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[TJMay]

Hello, new here but not new to X10.

I have had my CM15A setup and working for some time. Now, something wierd is happening and I can't figure it out.

From my PC through the interface, I can turn all installed modules on and off. There are 4 light modules with timers set to go on at 7:30 pm and go off at 12:00 am. None will come on at the set time and onnly one will go off.

I have tried to power the interface down and back up, redownload the timers, checked the time in the interface and everything else I know what to check.

Any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

Tommy

[Knightrider]

Tommy,

Have you updated lately?  Are your lamp modules defined as old or new style?

[TJMay]

Not sure whether the modules are old or new style. How can I tell?

I frequently run the update software routine in Active HomePro so I assume that it is current version.

Anything else come to mind?

Tommy

[dave w]

Not sure whether the modules are old or new style. How can I tell?

Old style Lamp Modules and Wall Switches come on and turn off instantly.

New design incorporates "Soft Start" (when sent ON or OFF command, or using local switch on Wall Switch, the light ramps up and ramps down. Takes a second or two to ramp). Also has "Resume Dim" (light ramps up to same level as it was when previously shut off. Does not come on at 100% like the old modules... unless it was turned OFF while at 100% previously). The new modules have been shipping for a couple of years, or more.

[Noam]

The "Check for Update" function has been broken for a number of years.

You can check for the latest version here:
http://www.x10.com/support/support_soft1.htm

Version 3.314 was released on 5/23/2011.

[TJMay]

Not sure whether the modules are old or new style. How can I tell?

Old style Lamp Modules and Wall Switches come on and turn off instantly.

New design incorporates "Soft Start" (when sent ON or OFF command, or using local switch on Wall Switch, the light ramps up and ramps down. Takes a second or two to ramp). Also has "Resume Dim" (light ramps up to same level as it was when previously shut off. Does not come on at 100% like the old modules... unless it was turned OFF while at 100% previously). The new modules have been shipping for a couple of years, or more.

Then apparently, I have a mix of old and new. But, what difference does it make?  Shouldn't the timers work on both?

Tommy

[TJMay]

The "Check for Update" function has been broken for a number of years.

You can check for the latest version here:
http://www.x10.com/support/support_soft1.htm

Version 3.314 was released on 5/23/2011.

Thanks, I didn't know that. Makes one wonder why they just don't fix it!

I'll update from the link and try again.

Tommy

[Noam]

Then apparently, I have a mix of old and new. But, what difference does it make?  Shouldn't the timers work on both?

I'll try to explain it. Keep in mind, this only applies to Lamp and Wall Switch modules that are dimmable:
Around 2008, X10.com changed their lamp modules (and wall switches) to add in SoftStart functionality. This allowed those modules to "dim up" to a certain brightness level, without having to come on at full brightness first. It also allowed more precise control of dimming capabilities.
The new functions use the X10 "Extended Dim" commands, which the older modules weren't able to respond to.
However, they decided to use the same model numbers for the updated units.

The newer modules (the ones with the SoftStart functionality) SHOULD respond just fine to the older, "basic" commands (on/off/dim). However, they also respond to the Extended Dim commands, which allow you to set them directly to a specific dim level, instead of having to go to 100% brightness first. However, AHP tries to send the Extended Dim commands to the newer modules, when it can, because it is faster, and more precise. However, the older modules don't respond to the Extended Dim commands at all.

When the AHP developers added the Extended Dim functionality into AHP version 3.302, they made the "newer" modules the default, and created a separate category for the older ones. The logic (as explained to me) was that new users, and those buying new modules to add to their systems, would be using the SoftStart modules.

In order for your system to work well, I suggest the following:
1. Any time you have two or more modules on the SAME HouseCode/Unit Code combination, make sure they are ALL either "new" or "old." Mixing them can cause unexpected results.
2. Define the modules properly within AHP (using the "Old Lamps - no SoftStart" category for the old ones).
3. Test your system out, to make sure everything responds properly. This is especially true of dimming.

Keep an eye on the forums, and the download page, to see if a new version has been released.
There are a few bugs currently in the system, you can see them here: http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=22373.0

Feel free to ask us questions. Someone here has probably had the same problem before, and we do our best to try and help.

[TJMay]

Thanks for that explanation. I think I got that much now.

So,l while you were writing the explanation, I downloaded and installed the latest version of AHP and drivers for the CM15A.

The results are the same. My wireless remotes turn the lamp module on and off as expected. The AHP will, however, only turn the lamp modules off, not on. And, while I haven't yet seen whether the timers will work, I suspect not since the rest of the behaviour has not changed.

BTW, there is only one lamp module on the code I am using to test.

Anything else I can look at?

Tommy

[Noam]

What is the module type (model number), and how do you have it defined in AHP?
When you turn it on with the remote, does it go to fill brightness immediately, or does it take a second or two to slowly dim up?

[TJMay]

What is the module type (model number), and how do you have it defined in AHP?
When you turn it on with the remote, does it go to fill brightness immediately, or does it take a second or two to slowly dim up?

It is LM465 and it goes yo full brightness as soon as I hit on.

[Dan Lawrence]

What is the module type (model number), and how do you have it defined in AHP?
When you turn it on with the remote, does it go to fill brightness immediately, or does it take a second or two to slowly dim up?

It is LM465 and it goes yo full brightness as soon as I hit on.

That's an "old style" LM465 and should be from the "Older Lamps (no Soft-Start) section.  If you have your .ahx files from the previous version you will have to change all old style modules from the section I mentioned.  All .ahx files have to be changed, the process is easy and takes about 8 minutes per ahx file to change.

[Noam]

Right-click on the module in AHP, and choose "Edit."
Change the module type to "Old Lamps - no Soft start", and then pick the correct module from the second drop-down.
Save and re-download to your CM15A, and then test again.

[TJMay]

Thanks guys!

I'll try these suggestions later tonight.

This forum rocks.....

Tommy

[TJMay]

Well, I changed the module type for the lamp module that was not working correctly and, I think it worked.

I'll look at and edit all of them tomorrow but it looks promising.

Thanks to all of you that contributed.

Tommy