X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Help & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: pat30 on December 17, 2007, 02:09:07 AM
-
Hello,
I have a problem with ActiveHome Pro (version 2.212) with SW11 (shutter switch) use with CM15.
All is OK with RF transmission(remote radio control): ON open and OFF close.
BUT, when I try from ActiveHome Pro, nothing !
Does AHPro had problems with SW10 module ?
Thanks for your answer.
-
Upgrade your AHP to 3.204, the latest version. 2.212 is so old it's not on the official revision lists.
-
Sorry, I make a mistake.
I use ActiveHome Pro 3.212 (it is ActiveHome Pro EU).
(Also, I test with CM11 and ActiveHome and I have no problem with SW10).
Thanks for answer.
-
I think you've made another mistake, latest version of Active Home Pro is 3.206 and only if you have the security plug-in (ONAlert)!
And As far as I know there isn't a EU version of it!
Can you post a link to it? Doing a google search turns up nothing on my end! ::) :(
-
There will be a few difficulties in getting help here for this problem. First, the shutter switch module you refer to isn't available in the US, or if it is it's a different model number. In the US, X10 uses SWxxA part numbers to refer to software.
Second, no one here has seen ActiveHome Pro's European version. That 3.212 version number would mean that X10 has revved X10Net and or AHP a couple times since the last US release, which is entirely possible. The revision numbers sometimes come from OEM work or they might come from a European version that needs localization and different modules, etc. (Take not of places in the revision history where you see an "internal use" version number -- that usually meant a change that was needed for an OEM that caused a new version number.)
-
The Marmitek SW10 Shutter Controller is a unique beast. Although not mentioned in documentation by Marmitek or by X10Europe (http://www.x10europe.com/pdf/SW10E.pdf) it responds to the Type 0 Extended Code commands described in X-10's Extended Code document (http://software.x10.com/pub/manuals/xtdcode.pdf).
The response of the SW10 to dim and bright commands is also unique: With a European model transceiver (TM13), pressing the dim or bright button on a remote results in the shutter moving in the appropriate direction so long as the button is pressed. Yet when a dim/bright is sent from the CM11, a single (short) dim/bright command starts the shutter moving and it keeps moving until it receives a second dim/bright. I can only surmise that the TM13 must be sending its dim/bright in pairs with a gap between them, however the CM11 doesn't distinguish them as such when it reports receiving them over the power line.
As far as I know, the only software which implements the Type 0 Extended Code commands as simple shutter control instructions is HEYU (for Linux, Unix, and Mac OS X), which uses a CM11 (http://www.heyu.org). However ActiveHome Pro is capable of including arbitrary extended code commands in macros, and I assume that (with a little study on the part of the user) these could be usable with the SW10.
I don't see the CM15 or ActiveHome Pro included in the product listings from Marmitek, X10Europe, or Intellihome. Where was your European version CM15/AHP purchased?
-
There is no European version of Active Home Professional. Both a Google and and an Ask search returned no European version of AHP now or in the past.
The OP needs to check exactly what he has.
-
All my X10 receptors are from Marmitek.
- I bought SW10 and CM11 (with ActiveHome) from Intellihome (http://www.intellihome.be/francais/productview.asp?id=38 page in french) some months ago.
All was OK and I can use SW10 with ActiveHome (Active Home FR version 1.42 - Décembre 2001), with RF controller and Internet (I wrote some scripts in PHP and Perl).
- I bought CM15 from Domotique-Pro (http://www.domotique-pro.com/boutique/index.php/voir_fiche/2220/cm15/cm15_-_interface_pc_(x10)_usb_%2B_logiciel_activehome_pro_eu.php) (page in french)
- I downloaded Active Home Pro EU version 3.212 - Octobre 2007 (software in US language) at http://www.maison-domotique.com/telechargements/telecharger.php (page in french)
- After installation, I can control all my X10 receptors wirhout problem except the SW10.
And I do not understant:
- when I control the SW10 with a RF controller (Marmitek),
- I can open and close, so all is OK
- and on ActiveHome Pro EU the switch I can view on the PC screen move correctly from OFF to ON, (and ON to OFF when I sent shutdown OFF to SW10),
- So the software seems to receive a signal from the CM15 that a RF command is sent to the SW10
But when I try to do the command wifth ActivePro EU, it seems that the command is not sent to CM15 (but the switch on the PC screen move from OFF to ON) ?
