Will the X10 WIFI app and WM100 replace AHP and the CM15?

Started by Tuicemen, February 08, 2018, 09:10:08 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

ekraus

The first time I got involved with X10 was in 87 and have had it in my houses since.
I was working on a project called Transtext with BS, Johnson Controls and GA Power.
Got lots of free gear.
At one time almost every light, WH, AC's, Pumps as much as i could connect was on it.
I probably had every controller and module made since then.
For me the 1132CU was the best of the controllers that came out.
I think I have been through 5 of them and still have 2. 1 that was in the box new since they DA them.
I tried insteon (actually was one of there first dealers) and it just was a PIA and the hardware was crap.
Now all I have is my exterior lights, WH, wall fountain and Pool pump on the WM100 using timers.

I still think its a great technology if you can get rid of the noise (which I did with Jeff's help).
Its not bullet proof but could have been with the introduction of the extended codes and some good software.
My palmpads don't work anymore so I use my phone when necessary.
Although once again the app may show something on or off but its not.
I modified most of the appliance modules i had snipping the diode to stop the current sensing and pigtailed them to use in my exterior control.
I still have several leviton (208/240V) 6330 modules, a bunch of interfaces including a CP290.
Smarthome for me is 5 remotes on the couch!


Noam

Quote from: Tuicemen on September 03, 2018, 09:42:21 AM
Regular timers as well as Dusk/Dawn ones don't get affected by a server being down.

As long as you don't have any sort of power blip - because that would reset the clock in your device, and it will be wrong until you *actively* connect to it with a device (which requires the server to be up), and re-sync the time. If you're in a different time zone when you do that, your timers are messed up. That's a huge design flaw, in my opinion.

Tuicemen

Quote from: Noam on September 04, 2018, 09:50:03 AM
Quote from: Tuicemen on September 03, 2018, 09:42:21 AM
Regular timers as well as Dusk/Dawn ones don't get affected by a server being down.

As long as you don't have any sort of power blip - because that would reset the clock in your device, and it will be wrong until you *actively* connect to it with a device (which requires the server to be up), and re-sync the time. If you're in a different time zone when you do that, your timers are messed up. That's a huge design flaw, in my opinion.
So true. I keep forgetting (being at the off grid place) about power outages.
Please Read Topic:
General Forum Etiquette
Before you post!

Noam

Quote from: Tuicemen on September 04, 2018, 10:26:09 AM
Quote from: Noam on September 04, 2018, 09:50:03 AM
Quote from: Tuicemen on September 03, 2018, 09:42:21 AM
Regular timers as well as Dusk/Dawn ones don't get affected by a server being down.

As long as you don't have any sort of power blip - because that would reset the clock in your device, and it will be wrong until you *actively* connect to it with a device (which requires the server to be up), and re-sync the time. If you're in a different time zone when you do that, your timers are messed up. That's a huge design flaw, in my opinion.
So true. I keep forgetting (being at the off grid place) about power outages.
I just can't believe the designers completely ignored that major design requirement. Did they think the CM15A's batteries were just for show?

npaisnel

What about the CM11 or 12 ?

Does the battery in that keep clock time when a power failure occurs ?

Noam

Quote from: npaisnel on September 05, 2018, 10:16:55 AM
What about the CM11 or 12 ?

Does the battery in that keep clock time when a power failure occurs ?
Yes

npaisnel

Thanks, I’ll keep that, use heyu for uploading schedules and Ebay the CM15.   Though it is handy as a power line transceiver

Brian H

According to the protocol document.
When it see AC applied it sends a request to the PC for the correct time. I don't how accurate it is on battery. It does not have a clock chip. So it must be a function of the controller chip.

