SC503 operation--not as expected

[DeltaNu1142]

Just off the top of my head...  this is sort of how I did it...

-Excel cell A1 = [ table ] (w/o spaces)
-cell B1 = [ tr ]
-cell C1 = [ td ]
-paste [ td ] into entire column "C"
-Activity Monitor, save as *.html
-copy Activity Monitor & paste into D1
-insert between each pasted column [ /td ] [ td ]
-after last pasted column, add [ /td ]
-somewhere after last row/column, add [ /tr ] [ /table ]
-copy & paste all of the populated cells into the "post" field on the forum

It's probably easier done than said--keep in mind that I'm in Sonoma & it's 12:30 am local & I'm still on east-coast time...   

[DeltaNu1142]

Update--the seller insists that there is some "module" or "card" inside the device that I can remove to restore full functionality, and refuses a $5-purchase-price refund unless I ship the item back...  which will cost more than that, naturally.  So sure, I'll take it apart just out of curiosity & post the results, but I have low expectations.  P.S., the seller's ID is "junktionalso".  I probably should have known better...

[DeltaNu1142]

I received another SC503, this one with X10 Powerhouse decals...  I turned the dial to House code C and went through all the buttons to see that it worked.  ALL buttons reported back correctly, until I got to All Units Off...  then EVERY COMMAND following was a "C" then either a dim or bright command!!  I unplugged it, rotated the dial to every position, etc, and EVERY COMMAND is a "C" and dim or bright!  I've left it unplugged overnight & rotated the dial; I've done everything I can think of.  What is going on here?  Is it possible that my Activity Monitor is displaying the wrong power line commands??  All I want to do is program some modules and I'm getting shafted at every turn...

[Dan Lawrence]

Since the SC503 is a desktop controller, a beefed up version of the MC460, it sends X10 signals only. You can turn a module on or off or dim it.  You cannot use a SC503 to program any module except a SS13 Socket Rocket.  What exactly are you trying to program?

[Brian H]

I tested an SC503 with a monitoring program for a Smarthome Interface. Set the SC503 to C and pushed each button. Each number button sent the Address with no action command. Each action button sent the corresponding action command. So if you need lets say C1 COn to set the address. You would push C1 button then the On button. Maybe three times if memory serves me. Did you try to actually program a switch as you said maybe the monitor program has a error.
My short test with 'C'; not 100% on if the dim and bright are sent twice as shown or the controller was seeing the bounce from my ACT CR134 repeater.
20:11:48.343 : C Dim
20:11:48.093 : C Dim
20:11:47.515 : C Bright
20:11:47.375 : C Bright
20:11:45.921 : C All Units Off
20:11:45.015 : C All Lights On
20:11:44.218 : C Off
20:11:43.312 : C On
20:11:19.437 : C16
20:11:18.750 : C15
20:11:17.953 : C14
20:11:17.265 : C13
20:11:16.468 : C12
20:11:15.671 : C11
20:11:14.984 : C10
20:11:14.296 : C9
20:11:13.500 : C8
20:11:12.703 : C7
20:11:12.015 : C6
20:11:11.218 : C5
20:11:10.421 : C4
20:11:09.734 : C3
20:11:08.937 : C2
20:11:08.031 : C1

[Brian H]

Bigger test C and B House Codes:
20:15:29.953 : B16
20:15:29.265 : B15
20:15:28.578 : B14
20:15:27.890 : B13
20:15:27.203 : B12
20:15:26.515 : B11
20:15:25.828 : B10
20:15:25.031 : B9
20:15:24.234 : B8
20:15:23.546 : B7
20:15:22.859 : B6
20:15:22.062 : B5
20:15:21.375 : B4
20:15:20.578 : B3
20:15:19.890 : B2
20:15:19.093 : B1
20:15:17.968 : B On
20:15:17.281 : B Off
20:15:16.703 : B Bright
20:15:16.562 : B Bright
20:15:15.984 : B Dim
20:15:15.734 : B Dim
20:15:14.828 : B All Lights On
20:15:14.031 : B All Units Off
20:15:13.234 : B All Units Off
20:15:12.546 : B All Lights On
20:15:11.968 : B Dim
20:15:11.718 : B Dim
20:15:11.250 : B Bright
20:15:11.000 : B Bright
20:15:10.312 : B Off
20:15:09.406 : B On
20:14:35.578 : C16
20:14:34.890 : C15
20:14:34.312 : C14
20:14:33.625 : C13
20:14:32.937 : C12
20:14:32.250 : C11
20:14:31.562 : C10
20:14:30.875 : C9
20:14:30.078 : C8
20:14:29.390 : C7
20:14:28.703 : C6
20:14:28.015 : C5
20:14:27.218 : C4
20:14:26.531 : C3
20:14:25.843 : C2
20:14:25.156 : C1
20:14:22.718 : C Off
20:14:22.031 : C Bright
20:14:21.890 : C Bright
20:14:21.312 : C Dim
20:14:21.062 : C Dim
20:14:20.156 : C All Lights On
20:14:19.359 : C All Units Off
20:14:17.031 : C All Units Off
20:14:16.125 : C All Lights On
20:14:15.437 : C Dim
20:14:15.296 : C Dim
20:14:14.500 : C Bright
20:14:14.359 : C Bright
20:14:13.343 : C Off
20:14:12.328 : C On

I would actually try and program a switch to see what happens.
Do you have any X10 switches with dials that you could test with the SC503? If it fails to control one of those it could be a second bad unit.