This problem is only with SW10
I use actually: controllers (SH624, KR22, EasyTouch 35, TM13), receptors (LM12, AM12, LM15, AD10, AW12, LW12). All Marmitek bought from Intellihome.
I asked X10 USA by mail (http://www.x10.com/) to buy ActiveHome Pro software but they answer that they do not sell outside USA (I ask only for the software because we cannot use the hardware 110 v, which are very less expensive than the 230 v version we bought in Europe).
If you have any idea what can I do, thank for your answer.
-
Most interesting!!!
I downloaded the AHP Europe 3.212 software from pat30's link and installed it on a Win XP system. Smart macros are included and there is no hassle about registration. (I'm pretty sure I didn't have a previously registered AHP installation on this system.)
The interface is similar to the US version except that all the modules are the European versions. The language is English.
I tried out the module for the SW10 Shutter Controller. It's somewhat disappointing in that it has only On/Off control and doesn't include the Type 0 Extended Code shutter functions. It transmits ordinary On and Off commands, observed by a CM11 on another system.
pat30:
AHP is notorious for having a lot of bugs. Try this:
File > New
Drag in only the icon for the SW10 and set its housecode|unit to that of your SW10.
Try switching it On and Off and see if your SW10 responds.
-
Since X10's software registration and upgrade system works only when purchase is made from X10.com (or X10 UK when it was still in operation), it's to be expected that the AHP Europe version doesn't require either of those. I bet it's not an Internet based installer, either. (I'd download it, but I'm not going to do that while I'm at work.)
If I had to guess, I'd bet that they implemented the SW10 in the simplest way possible, ignoring the fact that it works differently from other modules -- shorter dev time, less testing. Testing European modules was always problematic in the US, and that's where all the software work is done.
-
Since X10's software registration and upgrade system works only when purchase is made from X10.com (or X10 UK when it was still in operation), it's to be expected that the AHP Europe version doesn't require either of those. I bet it's not an Internet based installer, either. (I'd download it, but I'm not going to do that while I'm at work.)
You're correct - it's the complete program rather than an installer stub.
If I had to guess, I'd bet that they implemented the SW10 in the simplest way possible, ignoring the fact that it works differently from other modules -- shorter dev time, less testing. Testing European modules was always problematic in the US, and that's where all the software work is done.
My suspicion is that the developers were never informed of the Type 0 Extended Code shutter controls. And although control via Dim/Bright could probably be programmed to work from the AHP interface, the capability to operate from a downloaded macro would have to have been programmed in the CM15A's microcontroller.
-
Another possibility -- the CM15A doesn't have the ability to even send that kind of command from a macro. There are a number of command formats in the CM15A that we never tried to use when I was there and didn't know if they worked.
-
Another possibility -- the CM15A doesn't have the ability to even send that kind of command from a macro. There are a number of command formats in the CM15A that we never tried to use when I was there and didn't know if they worked.
Lest my statement was confusing, the Dim/Bright I referred to was with regard to the unusual pattern of Dim/Bright transmitted by European TM13 transceivers which allows them to control the SW10 Shutter switch. The CM11A can't distinguish these from the usual contiguous stream of Dim/Bright, so without an oscilloscope I can't determine how the CM15A transmits them.
AHP and the CM15 can transmit any type Extended Code command from either the GUI or from a downloaded macro (with or without the CM15A connected to the PC), including the Type 0 Shutter commands. However the Activity Monitor does not report any Extended Command transmitted from a downloaded macro, even the Type 3 Dimmer (LM14A) commands. (It apparently expects all Extended Code modules to be 2-way and return an Extended Status Ack. The AHP-Europe version seems to work a little differently although I haven't fully exercised it yet.)
-
I do:
File > New
Drag in only the icon for the SW10 and set its housecode|unit to that of your SW10.
Try switching it On and Off and see if your SW10 responds.
Same problem. (I tested also with an other one SW10).
AHP does not run and seems not to send command.
No problem with radio commands.
Curious problem ???
