PowerHome Messageboard: Insteon Thermometer?

Active Topics

Memberlist

Help

PowerHome General
PowerHome Messageboard : PowerHome General

Topic: Insteon Thermometer?

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

syonker
Senior Member

Joined: March 06 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212

Posted: October 07 2010 at 14:24 \| IP Logged

Hi Gang,

I'm going to start with my problem space to see if anyone has any suggestions: I want to make a thermostatically-cooled A/V cabinet. Basically, I have a 3" PVC ducted fan system that goes out of the built-in A/V cabinet through the floor to the basement and out. There is an in-line marine radial fan that pulls the air down through the cabinet to force air flow (the doors are standing off the cabinet about 3/16" and it provides plenty of ventilation).

Basically, I want to set this up so that when the A/V equipment is "on" and heats up the cabinet, the fan automatically kicks on, and vice-versa when it's off and cools enough, there's no reason to have the fan on.

My system is exclusively Insteon at this point. For simplicity it would be nice to keep it that way.

Wondering if anyone out there has used any of the (old) Insteon thermometers (which can no longer be purchased, but I happen to have a few from back when they were available)...?

On the newer front, wondering if anyone has used some other insteon technology (lov-volt module, etc.) to create a thermometer, and what kind of sensor they used, and how they might have calibrated it?

Regards,

-S

__________________
"I will consider myself having succeeded when my house becomes sentient and attempts to kill me."

><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>И.

ЗДЏ`З.И. , . ><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>

TonyNo
Moderator Group

Joined: December 05 2001
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2889

Posted: October 07 2010 at 17:29 \| IP Logged

Why not use a cheap, home thermostat to control the fan?

syonker
Senior Member

Joined: March 06 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212

Posted: October 08 2010 at 06:43 \| IP Logged

Hi Tony,

That's no fun!

Seriously though - I have thought about that one as well and am seriously considering it. I was 1) hoping to get some use out of an uninstalled TempLinc device, and I wanted to have the cabinet fan switch/status show up on an 8-button KPL near the A/V unit (and ability to turn it on/off manually).

Do you happen to know anyone who's had luck with the TempLinc and PowerHome? I can't even find information on why they discontinued it.

-S

__________________
"I will consider myself having succeeded when my house becomes sentient and attempts to kill me."

><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>И.

ЗДЏ`З.И. , . ><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>

syonker
Senior Member

Joined: March 06 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212

Posted: October 08 2010 at 08:54 \| IP Logged

Hi Gang - here's what I've done so far...no results yet - If anyone out there is using a TempLinc successfully, please feel free to chime in.

1) I wrote a macro to setup the TempLinc which pushes three "T1" commands out with a 4-second delay (wait) in between (this is how you're supposed to set the ID of the Templing - plug it in, and within 1 minute send this command). NOTE: I have no other X-10 devices, so giving this unit a house-code of T is fine.

2) After this, the macro waits another 4 seconds, then sends a T1 and T9 in the next steps. This is supposed to setup the TempLinc to "Report on Temperature Change".

3) At this point, I would hope to see something in the Powerhome Status screen when the temp on the device changes. I am hanging the device over a bowl full of ice (no in it before you ask) and am waiting. Nothing yet.

-S

Edited by syonker - October 08 2010 at 08:58

__________________
"I will consider myself having succeeded when my house becomes sentient and attempts to kill me."

><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>И.

ЗДЏ`З.И. , . ><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>

BeachBum
Super User

Joined: April 11 2007
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1880

Posted: October 08 2010 at 08:59 \| IP Logged

Isn't House Code T out of the normal range of 16?

Edited by BeachBum - October 08 2010 at 08:59

__________________
Pete - X10 Oldie

syonker
Senior Member

Joined: March 06 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212

Posted: October 08 2010 at 09:10 \| IP Logged

Well, Powerhome didn't stop me from sending it (I'm using a Macro instead of the "Maxi Controller" - which I don't own), but tell you what, I'll set it up as "A1" and try it again just to make sure...

__________________
"I will consider myself having succeeded when my house becomes sentient and attempts to kill me."

><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>И.

