Virtual Rain Sensor

[pomonabill221]

Another question....
  When VRS does it's polling, I see in event viewer:
Got result: J1=3518454=0,J2=703690=0,J3=469127=0,J5=702415=0,J6=803853=0,J7=602434=0,J8=439009=0,J9=1640669=0,J10=1125395=0

I realize the J1(2)(3).... are the zones that I have defined, and 3518454 (for J1) is 3518 seconds (what is the 454).
Is =0 the minimum on time?
Where are the on times stored?  I believe the values are stored on my local harddrive when VRS service polls my account, but how are these values entered into AHP for the zone control?

[Tuicemen]

reskin,
Is it possible to add code to send a windows command as a option instead of a X10 command?

Sure this can be done with AHP but it would allow it to communicate directly to other programs and allow users with different protocols (other then X10) to use Virtual Rain Sensor.
This would also allow users to send commands over their network to another machine using PC Companion, iHouse or other software with commandline argument possibilities.
I understand some users are having issues running this on some windows platforms this may help with this issue.

[kenrad]

BTW... am I the only person that is trying your service???  Doesn't seem like alot of other folks are responding.

I recently got the service installed and I am working on setting it up as we speak

Ken

[reskin]

Another question....
  When VRS does it's polling, I see in event viewer:
Got result: J1=3518454=0,J2=703690=0,J3=469127=0,J5=702415=0,J6=803853=0,J7=602434=0,J8=439009=0,J9=1640669=0,J10=1125395=0

I realize the J1(2)(3).... are the zones that I have defined, and 3518454 (for J1) is 3518 seconds (what is the 454).
Is =0 the minimum on time?
Where are the on times stored?  I believe the values are stored on my local harddrive when VRS service polls my account, but how are these values entered into AHP for the zone control?

The times are in MS so the 454 is just a less than 1/2 fraction of a second.  The =0 that follows is the "delay to next zone".  All that is sent through the ActiveHomeScript DLL which is then sent to the CM15A.  Nothing is stored on your local hardware except in memory until the run is done.

[reskin]

reskin,
Is it possible to add code to send a windows command as a option instead of a X10 command?

Sure this can be done with AHP but it would allow it to communicate directly to other programs and allow users with different protocols (other then X10) to use Virtual Rain Sensor.
This would also allow users to send commands over their network to another machine using PC Companion, iHouse or other software with commandline argument possibilities.
I understand some users are having issues running this on some windows platforms this may help with this issue.

This is a good question and we have had a couple of integration inquiries.  So basically the local service application would execute a command-line application instead of sending the X10 codes?  That doesn't sound too bad.  Can you give me more specifications?  You would just need to program the name of the EXE, and then the parameter name and value in seconds/milliseconds/decimal minutes?  I will see if I can put something together for you and down the road we will make it more configurable, etc.

[pomonabill221]

Another question....
 When VRS does it's polling, I see in event viewer:
Got result: J1=3518454=0,J2=703690=0,J3=469127=0,J5=702415=0,J6=803853=0,J7=602434=0,J8=439009=0,J9=1640669=0,J10=1125395=0

I realize the J1(2)(3).... are the zones that I have defined, and 3518454 (for J1) is 3518 seconds (what is the 454).
Is =0 the minimum on time?
Where are the on times stored?  I believe the values are stored on my local harddrive when VRS service polls my account, but how are these values entered into AHP for the zone control?

The times are in MS so the 454 is just a less than 1/2 fraction of a second.  The =0 that follows is the "delay to next zone".  All that is sent through the ActiveHomeScript DLL which is then sent to the CM15A.  Nothing is stored on your local hardware except in memory until the run is done.

Ok, I kinda thought the times were in ms resolution and the =0 is the delay variable, just wanted to confirm, thanks!
So essentially, your website is directly controlling the zones through AHP.  I see. thanks again!
  So IF AHP crashes, or network/DSL goes down, or windows crashes, the zone that is on would not shut off?
I know that AHP is certainly NOT 100% stable (as well as windows) and other things can happen, but a local failsafe (like a hardware timer) could be integrated with the valve control so that IF a failure were to happen and the command from the X10 module was still on, the most problem would be an over watering.
  The valve(s) would be closed by the failsafe timer rather than AHP.
  I was thinking along the lines of a modified X10 appliance module to control the valves (a dry contact relay), or if I can find a cheap 8 channel X10 relay board.
  The website seems to be working great, but AHP crashed for no apparent reason the other night, so this is what prompted me even more to consider a failsafe backup for the valve control.

[pomonabill221]

BTW... am I the only person that is trying your service???  Doesn't seem like alot of other folks are responding.

I recently got the service installed and I am working on setting it up as we speak

Ken

Hi Ken!
Glad to see there are others trying this out!

[Tuicemen]

reskin,
Is it possible to add code to send a windows command as a option instead of a X10 command?

Sure this can be done with AHP but it would allow it to communicate directly to other programs and allow users with different protocols (other then X10) to use Virtual Rain Sensor.
This would also allow users to send commands over their network to another machine using PC Companion, iHouse or other software with commandline argument possibilities.
I understand some users are having issues running this on some windows platforms this may help with this issue.

This is a good question and we have had a couple of integration inquiries.  So basically the local service application would execute a command-line application instead of sending the X10 codes?

Yep!
You could add the option to send  either a x10 or a windows command or both. Many don't use AHP but rather a thirdparty software.

Can you give me more specifications?  You would just need to program the name of the EXE, and then the parameter name and value in seconds/milliseconds/decimal minutes? 

I think simply being able to send program exe and the  peramiters is all that would be needed.
I don't see the option to send values in seconds/miliseconds/decimal minites needed however those maybe nice to have down the road for some.

[reskin]

I think simply being able to send program exe and the  peramiters is all that would be needed.
I don't see the option to send values in seconds/miliseconds/decimal minites needed however those maybe nice to have down the road for some.

Thanks for the suggestion.  I have added this to my development queue.  https://virtualrainsensor.fogbugz.com/default.asp?155