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[chuck h.]

Looking to find out if others have had
problems with the AHP software (v3.187)
after installing SmartMacros.  My system
hasn't run right since.  Here are two
examples.

1.) Before installing SmartMacros, I was
using timers ONLY and had coach lights and
front soffit lights turning on and off at
predetermined times with no problem.  But
after installing ONE sensor, and
associating macros with my coach lights, my
timers don't work properly.  I'm using
dusk - 1h to turn on the inside lights and
dusk for the outside.

2.) Also seems that other problems started,
too.  For instance, an in-house coffee
table lamp is supposed to come on at dusk
(i1).  It worked fine today, but today, an
in-house reading lamp also turned on at the
exact same time (i2).  Looked at the
history and didn't see that the reading
lamp signal was ever sent.

What gives?

[greg hodges]

I've had nothing but trouble since adding
Smart Macros. It seems that SM totally
disregards flags in my system.

None of my timers go on & off when they are
supposed to. X10 has gone a long way to
bolster my wife's argument that the system
is just silly.

Greg

[arf1410]

I "own" smart macros - is there a way to
disable / turn them off to prevent
problems, as I don't think I am using
them?  Of course I would want the option to
reinstall them at a later date if it starts
workign better...

[JimC]

Chuck H,

In item one you stated that your problems
started when you added the motion sensor.
Are you aware that some of the motion
sensors send an on command, at dusk, that
is one unit code above what the motion
sensor is set to.( motion sensor set to A1…
at dusk it will send A2 on) It will also
send an off command at dawn to the same
unit code. Because of this some problems
can occur if you have macros, or devices
set to this unit code.

I have been running smart macros since they
first came out. The only problem I have
with them is the flags not working
properly. I have had the occasional
unwanted light turn on but this is rare.

Jim

[chuck h.]

Jim,
Thanks for the reply.  Yep, I'm aware of
the extra unit code being utilized, but
wasn't aware of the additional on/off being
sent at dusk/dawn---my bad.  Seems that
could be at least part of the problem.

Since my last post, I've given it a little
more time, and had a little more time to
test.  During that time, I have found the
same flag problem you'd mentioned as well.
While I am finding that less problems seem
to be occurring than originally thought,
NOTE that I am using a phase
coupler/repeater from Smarthome, and I've
also read some things about it not playing
well with the original x10 stuff (As an
example, my log traces are showing ALL
KINDS of house/unit activity outside of my
devices here).  I'm really thinking that's
more the culprit than anything.

I saw one gentlemen's post about investing
in x10 and doing it right.  He recommended
signal testers, the right couplers,
filters, etc.  I hadn't really wanted to
make that kind of investment into the whole
thing, but am finding that the add-on
expenses seem to be needed just to make it
all work---in my situation, at least.
Bottom line:  Sometimes I think people get
lucky and don't need the extra stuff, and
sometimes I think they do.

Thanks again.

Chuck H.

[arf1410]

Keep in mind Chuck that you can spend
several hundred dollars on filters, test
eq, etc, and still probably not get 100%
reliable system.  X10 protocol is just not
really fully compatible with all the modern
electronics in homes today.  All it takes
is one new blender / LCD monitor  / Ipod /
toaster, etc and you are back to another
month of troubleshooting.  Once you get it
working say 95% of the time, I would save
your $$$, and not try for 100%
functionality...

[chuck h.]

Thanks for the input.  Much appreciated.
I'm not necessarily looking for 100%
solution---my overriding concern is that I
still get the right information so that I
at least keep from burning down the
homestead.  :-)

Any idea on a good substitute for the WS467
which are connected to my soffit receps
(and ultimately Christmas lights)?

Thanks,
Chuck H.

[chuck h.]

Sorry, I was off topic.  Had another thread
going on a replacement for a ws467 that's
heating up.  You can disregard my prior
post, here.  My bad.

Chuck H.