X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Other Automation Systems => Topic started by: jockboy570 on May 04, 2007, 07:44:12 PM

Title: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: jockboy570 on May 04, 2007, 07:44:12 PM

I just got my X10 Active Home Pro Unit and downloaded the software and I also bought the new Black & Decker Freewire outdoor units because I have to control some outdoor low volt lighting, fountain, etc but I'm not sure on how to program it. The freewire unit has no house or letter code whhels. It says to plug it into the same outlet as the "Black & Decker" main unit and then press the transmit button which corresponds to the code you want it programmed to. But how do I do this with the Active Home Pro? What type of device do I choose in the set up for it to control the Freewire outdoor unit? I heard it may be like programming the socket rocket since it also doesn't have user selectable wheels. Is this true? X10 tech support said to maybe try assigning it as the "chime" module. Does anyone have any reccomendations on this or has done it?  What does everyone else do or how do they control outdoor items? I thought about using the X-10 receptacle units in weatherproof outlet with the weatherprrof outlet but I was worried about long term moisture ruining the unit.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: HA Dave on May 04, 2007, 08:03:52 PM

Plug in a plug-in remote control (or your AHP interface) on an extention cord with multiple plug-ins. On the same cord, plug in your Black & Decker (Freewire) outdoor module.

Decide which House/Unit code you want the module to use. Then trigger it (turn it on) three (3) times. That should set it (it should turn ON on the 3rd or 4th ON signal).

It will remember the codes even when unplugged and moved, or if you lose power to the unit at some point later.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: Brian H on May 05, 2007, 05:47:24 PM

I have a few myself. As Dave said. Power it up and with in the first 30 seconds send the house/unit code 3 times and it should be reprogrammed.
Any X10 sender like a mini-controller or Telephone Transponder can also be used. All you need is the powerline signal 3 times in 30 seconds.
Yes folks kind of sounds like the Socket Rocket programming procedure; doesn't it?
It clicks like a appliance module inside the modules weather resistant case.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: jockboy570 on May 05, 2007, 05:50:26 PM

Are there any house codes that work better or worse? 

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: jockboy570 on May 05, 2007, 05:58:15 PM

I guess the AHP is sending a line signal because when I click on the lamp switch it does turn the plugged in lamp module on & off thet I have set up as A1.  I don't think the freewire pickup RF becasue its set up is described as plugging in its "hub" or what we call AHP then the outdoor unit into the same outlet and press the button on the remote you want it to respond to by holding it down until the outdoor freewire unit blinks.
How do I know it's sending line signal vs RF?
 DO you think me buying a receiver/appliance module into the house with the AHP? What  is wrong with house code3s A & M you mentioned? 

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: HA Dave on May 05, 2007, 06:00:21 PM

Quote from: jockboy570 on May 05, 2007, 05:50:26 PM

Are there any house codes that work better or worse? 

All X10 house/unit codes work. However the best codes to avoid are A and M. But the reason why, is a whole different thread.

P.S. I use house code A myself.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: HA Dave on May 05, 2007, 06:15:46 PM

Quote from: jockboy570 on May 05, 2007, 05:58:15 PM

I guess the AHP is sending a line signal because when I click on the lamp switch it does turn the plugged in lamp module on & off thet I have set up as A1. 

If your NOT using a transceiver... then it sounds like the AHP is sending a line signal. To make sure Check "transceive" for that house code in your AHP settings.

Quote from: jockboy570 on May 05, 2007, 05:58:15 PM

I don't think the freewire pickup RF becasue its set up is described as plugging in its "hub" or what we call AHP then the outdoor unit into the same outlet and press the button on the remote you want it to respond to by holding it down until the outdoor freewire unit blinks.

No... it doesn't receive RF. What Freewire calls a "hub" X10 calls a transceiver.

Quote from: jockboy570 on May 05, 2007, 05:58:15 PM

How do I know it's sending line signal vs RF?

See above.

Quote from: jockboy570 on May 05, 2007, 05:58:15 PM

DO you think me buying a receiver/appliance module into the house with the AHP?

?

Quote from: jockboy570 on May 05, 2007, 05:58:15 PM

What  is wrong with house code3s A & M you mentioned? 

Long story best explained in previous posts. "A" is a default code, I use it for testing (new devices) when motion sensor batteries fail the sensors can default to "A".

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: TakeTheActive on May 05, 2007, 06:37:58 PM

Quote from: jockboy570 on May 05, 2007, 05:50:26 PM

Are there any house codes that work better or worse? 

