X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: DeltaNu1142 on July 12, 2008, 08:46:40 AM
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I just received an SC503 in order to program some SwitchLincs I've installed. I'm sitting here with the controller plugged in, pushing buttons & watching the AHP Activity Monitor. However, the commands that appear on the monitor don't correspond to what I expect. In addition to the weird behavior below, when I first plugged in the controller, it was repeatedly sending "P All Units Off" until I pushed a button. Anyway, with the House Code dial set to "A", here's what I get (first column are my button presses, and the other columns are from Activity Monitor):
| |I PUSH: | |EVENT | |DATE/TIME | |ACTION | |DATA |
| |On | |0 | | 7/12/2008 8:29 | |Receive | |A On |
| |Off | |1 | | 7/12/2008 8:29 | |Receive | |A Off |
| |Bright | |2 | | 7/12/2008 8:29 | |Receive | |A Bright 100 |
| |Dim | |3 | | 7/12/2008 8:29 | |Receive | |A Bright 71 |
| |All Lights On | |4 | | 7/12/2008 8:29 | |Receive | |A Bright 62 |
| |All Units Off | |5 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 43 |
| |1 | |6 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 90 |
| |2 | |7 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 36 |
| |3 | |8 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 30 |
| |4 | |9 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 18 |
| |5 | |10 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 18 |
| |6 | |11 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 15 |
| |7 | |12 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 14 |
| |8 | |13 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 10 |
| |9 | |14 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 13 |
| |10 | |15 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 7 |
| |11 | |16 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 14 |
| |12 | |17 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 18 |
| |13 | |18 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 25 |
| |14 | |19 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 18 |
| |15 | |20 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 12 |
| |16 | |21 | | 7/12/2008 8:30 | |Receive | |A Bright 30 |
I actually spent more time formatting this table than I did troubleshooting my problem ;D
...so, the first four commands look reasonable, but after that, they seem to get screwy--is this normal? This controller looks new, made by "Rollins Protective Services," model number SC503. I'm looking for confirmation that this will work to program my SwitchLincs & KeypadLincs.
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Your SC503 must be very old, as I have one and on the bottom it says "Made By x10 USA, Closter, NJ, USA"
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Your SC503 must be very old, as I have one and on the bottom it says "Made By x10 USA, Closter, NJ, USA"
Looks old; faux-woodgrain on the sides. Mine says "Made in U.S.A. and Hong Kong" among other things.
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Your SC503 is defective.
With that "Rollins Protective Services" label, I presume you got it from a "surplus" dealer on eBay.
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Your SC503 is defective.
With that "Rollins Protective Services" label, I presume you got it from a "surplus" dealer on eBay.
Crap! Yes, it was an eBay buy... along with most of the installed switches. Any recommendations on where I SHOULD be buying?
Thanks...
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Are the SwitchLincs Scene Capable and do you want or need to send the special house code only programming codes for scenes?
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Your SC503 is defective.
With that "Rollins Protective Services" label, I presume you got it from a "surplus" dealer on eBay.
Crap! Yes, it was an eBay buy... along with most of the installed switches. Any recommendations on where I SHOULD be buying?
Thanks...
The problem with the "surplus" dealers is that the goods are often customer returns with intermittent defects.
There are several authorized X10 resellers who sell new products on eBay. I buy most of my X10 stuff nowadays from "The Home Automation Store" there.
Others have had good things to say about Automated Outlet (http://www.automatedoutlet.com)
If you're willing to wade through all the drivel on http://www.x10.com you can usually find "3 for 1", "4 for 1", etc. deals there.
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Are the SwitchLincs Scene Capable and do you want or need to send the special house code only programming codes for scenes?
No--not scene capable, unfortunately. I found out too late that certain models of pre-Insteon switches were scene-capable, and I didn't get any of them.
The problem with the "surplus" dealers is that the goods are often customer returns with intermittent defects.
There are several authorized X10 resellers who sell new products on eBay. I buy most of my X10 stuff nowadays from "The Home Automation Store" there.
Others have had good things to say about Automated Outlet (http://www.automatedoutlet.com)
If you're willing to wade through all the drivel on http://www.x10.com you can usually find "3 for 1", "4 for 1", etc. deals there.
I've purchased from Automated Outlet, I'll probably look there next... thanks for the input. I'm currently looking for info at "another" forum for the Smarthome stuff, but responses are hard to come by over there.
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...I actually spent more time formatting this table than I did troubleshooting my problem...
