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[einstein-a-go-go]

I'm fed up with replacing standard timers in my fish house due top failure (they stop turning round), I currently use four 24 hour timers to turn off and on fish tank lightling, as follows 0700-0800 and 1600-0015 each day, the fish tank lighting circuits are flourescent balasts, generally electronic timers do not work with these, and they need to be relayed switched. e.g. the old mechanical timers work (when they don't fail).

I also have another mechanical timer, which turns ON the fan for 15 mins, OFF for 15 mins, and ON again etc (24 hours a day), and finally a light bulb timer.

I propose to replace all this with Activehome Pro software and a CM15Pro and the various modules, I've had a look at the software ActiveHome Pro, and cannot easily see if I can do the timer circuit, 15mins ON, 15 mis OFF easily?

Any ideas, also it would be good to know if the appliance modules support flourescent balasts?

e

[Brian H]

The new CFL Friendly Appliance Modules can do electronic ballasts.
Though you should know the lights ratings so you can determine they within specifications for them.

Some fluorescent lights may generate noise that masks the X10 power line signals. So filters maybe needed on the lights.

[HA Dave]

.... I've had a look at the software ActiveHome Pro, and cannot easily see if I can do the timer circuit, 15mins ON, 15 mis OFF easily?

I don't see a problem with that. Just thinking (typing) off the top of my head send an ON signal on the hour (every hour) as well as on the half hour (macro one). Macro two: Send an OFF signal every 15 and 45 after the hour.

[Brian H]

You may have to think about the 1600-0015 time. If memory serves me. AHP timers  and crossing Midnight can sometime be a problem

[Mellowmark]

Yea if you already have the relays you can use the powerflash modules and put the whole system on one circuit and work around the noise and phase issue that way.  Their are a lot of options with the macros and timers.  With a little testing you will be very happy with the results.

[Dan Lawrence]

You may have to think about the 1600-0015 time. If memory serves me. AHP timers  and crossing Midnight can sometime be a problem

Never had a bit of a problem with timers crossing midnight.  Several lights in the Living Room have timers that turn them on 35 minutes before Dusk and off at 1:00 AM.

[Brian H]

Yes my say what bell went off after that statement. 
Thanks Dan for the correction.

[einstein-a-go-go]

.... I've had a look at the software ActiveHome Pro, and cannot easily see if I can do the timer circuit, 15mins ON, 15 mis OFF easily?

I don't see a problem with that. Just thinking (typing) off the top of my head send an ON signal on the hour (every hour) as well as on the half hour (macro one). Macro two: Send an OFF signal every 15 and 45 after the hour.

excuse my ignorance, any pointers with the macros I need for this?

So I would write ON macro, like....


It's exactly 1:00 am or
It's exactly 2:00 am or
It's exactly 3:00 am or
...
...
...
End Trigger Conditions
Turn Module On

Umm, thats probably wrong, because I can only have three conditions?

[Brian H]

The Timer Designer maybe all you need as your times are fixed; for the lighting.

The fan cycle of fifteen minutes maybe different and I hope someone may have added information for you.

Two links that may give you added data.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Creating_A_Timer

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/ActiveHome_Pro

[einstein-a-go-go]

The Timer Designer maybe all you need as your times are fixed.

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Creating_A_Timer

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/ActiveHome_Pro

so if I'm getting this right, I would need to create a Timer for every on Hour event for Macro One (24 in total)

and a Timer for every 15 past the hour for the macro off.

e

[einstein-a-go-go]

The Timer Designer maybe all you need as your times are fixed; for the lighting.

The fan cycle of fifteen minutes maybe different and I hope someone may have added information for you.

Two links that may give you added data.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Creating_A_Timer

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/ActiveHome_Pro

Ah, yes I've got the timer for lighting sorted, it's the FAN I'm struggling with.

[Mellowmark]

Write a Macro for fan Say F1 on
                              Delay  15 min
                              F1  off

Then Start set timers for the macro to start every half hour that will cover the deal the macro can run 48 times a day.

[einstein-a-go-go]

Write a Macro for fan Say F1 on
                              Delay  15 min
                              F1  off

Then Start set timers for the macro to start every half hour that will cover the deal the macro can run 48 times a day.

do I then have to create 48 timers?

[Mellowmark]

Yes after you Make the macro.
There will be a little timer in the corner of the icon, open it and make new timer for each half hour of the day that should start the fan every hour and 1/2 hour and the macro will shut the fan off in between. 

Good Luck.

[Tuicemen]

Since a macro can have a max run time of 4 and 1/2 hours why not create a longer macro and fewer timers