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[svcguy]

Description:  PR511 constantly sends its +1 ON/OFF commands, even when it should not.

Situation:  PR511 House Code set to H, Start Code 3, Range MAX, Light set to recommended 'tick' setting, THIS UNIT set to sensor, Delay 2 min.  +1 IN, all others OUT.

Related Macros: 
     Welcome 1 ON
          Trigger H4 ON
          D5 ON

      Welcome 1 OFF
          Trigger H4 OFF
           D5 OFF

      D5 is a set of 2 socket rockets on the back porch (no other problems with those to note, any other macros/sensors associated with them function properly)

Problem:  Out of the blue (of course), one of my PR511's started demonstrating this behavior.  When the floodlight turns on it begins constantly sending its +1 ON command (can be seen in the Activity Monitor) and triggering its associated macro.  This causes the sensor to get stuck in a loop, such that it will never actually turn off.  I know this sounds like a case of light from the bulbs being cast onto the sensor lens, but read on.  Simply turning the +1 to OUT will snap it out of its loop and the light will turn off.  Same on the OFF side.  When the floodlight turns off it begins constantly sending its +1 OFF command and triggering the associated macro.  Again the sensor gets stuck in a loop, such that now it won't turn on, proving it's not a light problem.

In general, it seems to get stuck sending whatever command the floodlight state is in +1 (if that makes any sense, best way I can put it in one line).  There appears to be no problem with the actual IR sensor, since with all +x's set to OUT, the floodlight works fine. 

Attempts at resolution:  I cannot test >+1 since all of these are occupied.  I did however, set the start code to 1 and it still demonstrates the same behavior.  I followed all the steps at http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Floodlights_Do_Not_Turn_Off, to no avail.


If I had to guess, the sensor has died.  This doesn't seem like a reliability/configuration issue to me, but I thought I'd ask before I contact X10.

Any insight is greatly appreciated,
Andy

[steven r]

...If I had to guess, the sensor has died.  This doesn't seem like a reliability/configuration issue to me, but I thought I'd ask before I contact X10.

Based on your very clear approach to the problem, this may be the case. Unfortunately I haven't used the PR511 so I can't say for sure. Hopefully someone that has will post a reply soon.
Just out of curiosity, have you recently added a repeater of any kind to your setup?

[dave w]

svcguy,
FWIW
Did you try cycling the power to the PR511? I have had them become confused (not in the mannor you are seeing however) and cycling the power would clear it up.

[Boiler]

svcguy,

I've been using 3 - PR511's for 8 years now.  They have gotten confused on occasion after a power surge / loss (wouldn't turn off).  I believe they interpret this as a "manual on".  As Dave W posted, resetting power to the device has always cleared the problem.

Description:  PR511 constantly sends its +1 ON/OFF commands, even when it should not.

Situation:  PR511 House Code set to H, Start Code 3, Range MAX, Light set to recommended 'tick' setting, THIS UNIT set to sensor, Delay 2 min.  +1 IN, all others OUT.

Related Macros: 
     Welcome 1 ON
          Trigger H4 ON
          D5 ON

      Welcome 1 OFF
          Trigger H4 OFF
           D5 OFF

      D5 is a set of 2 socket rockets on the back porch (no other problems with those to note, any other macros/sensors associated with them function properly)

Problem:  Out of the blue (of course), one of my PR511's started demonstrating this behavior.  When the floodlight turns on it begins constantly sending its +1 ON command (can be seen in the Activity Monitor) and triggering its associated macro.  This causes the sensor to get stuck in a loop, such that it will never actually turn off.  I know this sounds like a case of light from the bulbs being cast onto the sensor lens, but read on.  Simply turning the +1 to OUT will snap it out of its loop and the light will turn off.  Same on the OFF side.  When the floodlight turns off it begins constantly sending its +1 OFF command and triggering the associated macro.  Again the sensor gets stuck in a loop, such that now it won't turn on, proving it's not a light problem.

I don't understand the "Loop" in the above.  When the H4 address is received, the D5 ON is sent.  This should have no affect on the PR511.  The PR511 will only send the +1 On in response to motion (sending it's address of H3 should not cause it to send the +1 address).

Are you sure you don't have a macro at address D5 that is in turn resending the H4 address (causing the loop)?
A listing of your activity monitor would be a great aid here. 

An easy test for the above would be to unplug your CM15a.  If the activity ceases, you have a rogue macro or looping problem within the CM15a.  If the +1 activity continues, you have my vote.

Boiler

[svcguy]

Thanks to all that replied!  I haven't checked this thread for a while because I was busy with the birth of my first son.   Since all that hoopla has settled down a little, I've been working this out a few minutes at a time.

I don't understand the "Loop" in the above.  When the H4 address is received, the D5 ON is sent.  This should have no affect on the PR511.  The PR511 will only send the +1 On in response to motion (sending it's address of H3 should not cause it to send the +1 address).