Yes the table feature is by far one of the more challenging features to use on this forum. Based on some of the small tables I've made, I can feel your pain. :)
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If all you need is to send X10 Addresses and On Off codes to program the switches. Then many of the controllers may do; though some of them only do Units 1-8.
I have done some with my RR501 and a HR12A palm pad remote.
My older 1132CU X10 compatible controller can also send the codes in Advanced Modes tab; with the included software.
I have also used a Smarthome 4071 ControLinc Maxi. Mostly since it has preset buttons for things like Unlock code sequence. That is not the cheapest route for sure.
Can't the CM15A be used to send X10 Codes manually?
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I have also used a Smarthome 4071 ControLinc Maxi. Mostly since it has preset buttons for things like Unlock code sequence. That is not the cheapest route for sure.
I know this deviates from the point of this thread, but Smarthome frequently puts the 4071 ControlLinc Maxi on sale for $24.95....I'll go back to sleep now. :D
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If all you need is to send X10 Addresses and On Off codes to program the switches. Then many of the controllers may do; though some of them only do Units 1-8.
I have done some with my RR501 and a HR12A palm pad remote.
My older 1132CU X10 compatible controller can also send the codes in Advanced Modes tab; with the included software.
I have also used a Smarthome 4071 ControLinc Maxi. Mostly since it has preset buttons for things like Unlock code sequence. That is not the cheapest route for sure.
Can't the CM15A be used to send X10 Codes manually?
Programming many 'Linc modules requires sending a sequence of X10 addresses with no intervening function codes. The SC503 can do this but the RR501 or Mini-Controller can't. Yes, the CM15A with AHP can do it in a macro - I don't think there's a direct command.
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I though the special codes where only needed for remote setting of scenes and ramp levels. I have used a HR12A and RR501 to do primary X10 addresses in Insteon modules all the time. Yes the house code only special commands can't be done by the unit mentioned by Charles.
I have not programmed the older X10 Linc type so I have no data on needing special codes for everything.
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Yes the table feature is by far one of the more challenging features to use on this forum. Based on some of the small tables I've made, I can feel your pain. :)
I used Excel to generate the tr & td tags... not "manual," but still not fast.
If all you need is to send X10 Addresses and On Off codes to program the switches. Then many of the controllers may do; though some of them only do Units 1-8.
I have done some with my RR501 and a HR12A palm pad remote.
This will probably be my next attempt. I didn't think of the HR12A & was using an X10 universal remote for some reason. It wasn't working very well, but I've never actually confirmed that it works at all.
Programming many 'Linc modules requires sending a sequence of X10 addresses with no intervening function codes. The SC503 can do this but the RR501 or Mini-Controller can't. Yes, the CM15A with AHP can do it in a macro - I don't think there's a direct command.
Can you provide an example of an AHP macro that would send, for example, an unlock code sequence? It's not that I'm lazy--just out of town & don't have AHP to play with until the weekend...
I though the special codes where only needed for remote setting of scenes and ramp levels. I have used a HR12A and RR501 to do primary X10 addresses in Insteon modules all the time. Yes the house code only special commands can't be done by the unit mentioned by Charles.
I have not programmed the older X10 Linc type so I have no data on needing special codes for everything.
Just as a test, I set one of the "Icon" relay switches' primary addresses with a KR19A and an RR501. I don't remember what the address of the KR19A was, but I wanted to see if the address would take, and it did. The Icon is a nice switch, and programs easily (hold top of paddle for 5 seconds; send address--obviously address+command works; voila) but the Icon doesn't "look" like the rest of the switches I have and I'm going for consistency... which is why after investing some $$ in the discontinued switches, I'm sticking to my guns & not going with Insteon.
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Yes the table feature is by far one of the more challenging features to use on this forum. Based on some of the small tables I've made, I can feel your pain. :)
I used Excel to generate the tr & td tags... not "manual," but still not fast....
You can do that with Excel? i.e. Generate a table for this forum. Is it any faster? If so I'd like to know how you do it.
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Just off the top of my head... this is sort of how I did it...
-Excel cell A1 = [ table ] (w/o spaces)
-cell B1 = [ tr ]
-cell C1 = [ td ]
-paste [ td ] into entire column "C"
-Activity Monitor, save as *.html
-copy Activity Monitor & paste into D1
-insert between each pasted column [ /td ] [ td ]
-after last pasted column, add [ /td ]
-somewhere after last row/column, add [ /tr ] [ /table ]
-copy & paste all of the populated cells into the "post" field on the forum
It's probably easier done than said--keep in mind that I'm in Sonoma & it's 12:30 am local & I'm still on east-coast time... >!
