X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Help & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: robertpersons on December 01, 2010, 03:20:31 PM
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I recently installed AHP and all is well except that I can't get AHP to control Smartlinc decorator wall switches. From the forums I see that others are also having this problem, although I haven't found posts about this in the last four years.
It seems that the problem lies in Smartlinc devices needing separate commands; ie: send the addess command (A1), then send a command such as on/off (On) or brighten/dim. It's doesn't seem to accept the more common composite command of: (A1 On).
Is there anyway to send these commands separately? Or does anyone know a trick to get Smartlinc modules to work?
Oddly enough, they work when commands or macros are run from the PC, but not when downloaded to the CM15A. It isn't feasible to run the PC all the time, and I'd hate to have to replace the eight Smartlinc modules.
Any Ideas?
Thanks,
Robert
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It seems that the problem lies in Smartlinc devices needing separate commands; ie: send the addess command (A1), then send a command such as on/off (On) or brighten/dim.
Oddly enough, they work when commands or macros are run from the PC, but not when downloaded to the CM15A. It isn't feasible to run the PC all the time, and I'd hate to have to replace the eight Smartlinc modules.
Actually that is the way X10 works: address is transmitter first i.e "A 1". Followed by a repeat of the house code and then the command i.e. "A ON".
http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/feb99/articles/kingery/kingery13.htm
Did you tell AHP to run macros from the interface? (I guess you did if all other X10 modules work).
The SmartLincs, if programmed with X10 HCUC, should respond to the standard X10 protocol.
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How are you defining them in AHP?
Do you have the "Issue 'On' instead of 'Bright 100' checked in the Macro preferences?
If they are not dimmable, you can try defining them as WS13A-L (Fluorescent Decorator Style Wall) modules.
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Hi Dave,
Yes, the macro runs from the interface. In fact I have one macro with a mix of standard wall switches and a Smartlinc. The macro runs from the interface, and all lights work except the Smartlinc. I have found that the Smartlinc modules are the only ones that don't work, and the standard wall switches all work. The Smartlinc modules are from about 2001 ... so quite old.
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I see they maybe the X10 only ones and not the Insteon ones.
Are the SwitchLincs the relay or dimmer types?
What X10 module are you defining the SwitchLinc as?
There is a known difference between the dim commands X10 used and what Smartlabs choose for theirs.
Smarthomes dimming is based on an "old" x10 protocol similar to that used by the PCS Smartswitches.
These devices used "preset Dim" and standard "Dim" commands.
X10 brand, Leviton, and other manufacturers conform to a "newer" X10 standard that uses "extended code Direct Dim" and standard "Dim" commands.
Most of these devices will not respond to the "preset Dim" commands available with the Smarthome controllers.
Insteon and the older X10 only Smarthome modules will not accept the extended code Direct Dim commands. From other controllers.
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The Smartlinc modules are dimmable and have the return to previous level feature.
I have tried issuing an ON from a wall switch module, as well as from an appliance module. The standard wall switches worked best by doing a full dim, then brighten to desired level. Tried that with Smarlinc and they don't respond.
Again, it's weird that triggering the macro from the PC works, but not from interface, when it is clearly loaded on the interface and runs (since other lights in that macro work when triggered from the interface).
I'll check the "Issue 'On' instead of 'Bright 100' checked in the Macro preferences".
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The Smartlinc modules are from about 2001 ... so quite old.
That was pre Insteon, so they should work better than the new ones. Do you have any manual controllers (Maxi Controller or Palm Pad, etc). Do the SmartLincs work with them?
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I appreciate everyone's quick responses!
I've set up the Smartlinc as a standard wall switch, although I've tried the Leviton choices and the lamp dimmer choices (including the 14A ..) to no avail.
I don't have any manual controllers ... although I have the small handheld RF controllers. Using those, the Smartlincs respond to On/Off and Brighten/Dim.
Using AHP latest version ... 3.296
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Just to add ... I'm not at all concerned about getting "set to dim" capability. I'd be happy with On/Off and Brighten/Dim, like the AHP on the PC does (and the small RF controller does).
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From what everyone is telling me so far, it's soundling like the commands are slightly different when run from AHP on a PC, than when the code is compiled and sent to the interface. Does anyone know about this? Are there any known issues around this?
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I don't have any of the older X10 only Smartlinc dimmers but have a Insteon Icon dimmer that I can add an X10 address to. I will see what I can find out. Probably tomorrow as storms are flickering my lights tonight. ???
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From what everyone is telling me so far, it's soundling like the commands are slightly different when run from AHP on a PC, than when the code is compiled and sent to the interface. Does anyone know about this? Are there any known issues around this?
I believe you are the first to have seen this...yet a lot of users have hybrid systems with X10 and SmartHome modules.
For giggles try redefineing your SmartLincs as Appliance Modules. What happens? (or is that what you mean in your 12:44 PM post).
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I would also say try an Appliance type switch. Like the WS13A or X10Pro XPS3.
I have not tried macros but can tell you timers send a House Code Unit Code address then a House Code Bright numerous times for a full On.
My newer LampLinc and Icon Dimmer Switch with an X10 address in them do respond to the Address then Bright commands, but I don't know if your older X10 only one are similar.
