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[plaindave]

I'm not sure what my problem is here. Things just started to go wrong about a week ago. I've got a CM15a and a 3 prong dryer outlet coupler/repeater. I've been using the coupler for years with a CM11 and "upgraded" to a CM15 about a year ago.

I use the Activehome pro software (latest version, downloaded an update this month) and all of my timers stopped working. Then I noticed that my remote control wouldn't work. I couldn't control anything from the PC either. I happened to notice that the activity light on the coupler was flickering on and off constantly. Unplugged it and plugged it back in and I could turn things on and off about 3-4 times from the PC before it would stop controlling devices and the activity light would be flickering. If I unplug and plug in the coupler all is good.

So I reset the CM15 and downloaded the timers. Same thing happened again. I need the coupler to access all of the circuits in the house. Would using a hard-wired coupler help? Or is there a problem with the CM15 just stopping working? Now if the coupler is out of the loop the CM15 doesn't seem to send any signals and control things.

I'm willing to try most anything so give me ideas.

I've also successfully run the CM15 using Thinking Home software on my mac, but have the same problems there. Makes me think it's a hardware issue with the CM15 doing something it shouldn't.

I can post more details if you need them.

[Brian H]

If I read your information correctly.
Both the CM15A and Dryer Outlet Repeater combination for a year and had no issues. Until a few weeks ago.
If it was working and now isn't. Did you make any changes recently?

The Leviton HCA02 and the Smarthome Dryer Outlet Repeaters. Have been known to get into a X10 signal firestorm when a CM15A is the interface.
My Smarthome Dryer Outlet Repeater/Coupler did get locked up a few times. I believe it was after it was in use for awhile.
I then got an ACT CR234 that is now replaced by a JV Engineering XTB-IIR

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

[nybuck]

I use the Activehome pro software (latest version, downloaded an update this month) and all of my timers stopped working.

There have been several posts saying that the timers in AHP 3.271 (the latest version) are buggy.   

Dave always posts "It was working fine - What changed?" - and since you seem to be saying that your timers got messed up around the time of your upgrade, maybe a 'downgrade' to 3.228 (the last known good version of AHP - or so I read) may be in order?

I'm not sure why the remote wouldn't work if it was a software issue....  But maybe it's worth a try...   

[Dan Lawrence]

Here we go AGAIN!!!   Go to http://software.x10.com/pub/applications/activehome/   and look for ahp_updt_204.exe.  Save that and install it over 3.271.  Once it is installed, open AHP and use the flashing "Update Available" on the right side of the AHP screen to update to 3.228.

[Brian H]

I don't think the X10 firestorms between the CM15A and the Dryer Repeater would be a software thing but who knows.
I had firestorms with mine and it was even older revision software than 3.228.

[Noam]

I've also successfully run the CM15 using Thinking Home software on my mac, but have the same problems there. Makes me think it's a hardware issue with the CM15 doing something it shouldn't.

I know that DAN is usually the first to jump on the "version 3.236 (well, now it is 3.271) is buggy - go back to version 3.228" bandwagon, but that isn't always the correct answer. 3.228 seems to have compatibility issues with Windows 7, and does not support the V12A, so that isn't an option for many people.

In this case, I'd venture to say that the problem is LESS LIKELY to be related to (supposedly) buggy AHP software, for the following two reasons:
1. He said he has the same problem on the Mac, using different software.
2. He said he cannot control anything with his remote, which has nothing to do with the software.

I would tend to think that the problem might be noise related.
1) Did anything change in your house around the time the problem began? Is the problem constant, or does it seem better/worse at certain times of the day?
2) Do you have any new electronic devices (or cell phone chargers)? Any new CFL or LED light bulbs? (Anybody who has read some of my other recent posts might suggest you ask your neighbors across the street, too ;-))
3) You mentioned that you need the coupler to reach everything in the house. Did you mean that NOTHING works without the coupler, or SOME things don't work, so you need the coupler to get full coverage for those devices? If you get SOME coverage without the coupler, do those devices work reliably with the coupler removed? If you move the CM15A to the other phase, do the devices on the other phase work reliably with the coupler removed?
4) Have you tried the "breaker box test" (turning off one breaker at a time to see if that makes a difference)?

You might not be able to perform all of these tests, but any testing you do has the potential of locating the problem, or at least eliminating possible causes.

[plaindave]

Been trying different combinations to see what works here noting all your comments.

As far as changes to the house, nothing significant. I've been using cfls throughout the house for years, no new devices in the house, so it could be noise, but not sure from what or where.

I think it's a bad cm15. I have had it out of the system for several days now and all of my devices are functioning. Multiple commands from a switch, lights on/off, dimming and the coupler/repeater is not experiencing the problems. It sounds like the cm15 is causing the firestorms and just repeatedly transmitting commands. 

Reading other posts I wonder if I got a bad interface that had been returned and resold. My next question is get a new cm15, a different x10 interface (is there another one?), or move to an insteon interface.

Thoughts?

