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[Ford Taurus]

Hi all

Long time X10 user, but just recently hooked up my IR-543 to use with my Logitech 880 Harmony remote.

I went through the configuration of the remote and have it programmed, but only the 'All lights on' and 'All lights off' commands work.

I can see when using the other 1-9 buttons and custom buttons for other functions like House A,B,etc that the receiver gets the command from the remote (front LED lights on IR-543) and also that it re-sends the command across the power line (top LED lights). 

I have tried numerous times to reset the remote, use different codes, use X10 pro instead of X10 wireless device. 

The I-543 will control the lights individually just fine using the buttons on the actual unit.  I can also control the lights using a separate X10 controller unit ( an old P&P 61-2470).  All are plugged into the same circuit/panel.

Any ideas what I am doing wrong?

Thanks in advance.

Ford

[dave w]

Are you using AHP, where you can see from Activity Monitor what the Logitech is transmitting? If "All lights ON" and "All OFF" is working, it means the Logitech is at least getting the house code right, so try trobleshooting under that premise.

[Ford Taurus]

I don't have AHP.  I am thinking about getting the USB interface (CM-15?) and AHP however.  That would let me see what was being retransmitted over the lines?

I did add all the lights to the remote (seems to support 16) and tried them all, but no luck.  Only the all lights on/off work.  Obviously it is sending codes the IR-543 recognizes, but apparently it isn't the correct ones.  In this case House A, Light 1 and 2 are the targets.  Switching the house code had no effect I could see.  I only have devices on code A.

[dhouston]

I can see when using the other 1-9 buttons and custom buttons for other functions like House A,B,etc that the receiver gets the command from the remote (front LED lights on IR-543) and also that it re-sends the command across the power line (top LED lights).

It's been a few years since I played with the IR543 so my memory may be dimmed but I think your description is a bit off key. I believe you set a housecode on the IR543 and then you can send IR codes to that housecode but for all but the ALL type codes, you must first send a unit code (1-16), followed by a command (On, Off, Bright, Dim). So, you might see what you describe (i.e, LEDs flash but no module/switch reaction) if you are sending an improper command sequence. Or, I may be reading too much (or too little) into your description. The actual X-10 IR protocol is documented at...

• http://davehouston.org/ir.htm

Pay particular attention to the time delays needed between commands as detailed in the final paragraph of the cited article.

[Ford Taurus]

Thank you for the link.  I will do some research on this and test over the weekend.  I do see in the remote setup when I can adjust the delays, although I did not realize it was sending a sequence of codes.

There is a rather basic option to pick the house code on a button, i.e. 'House A' is an actual button.  Of course on the unit its just the normal dial selector which makes is simple to see what code it is 'sending'.  This does seem to fit with what you are saying.

Thanks again, will follow up after testing some more.

[dhouston]

It has been several years since i wrote that and tested the various hardware so my memory for details is a bit weak now. I believe the IR543 has enough memory to handle Unit number + command but I may be confusing it with the W version developed by Laser (in the UK). The latter had more memory for commands.

While I still have an IR543 about somewhere, I've given my programmable remotes (Philips Prontos) to a nephew and grandson so cannot test things myself.

I don't believe the stock IR543 was able to respond to any IR command for the housecode. If your remote has codes for that, they are almost certainly for the W version and for the one X-10 Europe did (copying Laser's work). I don't think they are of use with a stock IR543 unit. However, there may have been later changes I'm unaware of so take my advice with that in mind.

EDIT: I just realized I used the wrong model designations. Laser developed the IR543AH & IR7243AH which were all housecode modifications of the stock IR543/IR7243. X-10 Europe copied Laser's implementation in the IR7243W. IIRC, the Harmony Remote was introduced a few years later so it may implement one of the all housecode versions which will not work with the stock IR543/IR7243 - Laser's mod replaced the MCU with a small daughterboard that had a PIC with additional RAM. If you have one of the X-10 universal remotes, they send the original codes in IR mode and these can be used to learn the codes, if needed.

Laser provided thorough documentation but whether you can still find it, I don't know - my copy disappeared a few years back with the first of three NAS failures I've experienced. (I'm convinced NAS units are designed fragile so they can sell data recovery services.)

[William8]

I use the IR543 with a Harmony 520. Dave has it right. You must first choose which light you want to control (Light 1, 2, etc.), and then use the on, off, dim, or bright commands. All lights on or off will work without selecting a light first, for obvious reasons.

The nice thing is that you can label the lights however you like in the Harmony software. Theater light, Dining, etc. Makes it easier to remember. Although for the home theater, I found it easier just to plug in a MC460 mini controller next to my chair. Not so many buttons to push.

[HA Dave]

It's been a few years since I built my Home Theater. But it was the theater that got me into automation. I use the same setup, a Harmony remote, and IR543, mines been working fine for several years. The only changes I've made has been updating to BlueRay.

I do use a CM15A and I do have macros associated with the theater, but only for a Voice Announcement and the lighting setup. I rely on the Harmonys macros to run the startup (play movie) and shutdown (OFF) routines.

I remember I had a problem with the X10 part of the Harmonys macros.... and although I almost hate to admit it... I called the Harmonys tech phone number. It didn't take them a minute to walk me through the process.