This had me thinking, too.  I switched the macros to trigger off the other floodlight and viola, it kept happening just as randomly.  That eliminated the hardware problem, turning this into an average "Activehome just started doing this because it can" problem.  I deleted the offending macros and cleared the CM15A, rebooted, rebuilt the macros, re-downloaded them, did the hokey pokey and turned myself around, and we are back up and running.

FWIW, I added a 5 sec delay to the start of the macro, as this seems to help with uncooperative macros in my setup.

Just out of curiosity, have you recently added a repeater of any kind to your setup?

I haven't recently, but I use one on the back porch to transcieve a pesky MS16A that I can't for the life of me get the CM15A to pick up, but I have the CM15A set to not transcieve that HC.

Anyway, even though it didn't make any sense to me, it seemed to be a macro problem.

Andy

[Boiler]

Thanks to all that replied!  I haven't checked this thread for a while because I was busy with the birth of my first son.   Since all that hoopla has settled down a little, I've been working this out a few minutes at a time.

Your First!!!

Quite frankly I'm amazed that you were able to re-locate this forum, must less post an update...

Congratulations to both you and your Better Half. 

Remember, Kids keep us young and help us grow at the same time.  Teach him well, and learn from him.

[DedicatedHermit]

I've been using X-10 for years and years, since at least the early 80's (were they around in the late 70s?).  It's fair to say I love to hate them!

That said and out of the way, I've found that the PR511 floodlights can be very useful.  I have 6 of them.  3 are on the sides and back of my house.  The other 3 are in front, above the garage, at the front door, and above a front bedroom window.

Associated with them are a light over the sliding glass door from the kitchen, and a porch light.

The house code is the same for all, with the  floodlights at 1,4,8,10,13, and 15.  Step in front of any floodlight, and it will trigger the next in the series (with a wrap at the top).  Believe me when I say that the light from six dual floodlights make my yard look like a ball park or public use tennis court when the lights go on!  There is no place to hide!

In addition, the floodlight on the back of the house which faces west, turns on the porch light at dusk, off at dawn. 

Most people would probably be happy with just four of the units, as that would be enough to complete the loop.  Three won't quite do it.

1->2-5,   5->6-9,  9->10-13,  13->14-2    and you have the wrap that makes all of them come on and go off in series.

DedicatedHermit


P.S. I do use other equipment on different house codes inside the house.  That setup is so completely pervasive that it defies description.  I could watch my own house for a week and not be able to determine if it was occupied or just the HA making it look that way.

P.P.S. I'm switching to Insteon over time and when devices fail.  But they don't have a good solution for the outside yet.

[HA Dave]

......... I've found that the PR511 floodlights can be very useful. 

DedicatedHermit I am also a big fan of the X10 floodlights they (and the CM15A) are at the heart of my HA setup. I added the AHP to my setup ONLY so I could use BVC (Bill's Voice Commander).

BVC allows me to control my lighting by voice command AND to get announcements when X10 devices come ON. So I put an amplified speaker on a appliance module..... and ran a speaker extention outside. Now if anyone triggers my (PR511) Floodlights... they also get a voice announcement telling them they have been detected in a restriced area. see it on my YouTube Video at my BVC fan site. (The floodlights are near the end of the 3 minute video.)

You'll get a hoot out of this! The yard lights up like a high school football field... and the computer voice announces "Activity has been detected in a restricted area".

[blondcb]

I've been using X-10 for years and years, since at least the early 80's (were they around in the late 70s?).  It's fair to say I love to hate them!

That said and out of the way, I've found that the PR511 floodlights can be very useful.  I have 6 of them.  3 are on the sides and back of my house.  The other 3 are in front, above the garage, at the front door, and above a front bedroom window.

Associated with them are a light over the sliding glass door from the kitchen, and a porch light.

The house code is the same for all, with the  floodlights at 1,4,8,10,13, and 15.  Step in front of any floodlight, and it will trigger the next in the series (with a wrap at the top).  Believe me when I say that the light from six dual floodlights make my yard look like a ball park or public use tennis court when the lights go on!  There is no place to hide!

In addition, the floodlight on the back of the house which faces west, turns on the porch light at dusk, off at dawn. 

Most people would probably be happy with just four of the units, as that would be enough to complete the loop.  Three won't quite do it.

1->2-5,   5->6-9,  9->10-13,  13->14-2    and you have the wrap that makes all of them come on and go off in series.

DedicatedHermit


P.S. I do use other equipment on different house codes inside the house.  That setup is so completely pervasive that it defies description.  I could watch my own house for a week and not be able to determine if it was occupied or just the HA making it look that way.

P.P.S. I'm switching to Insteon over time and when devices fail.  But they don't have a good solution for the outside yet.

Will your "step" design work with more than one PR511 on the same unit code?  I would think so as the ON command from any motion sensor should only turn the corresponding units on and not start anything circular. 

Have you found an Insteon solution to outdoor lighting?  I was thinking that leaving the blue wire unconnected like TakeTheActive discusses in Topics 13080.0; 12729.0; and 10086.0 and using Insteon in-wall switches might do the trick. 

Thanks