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Update--the seller insists that there is some "module" or "card" inside the device that I can remove to restore full functionality, and refuses a $5-purchase-price refund unless I ship the item back... which will cost more than that, naturally. So sure, I'll take it apart just out of curiosity & post the results, but I have low expectations. P.S., the seller's ID is "junktionalso". I probably should have known better...
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I received another SC503, this one with X10 Powerhouse decals... I turned the dial to House code C and went through all the buttons to see that it worked. ALL buttons reported back correctly, until I got to All Units Off... then EVERY COMMAND following was a "C" then either a dim or bright command!! I unplugged it, rotated the dial to every position, etc, and EVERY COMMAND is a "C" and dim or bright! I've left it unplugged overnight & rotated the dial; I've done everything I can think of. What is going on here? Is it possible that my Activity Monitor is displaying the wrong power line commands?? All I want to do is program some modules and I'm getting shafted at every turn...
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Since the SC503 is a desktop controller, a beefed up version of the MC460, it sends X10 signals only. You can turn a module on or off or dim it. You cannot use a SC503 to program any module except a SS13 Socket Rocket. What exactly are you trying to program?
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I tested an SC503 with a monitoring program for a Smarthome Interface. Set the SC503 to C and pushed each button. Each number button sent the Address with no action command. Each action button sent the corresponding action command. So if you need lets say C1 COn to set the address. You would push C1 button then the On button. Maybe three times if memory serves me. Did you try to actually program a switch as you said maybe the monitor program has a error.
My short test with 'C'; not 100% on if the dim and bright are sent twice as shown or the controller was seeing the bounce from my ACT CR134 repeater.
20:11:48.343 : C Dim
20:11:48.093 : C Dim
20:11:47.515 : C Bright
20:11:47.375 : C Bright
20:11:45.921 : C All Units Off
20:11:45.015 : C All Lights On
20:11:44.218 : C Off
20:11:43.312 : C On
20:11:19.437 : C16
20:11:18.750 : C15
20:11:17.953 : C14
20:11:17.265 : C13
20:11:16.468 : C12
20:11:15.671 : C11
20:11:14.984 : C10
20:11:14.296 : C9
20:11:13.500 : C8
20:11:12.703 : C7
20:11:12.015 : C6
20:11:11.218 : C5
20:11:10.421 : C4
20:11:09.734 : C3
20:11:08.937 : C2
20:11:08.031 : C1
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Bigger test C and B House Codes:
20:15:29.953 : B16
20:15:29.265 : B15
20:15:28.578 : B14
20:15:27.890 : B13
20:15:27.203 : B12
20:15:26.515 : B11
20:15:25.828 : B10
20:15:25.031 : B9
20:15:24.234 : B8
20:15:23.546 : B7
20:15:22.859 : B6
20:15:22.062 : B5
20:15:21.375 : B4
20:15:20.578 : B3
20:15:19.890 : B2
20:15:19.093 : B1
20:15:17.968 : B On
20:15:17.281 : B Off
20:15:16.703 : B Bright
20:15:16.562 : B Bright
20:15:15.984 : B Dim
20:15:15.734 : B Dim
20:15:14.828 : B All Lights On
20:15:14.031 : B All Units Off
20:15:13.234 : B All Units Off
20:15:12.546 : B All Lights On
20:15:11.968 : B Dim
20:15:11.718 : B Dim
20:15:11.250 : B Bright
20:15:11.000 : B Bright
20:15:10.312 : B Off
20:15:09.406 : B On
20:14:35.578 : C16
20:14:34.890 : C15
20:14:34.312 : C14
20:14:33.625 : C13
20:14:32.937 : C12
20:14:32.250 : C11
20:14:31.562 : C10
20:14:30.875 : C9
20:14:30.078 : C8
20:14:29.390 : C7
20:14:28.703 : C6
20:14:28.015 : C5
20:14:27.218 : C4
20:14:26.531 : C3
20:14:25.843 : C2
20:14:25.156 : C1
20:14:22.718 : C Off
20:14:22.031 : C Bright
20:14:21.890 : C Bright
20:14:21.312 : C Dim
20:14:21.062 : C Dim
20:14:20.156 : C All Lights On
20:14:19.359 : C All Units Off
20:14:17.031 : C All Units Off
20:14:16.125 : C All Lights On
20:14:15.437 : C Dim
20:14:15.296 : C Dim
20:14:14.500 : C Bright
20:14:14.359 : C Bright
20:14:13.343 : C Off
20:14:12.328 : C On
I would actually try and program a switch to see what happens.
