X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: GregH on January 03, 2010, 09:59:56 PM
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I have the CM15A, AHP v3.228, and the excellent XTB-IIR from Jeff Volp.
The CM15A is in an upstairs room and programmed to turn various lights on and off around the house. The XTB-IIR is downstairs and plugged in through the dryer plug which is about 15 feet from the main circuit panel. TVs and surge suppressors are behind XPPF filters.
The XTBM (Jeff Volp's excellent X10 Monitor) reports 8+ VPP sending signals to downstairs modules and 6+ VPP on upstairs modules when measured from an outlet in the room with the CM15A. Frequency is 120 KHz and Noise measures .00.
Most of the modules are Leviton HCS08-1TW's. In AHP I have the light switches configured as 2-Way Lamp Modules and Preferences|Macros set to "Issue 'On' in place of 'Bright 100%'".
I've had variations of the following for a long time:
Yesterday the CM15A executed all operations right on schedule. Today it didn't run anything. I haven't changed a light bulb nor added any new electronics or chargers. Using a PalmPad lights will turn on and off. If I plug the CM15A USB cable into my computer everything turns on and off manually.
I cleared the CM15A Interface Memory and re-downloaded the timers to it. I'm assuming it will work find now.
As I said, this has been a common theme. My CM15A appears to hold the programming for a while and then loses it. Sometimes in a day, sometimes in a couple of weeks.
Any suggestions of what might be happening?
Thanks,
Greg
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.......... My CM15A appears to hold the programming for a while and then loses it. Sometimes in a day, sometimes in a couple of weeks.
Rarely have I seen as well written a post as yours. I would think it is safe to assume your pretty... detail orientated. So unless your not using good batteries in your CM15A....(and your prone to power lost in your area).
I would guess your CM15A is defective.
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Thanks, Dave. I was attempting to be thorough so as not to post another "It doesn't work" plea for help.
It's been a puzzler, that's for sure. The batteries are good so I'll pick up another CM15A and test it against the one I have.
I'll report back here with the results.
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I ordered a new CM15A today - happy to see that SmartMacros and the other software suite pieces are included. When I bought my first CM15A they didn't even have SmartMacros written yet!
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I ordered a new CM15A today - happy to see that SmartMacros and the other software suite pieces are included. When I bought my first CM15A they didn't even have SmartMacros written yet!
Well then I take back my defective idea. Worn-out might be a better explanation (he he). But certainly the additional software will make the purchase worthwhile (I hope you got a deal). I can't imagine using AHP without the SmartMacros.
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I can't imagine using AHP without the SmartMacros.
I've been using X10 for over 20 years and AHP for about half of that. I never bought Smart Macros just because it costs extra and the X10 company is annoying. If you have the inclination, I'd love to be educated about why I need Smart Macros.
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Dave X10 will probably have a more detailed explanation, but the simple answer is: SmartMacros allows you to use conditionals (IF, THEN, ELSE logic) in your macros.
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... the simple answer is: SmartMacros allows you to use conditionals (IF, THEN, ELSE logic) in your macros.
Thats right! And I've seen "deals" where you get the entire suite of software AND the CM15A for $39.99. I picked up a spare from the scratch-N-dent tent (on-line tent). Never hurts to have a back-up spare.
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Mine cost $49.99 but I'm spending Christmas money so it's okay. :)%
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It has been 3 days with the replacement CM15A and it's working just as programmed on a number of modules. I have it flipping lights on and off every 15 minutes, sometimes several at one time (3 come on at 1900), and all are working correctly.
I'm going to keep running the test for a while before pronouncing the situation resolved but it's looking like my old CM15A was, indeed, defective.
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We can close the book on this one. The new CM15A is working just as programmed. I needlessly suffered for years with a defective CM15A and thought it was my power line or the modules or, or something.
A new CM15A and now all is well.
Thanks for the help everyone.
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I just got it today in the mail. The hole package deal for $34.99 came with 3 LM465 3 AM466 3 DS10A CM15A . The only software was messing was Iwatchout. The CM15A is not working it at all. It might be the cheap battery my mom had laying around. I'm going to the store today and get some good one.
With CM15A i don't have to have CM19A plugin right ?
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You could try a new battery but mine runs fine with no battery in it. Well until the AC goes Off.
I have not ever had a weak battery in one. So maybe it is in a funny state.
Correct with the CM15A; the CM19A and TM751 should not be needed.
The TM751 was needed to receive the RF from the CM19A and send it on the power line.
The CM15A can do power line sending and receiving. Also can do RF sending and receiving.
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Still not working. i tried moving to other outlet also tried putting it a power strip. I tried useing my usb cable from my printer to see if its the cable.
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When you connected it. Did the operating system indicate a new USB device was found?
When you run AHP I would guess it said no interface found.
Maybe DOA.
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A fairly new CM15A is DOA? Strange.
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Looking at what tybird got for $35, was this a "Certified New" deal? If so I wonder how X10 "certifies"? Maybe if there are no scorch marks or housing deformaties(?).
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Looking at what tybird got for $35, was this a "Certified New" deal? If so I wonder how X10 "certifies"? Maybe if there are no scorch marks or housing deformaties(?).
The X10 salesman told me that these are returned items. They used to return them to Hong Kong for recycling (put into a new box and resold as new, probably) but now X10 is selling them as Certified As New.
No one has told me that they are actually tested, though, as I found less than desirable results with my Certified As New Xcams... :(
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When you connected it. Did the operating system indicate a new USB device was found?
When you run AHP I would guess it said no interface found.
Maybe DOA.
Yes when i first plug it in it found it. Its working half way now on dx7000 alarm system it don't control the lights. I think it might be DOA. I'm thinking that RF is not working right. Nowdx7000 house code is set on I The living RM lamps are set on L. On AHP in hardware interface config The montored house code is set at I . The tranceived house code is set on auto.
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First I don't think AHP can control anything on the DX7000 but arm it and maybe disarm it. Since I have no direct experience with a security console in AHP. There maybe other things it can do. If so I am sure others will give you the data I don't have.
With the Console on I and the Lights on L it will not take an RF command to L only the house code I it is set to. It will also only send I addressed command back on the power line. We may have to go over your house codes and determine exactly what you want to do.
If you set up a light module in AHP and assign it a address of House Code L and the unit code of the lights. See if it can control them directly.