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[neex]

Hi there,

  I have limited experience with X-10 since using an old Firecracker kit years ago in an apartment for basic control of appliances and lighting.  Here's the problem I'm having...  I want to be able to control a socket rocket from a wireless StyleSwitch.  I have a transceiver plugged in set to the same house code but I can't get it to work.  I can get the StyleSwitch to trip appliance modules, etc. but I can't control the Socket Rocket.  Would it be better to go with a wired X-10 switch so that I could have both independent control of my porch light with local and remote diming ability?
   I can control the socket rockets with Indigo on my computer with no issue.  The problem is either my understanding or the switch itself.  As I understand it, the wireless switch communicates via RF with the tranceiver and the tranceiver runs X-10 codes through the wiring.  I would think that at this point, I would be able to control the socket rockets...  Maybe I have the wrong tranceiver?  I am using a TM-751.
   I have no problem setting the code for the switch itself - that doesn't appear to be the issue.


Here are my questions:

How do I get the TM-751 to control the socket rocket?  I have no issue controlling the TM-751 from the switch or from Indigo.  Maybe I should scrap the rockets?  I hate not being able to dim with them anyway.

Thanks,
Andrew.

[neex]

I have tried moving the TM751 to half a dozen different outlets and it still will not allow me to control the cocket rocket/s from the Styleswitch (SS13A).  All conventional lierature suggests that this is easily done and very possible.  WHat might be happening here?

I ended up ordering some of the hardwired X-10 dimmer switches so I may not even need an answer to this..  but it would be nice to know what's up.


Thanks!
Andrew.

[Brian H]

Can you control the TM751's switched outlet with the SS13A? It is hard wired to Unit 1 of the House Code in use.
If you can not control the TM751; the SS13As signal may not be getting to the unit.
As a test can you put the TM751 in the same room as the SS13A and try to control its outlet.

[Dan Lawrence]

Socket Rockets do not dim. 

I presume that the Socket Rocket that is being controlled by the SS13A has been properly set up.

[neex]

Can you control the TM751's switched outlet with the SS13A? It is hard wired to Unit 1 of the House Code in use.
If you can not control the TM751; the SS13As signal may not be getting to the unit.
As a test can you put the TM751 in the same room as the SS13A and try to control its outlet.

Brian,

 Yes, I can control the switched outlet on the TM751 with the SS13A but as I understand it, this is also supposed to transceive codes so that I can control my socket rockets??

Thanks for the reply,
Andrew.

[neex]

Socket Rockets do not dim. 

I presume that the Socket Rocket that is being controlled by the SS13A has been properly set up.

Dan,

  The SR appears  to be set up properly as I can control it with Indigo.  I just cannot control it with the SS13A which is what I would like to do to be able to make this a viable set up for a porch light.  As stated previously, I am able to set the housecode on the switch no problem and the socket rocket and TM751 are all on the same code (all on code B).  The front porch socket rocket is on B1, the back porch on B2 and the TM751 is set to B.  Is that not correct?  I know that it isn't a range issue as the SS13A switches on it's outlef with control from the SS13A.  Perhaps I am misunderstanding the hardware invovled...

Thanks,
Andrew.

[Boiler]

neex,

Allow me to summarize your troubleshooting to date:
1) You have verified that you can control the LM15a via the Indigo interface (the LM15a is programmed properly).
2) You've verified that the SS13a can control the TM751 outlet at it's base address (the TM751 is receiving the RF).
3) You've verified that the TM751 can control other appliance modules (the Transmitter is functioning).
4) You've moved the TM751 to multiple locations (hopefully to eliminates any phase/noise issues).

Given what you've done above, the TM751 should be able to control the socket rocket.  There really aren't any tricks here, this should work.  If you haven't already, try plugging it into the same socket used by your lamp (socket rocket).  Short of a signal absorber between the TM751 and your socket rocket, I'm somewhat at a loss...

I am not at all familiar with the Indigo software.  Does it provide a monitor for received X10 activity?  If so, can you see your TM751 activating?

Boiler

[neex]

Boiler,

   You are 100% correct in your assessment of my automation 'opportunithy',  As for your question about Indigo, I am not certain it has a monitor function as I haven't seen one or needed to look as of yet.  I will take a second look but I don't think so.  I'm glad to hear that I have this set up properly and that my expectations of what should be happening are correct.  As stated earlier, I am at the point where I will be adding hard wired X10 dimmer switches anyway but I would still like to know why the present set up isn't operating as it should.  I wonder if it's a GFCI related circumstance?  The circuit has an exterior GFCI on it (the circuit the SR is on).  Of course it doesn't make sense that I can control it with my PC.

Thanks,
Andrew.

[neex]

I do have an 'events logging' option through Indigo.  The PowerLinc is sending commands to the SRs no problem and the other switches on the SS13A seem to be registering in the logs.  I don't **see** the tranceiver in the logs (dunno if I'm supposed to or not?).  I'm still as confused as ever as to why this won't work.

