X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Help & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: DrJimM5 on January 15, 2020, 05:58:45 AM
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Apologies if protocol breach as I am new here. Due to new PC and Windows 10 the last control program and module I used was not compatible. A relative of mine who has been using the Activehome Pro and CM15A sourced one for me on eBay and gave it to me, As part of the new PC set up my installer downloaded the software and after all was complete I connected the hub via USB to the PC and proceeded to enter my X10 items into the program. All of that went smoothly and I was able to turn them on/off manually in the Modules section. From there I proceeded to set up Timers since all the things I control are light switches or outlets. I use all 16 of the A house codes and some have multiple items being controlled in the same code (A3 for instance). So on that very first night after all the entry and downloading to the hub, which properly showed status bar and completion box, all of my light turned off. However on the next day I was surprised to find not a single light came on. After turning those on manually through the program, they also went off as programmed. Since that time and regardless of how I may try to get the lights to be automatically turned on be it set time or related to dusk, no light will turn on unless done manually. I have tried leaving the hub connected to the PC and also putting the hub elsewhere. Since the automatic turn off happens consistently when connected to the PC and the outlet nearby, I assume that isn't the problem. Final info is that my software is unregistered and I have not put batteries into the hub. Thank you for any help!
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What version of Active Home Pro are you using? 3.318 is the latest revision..
Are you using LM465 Lamp Modules or dimmer style X10 wall switches?
Are they new enough to be Soft Start that ramp On and Off?
If they are older ones they do not have soft start. You have to define them in the Lamps (No Soft Start) tab. If you used the Lamps tab with modules not Soft Start. They will not process the extended X10 commands to turn them on but would turn Off.
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I am using the most current version. Most of my switches are Decora style by Leviton and others but generally old to older. I also have hard-wired outlets (no plug-in lamp modules) also old/older. I have a few X10 Pro XPS4 also since I have started using X10 Pro products for replacement when an older one went bad. So you are saying the ramp-up could be the problem and that the signal for "off" is different and that could be my problem? That is easy enough to test as I will now delete a few and add back in an "older module" in the program and then see what happens. Also, if all my switches respond to manual use in the program the signal sent out for automation is different? TY!
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Yes. The codes sent to the switches are different.
Honestly. IMO. Spend the 50 bucks on a Pi and get HomeGenie. Or use one of those older computers you have laying around doing nothing. LOL
I had AHP and it in no way compares to what HomeGenie can do. If you are looking to just turn some lights on and off with a schedule you will be a lot happier with a Pi and HG. Everything to do basic home automation is already done for you. Just make an SD card and then pop it in your Pi and download HG. Takes me about 1 hour or so to setup all of it.
IMO.
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Apologies if protocol breach as I am new here. Due to new PC and Windows 10 the last control program and module I used was not compatible.
I'm assuming that whatever you used to use was a 16 bit program that won't run on your new WIN 10 64 bit machine. If you still have the old system and prefer to continue using it, there are two options; run a virtual machine on your WIN 10 PC, or; use an old laptop running a 32bit version of WIN 7 or 10. The latter is what I do for my 20 year old Stargate system which only needs the old laptop for making program changes. You can pick up a nice laptop with a 32 bit version of WIN 10 for $182 on ebay.
Moving on to the CM15A, you say that from AHP you can manually turn everything ON and OFF. That, and the fact that the outlets don't turn ON either, leads me to believe that extended code isn't the issue nor do you have a signal integrity issue. The only difference I see is that you can't get them to turn ON via the timer. Have I got that right? If so, and I'm NOT an AHP expert, I'd look at the way the timers are set up, particulary if there are dusk/dawn conditionals involved. Correct timezone and location? I assume you have the manual but if not it's here: http://www.authinx.com/manuals/X10/CM15A.pdf
Try creating a test timer with an outlet or an appliance module set to come on soon and then off a minute later and let us know what happens.
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brobin TY for the insight and yes we considered running the virtual machine or laptop. I'm trying to move forward into whatever century we're in. However, due to the fact that I have like 20 wired in switches or outlets it would be very time consuming and costly to do considering I'm not expecting to stay in the house for too much longer. As it relates to setting up the timer, I'm pretty sure I got it right and did every combination of set hour vs. dusk vs. 12/24 clock and you name it. At this point it could be as LostDog88 says in that the timer signal and the one I send manually are different. It could be I'm missing something or it could be my unit is defective.
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What version of AHP do you have installed. You really should register your AHP using Ahp Lifejacket.
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3.318 I think is most current and what I have. What is AHP Lifejacket?
