Modules respond only when addressed directly but not through macros

[axgupta1]

I am an extensive user of X10 and have been using it in my home for last 4 years. It has always impressed my friends and neighbors who are amazed at lights switching on/off automatically and controlling lights with a remote. Whenever I have a light on/off problem to solve, X10 modules always help.

Recently, I have faced a strange problem. Some of my macros stored in CM11A have stopped working. I will give a typical example which totally rules out any problems with the X10 setup like faulty modules, electrical noise, weak signal etc.

I have my bed lamp connected to a lamp module at code G4. When I press the G4 ON button on the remote, the lamp turns on, when I press the OFF button, the lamp turns off. I can dim/brighten the lamp using keys on remote.

I had created a macro G2 which effectively turns on G4 with 20% brightness. When I press G2 ON button on the remote, the lamp turned on and then dimmed to 20% brightness. When I pressed the G2 OFF button, the lamp would turn off. This macro has suddenly stopped working. I can turn on/off the lamp from the G4 key every time without a problem. This eliminates any noise/signal suppression issue. When I press G2 ON, nothing happens which is strange since G2 calls G4.

I monitored the communications log on CM11A using the ActiveHome software and it clearly shows that the signal has been sent out to turn on G4 with 80% dimming but the lamp module fails to respond. I have already installed a phase coupler/repeater module which also shows that signal is being transmitted on both phases by blinking red/green LEDs.

I have same problem with some other modules where modules are responding correctly when addressed directly but fail to respond when addressed via a macro. These macros were created several years ago and were working fine till couple of months ago. I have replaced the CM11A with a new one but problem persists.

I am out of ideas and would like to seek help from the community to troubleshoot this issue.

[quilpole]

I have similar issues.   I can click on a device (a lamp) and it will turn on and off, with no problems.   If I perform the same action within a macro, the device changes on the screen (as if it was turned on), but the actual device does nothing!

[Charles Sullivan]

To clarify, are the following statements correct:
   If you click the G4 lamp module icon on the ActiveHome screen, the physical lamp turns On and Off as expected.
   If you click the G2 macro icon on the ActiveHome screen, the physical lamp doesn't respond.

[lviola]

Charles,
I'm facing the same problem. Can you help me?
Thanks,
Luis Viola

[Charles Sullivan]

Charles,
I'm facing the same problem. Can you help me?
Thanks,
Luis Viola

When it comes to quirks in the ActiveHome software, I'm at a loss to offer any suggestions other than to try reinstalling it.

[Knightrider]

Were's Boiler when you need him?
Let's see if we can't pick through this and find a solution (and maybe others will chime in).  Do you have the "issue 'ON' instead of bright 100%" option checked?
If so, you might want to try redefining your modules as two-way models.

[Charles Sullivan]

Were's Boiler when you need him?
Let's see if we can't pick through this and find a solution (and maybe others will chime in).  Do you have the "issue 'ON' instead of bright 100%" option checked?
If so, you might want to try redefining your modules as two-way models.

Whoops!  Remember that these folks have a CM11A and the old ActiveHome, not ActiveHome Pro.

[Knightrider]

Charles,
You got me.  I've been following the post so long that I've forgotten the OT.
Thanks for setting me straight.
My appologies to all I provided hope to.

[Brian H]

None of the Lamp Modules where recently replaced where they?
The new Soft Start Lamp modules act differently than the older ones. If none where exchanged for the new ones. We can rule out that possibility.

[PajamaGuy]

$0.02

I have no experience with AH or CM11's, however when I've run into similar quirks with AHP and CM15A's, it has been because the software got updated, or I managed to corrupt an AHX file.

For an experiment, create a phantom module, a 2-pin appliance module and use it as the trigger for your macro, and see if that works.  I have lots of macros that won't fire without a phantom. 

[lviola]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for you help. My controller is a CM15a that I've bought 2 weeks ago. As soon as I arrive home, I'm going to install a fresh windows in a old computer and a last AH version. If it does not work, I'll try a phantom module.
Thks,
Luis Viola

[PajamaGuy]

I would suggest installing 3.204 and letting it update to 3.228.  Especially if you have any desire to use OnAlert.  3.236 has "issues" with the security remotes. (among other "issues")

[lviola]

Where can I download this version?

[Kramer Chins]

I would suggest installing 3.204 and letting it update to 3.228.  Especially if you have any desire to use OnAlert.  3.236 has "issues" with the security remotes. (among other "issues")

Amen to that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dan Lawrence]

Where can I download this version?

Go here:  http://software.x10.com/pub/applications/activehome/    Every version of AHP is here, plus a lot of other x10 software.