[Charles Sullivan]

I received another SC503, this one with X10 Powerhouse decals...  I turned the dial to House code C and went through all the buttons to see that it worked.  ALL buttons reported back correctly, until I got to All Units Off...  then EVERY COMMAND following was a "C" then either a dim or bright command!!  I unplugged it, rotated the dial to every position, etc, and EVERY COMMAND is a "C" and dim or bright!  I've left it unplugged overnight & rotated the dial; I've done everything I can think of.  What is going on here?  Is it possible that my Activity Monitor is displaying the wrong power line commands??  All I want to do is program some modules and I'm getting shafted at every turn...

If you received this new SC503 from the same dealer, it's probably another junker like the previous one.

[Charles Sullivan]

Since the SC503 is a desktop controller, a beefed up version of the MC460, it sends X10 signals only. You can turn a module on or off or dim it.  You cannot use a SC503 to program any module except a SS13 Socket Rocket.  What exactly are you trying to program?

On the contrary Dan, either the SC503 "Maxi-Controller" or an AHP macro is required for programming the types of Smarthome modules which require a sequence of X10 address signals with no intervening X10 function signal.  The X10 Mini-Controller always sends a function signal with the address so can't do the job.

Smarthome now sells their own controller which can do this, but their older literature said that you HAD TO HAVE a SC503 Maxi-Controller or equivalent for programming.  For examples, see the owners manual for the TempLinc 1625  http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/1625_web.pdf or their LampLinc  http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/2456d3qs.pdf  (page 13)

[DeltaNu1142]

Since the SC503 is a desktop controller, a beefed up version of the MC460, it sends X10 signals only. You can turn a module on or off or dim it.  You cannot use a SC503 to program any module except a SS13 Socket Rocket.  What exactly are you trying to program?

I'm programming Smarthome SwitchLincs, which require HC & UC only for programming, no command (e.g., "A1", not "A1" + "A On").

I would actually try and program a switch to see what happens.
Do you have any X10 switches with dials that you could test with the SC503? If it fails to control one of those it could be a second bad unit.

By the time I got to the point that I wanted to program a switch, the SC503 wasn't working correctly; it will not send HC + UC anymore, just a "C Dim" or "C Bright" command...  I don't think I have any of the X10 manual dial switches left.  I have some appliance modules, though, and can try those.

If you received this new SC503 from the same dealer, it's probably another junker like the previous one.

It's a completely different SC503 from a different vendor.

On the contrary Dan, either the SC503 "Maxi-Controller" or an AHP macro is required for programming the types of Smarthome modules which require a sequence of X10 address signals with no intervening X10 function signal.  The X10 Mini-Controller always sends a function signal with the address so can't do the job.
Smarthome now sells their own controller which can do this, but their older literature said that you HAD TO HAVE a SC503 Maxi-Controller or equivalent for programming.  For examples, see the owners manual for the TempLinc 1625  http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/1625_web.pdf or their LampLinc  http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/2456d3qs.pdf  (page 13)

Agreed.  I think this will be my next option, having purchased two SC503's with two different failure modes...  sort of...

[Brian H]

Well the SC503 can send HC UC only with the number buttons. So if you get a working one that should do it.

[DeltaNu1142]

Well the SC503 can send HC UC only with the number buttons. So if you get a working one that should do it.

That was the plan.  I think I'm going to the Insteon-enabled Smarthome model, unless someone can prove to me that the SC503's are working and ActiveHome Pro is not.

[DeltaNu1142]

OK--it appears that if I remove power to the 2nd SC503 BEFORE turning the House Code dial, I can turn the dial, then plug the SC503 back in, and it works as it should.  I've succeeded in programming all but a few of my switches tonight, and they respond to commands from AHP.  Once I can reliably control them from various remotes--then it's on to the KeyPadLincs.  Wish me luck, and not the kind I've had so far... 

[Brian H]

Thanks for the update. Hope the future plans go much smoother.

[DeltaNu1142]

...my workaround has been spotty at best...  it seems that my SC503 (2nd one) has reverted to House Code "C" every time I plug it in, regardless of how long it's been powered off.  I hope it gets back to normal functionality eventually.

I did however install a KeypadLinc and 2382W in a 3-way application last night.  This is more a topic for 'another' forum, but that one is blocked by my company's proxy?!?