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[NeilP]

Hi everyone,
I am trying to use ActiveHome Pro timers to control an Insteon 2476D dimmer module. The Insteon module will not respond to an X10 command sent from AHP.  FYI the Insteon module is properly programmed with an X10 address and does respond to commands from an X10 Palmpad as well as mini-controller. Conversely AHP does properly control other x10 modules that I have in our house.

When I was setting up AHP I could not find a module name in AHP to match Insteon so I tried a number of X10 modules that were defined in AHP but with no success. Does anyone know what type of module name I should use?

Any other thoughts as to what the problem might be?
Thanks
Neil

[Dan Lawrence]

I would suggest sending the Insteon back and getting the X10 WS13A-L which appears to work the same.

[Brian H]

Define it as a Old Lamps (Before Soft Start) List. Pick a  WS467 or WS12A.

The WS13A is a relay type X10 switch and would correspond to a 2476S non dimming Insteon Switch.

Don't use the Lamps Tab that now are soft start style that use Extended X10 Commands. The 2476D does not understand X10 Extended Commands. As Smarthome chose an older X10 dimming protocol of %Dim.

[NeilP]

Brian,
Thanks. I tried both the WS467 and WS12A but neither worked. I think I will have to rig up a test module to plug in directly into the same outlest as the transceiver to ensure that I don't have a wiring/phase/noise problem before I go any further.
Neil

[Brian H]

That sounds like a good way to go. As I was thinking power line signal problems.

One point is Insteon and Icon modules have a power line transmitter in them and they act like a signal sucker to power line signals. Not being sent by it.

[Noam]

Brian,
Thanks. I tried both the WS467 and WS12A but neither worked. I think I will have to rig up a test module to plug in directly into the same outlest as the transceiver to ensure that I don't have a wiring/phase/noise problem before I go any further.
Neil

Neil -
Did you try using the WS467 and WS12A from the "Lamps" category, or the "Old Lamps - No Soft Start" category?
They behave differently. For the ones in the "Old Lamps - No Soft Start" category, AHP (and and SDK-based 3rd party programs) will send "traditional" X10 on/off/bright/dim commands. The ones in the "Lamps" category are the newer "Soft Start" versions (unfortunately, X10 didn't change the model numbers when they changed the way the modules work), and those get sent the newer "Extended Dim" commands.

[NeilP]

Gents,
Just to close the loop on this one.....
I have an active repeater/phase coupler which I installed temporarily and the problem went away. AHP is able to control the Insteon unit. I guess my problem is one of signal strength / noise. I will have to look into that. I wired my own house about 30 years ago so I am pretty confident it is not a wiring problem and I am the only house on my power transformer so I have never had a problem before with phase coupling. Just something to look into.
Regarding old vs new lamps I don't think my version of AHP has a new or old lamps section.
Neil

[Noam]

What version of AHP are you running? SoftStart support (and therefore the "Old Lamps" section to support the non-SoftStart modules) was added in version 3.302.

You'd be surprised what types of devices can cause noise. Cell phone chargers. Desktop and laptop power supplies, TVs, and failing (or cheap non-failing) CFL bulbs have all been reported here to have been the cause of noise for some users.