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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: chinaboy on July 18, 2006, 01:33:52 PM

Title: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: chinaboy on July 18, 2006, 01:33:52 PM
Hi All,

I have my computer plugged into a Am466 appliance module. I have this set up so when I am at work and my PC locks up I could send a x10 signal to turn the power off and have the system restart. That works great. My only problem, is when I use the universal remote and press the "All off" button it turns all my lights, cameras, and the power to the Am466. The same thing happens when working in Active Home software if I click on the "Turn of all Units" Is there anyway for me to prevent the Am466 from responding to the "All Off" command.  I was hoping I could set up some kind of macro in the Active Home software to prevent this, but I don't have a clue.

Can someone help me with a work around for this problem or is there another module I should consider using.

Thanks
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: steven r on July 18, 2006, 02:07:20 PM
There's no way I know to exclude an appliance module from an "All OFF" command short of changing the HC.

How are you sending the X10 signal from work? A telephone controller?

If you had AHP, I could make a macro suggestion that might help. It maybe possible with the older AH software. Unfortunately I'm so removed from AH that I don't even remember how it works.
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: chinaboy on July 18, 2006, 02:19:44 PM
I am using the telephone controller to send the signal from work. Really love that feature. But when I am at home, the kids may get a hold of the remote and hit the "All Off" button. I do have AHP. Can you provide me with your macro suggestions.

Thanks
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: steven r on July 18, 2006, 03:11:45 PM
Let's say your HC is "B" and the module that controls the computer is "B10".
You now can still call and control your HC "B" well as the computer without an accidental "ALL OFF" of HC "B" turning off the computer. Note: The remote can still trigger the computer off if a "B10 ON" is sent from it. Worst case, however, is that the computer will reset.

BTW.. I use a designated "HC" for my telephone controller and have all of it's controls run macros. e.g. All lights ON, Flash Lights, Shut down macro, etc. I even have one macro that will email my phone to let me know the computer is still running AHP. (I get geek points when I call from my cell phone and have AHP email my cell phone back.) :)

By isolating the module to an unused HC, "N" in my example above, it reduces the chances of the computer being turned off accidentally.
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: chinaboy on July 18, 2006, 04:17:38 PM
Sounds good, will make the adjustment when I get home. I am new to the telephone controller. I thought I had to set it to the same HC as my other x10 gadjets. If it is on another HC, how will I be able to send signals to x10 modules. I love the idea of having the macro send email to your phone, Care to share how that is done?
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: Brian H on July 18, 2006, 06:12:17 PM
The TR16A sends the commands on the House Code it is set to and the unit code picked by a touchtone digit. Also on the security code, that is a three digit setting. The third digit is used for a ring indication; by sending a cycle of On Off commands to the House Code and unit code on the third security digit.
Example. House Code Dial B
Security code you key in when the beep sounds: 1-6-8
When the phone rings. It sends out a B8 On; B8 Off then B8 On; B8 Off.
I don't use the CM15A right now but if you had the TR16A send a code on B again and your modules are on C. They will not respond directly to the B signals, but a macro running in the CM15A could be triggered by the B codes to do things on the C codes.
You could also have certain modules on the B House Code and also directly control them. I use a Chime Module to sound in the cellar when the phone rings and the TR16A sends the On Off cycle. Also have an ELK doorbell detector that triggers a Powerflasher modue, to again ring my chime so to speak.  ;D :o
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: chinaboy on July 18, 2006, 07:38:45 PM
Ok, I am a bit puzzled. I followed steven's instructions. But now I can seem to get the power to the Am466 module to turn off. I set the Am466 module to HC N8. The Telephone controller, along with all my other gadjets are on HC "A" When I call home, to turn off the Am466 which is now set to N8, how will the telephone controller turn it off if it isn't on the same house code. Dont' mean to sound stupid, but I'm lost.

Thanks
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: Dan Lawrence on July 18, 2006, 09:50:21 PM
The way I read steven r's instructions, the address that calls the macro should be the AM466's OLD address. The macro calls the AM466 by the new address you gave it.  Since  the telephone controller is on housecode A, the macro should run.
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: steven r on July 18, 2006, 10:04:15 PM
Brian H brought up a very important fact! If you use a 3 digit access code (You can op for a 1 or 2 digit code.), the last digit will flash on and off that house unit code! You can use this to your advantage as Brian H does or not. Just be aware that it is sending an ON & OFF for the unit code of the last dial as the phone rings.

Ok, I am a bit puzzled. I followed steven's instructions....
...how will the telephone controller turn it off if it isn't on the same house code.
You did?  :)
Remember that macro I had you make?
Substitute "N8" for "N10" in my example ....or you can change the module to "N10" if you already built the macro per the example. Now name your macro "A?" where "?" is the unit code you want to use to trigger the macro from when you call in. e.g. If you want to call in and and have "A8 ON" trigger the use "A8" for the unit house code.