Do you have any X10 switches with dials that you could test with the SC503? If it fails to control one of those it could be a second bad unit.
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I received another SC503, this one with X10 Powerhouse decals... I turned the dial to House code C and went through all the buttons to see that it worked. ALL buttons reported back correctly, until I got to All Units Off... then EVERY COMMAND following was a "C" then either a dim or bright command!! I unplugged it, rotated the dial to every position, etc, and EVERY COMMAND is a "C" and dim or bright! I've left it unplugged overnight & rotated the dial; I've done everything I can think of. What is going on here? Is it possible that my Activity Monitor is displaying the wrong power line commands?? All I want to do is program some modules and I'm getting shafted at every turn...
If you received this new SC503 from the same dealer, it's probably another junker like the previous one.
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Since the SC503 is a desktop controller, a beefed up version of the MC460, it sends X10 signals only. You can turn a module on or off or dim it. You cannot use a SC503 to program any module except a SS13 Socket Rocket. What exactly are you trying to program?
On the contrary Dan, either the SC503 "Maxi-Controller" or an AHP macro is required for programming the types of Smarthome modules which require a sequence of X10 address signals with no intervening X10 function signal. The X10 Mini-Controller always sends a function signal with the address so can't do the job.
Smarthome now sells their own controller which can do this, but their older literature said that you HAD TO HAVE a SC503 Maxi-Controller or equivalent for programming. For examples, see the owners manual for the TempLinc 1625 http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/1625_web.pdf or their LampLinc http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/2456d3qs.pdf (page 13)
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Since the SC503 is a desktop controller, a beefed up version of the MC460, it sends X10 signals only. You can turn a module on or off or dim it. You cannot use a SC503 to program any module except a SS13 Socket Rocket. What exactly are you trying to program?
I'm programming Smarthome SwitchLincs, which require HC & UC only for programming, no command (e.g., "A1", not "A1" + "A On").
I would actually try and program a switch to see what happens.
Do you have any X10 switches with dials that you could test with the SC503? If it fails to control one of those it could be a second bad unit.
By the time I got to the point that I wanted to program a switch, the SC503 wasn't working correctly; it will not send HC + UC anymore, just a "C Dim" or "C Bright" command... I don't think I have any of the X10 manual dial switches left. I have some appliance modules, though, and can try those.
If you received this new SC503 from the same dealer, it's probably another junker like the previous one.
It's a completely different SC503 from a different vendor.
On the contrary Dan, either the SC503 "Maxi-Controller" or an AHP macro is required for programming the types of Smarthome modules which require a sequence of X10 address signals with no intervening X10 function signal. The X10 Mini-Controller always sends a function signal with the address so can't do the job.
Smarthome now sells their own controller which can do this, but their older literature said that you HAD TO HAVE a SC503 Maxi-Controller or equivalent for programming. For examples, see the owners manual for the TempLinc 1625 http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/1625_web.pdf or their LampLinc http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/2456d3qs.pdf (page 13)
Agreed. I think this will be my next option, having purchased two SC503's with two different failure modes... sort of...
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Well the SC503 can send HC UC only with the number buttons. So if you get a working one that should do it.
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Well the SC503 can send HC UC only with the number buttons. So if you get a working one that should do it.
That was the plan. I think I'm going to the Insteon-enabled Smarthome model, unless someone can prove to me that the SC503's are working and ActiveHome Pro is not.
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OK--it appears that if I remove power to the 2nd SC503 BEFORE turning the House Code dial, I can turn the dial, then plug the SC503 back in, and it works as it should. I've succeeded in programming all but a few of my switches tonight, and they respond to commands from AHP. Once I can reliably control them from various remotes--then it's on to the KeyPadLincs. Wish me luck, and not the kind I've had so far... >*<
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Thanks for the update. Hope the future plans go much smoother.
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...my workaround has been spotty at best... it seems that my SC503 (2nd one) has reverted to House Code "C" every time I plug it in, regardless of how long it's been powered off. I hope it gets back to normal functionality eventually.
I did however install a KeypadLinc and 2382W in a 3-way application last night. This is more a topic for 'another' forum, but that one is blocked by my company's proxy?!?