X10 Community Forum

🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Topic started by: steve d on July 08, 2005, 10:20:46 PM

Title: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: steve d on July 08, 2005, 10:20:46 PM
I posted this on the Automation Forums and it
was suggested that I post it here as well:

I have the ActiveHome Pro CPU Interface which
has been working fine with the 6 lights I
have attached to it.  Those lamps will still
turn on and dim from the computer or from the
remote (PalmPads I think).

But none of my macros or my timers will work
correctly.  None of the macros will run from
any remotes but will from the computer.  None
of the timers including timers that were
working two weeks ago are now.  The
ActiveHome software says I'm only using 10%
of the memory so that shouldn't be an issue.

The only thing that I did (other than
creating three new macros) was I placed new
batteries in the Interface and moved it to a
more central location.  Since nothing worked,
I moved it back to where it was (next to the
computer) and the macros and timers still
won't work unless I manually start them.
This is, obviously, not what I want.

Tonight, I told the program to clear the
Interface's memory, made sure that every
choice was set to "Run from Interface" and
re-downloaded.  I let the Interface plugged
in and it still didn't work.

Does anyone know something I missed or see an
obvious solution to my problem?  Thank you
for any help.
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: stevegc on July 11, 2005, 01:43:32 AM
Perhaps you have a "phase coupling" problem,
when an X10 signal won't get from one leg of
your 240 system through to the other leg, a
common occurance. There are several devices
available to correct the problem.
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: steinie on July 11, 2005, 04:18:28 AM
try this:  Go to tools,  hardware
configuration, and make sure that the House
Codes you are using are checked to be
monitored. If not checked, Macros won't
work.
I had the same thing when I started using a
new House Code, L. It would not run Macros
till I checked L house code. Now works fine.
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: steve d on July 11, 2005, 07:52:48 PM
Steve,

I have a bridge that I bought just recently
thta allows me to control two lights on other
phase of my house.  My remotes can and do
turn on and off lights assigned directly to
them (aka a light on A1 will go on or off by
remote).  The problem is that my lights will
be work with macros or timers.  And yes, I'm
monitoring the correct House codes.
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: Tigger on July 12, 2005, 01:39:44 AM
What kind of MODULES are you having the
control problems with?

Are any of them Leviton?



T
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: steve d on July 12, 2005, 07:35:04 AM
Tigger,

Not yet, although I do have one which is not
installed at the moment.  These are mostly
WS12A switches (decorator dimmers) with a
couple of WS467 switches as well.
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: SteveRF on July 12, 2005, 10:48:29 AM
Steve,
I had a smililar problem a few months ago.
1st problem was the phase issue that you have
fixed.  The second was a bit harder to find.
A spare computer was causing line noise that
made everything rather unreliable.  With the
computer off the problem still existed.  I
had to pull the power plug to solve the
problem.  I have a security system on code
"A" so I avoid that house code.  All my RF
stuff is on code "B" and all Modules are on
"C", "D" and "E".  I monitor house code "C".
Although RF range is not very good,
everything seems to function pretty well
including the 20 or so macros and timers I
have running.  The major problem I still see
is the lack of robustness of the CM15A when
it comes to receiving 2 or more RF signals
within a few seconds of each other.
Sometimes I have to wait for the next motion
sensor cycle for the bath light to activate
or use the pushbutton which eliminates the
purpose of my home automation.... I suspect
it would be terrible if there was more than 2
of us living moving around in the house..
regards,
SteveRF
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: carmine pacifico on July 14, 2005, 10:19:17 AM
The only way I know to have a reliable home
automation is “Hard wiring”, any other way
is a compromise. In my older home I had
wired even the blinds for home automation;
then got married moved to a larger home
with no home automation wiring, X10 was OK
in the past, but new electronic devices (
TV’s , computers, LED’s night lights etc.)
they all interfere with X10 signals, I may
eventually rewire the house before the next
paint job.
Adding power line filter to every
electronic device to maintain X10 signal
integrity it’s getting to expensive.
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: oh3trd on August 09, 2008, 12:07:36 PM
Hi Steve,
I am new to x10 and automation systems.
I have reciently set up the same system X10 pro with 6 WS12A switches.
I have tried unplugging my second computer.
I can turn on/off lights from computer and the palm pad remote, but none of my timers work on any module.
I have downloaded many times and also tried clearing memory and reloading. If I turn on a module the off timer will
work though.
I feel your pain...
Chris
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: Boiler on August 09, 2008, 02:54:07 PM
Hi Steve,
I am new to x10 and automation systems.
I have reciently set up the same system X10 pro with 6 WS12A switches.
I have tried unplugging my second computer.
I can turn on/off lights from computer and the palm pad remote, but none of my timers work on any module.
I have downloaded many times and also tried clearing memory and reloading. If I turn on a module the off timer will
work though.
I feel your pain...
Chris

