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[djsx10]

I had a working setup that controls a air cycling fan and louver for the basement.

Starts the fan and dims to 50%.

I did have to move the X10 module to a different socket about 2 months back (maybe a sign of weakening signal strength of the CM15A?).

The CM15A stopped sending any type of on or bright command.  Interactively through the latest version of Active Home Pro or via a timer.

It reads what signals are going out and it can send an off command to anything - but it won't send on to anything - even something plugged in next to it.

I pulled out an old CM11A - it's status is unknown as I can't remember why I purchased the CM15A - might be the CM11A did the same.  In any case, it too will not send On or Bright.

I brought out an old RR501 and set it up with a wireless remote and it works just fine.

I simply need a timer that can control the brightness level.

I just finished researching for an insteon module that could do the same thing.  What a mess!  The standalone device with the webserver does not seem to be able to schedule a brightness level.  The Houselinc bundle does not come with a device that you can download timers to.  The controller that takers downloads, does not have software with it and does not work with Houselinc.  The m3 software is ridiculously expensive for this one small requirement.

So the cheapest solution so far is to order another CM11A.

I am missing a possible problem here?  (remember this was a working setup that was unchanged when the problem came up - so the "soft on" issue that I've read reams about can't be in play here).

Is there a cheap Insteon setup that would do the same (key requirement that seems to lock me out of reasonably priced insteon solutions: (a) a timer that must be able to (b) set a brightness level and (c) be downloaded so the is no PC required to do the timers).

One solution that seemed tempting (but I can't verify it meets my requirements) is PowerHome (myx10.com) combined with the Powerlinc Controller (http://www.smarthome.com/2414U/PowerLinc-INSTEON-Controller-USB-Based-Home-Automation-Device/p.aspx).

For $170 I have dimmable programming of an off PC controller.  It isn't cheap - but it would seem to allow a gradual move to insteon while meeting current requirements.  It is also not subject to marketing driven product bundling like Houselinc with no downloadable controller and Powerlinc controllers with no reasonable software.

Thanks for any help.

[Noam]

...The CM15A stopped sending any type of on or bright command.  Interactively through the latest version of Active Home Pro or via a timer.

It sounds like the common "SoftStart" problem.
I'm going to guess that:
1)  Prior to upgrading your AHP to the latest version (presumably 3.318), you had a version that was older than version 3.302, and
2) The lamp modules you are using are older than around 2008.

Here's the background:
Around 2008, X10 changed the design of the lamp modules (and dimming wall switches) to incorporate the newer, more precise "Extended Dim" commands. Unfortunately, they didn't bother changing the model numbers of these newer modules. The problem is that while these newer modules still responded to the same "percent dim" commands as the prior design, the older modules (prior to the redesign) did not understand the newer commands.

In January 2011, AHP was updated to version 3.302, which added support for these SoftStart modules. Since they carried the same model number as the newer ones, and since all modules being sold by them were at that point the newer ones, they made the default behavior in AHP be to use the Extended Dim commands.

There is a simple solution (of course, not well-documented by X10).
1. In AHP, right-click on the modules that aren't working, and click on "Edit Module".
2. From the "Type of Module" drop-down, choose "Old Lamps - no Soft Start."
3. From the "Module" drop-down, choose the correct module type.

Click OK, save your changes, re-download to the CM15A, and test it again.

If this doesn't work, or if my guesses (#1 and #2 above) are not correct, please let me know.

[Noam]

One other thing I forgot to add -
If I was correct about the problem, then looking in your Activity Monitor, you should see a bunch of "Extended Dim" commands instead of the "On," "Bright" and "Dim" commands you were trying to send from AHP.
Compare those to what you see when you use the RR501 and remote to control the lamp module.

After you change the module type, compare the commands again. They should be the same now.

[djsx10]

Hmmmm... Didn't receive a forum notification.

I think you might be correct.  The X10 modules are actually IBM ones.

I ended up uninstalling AHP, removing all associated files and registry keys, reinstalling and then NOT UPDATING it to the latest.

Previously, the machine running the software used to be running XP and would never update to the latest version of AHP.

I recently replaced that machine and dutifully updated AHP, which, near as I can tell is when the problem started.

Pretty irritating for the entire system to stop working upon upgrading the software. 

I have sunk so much time into it I am hesitant to upgrade the software again - is there any good reason to do so if the system is working fine now?

Thanks.

[Dan Lawrence]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!  If it works for you, great!!