ActiveHome Pro and the CM15A
Bob
like to provide some feedback to the group.
CM15A Drivers:
In earlier posts I've read that the installation of the CM15A drivers can
mess up other USB ports. I can report that X10's latest version of the code
has not created any problems on my PC. In addition, I am still able to use
my Firecracker on the serial port.
CM15A Module:
Due to the layout of my home office, for ease, I plugged my PC's surge
protected power block into the CM15A. I thought I would start with a
worst-case scenario, and make improvements if needed. A phase coupler had
been previously installed.
I found that the CM15A could not control the lights at the far end of the
house, which is where almost all the lights are that I want to control. This
was not a new problem, as I'd had the same problem with the TM751. My work
around with the TM751 was to place it in the region of the house that I
wanted most control, and used the Firecracker to Tx the signals from the PC.
This had proven to be a very reliable configuration. However, with the
CM15A, the module was tied to the PC! On unplugging every electrical device
in the house, except for the PC and CM15A, I was able to control all lights
and modules in every part of the house. Plugging the electrical/electronic
devices in one at a time shown the culprit to be the kids PC. Without an X10
filter to hand, I swapped the phase of the kids PC with that of another
(same rated) circuit, and the CM15A can now control the areas I need it to.
So, with my PC plugged directly into the CM15A, it works fine, electrically
that is.
My motion sensors, again at the far end of the house, could not be picked up
by the CM15A, and as I've only had it a few days, I didn't want to modify
the antenna just yet. I decide to plug the TM751 (set to House Code A) back
in, and using ActiveHome Pro, I disabled the CM15A's transceiver function
for House Code A. With this arrangement, the TM751 processes RF signals from
my motion sensors and remote controls on House Code A, and the CM15A
processes RF signals on all other House Codes. Note: RF signals picked up by
the TM751 are converted to X10 power line signals that not only control
local devices, but are also picked up by the CM15A and ActiveHome Pro
software. In ActiveHome Pro, I typically use the signal from the TM751 to
trigger macros.
ActiveHome Pro:
The installation went smoothly, although downloading it over dial-up is a
bit of a pain. Also, it is downloaded and installed directly into the system
directories, so there is no zip file or complete install executable. When I
upgrade my O.S. I guess I'll have to download it again. I found this
application very easy to use. To easy! I found some of it's limitations
within an hour. Having said that, it does work. I have motion sensors
triggering macros that turn on and off lights, and lights that come on 15
minutes after dusk and go off at 11:30 PM, and fish tank lighting and filter
under automatic control. I downloaded the macros and timers to the CM15A,
and they work with the PC turned off.
Here's an example of a limitation in the macro capabilities: I've setup a
motion sensor to trigger a macro that turns on the office lights, and after
3 minutes turn the light off. Every time the motion sensor detects movement,
it re-triggers the macro, so if you keep moving the light stays on. The
problem is, the light is coming on in the daytime. So, I set the motion
sensor up to only send signals when it was dark - silly me, when the light
is on, it doesn't send a signal, until the light goes off. And, as I type,
the office lights are turning on then off, then on and ... I cannot find a
way in ActiveHome Pro to make the macros only work during the night time
hours, or only within any time frame for that matter.
Summary:
At $50 it's not a bad package at all. It is able to control devices
throughout a 3000 sq ft. home, where each electronic device (6 TVs, 2 PCs,
surround sound systems, stereo systems, DVD players, etc.) is plugged into a
surge protected power bar.
The requirement to have the CM15A plugged in near the PC has, in my case,
limited the use of it's transceiver functionality. An external antenna might
overcome this problem. Using remote transceivers is another low cost
solution (especially if purchased in an X10 starter kit).
The ActiveHome Pro software is very easy to use, but is of limited
functionality. If a HomeSeer plug-in becomes available for the CM15A, then
HomeSeer would be a much better choice for the hardened home automator.
Bob
Neil Cherry
> CM15A Module:
> Due to the layout of my home office, for ease, I plugged my PC's surge
> protected power block into the CM15A. I thought I would start with a
> worst-case scenario, and make improvements if needed. A phase coupler had
> been previously installed.
???
The CM15A I have has no AC outlet, so how did you plug a power block
into the CM15A?
--
Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry nch...@comcast.net
http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/ (Text only)
http://hcs.sourceforge.net/ (HCS II)
http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog
Bob
into the same dual power outlet.
"Neil Cherry" <n...@wolfgang.uucp> wrote in message
news:slrncqld2...@wolfgang.uucp...
Neil Cherry
> Sorry. You are absolutely correct. I plugged the CM15A and PC power block
> into the same dual power outlet.
>
> "Neil Cherry" <n...@wolfgang.uucp> wrote in message
> news:slrncqld2...@wolfgang.uucp...
>> On Sun, 28 Nov 2004 21:38:32 -0600, Bob wrote:
>>
>> > CM15A Module:
>> > Due to the layout of my home office, for ease, I plugged my PC's surge
>> > protected power block into the CM15A. I thought I would start with a
>> > worst-case scenario, and make improvements if needed. A phase coupler
> had
>> > been previously installed.
>>
>> ???
>>
>> The CM15A I have has no AC outlet, so how did you plug a power block
>> into the CM15A?
Thanks for the correction! Someone else made a similar comment and I
was confused. I thought that there may be 2 different models.