Chris,

Welcome to the forum.

This is not an uncommon problem for new installs.  Please try the following.
1) Under "Tools/Preferences/Macro Options" check the box indicating "Issue on in place of Bright 100%"
(http://www.boiler.ucoz.com/Geocities/Macro_Option.JPG)

2) Save the changes to the CM15a interface: "Tools/Download Timers and Macros"

Let us know how things are working,

Boiler
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: oh3trd on August 12, 2008, 06:59:17 AM
Unfortunately that did not work.
My modules don't register with the AHP program. If I turn lights on at the switch the program doesn't recognize the light as being on.
I just installed  a motion sensor that works great, but once again the macro doesn't operate the lights. I keep the computer linked and the software says
the timers and macros are downloaded. The modules receive the off signal but not the on signal.
What other possible problems could cause this??
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: Puck on August 12, 2008, 09:00:04 AM
If I turn lights on at the switch the program doesn't recognize the light as being on.

Unfortunately, no X10 switch tells AHP when it was turned on or off manually.
 
Quote
The modules receive the off signal but not the on signal.

If this is occurring with all 6 switches, its hard to believe a signal integrity issue is causing all of them to receive "off" but not receive "on". Do you have the modules correctly defined in AHP? I have experienced a similar problem once when I mis-wired a switch with the line connected to the load, and vice-versa.

Can you post a copy of your macro and your activity monitor for when the macro triggers but does not work?
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: Boiler on August 12, 2008, 05:30:11 PM
Unfortunately that did not work.

Was the "Issue on In Place of Bright 100%" originally unchecked?  Is it possible that you forgot to download the change to the interface (AHP will not prompt you to do this - you must do it manually from the "Tools" menu)?

Past that, it's possible that you have some of the "newer" modules that include the "Resume Dim feature".  This can be bypassed by re-identifying the module as a "2-way lamp module".  Try re-identifying one unit (save to interface) and then move the "Module Slider" to 50%.  If this works, you have a "newer" unit - retry your macros/timers with this configuration.

As Puck indicated, posting your Macro would be a big help.

Boiler
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: Dan Lawrence on August 12, 2008, 10:29:58 PM
BTW, Puck, your statement "Unfortunately, no X10 switch tells AHP when it was turned on or off manually." is untrue.  10Pro modules like the Pro Wall Switch Appliance Module do report their status to AHP when a timer to turn them on of off runs.
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: Puck on August 12, 2008, 10:42:20 PM
BTW, Puck, your statement "Unfortunately, no X10 switch tells AHP when it was turned on or off manually." is untrue.  10Pro modules like the Pro Wall Switch Appliance Module do report their status to AHP when a timer to turn them on of off runs.

I believe oh3trd is referring to manually turn on or off a switch at the wall site by hand; and I am not aware of any X10 switch that will report this action back to AHP and keep the modules status uptodate. I do have Insteon ICON switches that do this. Yes, timers that turn on or off a switch will update the modules state in AHP.
Title: Re: Macros and Timers not working
Post by: oh3trd on August 13, 2008, 11:13:55 PM
Thanks for everyones input. I think I have it solved!
As much as I was careful to read and follow instructions I had wiring reversed as suggested.
Sorry to take over the thread from Steve, but it sounded as if we had the same problem.
Happy and Relieved...
Chris