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[cjay]

I recently purchased "the deal" (AHP v3.271 with CM19A and a few other goodies) thinking it was a good price.   Since the installation, I've seen macros run with no module response; AHP try to dim an appliance module, I thought that was strange; but after being awakened several times a night for a couple nights in a row by the bedroom lamps coming on by modules that had no ON config - I was furious
! 

I sent Tech support my config and they said they were busy and would get back to me.  I got back to them first and they recommended that I unplug to CM19A for 24 hours and try again.  At this point I don't trust the setup. 

Does anyone have any experience with this HW/SW arrangement (for which there is NO manual) that it actually performs as configured?  Does it require any weird work-arounds to behave correctly?  What about the download vs PC option?

It seems any / all good or bad feedback and experiences are needed by the community to help us get this combination working ... or is it just me!?

Thanks.

[anthonylavado]

@cjay:
Deep breath now. We'll take this a step at a time. Don't worry.

Does anyone have any experience with this HW/SW arrangement (for which there is NO manual) that it actually performs as configured?

It was my first set up at the start of September. Worked very well. We'll go over issues one at a time.

Since the installation, I've seen macros run with no module response; AHP try to dim an appliance module, I thought that was strange; but after being awakened several times a night for a couple nights in a row by the bedroom lamps coming on by modules that had no ON config - I was furious

These are all definitely strange and unexpected issues. You have 3.271, and 3.296 is now available. I would first start by updating to the latest software build available on the X10 website: http://www.x10.com/support/support_soft1.htm

Just download the one that says "ActiveHome Pro". It will automatically update any plug-ins you already have installed. No need to run any separate installers.

After the update, make sure that all your modules are individually controllable through AHP (On/Off, etc).
Make sure that if you have deleted any Macros or Timers recently, that you empty the Recycle/Trash bin at the bottom left of AHP. Some timers and macros have been known to still remain active until the bin is emptied.

I would also ask what House Code (A-P) you have your TM751 and modules set to. Since you mention that you have a CM19A, there would be at least one TM751 Transceiver (the one with the antenna of course) in your setup.

Does it require any weird work-arounds to behave correctly?  What about the download vs PC option?

Shouldn't require anything special. As far as the Download vs. PC option, the CM19A has no internal memory of it's own, so it will require having the PC on to send commands and keep timers/macros running. Even if you select "Store In Interface", it will make no difference. Only a CM15A will enable you to properly download Timers and Macros to have those run with the PC off.
Note that if you decide to use any of the Cellphone Web Apps, those require you to have the computer on as well.

I hope this helps. Let us know how it goes for you!

[cjay]

To confirm, the CM19A came with a TM751. 

I had used the AHP "check for update" function and it either said no updates were available or never reported back.  Update installed - running 3.296 now.  I have the TM751 set for housecode C with a lamp plugged into it for testing.  I have the B1 driveway motion sensor trigger a macro to turn on C1, and then off 5 min later.  I'm keeping AHP away from the A housecode since:
- I don't want to be awakened in the middle of the night again, and:
- since Heyu and a CM11A have proven reliable over the years, I have it running the house

Thanks for the interest.  What's next?
I'll keep testing and feed back the results.
 

[dave w]

IMHO Coming from a successful CM11 installation and "upgrading" to a CM19A is actually a downgrade. There is no way for X10 PLC commands to get back to AHP. In addition since the TM751 can only transceive one house code, you are pretty much limited to AHP controll of only 16 devices.

The CM19A is really entry level. And coming from a CM11A puts you way ahead of entry level. 'Course X10 advertising make the CM19A sound like it can tilt world axis, reverse mythical warming, fix the ozone, and turn on the kitchen light.
Having said that, make sure your TM751 is plugged in same outlet the CM11A was (is).

[cjay]

 

Since the CM11A started to have that "smoke got out" smell after a summer thunderstorm, thought I'd "upgrade" before it went poof once and for all.  (The old "caveat emptor" phrase applies these days more than ever.)

I don't really need more than one housecode at this point, it's more for isolation (sleep) purposes.

Problem - if I turn C6 lamp module on / off from the AHP display it's fine, but when I trigger the A6 macro with A6 ON from a remote to turn C6 ON - the computer makes it look like it did what it was supposed to do (even the red LED on the CM19A flickered) but the C6 module never turns on.

[anthonylavado]

Problem - if I turn C6 lamp module on / off from the AHP display it's fine, but when I trigger the A6 macro with A6 ON from a remote to turn C6 ON - the computer makes it look like it did what it was supposed to do (even the red LED on the CM19A flickered) but the C6 module never turns on.

In AHP:
Tools -> Hardware Configuration -> Transceived House Code
Change it from "Auto" to the ones you'd like the CM19A to act upon: in this case, A for the macro you just mentioned, and/or B for the Driveway sensor that you mentioned before.
The red light on the CM19A means it's "hearing" the command, but unless it's told that it has to respond to that house code, it won't act upon any RF received for it.

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

Since the CM11A started to have that "smoke got out" smell after a summer thunderstorm, thought I'd "upgrade" before it went poof once and for all.  (The old "caveat emptor" phrase applies these days more than ever.)

I don't really need more than one housecode at this point, it's more for isolation (sleep) purposes.

Problem - if I turn C6 lamp module on / off from the AHP display it's fine, but when I trigger the A6 macro with A6 ON from a remote to turn C6 ON - the computer makes it look like it did what it was supposed to do (even the red LED on the CM19A flickered) but the C6 module never turns on.

Under the AHP Tools menu go to Preferences and then the Macros tab and make sure "issue on instead of bright 100%" is checked.

Another thing to try would be to set up the C6 module in AHP as a Socket Rocket instead of a standard lamp module.

Very likely AHP is sending a "brighten 100%" command instead of an "on" command, when the macro fires.

Also, since you're receiving and then sending RF, you may need to add a delay at the beginning of the macro.  The software and interface are busy the entire time you're holding the button down with receiving the button signals and can't send correctly until the button is released, as the incoming signal is interfering with the outgoing one.
 

[cjay]

I really appreciate all the support ... thanks!

OK, so I've:
- set the 100% bright to ON
- set the transcieved housecodes to ABC
- added an 8 sec delay to the beginning of the C6 ON and OFF macros

New problem - the TM751 is not responding to C1 ON or OFF commands - and the ON/OF button on the front doesn't work.  But I change it to A1 and use the remote - it's fine!?

[Brian H]

The On/Off button should work no matter what House Code the TM751 is set to.
You may want to try wiggling it and see if it works if pushed on one side or the other.

When you have the House Code Dial on C. The C1 RF command from a remote does not work, but if you reset it to A then A1 will work?
Try gently rotating the House Code Dial around a few times. In case the dial contacts have some dirt on them and it is not on C.

It could be defective if the local button is not workking and the House Code can't be set to C.

[cjay]

Yes the TM751 seemed to work fine when set to A(1) and I use the remote!  I'd fiddled with it some more and now it seems ok on C1 - for how long - who knows?

It seems what used to be a proven product is now in Beta - in the field - and we're the testers. 
X10 support won't even respond to my emails any more

[Brian H]

I have gotten a few modules that didn't work correctly right from the box.
The famous 1/2 bright when On LM456s comes to mind.

The poor connection on the House and Unit dials. Is easily corrected by rotating the dials a few times.

[cjay]

 
Expanded the test - created a timer with AHP to turn on C16 (the coffee maker) at 0600 - and A4 (backyard floods) came on as well!