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[ctatham]

Very frustrated. I had a nicely operating system (2 years) consisting of a number of wall dimmers, modules etc both indoors and out, along with a smarthome coupler repeater (dryer plug type). Worked perfectly.  I had a standard wall dimmer go bad, and so ordered a simple replacement (so I thought). The new one, as well documented I have found, now has soft start features.  It has totally screwed up my system as it hangs my repeater.  I tried a passive coupler and I can't hit all areas of my house.  I have tried setting the switch as a LM14 as described in the sticky on this forum to no avail.   I don't want anything other than to be back to where I was.  Is there anywhere to get a non soft start dimmer?  What other options do I have?

[Brian H]

New Soft Start WS467?
Well we have seen other reports of the CM15A and the Smarthome Dryer Outlet Repeaters getting in to a fire storm of signals. Mine did on occasion.
I now have a different repeater ACT CR134, but am about to swap it out for an XTB-IIR.

[ctatham]

plain old WS12A....is what I got, which was same as what I had...but it has features the original didn't.  Thats the issue

[Boiler]

plain old WS12A....is what I got, which was same as what I had...but it has features the original didn't.  Thats the issue

Ctatham,

Sorry to hear of your troubles.  There were reports that the WS12a received the soft start upgrade some time back. 

The LM14a interface is the easiest way around some of the new features in these units.  Unfortunately, it can have some side effects (as you found).  There are two problems that the LM14a interface gets around:

1) The WS467 (and now WS12a) will not activate in response to a bright or dim command.  If you use the WS467 interface in a macro and tell the unit to turn on to 99%, AHP will send out a series of "bright" commands.  The WS467 won't respond (turn on).  However, once activated it will respond normally to both bright and dim commands.

2) Resume dim feature: In response to an "ON" command, the unit will "resume" it's last level.  This could be 1% or 100%.  It's simply the last level it was at prior to being turned off.

Knowing the above you can get around the new "features" in a couple of ways (without using the LM14a interface).

1) Identify the WS12a as a relay unit (appliance module or fluorescent switch).  AHP will send simple on/off commands (no dimming).  The unit will always respond, but the resume dim will be active.  If you dim the light at the switch, it will return to that dim level when reactivated.

2) Carefully used the WS12a interface as follows:

a) Turn on to 100% - this will issue a simple ON command to activate the unit (make sure that the "issue on in place of bright 100% is checked under options).

b) Issue a ON 99% command: this will send a series of bright commands to get the lamp to 100% level.  This is to give you a starting point to dim down from.

c) Issue your desired dim command.  Since your previous command left the lamp at 100%, the dim commands should function normally

Give things a try and let us know how things are working,

Boiler

[ctatham]

Boiler!  I'm assuming you are a guy....but I would still give you a hug!

Using a standara app module setting it is back and running fine! My outside lights have been down for 4 months!  Its amazing how frustrating it is to not have things working after years of it just happening.  Coming home from work and outside lights left on all day....pulling up in the dark and the lights off.  Harmony is restored. Thanks for taking the time to help.

[Boiler]

Boiler!  I'm assuming you are a guy....but I would still give you a hug!

Using a standara app module setting it is back and running fine! My outside lights have been down for 4 months!  Its amazing how frustrating it is to not have things working after years of it just happening.  Coming home from work and outside lights left on all day....pulling up in the dark and the lights off.  Harmony is restored. Thanks for taking the time to help.

Ctatham,

Harmony is a great thing.  With all that is going on in the world, the last thing we need is our Home Automation systems adding to stress levels.

Keep in mind that the "resume dim" feature will still be active on your WS12a's.  If someone dims the unit locally it will return to that dim level when AHP sends it the "ON" command. 

You can, of course, use this to your advantage as well.  It there is a particular brightness level that you want for your outside lights, manually adjust that level at the switch and then turn the WS12a off.  When an "ON" is received the unit will return to that level.

...I trust you won't be offended if I opt for a handshake?

Happy (harmonious) automating,
Boiler

[ctatham]

its a switch that nobody touches so the resume dim is just fine.  I've settled down now so yes, handshake would suffice.

[ctatham]

I spoke too soon...after having been away for the weekend I came home to the outside lights on (way before dusk).  I am now not able to shut the lights off with AHP manual or with macros!  Back to frustration!

[Dan Lawrence]

What version of AHP are you using?   Sounds like you may have 3.236, as timers and macros misfiring are a sign.

[ctatham]

3.228