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You might try setting a module to a different Housecode and creating a timer for that. Just a shot in the dark but simple enough to try. Did you clear the memory before setting up your timers? That's particularly important if this is a used unit. If those don't help I'll have to defer to someone with more AHP knowledge.
The CM15A isn't really a "this century" item so if you'd like to try something newer with more functions that's really more "plug 'n play" I've been touting the Smartenit Harmony P2 or G2. It supports X10 (albeit without extended codes which it sounds like you don't need), Insteon and ZigBee devices. Timer setup is done with an Android or IOS app or through a web portal. It's compatible with Alexa & Google Home too. The P2 with a 2412U PLM is available at www.smartenit.com for $75. I'm using one with my Stargate to provide Alexa control.
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several user reported strange things with unregistered AHP.
AHP-Lifejacket will register AHP and give you a couple of the more popular plugins.
You realy need AHP registered before we try to trouble shoot, AHP-Lifejacket will do that.
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=28994.0
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several user reported strange things with unregistered AHP.
AHP-Lifejacket will register AHP and give you a couple of the more popular plugins.
You realy need AHP registered before we try to trouble shoot, AHP-Lifejacket will do that.
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=28994.0
Do you have a working link for Lifejacket? All of the links on your page appear to be down.
Thanks.
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Click on AHP LIFEJACKET in the first message. You may have to register by sending him a message before it'll download.
http://forums.tuicemen.net/index.php?topic=937.msg8167#new
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The link should be fixed now on this forum in the thread I linked to.
>!
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Installed the AHP LJ and it's registered but lights did not come on as scheduled. Thoughts now?
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What modules are you using and how are thet configured (specified) in AHP. Are these lamps or ceiling lights? Supply some screen shots if you can as this may show something.
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Everything I am looking to turn on is some form of light control. Basically I have one or more of every Decora-style press/rocker light switch and plug in outlet over the past 20 years. Some are Leviton brand, some are X-10 and some are other. When someone suggested my issue could have been the "Soft Start" thing I did switch a few to the Older Lamps module, but there are several different types in there for wired wall switches and outlets and I did not try them all. I didn't think it would have to be as specific as specifically which one I had. If that's the case it will be difficult to figure out which is which since they are all hard-wired. Final disclosure is in order for all my units to respond, I have been running a signal booster for years which plugs into the dryer 220 and then my dryer plugs into it. Not knowing the difference in "on" command signals versus off as it relates to the program vs. manual leaves me (and my IT guy) puzzled. That is, the AHP turns everything off fine automatically as programmed and I also have full manual control of both on & off through the program, but not the automatic on. One would think if logic applied that if I could turn something on manually then that would be the same e-signal sent out in the automatic program. I also did try using set hour vs. dusk for on and also 12 vs. 24. All of that was PRIOR to AHP LJ install and register, so if you think I should do some kind of delete and redo, I will do that. Last thing and before we try anything else I'm going to do this now is my IT guy installed AHP LJ remotely and I have to check with him if he did a restart to computer and also cleared out the interface memory and then downloaded to the hub.
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It has been several years since I used AHP (created for Windows 98) I don't even have it loaded on a PC any more (I still use the CM15A though) I'm working from memory here (which isn't what it once was).
If lights are plugged into a hardwired outlet (not a Plug in lamp module) they will not respond to a all lights on command as they are considered outlets. Some switches I also believe are the same.
Are you attempting to turn several lights on at the same time with a macro or timer?
Are all lights on the same house code (A, B, C...)
>!
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I have set up individual timers based upon the location of the lighting. All are A-something (1-16) and have been forever. Some of the lights are plugged directly into the X-10 hard wired outlet and some are connected to the Decora style switch. In some cases their might be multiple items on a house code, say A-3 is my exterior front lights which consists of several of Decora switches, and a pair of outlets. That is my most complicated one but a simple press of any manual control for A-3 gets them all now in AHP or from my desktop control boxes. I do not have response issues from any manual source be it many items or just one. I do not use macros.
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manual remotes send standard X10 signals AHP on the other hand sends specific signals depending on how a module is connected.
If you can turn off & on all lights manually in AHP but just not with a timer then I suspect either the timer isn't configured correctly or you have some power line noise being injected into the power line at the time the lights are to come on.
Does the AHP history show the on signal being sent?
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At work and will check tonight. I did before leaving clear all and download so I'm hoping to get lucky and find lights on when I get home. The power line thing probably isn't the cause as I have them going on at various times and when they don't I can turn them on literally at the same time manually in AHP around the same time (assuming I'm at home and not work, which is 3x per week usually).
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So sometimes your timers work and other times they don't?