WS12A in AHP
Timer runnig in AHP
Clik Module On and Off:
R: B1 - 7:43:18 AM 12/2/2010
R: BOn - 7:43:19 AM 12/2/2010
R: B1 - 7:43:21 AM 12/2/2010
R: BOff - 7:43:21 AM 12/2/2010
Timer On and Off one minute apart:
R: B1 - 7:45:03 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:03 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:04 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:04 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:04 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:05 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:05 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:06 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:06 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:07 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:07 AM 12/2/2010
R: BBright - 7:45:08 AM 12/2/2010
R: B1 - 7:46:02 AM 12/2/2010
R: BOff - 7:46:02 AM 12/2/2010
Click Module On and Off:
R: B1 - 7:46:09 AM 12/2/2010
R: BOn - 7:46:10 AM 12/2/2010
R: B1 - 7:46:12 AM 12/2/2010
R: BOff - 7:46:12 AM 12/2/2010
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From what I've read (and experienced myself), macros run from within AHP run differently than those that are downloaded to the CM15A. This is certainly true about anything based on conditions. From my experience, conditions are ignored when you click on the macro in AHP (don't know why - perhaps so you can test the macro actions without needing the conditions to be true?)
I didn't see any description of the macro itself (maybe I missed it).
What does the macro do?
Are you using the macro to turn on a bunch of lights at the same time (with no delays between them)?
If so, I have seen, with my own Switchlincs, that they don't respond if they are addressed in the same macro as X10 switches. The workaround is to put a delay (even a delay of 0 seconds works) between the commands.
That way, instead of the CM15A sending:
C1, C2, C3, C On
it will send
C1, C On, C2, C On, C3, C On.
For some reason, I've found that the Switchlincs (at least some of the ones I have) don't respond if they are not the command immediately before the "On" command. Putting the delay in worked for me.
It doesn't hurt to give it a try.
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From my experience, conditions are ignored when you click on the macro in AHP (don't know why - perhaps so you can test the macro actions without needing the conditions to be true?)
$0.02
Yes I think that is true. Homeseer works exactly the same way: all conditions are ignored when "RUN" is clicked, to check macro action without conditions.
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$0.02
Now if only we could get plugins for THAT price ;-)
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Thanks Guys! I'm happily surprised at the assistance I'm getting ... this forum is sure alive!
I think I tried setting the module as an appliance, but will try it again to see what it does. The Smartlinc Does respond to a series of Bright commands when send from AHP. The suggestion of putting in delays is a good one too ... will try that after work when I get home tonight. I did find that even with using AHP to run a macro, sometimes a series of Dim commands steps on the next module in the macro ... and adding a delay fixes it.
All macros that address All Smartlincs don't work on Smartlincs .... even a simple one with only one Smartlinc module, sending On/Off or Brightness/Dim commands.
By searching the forums I've discovered that others have found differences in which switches work between running AHP and from the interface. One person said that when run from the interface it insists on embedding some extended codes, while from AHP on a PC it does not. If that is true, it explains what is going on. My Smartlinc light switches are nine years old, and the first release of that model. I seem to recall that the resume dim didn't work right, but I didn't use it anyway.
I was leaning toward just biting the bullet and spending the money/time to replace the Smartlincs. In the last day I have been running the macros from the PC and leaving it on. All the Smarlinc switches work, but I've found that two of the timers Don't work when stored in the interface, but Do work when Not stored in the interface and run on the PC. And yes, when I was storing to the interface I did a "clear interface memory", and then "download macros and timers".
So with another issue to resolve that centers around the interface, while AHP on the PC works fine perhaps the easiest route is to just get an old PC and dedicate it to AHP full time. to replace all the Smarlinc would be about $200 ... I could find a used PC for that and leave interface storage issues behind. Still considering .....
Anyone have stability issues running AHP on a PC for extended periods of time??
Thanks
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The PC that I use for AHP runs 24/7/365 with occasional reboots and very occasional power outages with ZERO problems. It also hosts the shared printers for our home network. The PC runs XP Home SP2. I do not use any plug-ins, don't need any.
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Anyone have stability issues running AHP on a PC for extended periods of time??
Thanks
FWIW
I moved up from AHP to Homeseer back in 2008. Homeseer requires a full time computer. Homeseer has a plug-in which will do an orderly shut down of Homeseer followed by an orderly restart of the PC and can be called within a macro. The reason was to clear all the accumulated garbage out of Windows that only gets deleted at shut down. Based on that plug-in for Homeseer, it might not be a bad idea to periodiclly shut downan AHP machine to. You could do it with a batch file called from a timed macro. I do it once a week and at the same time cycle the power on the DSL modem.
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I found another timer that didn't work when stored in the interface, but Does work from AHP ... so I'm going to get a dedicated PC. So far, running from AHP seems to work correctly.
I appreciate the tip on regular rebooting.
Dave - Does HomeSeer allow for calling a macro from a macro? I find in AHP that doing that can cause them to run simultaneously, and step on each other ... so calling another macro is only allowed at the end of a macro. Does HomeSeer handle this more robustly? I like to program in a modular fashion.
Thanks,
Robert