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

plaindave,

You don't mention any devices that might pick up a radio signal and put it on the power line, or pick up a power line signal and broadcast it (other than the CM15A), but if you do have any, the CM15A and the other device may be repeating to each other.  If so, maybe the transceived house code settings on the CM15A changed recently.

Another possibility would be a macro on the CM15A that is somehow retriggering.  Like say one that listens for A2 On and then sends A2 On or triggers another macro that sends A2 On.

Just some thoughts.
 

[Noam]

I've been using cfls throughout the house for years .... it could be noise, but not sure from what or where.

It might be a CFL that is starting to go bad. I've had that in my own home before. I also had it in a neighbor's house, with a CFL that was going bad and generated enough noise to foul up my X10 system.

It may be worth shutting off the CFLs (and perhaps asking any close neighbors to do the same), and seeing if anything improves with your system.

[plaindave]

On my Mac today I found the event log for the Thinking Home software. The log is long, but the key events take place starting on 7/31.  You can see all of these commands logged. Most interesting are the B2, B3, B4 commands, as I don't use those codes.  Then further down the log you get a note that the USB extensions need to be installed, then a whole lot of funky commands are logged. Trust me - my programs are not that complicated and I didn't initiate them. I don't use those house codes.

I didn't post the whole log because of the size, but the content is similar. Trying to get the CM15a to respond I tried it on a PC but I don't have those logs handy.

Not sure what to make of this.

