Detecting Dry Contact Activity in AHP

[rmd]

I have to read dry contact activity and input that to AHP and treat it with a macro in AHP. 

Tried a DS10A, I have to leave my computer connected, I cant do that.
Was suggested PF284, AHP does not handle controller, I need something that I can handle in AHP.
Was suggested  PSC05, I don't want to build a new system, I want to interface a simple contact closure with AHP.

I need a module that I could handle in AHP the same way I handle HR12A or a SS13A.

Thank you for any suggestions.

[Brian H]

HR12A and SS13A are both RF remote signal types. The PF284 sends a signal back on the powerline that the CM15A should be able to process as a received powerline signal. In a macro.
From what I see. You need a dry type contact signal and you do not have a powerline to run the Powerflash? Is that what you want? RF only back to the CM15A?

[rmd]

What I need is inputing a dry contact information, it could be RF or it could on a powerline.

From the reading I have done the powerflash module is a controller by itself and does not need AHP to manipulate information. If you look in the AHP lists of module it appears nowhere. If somebody has a way of cheating this and make powerflash looks like something else so that I can treat it in AHP I would be very happy. I would like to hear from somebody who succeeded in doing this before.

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

RMD,

Yes, the Power Flash is your man... er... module.

Basically, when the Power Flash module is set to "Mode 3" and its input type is set for dry contact, it will send out a powerline signal of (Power Flash module's House Code & Unit Code) ON when the contacts are shorted and then (Power Flash module's House Code & Unit Code) OFF when the short is removed.

This power line command will be recognized by any modules set to the same House Code & Unit Code, and received by the AHP CM15A controller as a possible MACRO trigger.

[Brian H]

As Bill said. It maybe a controller but all you need is the X10 On Off Powerline Signal to trigger your Macro.
I use one to trigger a Chime Module when the Doorbell Rings; but if I added a macro in AHP. That same signal; that directly chimes; could trigger the front lights to go on at the sametime.

[glt]

Many people have already explained this to this poster before, including me. He complained that a powerflash was a "controller" and therefore could not possibly work w/ AHP.

As soon as I disputed that, his tune changed, and my post was deleted, never to be seen again.

Enough.

GLT

[rmd]

To GLT....   The poster was deleted because I had two posts with the same subject, my tune was not modified because the second post was put in before your intervention.
Be sure that the post was not deleted because of your intervention.
Before posting I have read about all the post available on this subject and none to me seem to really clarify this subject. The description provided by X10 is not so clear either.
I have  read all kind of suggestion like using a UM506 or a PUM01 which are output module.
What I was looking for is the experience of somebody who had use a powerflash module before not some should be or maybe or perhaps. I was interested in someting definite.
I also can appreciate a polite answer.

Thanks to all

[Noam]

I use a PowerFlash module in my X10 setup.
I use it to trigger macros to run after a power outage (when power comes back on). all it does when the contacts are shorted is send a command down the line (the type of command, and how often depends on the mode you set the module to).
Since AHP doesn't care where the command comes from, there is nothing to program in AHP to tell it you are using a PowerFlash. AHP doesn't care if the command comes from a PowerFlash, or a motion sensor, or a hand-held remote. It only cares about what to do when it gets that command.
I hope that helps in some way.

[JMac]

Well, you certainly helped me!  I have a power flash that is activated by a weather radio and in the past (with a weather warning) I had it turn on lights (only).  I had never thought of using a macro command instead of light(s) command.  Thanks a heap!

[rmd]

I am very happy this thread is getting that usefull, personnally I was getting desperate for a while, I didn't have a powerflash module on hand to do tests, after reading the description  I was hesitating in buying some. Buying is allright but you have to pay for what you buy. 
As a result of some of the answers I obtained, I bought some powerflash module and I am waiting to put them in the circuit.
Thanks to Bill, a short little answer that explained the whole thing.

The only remaining question is that I have one that will be 60 feets away from the cm15A, will it communicate, I have to wait ? .

[Brian H]

Powerflash sends powerline signals. So unless you have a noise; phase or signal sucker problem. The 60 feet should be no problem.

[Puck]

...I have one that will be 60 feets away from the cm15A...

Also, if you are stating 60 feet of physical distance, that is irrelevent. The significant distance is the electrical distance between the 2 devices. This distance will always be larger and as Brian mentioned, the signal can span 2 electrical phases and most likely 2 breaker circuits as well.

[rmd]

Thanks for the answers, I was stating really 60 electrical feet. The fact is I am trying to monitor a water pump installation in a wharehouse about 50 physical feet from the main electrical panel. This installation is fed by 120/240 Volts cable running underground, I can plug my powerflash on either phase. Also I have a phase coupler installed.