dhouston

Quote from: Brian H on September 06, 2018, 10:31:40 AM
According to the protocol document.
When it see AC applied it sends a request to the PC for the correct time. I don't how accurate it is on battery. It does not have a clock chip. So it must be a function of the controller chip.
It's not very accurate. Plus, you cannot send/receive commands before responding to the request.
This message was composed entirely from recycled letters of the alphabet using only renewable, caffeinated energy sources.
No twees, wabbits, chimps or whales died in the process.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston

ekraus

Well
Can you depend on the WM100?
NO NO NO NO.
What a piece of crap.
All of a sudden out of the blue my dusk lights come on 2+ hours
before dusk.
Get my phone and go to app.
Cannot connect to HUB.
So I proceed to reconnect to the HUB.
Follow the steps and no connection.
Then connect. Yeah!
Ok lets sync with HUB.
INFO O - devices, rooms, timers, scenes, dusk/dawn timers.
Cancel
Go back to devices.
Wait everything is still there under each device.
NOW WHAT?
Do I throw this piece of crap in that canal behind the house?

jdenenberg

Quote from: ekraus on September 22, 2018, 08:11:56 AM
Well
Can you depend on the WM100?
NO NO NO NO.
What a piece of crap.
All of a sudden out of the blue my dusk lights come on 2+ hours
before dusk.
Get my phone and go to app.
Cannot connect to HUB.
So I proceed to reconnect to the HUB.
Follow the steps and no connection.
Then connect. Yeah!
Ok lets sync with HUB.
INFO O - devices, rooms, timers, scenes, dusk/dawn timers.
Cancel
Go back to devices.
Wait everything is still there under each device.
NOW WHAT?
Do I throw this piece of crap in that canal behind the house?
I am a looooong time user of X10 with a CM15a and AHP and now have a functioning WM100.  The lack of RF and a "macro" capability was a problem, but I plugged in a couple of RF repeaters so that RF commands from remotes and IR sensors got on the power line.  I then directly connected mt lights that were under macro control to the IR sensors and reestablished automated stair lighting.

The dependence on X10 servers is a concern as I lived through the earlier loss of ability to reinstall AHP that caused a temporary loss of my "smart home" functionality.  The availability of a hacked version of AHP (not requiring registration) solved this problem. 

The reason I am now using the WM100 instead of AHP and my CM15a was that there is a basic incompatibility between the CM15a and power line repeaters (causing command "storms").  I needed to install a powerline repeater to get more reliable operation of my modules in the presence of power line noise from some equipment in my home.

Tuicemen

Quote from: jdenenberg on March 22, 2019, 06:13:06 PM
  I needed to install a powerline repeater to get more reliable operation of my modules in the presence of power line noise from some equipment in my home.
Powerline repeaters are not the answer to line noise as many will repeat that as well.
The trick is to locate and isolate what is causing the issue.
Please Read Topic:
General Forum Etiquette
Before you post!

dave w

Quote from: jdenenberg on March 22, 2019, 06:13:06 PM
The reason I am now using the WM100 instead of AHP and my CM15a was that there is a basic incompatibility between the CM15a and power line repeaters (causing command "storms").  I needed to install a powerline repeater to get more reliable operation of my modules in the presence of power line noise from some equipment in my home.
IF you are using an X10 or Leviton repeater, try this:
http://jvde.us/xtb-iirp.htm
It will likely boost the X10 signal well above whatever you noise is. But as Tuiceman recommended you should try to identify and isolate sources of noise.
"This aftershave makes me look fat"

Tuicemen

With no new news from Authinx (X10) on the WM100, I had to drop them an e-mail and see if the WM100 was being discontinued.
I was informed that it continues to be well liked by many users that are just looking for phone control of their X10 devices and timers. They have no intention of discontinuing it and are still on the developer to improve the apps.
The WM100 I keep being reminded of was never intended to be for the X10 Power user.

For those (Power Users) looking for a AHP replacement  with added phone control and no need for a PC, the PiX10Hub would be my suggestion.

Please Read Topic:
General Forum Etiquette
Before you post!

ceedee

The least they can do is fix the issues with features that they're marketing that don't work.

I still can't sync on iOS. I still can't get history on iOS.  I could go on...

SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk