For this round of testing, I used a radio.
Plugging the radio with no X10, I got a clear radio station. However,
when I plugged the radio into the LM465 the radio station signal
degraded into static. So I'll purchase the FilterLinc and retest as
recommended.
Thanks,
Don
Marc_F_Hult
in message
<3226ec00-5e52-40e8...@m15g2000vbp.googlegroups.com>:
>Thanks.
>I tried the recommendations but no luck. I even tried an extra long
>extension cord and plugged in on my second circuit.
>
>Here's what I also noticed. For this round of testing, I used a radio.
>Plugging the radio with no X10, I got a clear radio station. However,
>when I plugged the radio into the LM465 the radio station signal
>degraded into static. So I'll purchase the FilterLinc and retest as
>recommended.
>
>Thanks,
>Don
1) In general the best way to troubleshoot systems is to have at least one
spare "known good" component that can be substituted for each
unvalidated/untested component in the system.
Can you substitute some other X-10 powerline signal control device for the
CM15a preferably one that doesn't require a computer, say a maxi controller?
Do you have any other modules or switches other than the single LM465?
2) Unless I missed something, nothing in this thread indicates that you've
eliminated the possibility that the lamp module itself doesn't work.
And we also haven't positively eliminated the possibility that the load of
the lamp is itself the culprit. You've discovered that powering a radio with
a lamp module isn't very satisfactory. 1) The current load of the radio may
be insufficient for the module to work and 2) you may damage the radio or get
poor performance if the lamp module is used in 'dimmed' mode.
Do use at least a 40 watt incandescent lamp (not fluorescent) to test the
lamp module. If you plug in the lamp, and turn the manual switch of the lamp
on and off a few times, this _should_ trigger the lamp module and therefore
the lihght to turn on. If it doesn't, it is defective. Even if it does light
the lamp, it still may have defective powerline communication. If so, see #1
in the first paragraph above
HTH ... Marc
Marc_F_Hult
www.ECOntrol.org
dneizer
> On Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:02:23 -0800 (PST), dneizer <dnei...@gmail.com> wrote
> in message
> <3226ec00-5e52-40e8-8ed1-db82c3018...@m15g2000vbp.googlegroups.com>:
Marc,
Thanks for the info. Just fyi, sorry mate, you did miss it above; the
LM465 lamp module was successfully tested in my working X10 system
(DS7000 Protector Plus Home Security System). Yes, I have done tests
with lamps before but I'm willing to give it another try since I
really would like this thing to work.
This morning I retested using your recommendations with a regular lamp
and a 60 watt incandescent bulb with both the CM15A and LM465 plugged
into the surge protector. Using the max length of the USB wire and an
extension cord, both the CM15A and LM465 were moved as far away from
the computer as possible. I turned the lamp's manual switch on and off
a few times to trigger the lamp module (great tip!!) then tried the
ActiveHome Pro, LM465 module application, to turn it off. Test
failed.
I have one more test to do tonight by eliminating the surge protector
and plugging both directly into a wall outlet.
Just the same, all suggestions have been appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Don
dneizer
Evening test was unsuccessful. Connected CM15A and LM465 together with
extension cord and plugged directly into wall outlet. Also tried all 6
USB ports.
Will purchase filter and retest.
Don
J Miller
Crazy question, but what about the batteries in the cm15a? Are they fresh?
There used to be some screwy things with the cm15a, and removing the
batteries for a few hours and unplugging it fixed them. Also, seems to
me, in the early days, you had to wait until you plugged in the cm15a to
install the batteries.. Maybe someone else can remember....
(I had one of the very first cm15a's, and they did have to swap it out
for HW changes, so my memory might be foggy.... The good news, is I've
had one now for years and it still works fine - but with my SW and not
Activehome.)
dneizer
On my initial efforts I installed batteries and did the same process
of uninstalling them to clear the memory. For the latest round of
testing, no batteries were used. Just did a quick X10 site check,
could you tell me what SW is please?
Found a FireCracker Computer Interface (CM17A) module, but it doesn't
look like it works with Activehome since it has its own software
interface.
Thanks,
Don
D&SW
changes which are not good IMHO. I see a lot of questions / complaints on
the X10 forum that smacks of poor quality in the factory. Seems to go hand
in hand with the frenzied, porno look of the web site
"dneizer" <dne...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:19d84563-4820-48c8...@s24g2000vbp.googlegroups.com...
dneizer
> Don, sounds like your CM15A is poop. X10 seems to be going through some
> changes which are not good IMHO. I see a lot of questions / complaints on
> the X10 forum that smacks of poor quality in the factory. Seems to go hand
> in hand with the frenzied, porno look of the web site
>
>
> news:19d84563-4820-48c8...@s24g2000vbp.googlegroups.com...
>
> >I purchased the Computer Interface and USB Cable (CM15A) but can't get
> > it to work. This is the first X10 product that I have ever had trouble
> > with. I've unsuccessfully done all the problem solving steps. Is there
> > an expert out here that can help?
>
> > Thanks in advance,
> > Don
Thanks. I'm guessing that SW means SoftWare (ActiveHome Pro)? I was
initially wondering if it was another X10 product.
I agree that the X10 sight has gone porno. I usually purchase most of
my stuff from www.thehomeautomationstore.com or smarthome.com since
they have better pricing.
Don
dneizer
> they have better pricing.
>
> Don
I'm also thinking about purchasing the CM11A RCA ActiveHome Pro Serial
Plug-In Controller for about $20.00. Maybe I'll have better luck.
Don
dneizer
> On Jan 14, 8:06 am, dneizer <dnei...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jan 13, 7:02 pm, "D&SW" <d...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
> > > Don, sounds like your CM15A is poop. X10 seems to be going through some
> > > changes which are not good IMHO. I see a lot of questions / complaints on
> > > the X10 forum that smacks of poor quality in the factory. Seems to go hand
> > > in hand with the frenzied, porno look of the web site
>
> > > "dneizer" <dnei...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> > >news:19d84563-4820-48c8...@s24g2000vbp.googlegroups.com...
>
> > > >I purchased the Computer Interface and USB Cable (CM15A) but can't get
> > > > it to work. This is the first X10 product that I have ever had trouble
> > > > with. I've unsuccessfully done all the problem solving steps. Is there
> > > > an expert out here that can help?
>
> > > > Thanks in advance,
> > > > Don
>
> > Thanks. I'm guessing that SW means SoftWare (ActiveHome Pro)? I was
> > initially wondering if it was another X10 product.
>
> > I agree that the X10 sight has gone porno. I usually purchase most of
> > they have better pricing.
>
> > Don
>
> I'm also thinking about purchasing the CM11A RCA ActiveHome Pro Serial
> Plug-In Controller for about $20.00. Maybe I'll have better luck.
>
> Don
I purchased the CM11A RCA ActiveHome Pro Serial Plug-In Controller and
it worked with my LM465 Lamp Module and lamp combo! Admittedly, I did
have to set my COM processes from manual to automatic but that was
easy to figure out.
I also retried my CM15A with the new COM process tweak and still no
luck.
Now I'm trying to get the CM11A ActiveHome Pro to work with my MS16A
Active Eye but if no luck then I'll try hunting down the MS14A. Time
to read through my X10 books again.
Don