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RandyH
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| Posted: January 26 2006 at 23:55 | IP Logged
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I have used the CM11A for several years now and have been very happy with the functionality of my home automation system. However lately I have been having trouble with my system so I ordered the TesterLinc signal analyzer to check for possible signal problems. I am happy to report that the signal levels and noise ratio are well within spec.
Since the TesterLinc was ordered with the PowerLinc II (serial version – model 1132B, ver 1.2) I decided to try replacing the CM11A with the PowerLinc to determine if the problems were caused by the CM11A. I immediately noticed a much faster response time which is great. However I also noticed that the pre-set dim commands did not function. Since I am mostly using SwitchLinc switches and use the pre-set dim commands in my macros, I had to reinstall the CM11A.
I am currently running PowerHome 1.03.4.4. Any Ideas? Thanks,
Randy
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dhoward
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| Posted: January 27 2006 at 22:16 | IP Logged
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Randy,
I used to use the serial PowerLinc as well and it is indeed faster than the CM11A. However, when I was using it, the preset dim commands were working for me. I only had a single device that supported preset dim commands however and that was the RCS TX15B thermostat.
Ive made a few improvements in the PowerLinc driver and it's possible I broke something.
I'll try to get it squared away however. Is it just preset dim sending or receiving or both. If preset dim sending is not working, how are you generating the preset dim commands? What does the log say is happening? If you could give me a few more details, it'll help me pinpoint what is wrong. I'll also dig out my serial PowerLinc (it's in a box somewhere) and I'll try to perform some tests.
Let me know a little more in how you're using the preset dim and what the log says and I'll be working on it.
Dave.
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RandyH
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| Posted: January 30 2006 at 21:50 | IP Logged
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Dave,
Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you, I was away on business. I do not have any devices that can generate the preset dim commands except for Powerhome. So I have only noticed that the preset dim sending has issues. When I checked the event log it looked normal. It showed that the House code and Preset Dim level were sent successfully but the end device did not respond. I am generating them under Explorer-Macro using the drop down boxes. I even setup a simple Test macro that only sends the House-Unit number and the preset dim level but that did not work.
I am also considering purchasing the USB Powerlinc so I can keep the serial version just for the signal analyzer. Is there any performance differences between the serial and usb versions? Also, do you think I will experience the same issues?
Thanks for your help,
Randy
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 02 2006 at 17:23 | IP Logged
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Randy,
Im going to busting into the box containing my PowerLincs tonight. I'll do some testing but my guess is that the Preset Dim command probably need to be echoed on the line more than once (you cant do it from PowerHome, it's something that I'll have to change internally). Im guessing that the SwitchLincs are less sensitive than my TX15B and that they require the extra signaling.
I'll run some tests and let you know shortly.
As far as performance issues, I wouldnt really expect the USB to be any faster or slower than the serial version. It's just easier to setup since you don't have to know the serial port.
Not sure if you'll experience the same issues, so I'll test the USB version as well as the serial to determine.
Dave.
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RandyH
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| Posted: February 07 2006 at 21:15 | IP Logged
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Dave,
I decided to purchase another Powerlinc serial interface so I could use my Testerlinc to monitor the X10 traffic while SmartHome sent the preset dim commands. I was going to purchase a USB version but SmartHome listed the product as discontinued.
I created a macro that sent the commands F2, Preset Dim 16. I then played the macro four times in a row and recorded the actual X10 traffic on the power line with the TesterLinc:
f2, f4, 48%, j4, f2, f4, f2, 48%, j4, f2, f4, 48%, j4, 48%, j4
The event log showed the macro executed correctly. Every command showed a signal rating between 100 and 120 on the Testerlinc. During the test I was very careful to be sure that there was no other traffic being transmitted. I don’t understand why the command j4 was being sent since I don’t have any devices configured for j4 and it is not used in Powerhome anywhere. I hope this sheds some light on the issue. Thanks,
Randy
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 08 2006 at 16:48 | IP Logged
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Randy,
This helps a lot. Im going to be making some changes and will incorporate them into the next version (a day or two).
If you are looking at buying another PowerLinc, I would consider the Insteon PowerLinc (2414S/2414U). It supports X-10 (including preset dim) as well as Insteon and is available in serial or USB. PowerHome also now supports this interface as well. This way, you could start migrating to the newer more reliable Insteon products (cheap too at 19.99) if you're interested.
With any luck, I should be able to post some test results tonight.
Dave.
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 09 2006 at 00:06 | IP Logged
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Randy,
Got the serial PowerLinc (version 1) hooked up and began testing. I used my USB Insteon PowerLinc 2414U to verify incoming commands.
I sent Preset Dim commands and...had no problem. They were all successfully recognized by the 2414U.
