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[drc]

I've had this system in place for a few years.  Now it has become very sporadic.  For instance, this afternoon, every module responded to commands from the computer, but right now none of them will respond.   The timers also have stopped working.  This has been going on for several weeks.  I've replaced some of the modules (they're all wall-switch modules WS467), replaced the batteries in the interface, plugged the interface into several different outlets, cleared and re-loaded the interface memory several times, re-designated module addresses.  Nothing seems to work.  What's going on here?  Is it possible the interface has failed?  If so, why does it work some of the time?  Should I scrap this system and go out and buy a bunch of old-fashioned clockwork timers to turn the lights on and off?

[HA Dave]

.......... Should I scrap this system and go out and buy a bunch of old-fashioned clockwork timers to turn the lights on and off?

Sure.. if that would fill your needs.. why go any higher tech than you need to. Heck... you could resort to manual switching I would guess... many do. But manual or clockwork (as reliable as it is) just ain't got enough for me.

Everytime... an established system/setup misbehaves (or fails completely) we ask the same old question: What has changed? Is it the new plasma TV, or could it be a new cell phone charger, or the [battery powered] drill left charging in the basement. Or could you have saved a new macro... that calls [triggers] another macro you forgot about... that now RE-triggers your new macro [creating a loop that freezes up the CM15A].

It's hard to just guess.

I would review every plug in the house... and install an older ahx file.. if it was my problem.

[drc]

Update:  Shortly after I posted the above message last night, the system began working again.  This morning it has stopped working again.  There have been no changes.  Everything was exactly as it was last night and yesterday afternoon.  To clarify, my remarks about old-fashioned devices were only partly facetious; it is absolutely necessary that the lights go on and off when I am away, especially for extended periods like vacation.  Right now, I clearly can't rely on AHP to keep on working.  I just can't figure out why it goes from working perfectly to not working at all (and back again) within hours.

[dave w]

Right now, I clearly can't rely on AHP to keep on working.  I just can't figure out why it goes from working perfectly to not working at all (and back again) within hours.

Noise. Which is what Dave X10 was driving at.

(Could be coupling or a signal sucker, however those X10 signal impairments usually do not come and go. Noise will).

What new electronic gizmo did you get, or what gizmo have you moved from one outlet to another "several weeks ago" when the things quit working?
It could be something going squirrely in the CM15A, but for the most part; if you get a good one...it stays good.
Does the activity monitor show AHP commands being transmitted and yet the lights don't work? Or is the CM15A periodically turning into a block of wood. Needs more investigation.

[drc]

That's the thing.  Everything is the same.  No new gizmos.  The only thing I can think of is one wall switch module (WS467) that had a sticky switch (wouldn't rebound after being pushed in), so I replaced it with a new one, after which everything worked quite well.  A few hours later, nothing worked.  I coudn't control any lights from the computer.  A few hours after that, everything is working again.  I have no idea what I did (if anything) that caused the change, other than the usual (deleting the interface memory, re-downloading the timers to the interface, exiting and re-loading AHP, turning the computer off and on, etc.) which seem to never do anything.  I'm going brain-dead trying to determine what factors are present when the system is working and those present when it's in its block-of-wood phase.  As near as I can tell, nothing changes between everything working and nothing working.

[HA Dave]

.... The only thing I can think of is one wall switch module (WS467) that had a sticky switch (wouldn't rebound after being pushed in), so I replaced it with a new one, after which everything worked quite well.  A few hours later, nothing worked. 

If your memory is correct... the switch may be the problem.

It could be a loose wire-nut for that matter. That would not only create a huge amount of noise on your line... it could burn down your home too. Replace the switch with a old fashion standard one... see if it could be the problem. It's trial and error...

[Dan Lawrence]

One thing that has not been asked or posted by drc is what version of AHP is he using.  if it's 3.236, we KNOW it's a buggy version and that causes timers not to function as set up.  That may be the cause.

[HA Dave]

... if it's 3.236, we KNOW it's a buggy version and that causes timers not to function as set up.  That may be the cause.

That's true... but the OP did post

I've had this system in place for a few years.  Now it has become very sporadic. 

If drc had replaced the wall switch module (WS467).... then updated the AHP software... that could explain the timers. But why at the same time would that make other controls fail?

[dave w]

Do you have remotes? Do they work when computer control will not?

[drc]

I'm running the latest version, according to AHP.  All wire nuts are tight.  When the CM15A isn't working, remotes don't work either, as near as I can tell, including plug-in types.  I've deleted and re-defined all the timers.  Today, it totally didn't work, then for no reason it all worked, then it didn't work again.  When it doesn't work, all of it doesn't work, and when it does work, it all works.  In the past, I've had occasional problems with one or two modules not working, but never a complete failure and then rebirth.  This is baffling.

[JeffVolp]

Here is a little widget that can cause what you are seeing:

http://jvde.us/x10/x10_cellet_noise.htm

As you can see from the waveforms, the noise generated varies greatly as a function of load.  So if you have a similar device, the noise (and resulting X10 interference) can vary as the batteries charge, or if the load is removed with the charger left plugged into the wall socket.

Jeff

[Mellowmark]

Ya know I don't have a lot of time in with this system.  But I do know my controller can be slow at times and running macros takes  a Little time to get done.  If I have a lot of things going on or trigger several macros at the same time it appears that nothing works and then I wait or purge macros, slow down and it all seems OK again. Is it possible that you have acquired some complicated and time consuming macros that are taking longer than you expect and then have your system tied up to the point that you think that it isn't working.  Just a thought: good luck.

[HA Dave]

...When the CM15A isn't working, remotes don't work either, as near as I can tell, including plug-in types. ...
Today, it totally didn't work, then for no reason it all worked, then it didn't work again. 
When it doesn't work, all of it doesn't work, and when it does work, it all works. 

In the past, I've had occasional problems with one or two modules not working, but never a complete failure and then rebirth.  This is baffling.

You know... it sounds like the CM15A is on a switch. Switch it off... complete failure.. switch it back on.. everything works.

But if the CM15A isn't on a switch... I'd agree with Jeff. Look at every plug in the house and write down what is plugged in.. and what is on. When the working status changes.... repeat the process.

[drc]

It's a very simple setup--six wall modules (five WS467s and one 3-way PLW02) on timers, no macros, no lamp modules, no dimming, simple on-off, nothing tricky.  These are the same modules that were in place when everything was working, except for one recently replaced WS467 (everything worked after the replacement for a while).  Yesterday, the system went up and down three times each.  On one occasion, everything was working fine until I got back on the computer two hours later and everything was not working.  Nothing had changed in the meantime.  I've tried to come up with something that is producing intermittent noise every few hours, but there is nothing like that that I can think of.

[Dan Lawrence]

You still have not told us what version of AHP are you using.  If you have not found any noise producers in your house, there is no reason outside of the AHP version that could be causing your problems.