-
I do:
File > New
Drag in only the icon for the SW10 and set its housecode|unit to that of your SW10.
Try switching it On and Off and see if your SW10 responds.
Same problem. (I tested also with an other one SW10).
AHP does not run and seems not to send command.
No problem with radio commands.
Curious problem ???
pat30:
Change the housecode|unit address in the SW10 icon to that of one of your AM12 modules. Click the On and Off button on the SW10 icon and see if the AM12 responds. (As far as I can see with AHP-Eu 3.212 on my PC, the SW10 and AM12 icons send the same On/Off signals.)
If that works, now unplug the AM12 module from its current location and plug it in an AC receptacle on the same branch circuit as the SW10 module, i.e., on an AC receptacle controlled by the same circuit breaker as the the SW10 module. See if the AM12 continues to respond when you click the On and Off button on the SW10 icon.
-
So, I did what Charles Sullivan wrote.
- "Change the housecode|unit address in the SW10 icon to that of one of your AM12 modules.
Click the On and Off button on the SW10 icon and see if the AM12 responds."
YES, AM12 responds.
- "unplug the AM12 module from its current location and plug it in an AC receptacle on
the same branch circuit as the SW10 module... See if the AM12 continues to respond"
NO, AM12 does not respond.
So, it seems it is a problem on this branch circuit.
Have you seen such a problem before ?
If true, what I can do ?
And I do not understand why with AHPro it do not run and I have no problem with RF controller
(EasyTouch 25 or SH624 Marmitek remote control).
Thank for your help and happy new year.
-
So, I did what Charles Sullivan wrote.
- "Change the housecode|unit address in the SW10 icon to that of one of your AM12 modules.
Click the On and Off button on the SW10 icon and see if the AM12 responds."
YES, AM12 responds.
- "unplug the AM12 module from its current location and plug it in an AC receptacle on
the same branch circuit as the SW10 module... See if the AM12 continues to respond"
NO, AM12 does not respond.
So, it seems it is a problem on this branch circuit.
Have you seen such a problem before ?
If true, what I can do ?
This is a common problem when the transmitter is on one phase of a multi-phase household and the receiver is on another phase. The X10 signal has no path between the phases, or is substantially weaker on the receiver phase. The solution is to add what is known as an X10 Phase Coupler at the breaker box. If your house is powered by a 3-phase service, you will need a 3-phase coupler or perhaps a 3-phase coupler/repeater.
And I do not understand why with AHPro it do not run and I have no problem with RF controller
(EasyTouch 25 or SH624 Marmitek remote control).
Thank for your help and happy new year.
Try this: If you unplug your CM15 and plug your TM13 into the same socket where you had the CM15, do the shutters continue to respond to RF? I don't know about the TM13, but the USA models of RF transceivers transmit at about twice the signal level as the CM15A.
X10 signals are sent as short pulses of 120 KHz at the zero crossings of the AC waveform. In order to work with 3-phase circuits, older X10 transmitters repeat the pulse twice again at the times the other two phases would be at their zero crossings. I don't know if the CM15 does this.
MichaelC: Do you know if the USA model CM15A repeats its signal pulses at the 3-phase zero crossing times?
-
Speaking of phase bridging, the various X10 Phase couplers are fine, but there's a cheap and easy way to bridge phases: If you have an electric stove, get a .1 uF 250 VAC Capacitor, available at many electronic stores for around a dollar or so and put it in the box the stove plugs into. It will bridge the phases and the stove doesn't know it's there.
-
Mine is in the oven outlet. Which Radio Shack supplied. Works for a quick start. Under $5.00. Just remember to update your electrical map. Cheap test while waiting for the phase coupler. Just don't forget it there Thanks Dan for the reminder.
-
Speaking of phase bridging, the various X10 Phase couplers are fine, but there's a cheap and easy way to bridge phases: If you have an electric stove, get a .1 uF 250 VAC Capacitor, available at many electronic stores for around a dollar or so and put it in the box the stove plugs into. It will bridge the phases and the stove doesn't know it's there.
This works in the USA where electric stoves typically draw power at 240V from both phases of a +/- 120V split phase service. However it would appear that the OP (pat30) resides in Europe.