The key here is to use a macro that has the same HC as the rest of the things in your house to execute the OFF and ON for the module controlling the computer. ("N8" in your case right now.)
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: chinaboy on July 18, 2006, 10:16:47 PM
I have the Macro set to A8 as trigger on. Then I have N8 to turn off, Deleay 1 min, and N8 to turn on.  should the am466 be set to HC "A8" or "N8"  My controller is set too HC A
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: steven r on July 18, 2006, 10:35:28 PM
I have the Macro set to A8 as trigger on. Then I have N8 to turn off, Deleay 1 min, and N8 to turn on.  should the am466 be set to HC "A8" or "N8"  My controller is set too HC A
The module controlling the computer should be set to "N8"
You can now call in and start the "A8" macro from your phone. Now the "A8" macro will then tell "N8" to turn off, Delay 1 min and then turn N8 back on.
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: steven r on July 18, 2006, 10:41:17 PM
Again make sure if you're using a 3 digit access code that the last digit isn't something your don't want controlled.
e.g. If the last digit were an "8" in this case you would have the computer turning OFF and ON several times everytime anyone called.
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: chinaboy on July 19, 2006, 06:24:20 AM
Ok, I have the module controling the computer set to "N8".  A macro setup with "A8" Trigger, "N8" set to off, 1 min delay, and "N8" ON. When I call the house it doesn't turn off. I don't have last digit on the security set to 8. I am still able to control the other Gadjets on HC "A" except the module now set too "N8". Am I doing something else wrong.
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: steven r on July 19, 2006, 12:03:57 PM
Ok, I have the module controlling the computer set to "N8".  A macro setup with "A8" Trigger, "N8" set to off, 1 min delay, and "N8" ON. When I call the house it doesn't turn off. I don't have last digit on the security set to 8. I am still able to control the other Gadjets on HC "A" except the module now set too "N8". Am I doing something else wrong.
Sorry you're having so much problems. Is the logic of what we're trying to do clear?
I've rewritten my example below for your module controlling the computer set to "N8" and the macro being "A8".

For your HC "A" and the module that controls the computer set to "N8"...
You now can still call and control all your HC "A" as well the computer without an accidental "ALL OFF" of HC "A" turning off the computer. Note: The remote can still trigger the computer off if a "A8 ON" is sent from it. Worst case, however, is that the computer will reset.

By isolating the module to an unused HC, "N" in my example above, it reduces the chances of the computer being turned off accidentally.

Make sure that...


If you were able to control it before, it should work now but let me know.
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: chinaboy on July 19, 2006, 12:28:03 PM
I have everything setup as you described. But still can't turn the computer off from the telephone controller. All softwares are up-to-date. The only time I am able to turn the computer off is when the Am466 module is set to "HC A". When on "N8" no response are recieved from the telephone controller.
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: steven r on July 19, 2006, 12:46:40 PM
I have everything setup as you described. But still can't turn the computer off from the telephone controller. All softwares are up-to-date. The only time I am able to turn the computer off is when the Am466 module is set to "HC A". When on "N8" no response are received from the telephone controller.
Then Murphy must have come for a visit.  ;) Are you telling it to do an "A8 ON"? Remember the macro triggers with an "ON" signal.
After triple checking the set up, try these steps while near the computer...

BTW... Murphy and I are old friends. e.g. My laptop keyboard locked up while typing the previous reply and I had to switch computers mid message.
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: chinaboy on July 19, 2006, 01:12:29 PM
Ok, I told you I was new to this marco thing. I was using 8 # which is the off command, instead of 8 * to send the ON command. You turn my light bulb on the minute I read that. I assume that because I use the "#" to turn the other gadgets off, I did the same to run the macro.

I love this X10 stuff. Now since you were bragging about the system sending an email of the status, why not share some of that information with me, or is there a thread somewhere with those instructions.

Thanks a million, Steven R.
Title: Re: Is this possible? Am466 Appliance Module
Post by: steven r on July 19, 2006, 02:44:30 PM
...Now since you were bragging about the system sending an email of the status...
There may not be a thread showing specifically how to use the feature. I did discover the feature on this forum, however.

If you want to try it, use an unit code that you haven't used yet for your HC "A" that isn't the last digit of the access code. Say perhaps "A9". Start building your macro. You'll find the email option under "Advanced Functions". You can tell it what to say. e.g. "AHP running."
Then if you call and send an "A9 ON" command it will email you back. Since an email function can run only from the computer, no text msg means the computer / AHP is not up and running.

The key thing to remember is that this type of macro must is set up to run from the computer. There is no choice to run it from the CM15A as it requires the computer to have an online connection. For this reason, I don't mix other critical commands with my email macros. (When I need to combine critical commands with an emailing macro, I chain the emailing macro to another macro. - That's emailing class 202, try the basics first.)