X10 Community Forum

🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Help & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: rctaubert on June 10, 2013, 04:17:23 PM

Title: Can't get lamps to respond to software
Post by: rctaubert on June 10, 2013, 04:17:23 PM

I have used x.10 in several houses successfully.

I just moved into a new home that is 25 years old.  It is equipped with circuit breakers.  I installed two 15A breakers so I could install a phase coupler.  I am having trouble getting the lamps to respond to commands from my computer.

I have the following lamps connected to Powerhouse x.10 Lamp modules and PowerHouse:

Bedroom: two lamps each connected to their own Lamp Module and Controller (M1 and M2)
Guest Bedroom: one lamp connected to a Lamp Module and Controller (G1).
Office: one lamp connected to a Lamp Module and Controller (both in the same power strip) (O1).
Dining room: one lamp connected to a lamp module and no controller (C1).

I have Active Home Professional installed on my Win 7 computer and the computer connected to the AC outlet with a CM15A interface.

When AH Pro starts up it pronounces that the CM15A is connected and working.

When I turn lamps on or off from their individual controllers the software correctly reflects the state of each lamp.  In other words the controllers are correctly communicating with the computer.

The problem is that NO lamp responds to commands from the computer software.

Can anyone give me any suggestions on where to start troubleshooting?

Title: Re: Can't get lamps to respond to software
Post by: Brian H on June 10, 2013, 04:27:12 PM

Are the Lamp Modules Soft Start where they ramp On and Off or older that instantly go On and Off?
If they are Lamp Modules that are not soft start. You have to use the Older Lamp (Before Soft Start) tab in AHP.
If they are defined from the Lamp Module Tab. AHP will send extended X10 commands to them and will not understand the commands.

What is the model of the phase coupler and do you know if is a repeater coupler?

Troubleshooting tutorials.
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
http://www.act-remote.com/PCC/uncle.htm

Title: Re: Can't get lamps to respond to software
Post by: rctaubert on June 10, 2013, 06:59:03 PM

Thank you for your quick response.  Turns out all my lamp modules are the old variety.  Switched them all to the 'No Softstart' variety and everything is working.

Title: Re: Can't get lamps to respond to software
Post by: Dan Lawrence on June 11, 2013, 10:40:34 AM

That's the ticket!!  I have a few "soft-start" modules I but them in the attic where they get little use since that's basically for storage.

Title: Re: Can't get lamps to respond to software
Post by: dave w on June 11, 2013, 11:32:28 AM

Yeah, but the SoftStart feature does do a good job of extending bulb life, and reduces the habitual triac short and loss of module when a bulb burns out. $0.02

Title: Re: Can't get lamps to respond to software
Post by: Brian H on June 11, 2013, 01:18:47 PM

One issue with the early firmware Soft Start LM465's. Was they didn't flash correctly with a Security Console alarm.
Later firmware. Start to ramp On and Off but then revert to flashing on the continuous stream of commands.