07/31/10 8:27 PM: Thinking Home started
07/31/10 8:27 PM: Controller “CM-15a basement” has the incorrect time (2010-08-01 21:26:29 -0400).
07/31/10 8:27 PM: The clock in controller “CM-15a basement” has now been set correctly.
07/31/10 8:28 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:28 PM: Turned on the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:28 PM: The communications port is restored.
07/31/10 8:28 PM: Turned on the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:28 PM: The Living room lights turned on.
07/31/10 8:28 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:28 PM: Turned on the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:28 PM: Turned on the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:29 PM: Turned on the Living room lights.
07/31/10 8:29 PM: Turned off the Living room lights.
07/31/10 8:29 PM: Turned on the Basement Heat.
07/31/10 8:29 PM: Turned on the Basement Heat.
07/31/10 8:29 PM: Turned off the Basement Heat.
07/31/10 8:29 PM: Turned on the Basement Heat.
07/31/10 8:30 PM: Turned off the Basement Heat.
07/31/10 8:30 PM: Turned on the Basement Heat.
07/31/10 8:31 PM: Turned off the Basement Heat.
07/31/10 8:31 PM: Turned off the Basement Heat.
07/31/10 8:32 PM: The Basement Heat turned on.
07/31/10 8:32 PM: The Basement Heat turned off.
07/31/10 8:32 PM: The B2 turned on.
07/31/10 8:32 PM: The B3 turned on.
07/31/10 8:32 PM: The B4 turned on.
07/31/10 8:32 PM: The B3 brightened by 5%.
07/31/10 8:32 PM: The Basement Heat turned on.
07/31/10 8:32 PM: The Basement Lights turned on.
07/31/10 8:32 PM: The Basement Heat turned on.
07/31/10 8:32 PM: The Basement Heat turned on.
07/31/10 8:34 PM: The USB Access extension needs to be installed.
07/31/10 8:34 PM: The USB Access extension needs to be installed.
07/31/10 8:36 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:36 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:38 PM: Carrying out responder: Morning Lights Out
07/31/10 8:38 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:38 PM: Carrying out responder: Morning Lights Out
07/31/10 8:38 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:39 PM: Failed to store schedule “New ActiveHome Pro”.
07/31/10 8:39 PM: The communications port is restored.
07/31/10 8:41 PM: Carrying out event: Weekday Morning lights out
07/31/10 8:41 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:41 PM: Turned off the Living Room ceiling lights.
07/31/10 8:41 PM: Turned off the Outside Lights.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Dimmed K10 by 96%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off L7, L3, L12, L8, L4, L15, L9, L5, L13, L1 and L11.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off K2, K7, K3, K13, K8, K4, K11, K14, K1 and K12.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off N10.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on L7, L8, L16, L10, L15, L5 and L3.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Extended Command J1, J14 and J11.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M8, M4, M12, M9, M7, M16, M10 and M15.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off O12, O10, O1, O13, O6, O2, O16, O11, O14, O8 and O4.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Extended Command K2, K15, K7, K3, K4, K16, K11, K14 and K12.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off L7, L3, L12, L15, L9, L5, L13, L1, L6, L11 and L2.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off K2, K7, K3, K13, K8, K4, K11, K14, K1 and K12.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off N10.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turned on P10, P15, P3, P1, P8 and P16.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Extended Command J1, J14 and J11.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M14, M4, M2, M9, M7, M10 and M15.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off G4, G10, G13, G1, G6, G16, G11, G2, G14, G8 and G12.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Extended Command K2, K15, K7, K3, K4, K16, K11, K14 and K12.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off L7, L3, L12, L8, L15, L9, L5, L13, L1, L11 and L2.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off K2, K7, K3, K13, K8, K4, K11, K14, K1 and K12.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off N10.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turned off P7, P5, P15, P1, P10, P8 and P16.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off L11, L1 and L14.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Brightened  by 0%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off P7, P15, P3, P1, P10, P8, P11 and P16.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off L7, L13, L14, L12, L2, L15, L5 and L3.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Brightened to G16, G8, G4, G9 and G12 by 100%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on H16, H10, H9, H5, H3 and H8.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off L1, L13, L8, L12, L11, L16, L7 and L3.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Brightened to A9 and A10 by 100%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Dimmed to H16, H10, H15, H9 and H8 by 2%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M13, M2, M12, M11, M7, M3 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Extended Command .
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off L7, L13, L14, L12, L2, L15, L5 and L3.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Brightened to G6, G2, G14, G9 and G12 by 100%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turned on H16, H10, H9, H7, H3 and H8.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off L1, L13, L8, L12, L11, L16, L7 and L3.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Brightened to A6, A4, A12, A9, A10 and A14 by 100%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Brightened to H11, H16, H10, H9, H7, H5, H3 and H8 by 100%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off L1, L14, L11, L15 and L3.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turned off L3, L7, L1 and L9.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off L1, L11, L9, L7 and L3.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on L1, L9, L15, L7 and L3.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Dimmed to L1, L11, L9, L15, L7 and L3 by 2%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M5, M1, M9 and M4.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M13, M4, M12, M9, M3 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M4, M9, M11, M16 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M13, M4, M12, M9, M11, M5, M16 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M8, M4, M9, M11, M5, M3 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M8, M13, M4, M12, M9, M15 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M8, M4, M9, M16, M3, M15 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M3, M16, M8, M4, M9, M5, M12, M1, M15 and M13.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M4, M2, M9, M11, M5, M15 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M3, M11, M4, M9, M12, M1, M15, M2 and M13.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M4, M2, M9, M7, M16 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Extended Command J6, J13, J2, J7, J11, J16, J3, J14, J8, J4, J9, J12, J5, J15, J10 and J1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M14, M13, M7, M5 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M8, M9, M11, M7, M3 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off .
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M6, M8, M2 and M14.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off C4, C2, C11, C16, C8 and C10.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M13.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Dimmed J12 by 0%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M6, M8, M2 and M14.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off C4 and C11.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M13.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Dimmed M12 by 0%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M6, M8, M2 and M14.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off C4, C11 and C16.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M13.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Dimmed E12 by 0%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M6, M8, M2 and M14.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off C4, C11 and C8.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M13.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turned off the Basement Lights.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Dimmed C12 by 0%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M6, M8 and M2.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Dimmed M4, M11, M16 and M8 by 0%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M5, M7, M1 and M14.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M4, M11, M7, M3 and M15.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off .
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M6, M8 and M2.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Dimmed M4, M11 and M2 by 0%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M14, M13, M7, M5 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off O3, O1, O8, O11 and O4.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off .
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn on M14, M6, M8, M2 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Dimmed C4, C11, C16 and C2 by 0%.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M14, M13, M7, M5 and M1.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off O15, O3, O1, O8, O11 and O4.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Turn off M3, M16, M11, M8, M4, M14, M9, M5, M12, M1, M15, M6, M10, M2, M13 and M7.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Failed to store schedule “New ActiveHome Pro”.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: Failed to store schedule “New ActiveHome Pro”.
07/31/10 8:43 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 8:45 PM: Failed to store schedule “New ActiveHome Pro”.
07/31/10 8:45 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 8:45 PM: Failed to store schedule “New ActiveHome Pro”.
07/31/10 8:45 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 8:47 PM: Carrying out event: Morning lights out 2
07/31/10 8:48 PM: Failed to store schedule “New ActiveHome Pro”.
07/31/10 8:48 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 8:48 PM: Carrying out event: New Event
07/31/10 8:48 PM: Carrying out event: New Event
07/31/10 8:48 PM: Failed to store schedule “New ActiveHome Pro”.
07/31/10 8:48 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 8:49 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 8:50 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 8:50 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 8:50 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 8:50 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 9:00 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 9:01 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 9:01 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 9:01 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 9:01 PM: The controller failed to respond.
07/31/10 9:02 PM: The controller is not connected.
07/31/10 9:05 PM: The communications port is restored.
07/31/10 9:05 PM: Received a report that power was lost.
07/31/10 9:05 PM: Controller “New ActiveHome Pro” has the incorrect time (2010-01-01 22:00:16 -0500).
07/31/10 9:05 PM: The clock in controller “New ActiveHome Pro” has now been set correctly.

[plaindave]

Also determined that the CM15a is receiving my commands from the remote control but not activating the x10 device. Sitting here watching the event log adding events, but nothing happening. Removed the coupler with no change, put it back no activity again.

[BentBrother]

And I thought I HAD problems.    ....that sounds way to funky → Good luck..