The power distribution there is very often 230V 3-phase, and it's likely that an electric stove would be wired to only one of those phases. (Input from any forum members in Europe will be appreciated.)
-
Thank for your answers.
All my power distribution is 230V 2-phase.
I tried this:
- on the same branch circuit where I have the CM15: unpluged the CM15, put a TM13 into the same socket.
YES the shutters continue to respond to RF !
- put the CM15 (connect to my PC) on the branch circuit where are the SW10.
YES the shutters continue to respond to RF and NOW respond to AHP !
- put the CM15 (connect to my PC) on a third branch circuit (where the SW10 are not installed).
YES the shutters respond to RF and NOW respond to AHP !
So it seems I have a problem on the first branch circuit where I put the CM15.
I do not know why because the 3 branch circuits I tested have the 3 same circuit breaker in the electrical panel.
I continue the tests from others branch circuits (I have 23 branch circuits from the 'house' electrical panel for the house, and 18 for outdoor with 4 electrical panel).
Actually, to resolve my problem, I put my PC and CM15 on a branch circuit where I can run AHP.
The PC is connected by wifi to my router ADSL, so I can control my home by Internet (PC, CM15, Apache server, AHP and some scripts in Perl and PHP I wrote).
-
Thank for your answers.
All my power distribution is 230V 2-phase.
I tried this:
- on the same branch circuit where I have the CM15: unpluged the CM15, put a TM13 into the same socket.
YES the shutters continue to respond to RF !
- put the CM15 (connect to my PC) on the branch circuit where are the SW10.
YES the shutters continue to respond to RF and NOW respond to AHP !
- put the CM15 (connect to my PC) on a third branch circuit (where the SW10 are not installed).
YES the shutters respond to RF and NOW respond to AHP !
So it seems I have a problem on the first branch circuit where I put the CM15.
I do not know why because the 3 branch circuits I tested have the 3 same circuit breaker in the electrical panel.
I continue the tests from others branch circuits (I have 23 branch circuits from the 'house' electrical panel for the house, and 18 for outdoor with 4 electrical panel).
Actually, to resolve my problem, I put my PC and CM15 on a branch circuit where I can run AHP.
The PC is connected by wifi to my router ADSL, so I can control my home by Internet (PC, CM15, Apache server, AHP and some scripts in Perl and PHP I wrote).
It appears there is an appliance on the problem branch circuit which is attenuating the X10 signal, to the extent that the lower level X10 signal transmitted by the CM15 is being lost. Appliances with switching power supplies often have heavy capacitive filtering at the AC input which can attenuate X10 signals. Typical appliances like this are PC, UPS, TV, VCR, DVD, Stereo. Test by unplugging all such appliances from the wall socket - merely turning them off is not enough. If an offending appliance is identified, it can be isolated from the power line with a filter like the Marmitek FM10 Plug-in Filter.
However if you are satisfied with the operation of AHP where you now have the CM15 plugged in, you can now try this:
Create a macro by opening the Macro designer. Click on "Advanced functions" in the drop down menu on the right. Drag in the icon on the right "Extended code" and set its housecode/unit address to that of your SW10. For "Command byte" in the icon, enter the value 0x03. For "Data byte", enter the value 0x06.
Create a second macro as above but set the Data byte to 0x0C.
Create a third macro as above but set the Data byte to 0x12.
Now in the room view, run each of these macros in turn and observe the effect of each on your shutter.
-
Well, maybe your problem can be solved because Marmitek is selling the CM15Pro (with ActiveHomePro) now. Should be a better product knowing Marmitek, having newer version of the software also. Seems you have bought with the wrong supplier, on their website it is said the product is not available because of a recall !
Good luck !
Piet
-
I order this new hardawre from Marmitek
I'll make tests and report if it is OK.
Thank
-
I'm also in Europe, bought a CM15Pro a few weeks ago (used a CM11 before), and am now happily controlling 13 blinds via 11 SW10 modules. All commands are sent as extended code. I can position the blinds reliably.
I'm now working on a sun protection system with MS13 sensors (I put some black tape here and there inside to reduce light sensitivity so that they don't react to dusk/dawn but to sun/clouds light intensity difference). Bit of trial and error - maybe somebody has better way to modify the MS13 (so that it remains weatherproof !) ?