X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: rga650 on November 28, 2010, 10:12:35 AM
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I have been using smarthome 1132CU controller for the past 5 years, other than the daylight savings time I have had no issues.
A few weeks ago it stopped sending programmed commands and after reseting and loading the program several time it still does not work.
So... I bought a CM15 controller to replace it. Once I got past software loading issues and USB driver nightmare. I programmes the AHP software, uploaded hardware configuration and uploaded the program. Not a single command is working.
I have manualy turned on every device from the software with no issues, rest the CM15 reloaded everything and yet not a single command is executing.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Can you post the content of one timer here? Also what version of Active HomePro do you have?
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By command what do yo mean? timers, macros, something else.
Be sure the check boxes at the bottom of macros are set to run from the interfasce.
Also for timers click on advance and be sure the option store in interface is checked.
Are you disconnecting the Cm15a from the PC or do you leave it pluged in.
>!
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I am running Activehome pro version 3.271.
I have only programed timers at this time and have verified that each module timer in advanced settings is set for interface.
Once I upload to the CM15 I disconnect the notebook computer from it and let it run stand alone.
Also, I have sent a manual signal from AHP to ensure every device is functional. Yes they all go on and off when triggered from the software.
At this point I have removed the CM15 from the wall and have taken out the batteries.
I reinstall in the sequence according to the manual and upload the program again.
wel now I am totally not impressed. After resetting the CM15 and as soon as I plugged it into the outlet then to the computer, I got the blue screen of death. Now my notebook is not rebooting and continuosly gives me the blue screen of death.
Absolutely ridiculous that such a widely used product can be so flaky and cause so many issues, while many have great success !
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Having read this entire thread, I'm convinced you have some other program on your laptop that conflicts with AHP. I've never run AHP on a laptop, only on a standard desktop PC and I've had X10 since the middle 1980's.
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Will the notebook boot if you remove the CM15As USB Cable?
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I run AHP and plugins and autom8 on a netbook and it runs fine except for the occasional glitch that ahp causes >!
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rga650
Sound like you need to boot to safemode and do a system restore.
I've programed my cm15a from a notebook with no issues althought I'm running version#3.293
You might want to udate to that version.
Of coarse thats if you get the notebook to boot into windows.
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I have been able to restore the notebook; however I still have the CM15 not working issue. I reset it again and uploaded the timers, none of the devices went on or off as programmed.
And by the way, the notebook is the 3rd computer I have installed the AHP software on as I had not recognized USB issues on the others.
I have moved the CM15 to 3 different outlets on 3 different circuits and on both phases of the panel.
How do I verify the timers are in CM15 memory, and how do I check if they are being sent.
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If you have an X10 remote, you might try creating a macro to trigger a Light On event and upload again to your new
CM15. Make the macro trigger on a HC/UC not already used by an X10 device. Then unplug from the USB cable,
plug the CM15 into an outlet very near the controllable module that you specified in the macro, and finally use the
remote to send the Macro Trigger. If the module 'lighs up', so to speak, the CM15 is hearing the remote, triggering the
macro, and sending the powerline command (PLC) to the module, i.e., it's working. If it doesn't, reconnect to the PC
and check AHP's log entries for activity associated with your test. I'm certainly not the authority here but you might
also invest in Jeff Volp's XTBM. That meter will 'see' the PLC's and display them immediately. It's simply awesome!
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I have been able to restore the notebook; however I still have the CM15 not working issue. I reset it again and uploaded the timers, none of the devices went on or off as programmed.
And by the way, the notebook is the 3rd computer I have installed the AHP software on as I had not recognized USB issues on the others.
I have moved the CM15 to 3 different outlets on 3 different circuits and on both phases of the panel.
How do I verify the timers are in CM15 memory, and how do I check if they are being sent.
In AHP got to Tools, Activity Monitor (or press F2 while in AHP to open it) it will show you everything that is going on over several days.
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I checked the log as suggested and it shows the on/off signals at the proper time and sequence.
I talked to x10 support today. It was suggested to perform a test to see if the CM15 is functioning as intended.
Plug the cm15 into a power bar, also plug in a lamp module with a lamp attached to it in the same power bar.
