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[corvelle]

I am setting up remote door chimes for an office building. I have a magnetic door trigger wired to a Powerflash Module (PSC01) set to input mode B and output mode 3. I am trying to use this to sound a Chime Module (PHH02). The house and unit codes are set the same but the chime does not sound. As a test, I plugged an appliance module into the exact same outlet the chime was in, set the codes, and it works perfect every time the door opens. I have two brand new chime modules and neither one works. Any ideas as to why the appliance module works but the chimes do not? 

[Noam]

What mode do you have the PowerFlash set to?
If you plug both the PowerFlash and the Chime Module into the same outlet (using a short extension cord if need, so they both fit), can you get the PowerFlash to trigger the Chime module?

[corvelle]

Powerflash is set to input B and output 3. And when plugged into the same outlet with a multiplug extention cord, they still will not chime. And again, the appliance mudules work perfect in the same setup. I tried both of the chimes I have. They do chime when first plugged in so I know they can chime. They just dont work from the power line signal.

[Brian H]

Try rotating the House and Unit Code Wheels on the Chime Modules. Then reset them to the desired address. They maybe dirty and actually set to a different code than they show.

Try M13 as a test. It is the address of no code switches On.

[corvelle]

Tryed rotating code wheels and setting back to right code and still no ding. And tried M13, no ding.

[dave w]

OK try pushing and releasing the "Test" button four times...anything from the chime?

[corvelle]

Still no chime.

[Noam]

I was unclear on some of your testing.
1) Are you testing (with the "Test" button on the PowerFlash) with the wires disconnected? The instructions indicate you need to disconnect the wires from the terminals before you use the Test button.
2) Do you have something plugged into the Appliance module when you are testing? Is it possible that the door sensor is sending an "off" when the door is opened, and an "on" when the door is closed? (that would activate the chime when the door is closed, not when it is opened).
3) Have you tried testing without using the sensor, and by simply touching a short wire across the terminals of the PowerFlash? Perhaps the timing of the contact from the sensor is not triggering the PowerFlash correctly.

Here's another sequence to test:
1. Plug the PowerFlash, the Chime Module, and the Appliance module all in at the same time (on the same outlet, if possible).
2. Reset the code wheels on all of them to the same code (you might want to try a few different code combinations if the first one you try doesn't seem to work).
3. Make sure the PowerFlash is set to Input B, and output 3.
4. DISCONNECT the wires from the PowerFlash (the instructions say to do this when using the "test" button).
5. Make sure the Appliance module is off (plug in a lamp or something to verify the operation.
6. Press and HOLD the "test" button on the PowerFlash for several seconds. The Appliance module should turn on, and the chime should sound.
7. Release the button. The Appliance module should turn off. Nothing should happen with the Chime Module.

Repeat the test if you are unsure of the results.

[Brian H]

So with the Powerflash module and the Chime Module in the same outlet.
You still can't get a chime sound. While an appliance module clicks on and off.

Beginning to think you have a set of bad chime modules.
The chiming at power up is normal and does not check the X10 receiver part of the chime modules. From all I have seen.

[Noam]

... While an appliance module clicks on and off.

I wonder if the appliance module is actually clicking OFF and ON instead...
If the sensor is set to OPEN the circuit when the door is opened, and CLOSE the circuit when the door is closed (which is a little more common for magnetic door sensors), then the PowerFlash would be sending an OFF when the door is opened.
The "click" of the appliance module sounds the same for both "On" and "Off," so unless you plug something in, you might not realize if it is working backward.

If that's the case (the sensor is a "normally closed" one, and is opening the circuit when the door opens), then the Powerflash won't be able to directly control the chime. You would either need to swap the sensor for a "normally open" one, or write a macro in AHP to sound the chime based on the "off" command.

What HouseCode / UnitCode combination do you have everything set for?
Do you have any other plug-in controllers (or a TM751 and a hand-held remote) that you can test with?
Maybe the PowerFlash isn't working correctly.

[dave w]

I wonder if the appliance module is actually clicking OFF and ON instead...
If the sensor is set to OPEN the circuit when the door is opened, and CLOSE the circuit when the door is closed (which is a little more common for magnetic door sensors), then the PowerFlash would be sending an OFF when the door is opened.
 
Maybe the PowerFlash isn't working correctly.

Yes, but the PF would send an ON when the door closed, so there should still be something coming from the chime, just not when corvelle wants it.

In repeated pressing of the PowerFlash "Test" button I was trying to find out if the Chime would sound an alarm after ON-OFF cycles like a PSH02. Maybe China programmed with PHH02 firmware instead of SC546A firmware.

Right now I think Brian H has nailed it, corvelle has two bad chimes.

[Brian H]

I would think if the magnetic switch was for a normally closed security setup. The chime would sound with the door being closed.

If the chimes where mislabeled small siren modules. You could also set the Mode to 2 and hold the test button. That sends the trigger sequence for the sirens.

[corvelle]

When I ordered I made sure the contacts were normally open. This I have confirmed by pluging a light into the appliance module. So...to test as Noam sugested, I...

Pluged the PF, AM, and chime into the same outlet via multi plug cord
Nothing on the PF contacts and set to input B output 3
Set house/unit codes to A2
Using the test button - AM works - no chime
Changed house/unit codes to B2 - AM works - no chime
Changed house/unit codes to C2 - AM works - chime worked!! but for only two test cycles then no chime
Plugged in other chime
Set house/unit codes to back to A2 - AM works - no chime
Changed house/unit codes to B2 - AM works - no chime
Changed house/unit codes to C2 - AM works - no chime

The two chimes from the test points toward bad chimes. I will order two more and see what happens. In the meantime as a workaround, I will get mutiplug adapters and plug the lights and chimes into the AMs.

I will post back with the outcome of the new chimes.

[Brian H]

The tests do point in the direction of chime module problems.
If you feel ambitious. You can try M13 {all 1's} and J10 {all 0's} for dial problems.

So for now you are turning the AC power to the chime modules on and off with an appliance module. Clever.

[dave w]

When I ordered I made sure the contacts were normally open. This I have confirmed by pluging a light into the appliance module. So...to test as Noam sugested, I...

Pluged the PF, AM, and chime into the same outlet via multi plug cord
Nothing on the PF contacts and set to input B output 3
Set house/unit codes to A2
Using the test button - AM works - no chime
Changed house/unit codes to B2 - AM works - no chime
Changed house/unit codes to C2 - AM works - chime worked!!

IMHO Chime is pee-pee, poo-poo, caa-caa. A technical term, perhaps not widely recognized.