ЗДЏ`З.И. , . ><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>

grif091
Super User

Joined: March 26 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1357

Posted: October 08 2010 at 10:56 \| IP Logged

There are only 16 bits available for the X10 House code making P the highest valid House code. Don't know what PH2 did with a T. The Insteon Raw Log display under Insteon Explorer will show the actual X10 traffic if you want to know what the T actually generated. I would also use the Insteon Raw Log in the beginning to see what the TempLinc is sending and then relate that to the Status display.

A sequence of A1 A1 A1 A9 which must be sent within the 1st minute after power up should establish A1 as the base house/unit code and set the TempLinc to "Report on change - Celsius" the way I read the Owner's Manual.

__________________
Lee G

syonker
Senior Member

Joined: March 06 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212

Posted: October 08 2010 at 13:09 \| IP Logged

Well, I set it up as A6 (instead of T - good catch fellas - it was early when I started this venture). It appears to either be a brick (as in it's doing nothing discernable at all), or not programming properly, so I'm gonna try 1) moving it closer to (like plugged into) one of the Insteon Access Points. If that doesn't work, I actually have *another* TempLinc, I'm gonna try - then will try swapping parts back and forth to see what I can come up with. More info after I've tried these things.

__________________
"I will consider myself having succeeded when my house becomes sentient and attempts to kill me."

><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>И.

ЗДЏ`З.И. , . ><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>

grif091
Super User

Joined: March 26 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1357

Posted: October 08 2010 at 13:55 \| IP Logged

Try making the delay shorter, say 1 second between each X10 segment including between the 3rd house/unit segment identifying the base address and the house/unit segment that is setting the mode. Also be sure the full sequence completes before the 1 minute time limit. What PH function are you using in the Macro? Just double checking it is not one that appends the house/command segment automatically.

Can you confirm you do see the X10 outbound traffic in the Insteon Raw Log.

Edited by grif091 - October 08 2010 at 13:56

__________________
Lee G

syonker
Senior Member

Joined: March 06 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212

Posted: October 08 2010 at 14:42 \| IP Logged

Hi Grif. Really appreaciate your advice on this.

Below is a screen-capture of the macro I'm using to set this device's ID. Below that is a capture of the insteon raw log...unless I'm missing something that doesn't appear to be the thermometer talking; however, I know virtually nothing about reading the raw log...

In answer to a previous question, I am definitely getting to the macro execution within 20 or so seconds of plugging the TempLinc in. It's only a few feet (and two baby gates) away.

Regards,

-S

Edited by syonker - October 08 2010 at 14:43

__________________
"I will consider myself having succeeded when my house becomes sentient and attempts to kill me."

><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>И.

ЗДЏ`З.И. , . ><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>

BeachBum
Super User

Joined: April 11 2007
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1880

Posted: October 08 2010 at 14:52 \| IP Logged

If you have another X10 module set its H/U to the same one youre using and plug a lamp into it and it should be mirroring what you are sending.

__________________
Pete - X10 Oldie

grif091
Super User

Joined: March 26 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1357

Posted: October 08 2010 at 15:06 \| IP Logged

I have not seen a PLC message in a very long time. Will have to find an old doc to see what is actually being sent.

However, only one X10 segment is being sent every 2 minutes based on the time stamps. This would not satisfy the programming requirements of the TempLinc.

__________________
Lee G

syonker
Senior Member

Joined: March 06 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212

Posted: October 08 2010 at 15:21 \| IP Logged

I agree with the regularity of the send not making much sense as a TempLinc - and the fact that it's the same data repeatedly (since the TempLinc should be set to send only when there is a new temperature reading). There's one way to find out I guess - that's to unplug it and see if the information still keeps coming....I'll do that and let you know what it does.

As far as I know, I have no X-10 hardware anywhere in the house except for this one module which I just plugged in this morning...even when I did, it was all one-way stuff.

Thanks again for the eyes on this...

-S

__________________
"I will consider myself having succeeded when my house becomes sentient and attempts to kill me."

><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>И.