Write a simple on/off timer in AHP and upload to the CM15 controller. Disconnect from the computer ans see if works.
Well, it did work and the lamp came on and off as programmed (twice it worked). Now this tells me the CM15 is retained a sequence in memory and works as intended. Using the power bar creates such a short distance it eliminates any possible interference.
Now , I am really confused and need to determine what cause the signal to stop working and reaching the various modules throughout the house. As I mentioned up top, the 1132CU controller I was using stopped working also.
I have no new devices in the house, something is interfering with the signal from the CM15!
Any thoughts on how to start isolating the source?
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I have no new devices in the house, something is interfering with the signal from the CM15!
Any thoughts on how to start isolating the source?
Think real hard about that first statement. Are you sure nothing new? Have you moved anything from one outlet to a different one? etc.
As far as troubleshooting: a X10 signal level meter is invaluable, but is a pricey investment. Without a signal meter you can try the following, it has always worked for me when moving into a new home and having X10 problems.
1. First turn off all CFL bulbs and check if X10 begins working again. If so, you have an aging CFL that has become noisy.
2. The general idea: Place a TM751 or CM15A at one end of your house (preferably close to the electrical panel) and an Appliance Module with radio at the other end of the house. Turn OFF all breakers except those two breakers feeding the CM15A and the AM. Use a Palm Pad to send ON-OFF commands to the radio as you turn on one breaker at a time while listening for the appropriate action from the radio. Turn the breaker back off and move on to the next. Continue this until the radio stops responding to the ON-OFF signals. That breaker/circuit will contain the offending noisy device.
If the radio continues to respond and you have cycled all the remaining breakers, then repeat this process, but this time leave each breaker on as you move on to the next. When the radio quits that circuit will have a noise maker, but it is not likely to be the only one noise maker you have.
You can modify this process, for example you can probably leave you CM15 in it's present outlet.
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I have the same problem with my CM15 AHP. I have a mini timer that works fine and turns off and on 3 lights in my small house. However, I bought a AHP so I could change the on times as the elevation of the sun changes on my computer but the AHP has problems. When I use the switches with my mouse it works but not with the timers. What is the difference between the mini timer and the AHP? I think there is a quality problem with it. If anybody has a solution please emm me at ray.mar2@verizon.net
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When I use the switches with my mouse it works but not with the timers. `
what do you mean by "it" works? what works?
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When I use the switches with my mouse it works but not with the timers. `
what do you mean by "it" works? what works?
That's easy. When he's in AHP, and triggers a Module to turn on full, it does, but it does not turn on with the timer. My suspicion is RayC's timers aren't constructed properly.
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Why does everyone (ok newbies) have problems with AHP timers? I haven't used AHP since 2006 but don't remember timers being a problem. Is it a software version issue?
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I don't think it's a software problem, it seems to be a user problem even though creating timers is not "rocket science". If RayC would post the contents of 1 module's timers, we could see what's going on.
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Just reading between the lines all these years, I believe it's a combination of something that changed in AHP combined with the new versions of some of the modules. I still haven't found a "one size fits all" fix.
Just my $.02.
>!
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Just reading between the lines all these years, I believe it's a combination of something that changed in AHP combined with the new versions of some of the modules. I still haven't found a "one size fits all" fix.
Just my $.02.
Yeah, I also think something has changed. Just too many "can't get timer to work" all of a sudden.
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I agree. We already have one user with the CM19A finding it didn't handle dims if memory serves me with 3.296 and older 3.271 worked fine.
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Okay....... don't ask how, but after conducting the successful test of the timer function on one device (lamp module) and the CM15 on the same power bar. I created a new file with the same timers as before on 6 modules. Everything is working according to the timer programs with the exception of one module. It does not turn on; however I manually turn it on and it goes off as programed.
This particular switch (leviton 6381) is the most important one for me as it controls the pr och lights.
I have tried a few thing including placing the CM15 at the panel, i have placed it also on an outlet on the same circuit, still does not go on; however it does go off according to the timer.
By the way, the timer sequence for this device is 'ON +10 at dusk' and 'OFF at dawn'. I have two other devices programed to come on at dusk and they turn on fine.
Any further suggestions?