...I've been involved w/ technology for 20+ years so I know this is going to take time to do right....
...I just received my starter kit and ran into the basic problem of the X10 signals not being able to go across the different electicial phases...
...Is it possible to put two CM15As onto a single installation of AHP without any system issues? I could then put one CM15A on phase A and the second on phase B. Would this be a less expensive way to be able to send the X10 command signals to all of my devices?
IMHO, this is a *VERY* bad idea - a bandaid, so-to-speak - with so much potential for creating future problems that I don't understand why anyone else hasn't BLUNTLY stated such. ??? :o ::)
- Are you going to store the SAME program on each CM15A, or are you going to CUSTOMIZE it to be PHASE-specific?
- If you're going to use the SAME program, how are you going to handle COLLISIONs, *IF*/*WHEN* both CM15As "hear" the same command?
- If you're going to use CUSTOMIZED programs, be aware that *FIRST* you'll have to MAP out all of your Circuits. Then, you'll have to be Super-Religious about documenting *WHICH* module(s) you added to *WHAT* phase and maintaining *TWO* separate .AHX programs.
- In the long run, wouldn't it be so much simpler to stick with *ONE* CM15A for now, attempt to eliminate all of your 'Signal Suckers' (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=11884.msg72580#msg72580) and/or 'Noise Generators' (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=11884.msg72580#msg72580), and then decide whether or not you need a Phase Coupler / Signal Amplifier (XTB ;) )?
NOTE: Oldtimers, *STOP* reading HERE! - because here comes one of my "Broken Record" Boilerplate Newbie speeches from the Archives):
Without a proper foundation in X10 knowledge and a logical plan-of-action, successfully troubleshooting and solving an X10 problem is like hitting the bullseye on a dart board while throwing the darts BLINDFOLDED (*AFTER* someone randomly spun you around! :D ). But, if you've got money to burn... ::)
Rather than volley back-and-forth with 'Try this...', 'Didn't work? Well then, try this...', I prefer to get Newbies up to a 'known' knowledge level and then work from there.
For a solid foundation of X10 Operation, please start off by reading:
JV Digital Engineering's X10 Troubleshooting Tutorials Series (http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm) (http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/X10_New.gif)
Then:
MAP / MEASURE / CORRECT (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=9899.msg62635#msg62635) - be sure to read the EXCELLENT articles written by JeffVolp and Puck (http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/X10_Updated_blue_sm_wte.gif)
Finally, with your CIRCUIT MAP and SIGNAL METER in hand, finish up with:
TTA's X10 Troubleshooting Tips Thread [Updated: 2007/03/05] (Read 8736 times) (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=9899.msg57582#msg57582)
As both Jeff Volp and I say:
I understand that most users don't want to hear this but
to have a reliable X10 System requires a substantial upfront investment in time and effort
To Get a Reliable X10 System (and I mean RELIABLE), One Has To Do Some Homework (courtesy of Jeff Volp) (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=10187.msg58732#msg58732) (http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/X10_New.gif)
Bottom line kmcgillycuddy:
- 1.) Take the time to read the FAQs, Tutorials, etc... that a few of us Oldtimers have taken OUR time to write for YOUR benefit.
- 2.) If you're serious about X10, invest in an ELK ESM1 X-10 ® Signal Strength Meter (http://www.elkproducts.com/products/esm1.htm).
- 3.) Follow the advice given in #1 and enjoy your X10 installation for YEARS to come. :)