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[dipdog]

I've used x10 in the past, many years ago, and I'm trying to set up some simple lighting again with some old ws467 switches. I looked on the back of one of the switches that I'm using. It has a round white sticker that says 01I36. If I understand right, that means 36th week of 2001? All I'm really looking to do is dim the lights up at sundown and then dim them down at night, but pretty frequently someone comes in and manually turns the switch off in between. In that situation (with the lights manually turned off) when the automated command comes to dim to 0%, the lights first flash all the way up before they dim to 0% (which is kinda distracting in the middle of the night!).  It seems like this would be a pretty typical problem (ie. someone manually using the switch in between automated commands), so I'm hoping there's some sort of solution.  My understanding is that this is due to the fact that either some or all ws467 switches don't have "absolute" dim capability (?).  I don't really understand the functions well enough, so I've been using different combinations of absolute dim, relative dim, and brightness with HomeSeer 1.7, with no success.  My question is if there is a way to fix this with my current switches, more updated versions of ws467 switches, another type of switch (preferably a comparable price), or another type of software such as ActiveHome Pro?

Very much appreciate any advice you can offer!

[Brian H]

I believe I saw your post in the Smarthome Forums but here is the information on the Soft Start and Preset Dim.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Newer_Wall_Switches_and_Preset_Dim
2001 is before the updated firmware so those features are not in your WS467 wall switches.
The old one do go to 100% and then back down.
I hope someone with HomeSeer can give you more details.
What interface are you using with HomeSeer?
Since X10WTI went out of business and the new owners have not gotten the servers 100% back on line. For now the European AHP can be used with a CM15A and Tuicemen has made a conversion program to get the US information into it.

[dipdog]

Brian - yes, that was me.  Hope that's alright, someone had mentioned searching the x10 site for more info.  The interface I'm using is an old CM11a with a usb to serial port adapter.  
I guess what I wasn't getting out of the other thread was, can a post-2007 ws467 start at off and accept a "dim to 0%" command without flashing on to 100% first?  It sounds like your saying yes?  Just wanted to verify.  Thx!  

[Brian H]

I frequently recommend X10 users to post here. Now that the new X10 owners have gotten the servers back up and preserved a good portion of the contents.
The X10 wiki is also back on line except some of the buried links to module graphics on the old X10 servers not recovered yet.

I don't have any of the post 2007 WS467s so I can't say if they would do what you want.
I know the last few versions of AHP had two Lamp Module and Switch style Lists.
The Old Lamp (Before Soft Start) where for the older ones and the Lamp Modules where for the Soft Start ones that could use Extended X10 Messages.

[dipdog]

Thx again, Brian.  If I can't find a definitive answer on the ws467, I'll probably just buy a new one and see what happens.  I'll post back with the answer.

By the way, for what it's worth, it hasn't been for lack of trying (to find an answer).  I called the customer support number for x10.com today.  The guy on the other end interrupted me three times in a row (can I HELP you.... can I HELP you.... can I HELP you).  It was so absurd, I thought either he couldn't hear me, or it was some sort of automated answer.  When I asked if he could hear me, he said "What do WANT?", and hung up.
Soooo. that was that.

[mark_sd]

dipdog -

I'm trying to achieve the same as you (slow dim up in the bedroom without the sudden flash when setting absolute dim). Did you get that to work with a newer soft-start WS467? Looks like the current model is PLW01; maybe that would work?

Thanks,

- Mark

[dhouston]

One way to do this (though, perhaps, not with X10 software) is to dim to 0% instead of turning off. You can then slowly dim up to the desired level. The switches and modules use minimal power when fully dimmed.

[mark_sd]

Thanks dhouston. Great idea, but not working through software (AHP 3.310) with my older non-soft-start switch. I created a a macro with 100% Dim as the first command. When the light is off and I activate that macro, the light comes on with a blinding flash at full brightness, then slowly dims to 0%. Looks like the same thing I'd get by setting absolute 0%.

Like the OP, this light gets manually turned off and on a lot, so when I start my wake-up macro, I can't rely on the previous command being full dim.

[dhouston]

Sorry - my brain was switched OFF. I used this with a CM11A, lamp modules and my own software years ago. It didn't dawn on me that switches would be different. 

[Brian H]

The full On and Dim down is the way the old before Soft Start ones work.
The ones with Soft Start also have a preset dim level. Though I don't know if it would help.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Newer_Wall_Switches_and_Preset_Dim

The present X10 WS467 and X10Pro PLW01 are basically the same. Both now have Soft Start and Preset Dim Levels. I believe the X10Pro model has a longer warranty and some say a higher QC inspection.

[mark_sd]

The full On and Dim down is the way the old before Soft Start ones work.

Right. The question that still remains:  if we buy a soft-start WS467, turn it off manually, then send it an Absolute 20% via software, what happens? Will it start at 0% and ramp up? Or do we still get the 100% flash at first?

I don't think Preset Dim will help. If it's at 100% and I turn it off manually, the preset will be 100%. But the next morning at 6:30am I want it to start at 20%.

[Brian H]

I don't have any new WS467's with soft start to test.
I did test a LM465 with soft start and from the Off state. AHP 3.318 was able to turn it On at any level I set the slider to. Without going to 100% On and back down first. If the module was at 50% and I went to 20% it dimmed down.

[mark_sd]

Brian, great info, thanks. Sounds like it's worth a try.

Mark

[mark_sd]

I forgot that I had a ToggleLinc 2390 Dimmer in another location. I moved that to the bedroom and I think it's working. In AHP, it's defined as a new-model WS467. I had to adjust the macro a bit. It seems if you try to brighten past 100%, it flickers and goes back to 100%. Also the Absolute 25% that I had to start didn't seem to do anything. So I bracketed the macro with Off and On commands and dimmed up in between. The good news is that there is no bright flash on the first dim-up. Maybe this is because turning off the lamp locally is really more like a 100% Dim command. The macro commands to wake up over 20 minutes:

Turn OFF
Brighten by 16%
WAIT 4 minutes
Brighten by 16%
WAIT 4 minutes
Brighten by 16%
WAIT 4 minutes
Brighten by 16%
WAIT 4 minutes
Brighten by 16%
WAIT 4 minutes
Turn ON

Anyone know where to get these X10-compatible ToggleLinc switches? I like the toggle switch better than the pushbutton or the Decora style. Used to get them from SmartHome for around $25 open box, if I recall correctly.

[Brian H]

I am glad to read of your getting the proper operation of the lights.
The Manual for the 2390 Dimmer indicates it has BoosterLinc Technology and is Two Way power line communications. So it should also boost the X10 commands on the power lines and reply back on a Status Request. Also if activated locally. Any other module on the same address may also follow its commands.

I believe the 2000 Series X10 compatible modules where discontinued a year or so after the 2400 series Insteon Modules where being sold.
I still have some of the 2000 series X10 compatible plug in type modules myself. In a storage container.