ЗДЏ`З.И. , . ><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>

syonker
Senior Member

Joined: March 06 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212

Posted: October 08 2010 at 15:29 \| IP Logged

Well, it's definitely not the TempLinc sending that information. Here's what I found on SmartHome:

sendPLC=<data...> - send direct raw hex bytes to the PLC, as if through a direct connection (such as serial).
Example: sendPLC=02 40 01 65 00 01 FF 33 66

-Back to the drawing board with my TempLinc. I wish it had some lights or *something* on it - oh well.

-S

__________________
"I will consider myself having succeeded when my house becomes sentient and attempts to kill me."

><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>И.

ЗДЏ`З.И. , . ><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>

grif091
Super User

Joined: March 26 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1357

Posted: October 08 2010 at 15:29 \| IP Logged

The Insteon Raw Log screen capture cut off the PLC command. Using Powerhome Explorer | Setup | Controllers | Settings specify a Echo Log File. You will have to Reinit after defining the path/file name. Under Insteon Explorer check Echo Raw Log to file to cause the Raw Log to be written to the previously defined file. Run the Macro again and post the file content. That way the PLC commands will not be truncated.

I have no explanation as to why the X10 segments are spaced 2 minutes apart.

Pete, you are more up with X10 than I am, is there some option with a PLC that specifies a delay value between X10 segments.

-S Just saw your last post. The RX entry is an ECHO from the PLC of the TX X10 command being sent. The 06 on the end of the RX plus the fact that the RX is only milliseconds after the TX all indicate this is an ECHO of the previous TX, not a message off the powerline from the TempLinc. I think we need to look at a trace of the programming sequence to validate the programming sequence first, then start looking for a response from the TempLinc itself.

__________________
Lee G

BeachBum
Super User

Joined: April 11 2007
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1880

Posted: October 08 2010 at 15:32 \| IP Logged

Try changing X10RAW to X10 and that will get the sequence correct. Also try the lamp trick and you'll visually see whats happening.

__________________
Pete - X10 Oldie

syonker
Senior Member

Joined: March 06 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212

Posted: October 08 2010 at 15:38 \| IP Logged

Hi BeachBum,

Those sound like excellent ideas - I'll try the X-10 Event right away. As for the other idea, what's, "The Lamp Trick"...? I haven't worked with X10 in a while.

Also, just for fun, I ran the macro (slight change - set to "2" - respond on request", and 1 minute later a solicit to the main address)...still nothing, but I did grab the Insteon Raw Log this time. Here it is:

__________________
"I will consider myself having succeeded when my house becomes sentient and attempts to kill me."

><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>И.

ЗДЏ`З.И. , . ><(((К>`З.ИИ.ЗДЏ`З.И><(((К>

BeachBum
Super User

Joined: April 11 2007
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1880

Posted: October 08 2010 at 15:44 \| IP Logged

If you have another X10 module set it to the same address and plug Lamp into it and it will echo visually ons and offs. Im setting up my test bed to dup what youre trying. Back later..

__________________
Pete - X10 Oldie

grif091
Super User

Joined: March 26 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1357

Posted: October 08 2010 at 15:47 \| IP Logged

The lamp trick should not result in the lamp turning On as the Macro sequence to program the TempLinc should not have any house/command segment associated with it. Of course if the TempLinc is sending an X10 message the lamp could well respond depending on the command being sent from the TempLinc.

Do not switch the Macro that is issuing the programming sequence to X10 as that sends both the house/unit and house/command X10 segments. X10Raw is what you want for the programming sequence as only the house/unit segment can be sent to program the TempLinc.

The trace entries are NOT X10. They are setting a memory location in the PLC unrelated to X10 which explains the timing.

An X10 segment trace entry should start with

02 40 01 65 (not the 02 40 01 6D in the trace).

The 01 65 memory location is for the X10 house/unit code.

__________________
Lee G

syonker
Senior Member

Joined: March 06 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212

Posted: October 08 2010 at 15:47 \| IP Logged

Hi BeachBum,

Thank you SO much for looking into this at such a level - I cannot begin to tell you how totally cool that is...

FYI - I have GotoMeeting if that's of any value here.

Also, I changed the macro to use X-10 commands...the only one I could think to try is "On", which appears to have sent two commands per...below is the Insteon Ray log from this latest trial:

Page of 3 Next >>

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum