X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Software Problems & Bugs => Topic started by: dan sumption on April 21, 2005, 10:12:05 AM
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I have gone so far as to buy a Pro wall
switch and install that and it will do the
same thing. I am running the newest
software available as I just downloaded the
new 3.186 software and still have the same
issues. Here is something else I have
found. I have my back yard spot lights on
a WS467 wall switch (No way to install
socket rocket because the spots are up 25'
high on the house and I hate ladders - darn
builders). I had the ws467 in the off
position (so it can't be turned on manually
or with the software). This morning i
moved the switch into the on position
because I got the software upgrade last
night and wanted to see if that helped.
Well not more then 5 minutes after flipping
that switch, the back yard spots turned on
all by them selves. Another thing I
noticed, I have garage side lights that I
have on another ws467 and I have them set
dusk to dawn and dimmed to 45%...They came
on at dusk at 100% and then about an hour
later they dimmed to 45%, then this morning
as I was leaving for work, I noticed they
were still on at 100%. On my timer setting
for the garage lights, I have them set to
Dim as soon as they turn on. No hour
delay. Can someone help me. I really
believe I have a defective CM15A as I have
rulled out interference via neighbors and I
have purchased a Pro wall switch and get
the same spuradic behavior.
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Regular type spot light lamps? Not CFLs?
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yes
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Dan: The Pro switch isn't really any
better than the regular one so it doesn't
surprise me that you get the same result
with it.
It could be a problem with your CM15a, but
I wouldn't rule out powerline noise. If
you leave the CM15a unplugged, do the
lights still turn on and off
unpredictably? If they stop turning on and
off unpredictably, then the CM15a is
probably somehow contributing to the
problem; otherwise, the problem is
unrelated to the CM15a.
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If I leave the CM15A UNPLUGGED the lights
DO NOT function at all. ie: they do not
come on and off randomly. I am going to
test for noise today by unplugging
everything in the house room by room
today. I'll see what happens. Is there a
better way to test for noise?
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Dan
You should try to get a noise block and put
your ENTIRE computer system through it
using power strips. Plug the CM15A into
the UNBLOCKED part of the outlet to let the
PLC commands distribute to the wiring. I
use an ACT AF120 15A block myself. Be sure
to use a block, as a conditioning filter
will not work to clear the noise and
absorbtion from the computer equipment,
especially if you have a UPS. You can get
them from Smarthome.com or Hnausa.com and
even if it doesn't cure your problem, you
can find a place to use that will help you
signals anyway. The Powerlink Filter is
also a good choice.
Luck
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Well, I did not get to test for noise, but
I did leave the CM15A unplugged for 3 solid
hours. All lights remained off. I plugged
the CM15A back in and with in 15 minutes, I
had lights coming on. I would then turn
them off at the module and they would come
back on. I am thinking I have a bad
CM15A. Oh, and my CM15A is plugged
directly into a wall outlet no where near
my computer equipment. I use a notebook PC
to program it so I don't believe my PC
equipment is causing the problem.
X10, I think it is time we either start
discussing replacing the unit or refunding
my money.
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Don’t buy in to “ a filter on every outlet”
I had an existing application and replaced
tried to replace a WORKING existing system’s
RF with CM15A. When it failed to perform as
before I was told “it probably is the
computer RF interference” when that was
eliminated they started in on line filters.
But the system was working before CM15A
regardless I added a bunch of filters and
coupler and CM15A still was flakey with the
RF stuff. Before buying a bunch of filters
and a coupler, test the outlets that you
plan to use do not assume.
Some light reading on the topic of noise:
http://www.act-solutions.com/uncle.htm and
http://www.smarthome.com/solution18.html
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Dan:
Automation Outlet has a an X10 PLC signal
strength meter available for free all you do
is pay for shipping.
http://www.automatedoutlet.com/prod...at=0&pa
ge=1
They also sell a TesterLinc 4819A (a X10 PLC
analyzer), I found it quite useful.
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Dan
If you have a notebook computer ANYWHERE in
the house plugged in and charging or using
it plugged in, then you can bet you have a
lot of noise and interference. Nothing so
far as I have seen is worse than a notebook
transformer. They work on a filter also....
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hat to disagree, but my C15a has worked a-ok
with my 9 office PCs, each on their own UPS,
and my laptop plugged in surfing as I am now.
While writing this on my laptop in the house
(120' away from the office with the 9 pc's
and my CM15a (plugged in by my pc), I will
check if it is working by using pcanywhere
equiv to bring up AHP and trigger a code to
turn lite on and off 5 times: worked fine.
I did have issues with my wireless wap
interfering with my X10 cameras for a while
until I changed its freq away from the camera
freq. But I had the same issues with poor
performance until I added my 220V
coupler/repeater with diagnostic lites on a
'dryer' outlet I added. missed signals
stopped happening.
So I wouldn't instantly blame a pc, ups, or
laptop computer.
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Dan said 'free signal strength tester at
http://www.automatedoutlet.com/prod...at=0&pa
ge=1
I cant find it. would you mind giving us the
link again pls?
tnx
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The link for the free signal meter didn't
work for me either.
I have been watching the activity monitor in
AHP fo most of the afternoon. I see several
instances where it shows a macro being ran
to turn on lights. First line reads The
time, Macro, then the Module code and #,
then the next line reads the time, Macro,
Module code (no number), Module Code Bright
100%.
I do not have a timer set or macro set for
these particular times. I do have the check
mark for "Repeat" checked on my timers. How
many repeats does it do and in what
duration. I don't think that is it because
the timer is a good 45 minutes (at least)
prior to this macro that ran on its own.
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http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php?
productid=463&cat=0&page=1
is the link for the free loaner .
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Not all Notebook powersupplies are the
same - I am using a DELL Inspiron 2650 and
I don't have any problems with it and the
PLC signals. If you copy and paste the
website links - MAKE sur that you remove
ALL spaces from the line - the forum
software inserts spaces into the line
causing problems.
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Dan Sumption: Timers with the "Repeat"
setting will have the command (on/off only --
not dim) repeated 3 times. Have you tried
clearing the interface memory, then
downloading again?
When you've plugged the CM15A back in, has it
been connected to the PC?
If clearing the interface, etc. doesn't work,
I'd agree that it might need to be exchanged.
You can call technical support for that.
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I have cleared the interface several times
and downloaded the timers and macros. When
I did this and downloaded, the CM15A has
been plugged into the outlet and the PC
connected.