Have you read any of the existing *EXCELLENT* FAQs and Tutorials yet?

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: Brian H on May 06, 2007, 01:58:24 PM

The Freewire module uses power line X10 signals. If you had a Freewire Hub and remote it also can control X10 power line modules. The only thing that is not cross compatible is the hub and remotes. An X10 remote will not access a Freewire Hub and a Freewire remote will not access an X10 Transceiver.
Freewire was an OEM product for Black and Decker [discontinued now]  and even has the X10 FCC Suffix in the ID.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: Duck69 on May 06, 2007, 06:33:11 PM

jockboy570,

Safe to use   C, F, G, I, J, L, O.

Don't us A, M.

Questionable   B, E, H, K, N, P.

If you want to know Why.
Do as TakeTheActive suggests and READ  read the existing *EXCELLENT* FAQs and Tutorials.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: steven r on May 07, 2007, 01:46:52 AM

Quote from: Dave_x10_L on May 05, 2007, 06:00:21 PM

Quote from: jockboy570 on May 05, 2007, 05:50:26 PM

Are there any house codes that work better or worse? 

All X10 house/unit codes work. However the best codes to avoid are A and M. But the reason why, is a whole different thread.

P.S. I use house code A myself.

...and I use M but not A. Many are adamant on not using certain house codes. As Dave and others have mentioned, search and read the threads. Then make your own decision as to what HCs you want to use.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: daewootech on February 19, 2010, 05:20:48 PM

ok since noone wants to actually post why not to use those channels, and no on wants to actually link to the FAQs where they say they are at, then can you at least post the directory path to the FAQs?

i know your so smart and your time is so valuable that you can bother to copy and paste a link or quote, but could at least lead the horse to the well? ive went through a couple directories and haven't found this specific post your talking about. B:(

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: Brian H on February 19, 2010, 06:31:06 PM

I don't remember any thread on what house codes to avoid. I can't think of any reson to do so.
There maybe reasons to group certain devices together, but most are personal choices.

http://www.x10.com/support/support.htm
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Main_Page
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=l2v2t8pnj3cr5fgm3ej6i3igm3&topic=19252.msg107493#new
http://www.act-solutions.com/PCC/uncle.htm
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=fia4somvt646m1f9ar60hogk94&topic=7951.0
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=9899.msg57946

A is the default House Code from the factory and could be your neighbors code also. Motion sensors default to A after a battery change so A addressed modules could start going on and off at strange times.
M is what a bad House Code Dial on a module many times reverts to.
Personally I don't think any Houses Code needs to be avoided.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: Brian H on February 19, 2010, 08:55:39 PM

Here is a thread that is more recent on picking house codes.

http://forums.x10.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=racj838jjj8n77pr5fulaib204&topic=19756.0

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: Brian H on February 20, 2010, 06:11:28 AM

The only reason I can see to not pick certain House Codes would be their digital bit pattern maybe easier to corrupt, but I don't think that is a valid concern. As the message is sent twice and there are some built in checks for valid messages.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: Knightrider on February 20, 2010, 06:57:47 AM

In a nutshell,

X10 RF devices (motion detectors, rf remotes) default to HC "A" when the batteries die out, hence the avoidance of "A".

If you break the code wheels off of a device, it reverts to HC "M", hence the avoidance of "M".

When you start up a computer which is connected to a CM15A, the x10nets service will send "P16 ON", hence the avoidance of HC "P".

FWIW,  I use all of those HC's, and get along just fine.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: dave w on February 20, 2010, 04:30:29 PM

Another FWIW,

I agree with Brian and Knightrider. I have used X10 since 1979, and when dabbling in Automation with an early controller in 1987, I was using ALL 16 house codes (not all unit codes within each HC however). NO particular house code ever was any more problematic that the others.

$0.02
I use house code A, in fact I use A1 as a main light in the bedroom. If the light ever comes on when it isn't supposed to, I know I have a motion sensor that needs battery attention....works good  :'

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: Brian H on February 20, 2010, 04:38:44 PM

Sometimes we think alike. A1 for a light would give you an indication a motion sensor was not on its assigned address anymore.
Address P16 is one to not use unless you need an indication x10nets has started.
I believe P16 is also used by the Leviton X10 tester.
My Smarthome 1132CU Advanced Controller Screen shows a PHail Acknowledge when my XTBM does its power on check for a repeater.

Title: Re: Freewire programming with X10
Post by: eagle on February 20, 2010, 05:31:45 PM

Great tip/suggestion dave.

I think I'll use that.  :)

r,
eagle