My evening with AHP

[emil]

Decided to make a refinement to one of my macros last night, this was not a good idea. All of a sudden the old macros are not working (and still aren't at this point). Narrowed it down to the CM15A/AHP still has problems with a chain of on or off light commands - sometimes. The first light would work, the next two not, finally the chime would go off. I then put 0 sec delays between them then the first light didn't work but the next two did with the chime! Changed preferences back and forth between on/off control and 100%, no luck. I did all the magical things when loading new programs, unplugged the CM15 from the wall, pulled the batteries, disconnected the USB, wait at least 5 min., put it all back together, set preferences, hardware configuration, purged old macros, cleared memory, loaded new code. There was some sequence that made it load and work prior which I cannot duplicate. I think I'll just make a default basic control scheme and use it until the new code revision that fixes all these issues comes out!
This thing is so close to being an awesome control system, just got to work out the remaining bugs. I'm an embedded systems software engineer so I understand what you are going through, hang in there, you'll get it!

[emil]

Just thinking, is there a way to download an older version of AHP? Maybe it will work better till the latest and greatest is released.

[Dan Lawrence]

You can download older versions of AHP here:


http://software.x10.com/pub/applications/activehome/ahp_updt_199.exe


http://software.x10.com/pub/applications/activehome/ahp_updt_198.exe

[emil]

Dan,
Thanks a bunch, I'll give 198 a try!
Emil

[emil]

One more thing!

Anything special about running the older update over the newer one? Should I just run the .exe and follow along?

Thanks again

[Dan Lawrence]

None what so ever.

When 3.200 was released, I upgraded to it. When the troubles were discovered, I got the 3.199 version off the website and installed it over the 3.200 version. When the install was complete, I had a working 3.199 AHP that kept nagging me to upgrade. As soon as 3.201 was  released I uspgraded to that, which corrected all the proir problems.

[emil]

I'm back in business !!!
The older versions of sw didn't help so I thought I would reconstruct everything from the beginning. I was building along and got to a point where it stopped working. I then realized I did not turn off the power and remove the batteries very long. Sure enough after waiting a longer time and actually removing the batteries and shorting out across the input, everythings been working. Also in the process I did open up the case and reseat the chip (NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE UNEXPERIENCED) but I don't think it was the problem. I don't know if there is a diode in series with the batteries but when shorting the battery inputs I've had about 4 new loads whitout problems. Keeping my fingers crossed .

[Mystyx]

I suppose shorting the battery Might discharge a CAP and accually reset the unit faster then waiting after removing the batteries?? just a thought.

[emil]

It depends on the circuitry, that's why I wish I had a copy of the schematic then I could tell ya for sure!

[Mystyx]

hmmm...
big pictures hope you can see em...

[Mystyx]

and the RF...  time for a movie

[emil]

Didn't have much time to look it over but there is a reverse protection diode, so shorting the battery input would not have much effect on discharging the smaller input side power cap. I see there is another much larger input side cap being supplied from the line, it would not be affected by shorting the battery input. Finally after the regulator there is one more middle sized cap which would be immune. (For the engineers I'm assuming reverse leakage is zero which of course is not the case but very small) This kinda blows my shorting the input theory, oh well. If I ever get a chance, I'll measure the bus and see how long it takes to discharge.
More importantly however is they use a serial EEPROM which I suspect holds the program, this would not be affected by a battery removal unless it was updating when the power went away and there is no redundancy to protect against corrupt data. Boy a few words from X10 would sure help here.
Again was a quick evaluation so hope I didn't miss anything, anyone else?

[Mystyx]

So which Pot turns up the signal voltage out?

wondering if my original unit needs those caps added somewhere?

[emil]

LOL