However, I did find a small error in the command sequence. I corrected this and set the repeat count to 2 for preset commands. I retested and everything continued to work just the same, but perhaps the version 2 of the PowerLinc behaves just a little differently.
In any event, the fixes are now in place and I believe the module will be more compatible now. I'll have the next beta ready in a day or so and you'll be able to test it out.
Dave.
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 13 2006 at 11:41 | IP Logged
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Randy,
The next beta version 1.03.4.6 is available and has hopefully fixed the PowerLinc Preset dim commands for you. You can get it here: http://www.power-home.com/download/ph10346setup.exe.
Be sure and read the readme.rtf for upgrading as this one is a little tricky with all of the changed functions. The best plan of action is to first rename your existing PowerHome directory to something like powerhome_10344 and then install the new version. After installed, copy over your old database and ini files and then perform a database upgrade. You'll need to recreate your controllers and manually correct some functions if you use them (the "Database where used" report is very handy here).
Let me know if you have any problems or questions and we'll work it out.
Dave.
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Dean
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| Posted: February 13 2006 at 20:53 | IP Logged
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dhoward wrote:
If you are looking at buying another PowerLinc, I would consider the Insteon PowerLinc (2414S/2414U). |
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What is the difference between the 2814UB ($50) and the 2414 ($60) models, besides the price? Are you recommending the 2414 over the 2814 for use with PowerHome?
Thanks,
-Dean
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RandyH
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| Posted: February 13 2006 at 22:21 | IP Logged
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I upgraded my system tonight and everything seems to be functioning correctly. The system seems to be responding a lot quicker now that I am running the PowerLinc controller. I also like the “Echo Controller” setting that you have added. Now I can delete all of the triggers that I was using and the wireless X10 commands will be passed along to the regular X10 devices. Great work Dave! 
Thanks,
Randy
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 13 2006 at 23:16 | IP Logged
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Dean,
My understanding is that the devices are nearly the same. The 2814UB does not have the pass-thru socket. Other than that, from my reading on the Insteon developers forum, they are physically the same device so you can use either with PowerHome.
Dave.
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 13 2006 at 23:20 | IP Logged
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Randy, that is AWESOME!! Im glad to hear that the changes actually fixed the problem for you. Sorry to take so long in getting this fixed, but Insteon was sucking up a lot of time. Glad that you like the new features as well. Im not sure what version you were on but the Echo Controller has been there for awhile (hidden in the INI file  ).
Anyways, Im glad that it's working for you and thanks for using PowerHome.
Dave.
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RandyH
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| Posted: February 20 2006 at 19:56 | IP Logged
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Dave,
Since the upgrade everything has been working correctly with one exception. I have a Powerhouse mini controller at the head of my bed that I use to turn off all of the lights in my home when I go to bed. When I press the ‘all off’ button there is a trigger in PowerHome that executes an ‘all off’ macro that I created. However when I push the button nothing happens but the Testerlinc shows the command was sent correctly. In the log I notice the following:
Incoming X-10 received on PowerLinc RS-232 Controller X10-1 Byte Values: 49 41 31 Decode:
Any Ideas? Thanks,
Randy
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 20 2006 at 20:28 | IP Logged
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Randy,
I'll bust out the PowerLinc RS-232 and see if I can reproduce. I'll let you know what I find out.
Dave.
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 22 2006 at 15:32 | IP Logged
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Randy,
Found the problem. Basically a miscode on my part where Im missing the "All units off" command. I'll have it fixed in the next beta.
Thanks for catching this for me.
Dave.
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RandyH
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| Posted: February 27 2006 at 21:51 | IP Logged
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Dave,
I took your advice and purchased a USB Insteon PowerLinc 2414U controller so I could start taking advantage of my new Insteon devices. However when I tried running my original macros I ran into trouble again. I am emailing you screen shots of the event log, device manager, and the testerlinc data. Please let me know if you need any further information. Thanks,
Randy
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 28 2006 at 15:04 | IP Logged
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Randy,
I think you made a good choice (at least I hope so once we get the problem sorted out).
Anyway, I got your email and checked it out. Just let me know the results of what I emailed back to you and I'll post our finding for all to read.
Dave.
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theowl
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| Posted: March 03 2006 at 21:13 | IP Logged
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This might be related to the original post. I've been having some problems with my automation on and off since I got it installed. A temporary fix seemed to be to set the computer to reboot every 24 hours. However, the issue is back and this time I'm guessing it's the CM11A interface. I found the following webpage which explains that the CM11 has some 'issues' such as falling asleep on the job.
http://www.hcatech.com/cm11a.htm
So, looks like I'll be investing in a USB Insteon PowerLinc soon into the future as well.
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Topic: PowerLinc II