That is a classic sign of a noise issue. These are hard to route out with out a meter but not impossible.
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Perhaps plugging a lamp module (with a desk lamp) set to the same code as one of the lights into the same outlet as the CM15 would help troubleshoot this.
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Perhaps plugging a lamp module (with a desk lamp) set to the same code as one of the lights into the same outlet as the CM15 would help troubleshoot this.
That would help to confirm a noise issue, and phase issue but since DrJimM5 has a phase coupler I doubt that the issue is a phase one.
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Correct T as brobin was suggesting I've "been there, done that." My house is wiring complex having been altered many times to the current point of 300 amp service and several subpanels. It's actually amazing the X-10 stuff was working so well before this! Since this issues started, SmartHome told me that the software we deleted that was running my last module also from them, should work with Windows 10. My IT guy didn't think so at first when we set up new machine so we deleted HomeLink and ditched their plug-in hub (had to stay connected to PC at all times to work) and went with ActiveHome and the CM15 I had sitting around.
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Correct T as brobin was suggesting I've "been there, done that." My house is wiring complex having been altered many times to the current point of 300 amp service and several subpanels.
FWIW I am arriving late to this party and have only skimmed the thread, but with a huge system as yours. and regardless of the current problems, I would recommend adding a "flame thrower" of a coupler/repeater. Don't know if JVDE is still making them, but the XTBIIR is the undisputed pinnacle of X10 PLC signal coupler, booster, repeater.
http://jvde.us/xtb-iir.htm
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Thanks for the input Dave. If we can get even a couple lights to turn on or something automatically, I'd consider that. Since the last few programs and hubs have worked out well with the plug-in 220 repeater I have, I don't want to add another variable right now. Cliff's Notes: if my AHP works to turn things off automatically and also on/off manually and my "only" problem is none of them are going on automatically, my problem is likely not a signal. Anyone in favor of a defective CM15 as it relates to sending automatic on signals? I know I have to check the log tonight but not knowing the fundamentals of the unit, is it possible? I would think anything's possible but is it likely?
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Just to be sure, your CM15A is always connected to the PC, Yes?
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Yes. I thought it was capable of holding the program though?
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It is, however if you have the CM15A connected 24/7 there is no need to download to the interface. I know you can tell AHP to execute macros from AHP but can't remember if you can do the same for timers. The only need to download to your interface is if your running disconected and that requires batteries.
If batteries in the unit have leaked and corroded things it is possible some damage was done to the memory.
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Thanks for the input Dave. If we can get even a couple lights to turn on or something automatically, I'd consider that. Since the last few programs and hubs have worked out well with the plug-in 220 repeater I have, I don't want to add another variable right now. Cliff's Notes: if my AHP works to turn things off automatically
Yes you are right, do not add to the pot. Thanks for the condensed version <wink>
I have not used AHP and a CM15A in a decade, so am a fish out of water trying to trouble shoot. If you think it is a hardware matter I can loan you a new CM15A for testing and use until you get new if your CM turns out to be bad. PM me.
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Don't know if JVDE is still making them, but the XTBIIR is the undisputed pinnacle of X10 PLC signal coupler, booster, repeater. http://jvde.us/xtb-iir.htm
At IRS inventory time there were 71 XTB-IIR/+ units left. Almost half were the + version. At the current rate they should remain available much of 2020.
Jeff
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dave w yeah it's driving me crazy as to what is the problem. While it could be me, the activity log shows a ton of signals sent at the times things are supposed to be going on, so I'm at a loss. One would think if my units are of the wrong module type, they would not work as they do with auto-off and manual on/off. What's confusing as hell is if the command is coming out of the program to go on, how is it not "passing through" the CM15A like it does for auto-off and manual on/off? Makes no sense but I'm ready to give up. I did delete all the modules and erase CM15A data stored. I will re-enter some for tonight and see what happens. If still nothing then maybe I will take you up on the loaner offer. TY!
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Update: so it turns out that the type of module was the problem. Even though I had tried other "no soft start" modules that didn't work, some trial and error has me currently using from the Pro Modules group one of the outlets shown. I guess it has to be that the signal sent is different? The other thing that is also different is when I set up new Timers, I unchecked the box for "download" so right now it's the program sending commands and not the interface memory. I plan to test these things further to find the "real" truth, but at least all my lights went on last night and off. Thanks for the input along the way!
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Nice to see your back running.
Hopefully the memory hasn't been dammaged however if your connected to the Pc 24/7 there is no need for it. X10 WTI never shared code to download to the cm15 so only AHP can do it. Do let us know the results of your further tests.
>!