Thanks for all help.
Andrew.

[Boiler]

I do have an 'events logging' option through Indigo.  The PowerLinc is sending commands to the SRs no problem and the other switches on the SS13A seem to be registering in the logs.  I don't **see** the tranceiver in the logs (dunno if I'm supposed to or not?).  I'm still as confused as ever as to why this won't work.

The transceiver is "showing up" as the SS13a house/unit codes.  It is receiving the RF from the SS13a and putting it on the powerline.

When you say "the other switches" seem to be registering, do you mean that the switch associated with your SocketRocket is not showing up?  Is it possible you have a malfunctioning switch on the SS13a?

Boiler 

[neex]

The transceiver is "showing up" as the SS13a house/unit codes.  It is receiving the RF from the SS13a and putting it on the powerline.

When you say "the other switches" seem to be registering, do you mean that the switch associated with your SocketRocket is not showing up?  Is it possible you have a malfunctioning switch on the SS13a?

Boiler 

Thanks again Boiler!  To attempt to answer your questions, the codes 'issued' from the SS13A show up in Indigo and the switch controls the relay inside the tranceiver.  When I look at the logs though, it doesn't actually 'show' the tranceiver or the SS13A.  Do these need to be defined as devices?  I don't see a suitable option for either in the software.  Here's a log to look at (nothing very concrete though I'm afraid).


2008-08-27 13:21:32   Application   PowerLinc firmware version 5.13
2008-08-27 13:21:37   Application   PowerLinc Controller memory cleared
2008-08-27 13:22:46   Sent X10   "back deck light" off
2008-08-27 13:23:12   Received X10   "front porch light" on
2008-08-27 13:23:13   Received X10   "front porch light" on
2008-08-27 13:23:14   Received X10   "front porch light" on
2008-08-27 13:23:28   Received X10   "front porch light" on
2008-08-27 13:23:29   Received X10   "front porch light" off
2008-08-27 13:23:30   Received X10   "front porch light" on
2008-08-27 13:23:31   Received X10   "front porch light" off
2008-08-27 13:24:19   Received X10   "front porch light" off
2008-08-27 13:24:20   Received X10   "front porch light" off
2008-08-27 13:24:21   Received X10   "front porch light" off
2008-08-27 13:24:22   Received X10   "front porch light" off
2008-08-27 13:24:36   Received X10   "back deck light" on
2008-08-27 13:24:38   Received X10   "back deck light" off
2008-08-27 13:24:39   Received X10   "back deck light" on
2008-08-27 13:24:40   Received X10   B3 off
2008-08-27 13:24:41   Received X10   "back deck light" off
2008-08-27 13:24:42   Received X10   "back deck light" off
2008-08-27 13:24:45   Received X10   "back deck light" on
2008-08-27 13:24:47   Received X10   "back deck light" on
2008-08-27 13:24:52   Received X10   B3 off
2008-08-27 13:24:54   Received X10   "back deck light" off
2008-08-27 13:25:11   Received X10   "front porch light" on
2008-08-27 13:25:12   Received X10   "front porch light" off
2008-08-27 13:25:13   Received X10   "back deck light" off
2008-08-27 13:25:15   Received X10   "front porch light" on
2008-08-27 13:25:16   Received X10   "front porch light" off
2008-08-27 13:25:20   Received X10   "front porch light" off
2008-08-27 13:25:38   Sent X10   "back deck light" off
2008-08-27 13:25:46   Sent X10   "front porch light" off
2008-08-27 13:25:59   Sent X10   all lights off (house code B)
2008-08-27 13:26:37   Application   Uploaded sunset/sunrise table to interface
2008-08-27 13:26:42   Application   Uploaded 172 bytes to interface (99% memory free)


I dunno... still banging my head on this one...

A,

[neex]

I finally figured it out!!!!  I don't know if it was the transceiver or not because I did upgrade it...  I'm pretty sure it had nothing to do with the tranceiver though.  As I understood it, the socket rocket could be assigned it's address through the software/PowerLink.  Anyway, for the actual switch to recognize the socket rocket itself (not just the tranceiver), I had to rapidly hit the same house code on the switch maybe 5-6 times.  I remember reading that this might help somewhere but I can't recall where.  It talked about 'forcing a code' or something.  Anyway, to make a long story short, it worked and I now have control of my socket rockets from the switch.  The funny thing is that after all this, they will be replaced with dimable addressable switches in the next few days.

Thanks for everyone's help and thoughts on this!  I hope this helps someone else...

Andrew.

[dave w]

I never had any luck getting a Smarthome Powerlinc to program a Socket Rocket. Mini Controllers work very well and are not expensive.

[neex]

I never had any luck getting a Smarthome Powerlinc to program a Socket Rocket. Mini Controllers work very well and are not expensive.

The PowerLinc had full control of the Socket Rockets I just couldn't control them through the switch (SS13A).  As stated above, forcing the switches to be recognized seeemed to work.

Thanks,
Andrew.