| Author |
|
aw311junkie
Groupie
Joined: February 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 43
|
| Posted: March 07 2006 at 23:52 | IP Logged
|
|
|
i have a neon budwiser light what module should i use? also, how do i turn off multiple lights on different house/unit codes at the same time? for example..have one button that says "night" that sends off commands to a1,a2,a4, and a5
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
dhoward
Admin Group
Joined: June 29 2001
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4447
|
| Posted: March 08 2006 at 04:27 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hey Junkie!
For the neon light, definately use a "relay" type of module. These are commonly referred to as "appliance" modules. If it supports dimming, then you don't want it.
To turn multiple lights on or off simultaneously (can only be done within a single housecode group like you've posted), use a macro and the X-10 Raw command (for version 1.03.4.7. Earlier versions call this just the X-10 command). Address each of the units and then send an X-10 On or Off like below:
Code:
10 X-10 Raw A 1
20 X-10 Raw A 2
30 X-10 Raw A 4
40 X-10 Raw A 5
50 X-10 Raw A Off |
|
|
Let me know if you have any problems.
Dave.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
aw311junkie
Groupie
Joined: February 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 43
|
| Posted: March 08 2006 at 20:47 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Im not sure how to do this. where do i type what you described? im very new at all this and i want to do as much as possible in the 4 days i have left with my trial before i decide to spend all that money to continue. Could you explain a little more about how to do macros and timed events as well. thanks alot
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
dhoward
Admin Group
Joined: June 29 2001
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4447
|
| Posted: March 08 2006 at 22:42 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Junkie,
No problem. BTW, if you need an extension to continue your evaluation, just email me and let me know your reg number.
If you havent checked out the "PowerHome QuickStart Guide", definately take a peek at it because it should explain a lot of the basics.
That aside, most of the configuration of PowerHome is performed from the "PowerHome Explorer". You can find this under the "Maintenance" menu. The PowerHome Explorer is similar to the Windows Explorer. You can navigate sections by using the left-hand pane and perform updates to the selected section in the right-hand pane.
PowerHome is organized in a rough heirarchy in the Explorer's left hand pane. Clicking on a section in the left hand pane will bring up that sections details in the right-hand pane. Some sections have subsections. You can also navigate to subsections by clicking on the little button to the far left of each line in the right-hand pane.
When first starting with PowerHOme, the first thing you would typically do is visit the first section "Setup". The QuickStart will tell you pretty much what you need to know for this section.
After basic setup, you're ready to define what you want PowerHome to do and how you want it to control things. Briefly...
Devices. This is where you define what types of devices you will be controlling. This includes X-10 and Insteon modules and Infrared devices. You'll also see Digital and Analog input/outputs but few people use these (it takes a special controller such as an Ocelot or K8000). A fair amount of people control their infrared devices (TV's, CD players, etc.), but if you don't have an IR controller, don't worry about it. Most people will only use X-10 or the newer Insteon technology. Based upon your first post in this thread, Im assuming you have X10. You'll want to define your X-10 devices in the X-10 section. It's relatively straightforward and I'll give some basic Explorer tips further down.
Global Variables. These are storage areas in the database for virtually any type of data you wish to store. This storage is permanent until you erase or change it. It is not lost if you exit PowerHome or turn your computer off.
Macros. This is where a lot of the power of PowerHome takes place. Macros allow you to define a sequence of actions you would like to have performed. This can be turning a light on or off, speaking a phrase using TTS, setting or reading variables, etc. The sequence of steps can be a simple sequence that is executed in order from top to bottom or can include conditional commands to cause certains steps to executed sometimes and not others.
Formulas. Formulas are similar to macros in that you can perform a lot of different actions but instead of consisting of a a sequence of commands (macros) which can contain formulas, a formula is just a single formula consisting of functions and values added together. This would be considered more of an advanced section.
Control Center. The Control Center is a tabbed layout of various buttons that the user can design. These buttons can execute IR commands, macros, formulas, or control X-10 devices. This section allows you to define the tabs and the buttons that go on those tabs. This is more of a User Interface feature and does really allow you to define any kind of control.
Timed Events. This section allows you to define actions that occur based upon the time of day. If you need an event to occur based upon a specific time, then you would setup a timed event. A timed event can be a "One Shot" that occurs 1 time and goes away or can be set to recur on a specific basis such as every 10 minutes. This section also provides additional controls such as the ability to add random values to the time or have the timed event occur on only certain days or at sunset or sunrise.
Triggers. This is where you define what PowerHome does in response to some external action. If you have a palm pad control and you want PowerHome to do something when it receives a B1 On command, then you would define a trigger. When a trigger condition is met, it can perform a macro or formula.
Voice. This section allows you to define any voice recognition you would like to use.
Discs. This allows you to catalog and keep track of a CD collection. It also allows you to setup playlists and control a CD jukebox. Unless you have an IR controller, you probably wont use this unless are just interested in cataloging your collection.
Slot. This works with the Discs section and allows you to define what disc is in what slot of a CD jukebox.
Playlists. Again, this works in conjunction with Discs and Slots.
Video. A simple video cataloging system.
User. A freeform database table usable for whatever data you like. An advanced function.
That covers the main sections of the PowerHome Explorer. Now, lets go over some Explorer basics. You've already learned to navigate using the left-hand pane. All maintenance and updating will be done in the right-hand pane. You can right-click in the right hand pane and you will receive a context sensitive popup menu. From the menu you can Insert or delete lines. Depending upon the current screen, you will have more or less selections in the popup menu. Most items should be self-explanatory.
Changes are saved in the Explorer automatically when you close the explorer, change the right-hand screen, or refresh (F5). None of your changes will take effect until they are saved.
Thats the basics. To add the code detailed above, open the Explorer and click in the left hand pane on "Macros". The right-hand pane will be in the Macro Header screen. You first need to give a macro an ID. When you assign a macro to a timed event, a trigger, a control center button, etc., you will use the macro ID. This ID should be short but descriptive. You also have to give the macro a description. This can be more verbose and is the text that would appear on a macro button. As you start using PowerHome, you'll find that most everything will be defined using an ID and a description. Both these fields are required so don't leave them blank or else you'll get an error.
Once you've got the ID and description entered, click on the little button to the left of the ID and you'll go to the Macro Detail screen for your new ID. Note that since the screen changed, the Macro Header section was automatically saved. In this screen, the code I typed above should start to make sense. Just follow it out and you should see what Im talking about. Once you've typed the above code, you can right-click and select "Play" to test your new macro. Doing this will also cause an automatic save of your data.
Once you've got a macro defined, you can then go to timed events and setup an event to call your new macro. It's pretty straightforward. The only thing not immediately obivious is that you can type a number in the "Frequency" field. This number would be the number of minutes of how often you wish the timed event to fire. If you want it to execute every 5 minutes, just type a 5. When you select the hourly option, it really just enters a 60 for you behind the scenes.
Hope this gets you going.
Dave.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
aw311junkie
Groupie
Joined: February 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 43
|
| Posted: March 08 2006 at 23:39 | IP Logged
|
|
|
wow theres a lot to know. it looks very helpful but im pretty bad at reading so ill print this out and look it over at school. i got tony to help me out witha simple lights macro too so you guys have helped me get going alot. i will email you for a trial extension. thanks alot for that because im low on cash and id like to get to know all this stuff before i buy.ill also take a look at the guide you referrred me to also
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
Active Topics 
Memberlist 
Search 
Help
Register 
Login
PowerHome Messageboard : PowerHome General
Topic: quick answer neon light
