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phil13
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| Posted: December 22 2004 at 02:17 | IP Logged
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I've read Powerhome support digital inputs/outputs and analog inputs Addicon extension.
Do i need to have Ocelot or can i directly address the extension with powerhome ?
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dhoward
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| Posted: December 22 2004 at 10:20 | IP Logged
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Yes, you would need the Ocelot controller to communicate with the SECU-16 (the module that does DI/DO and AI).
It's really a slick device and what I am currently using in my own setup. With just the Ocelot controller itself, you are able to do X-10 and Infrared send and receive. With the addition of modules are it's RS-485 chain, you can have distributed IR, DI/DO, AI, and high capacity DO.
Dave.
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Dean
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| Posted: December 23 2004 at 23:43 | IP Logged
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Dave,
Since the Ocelot requires a TW-523 (at least I think it does) does it support extended X10 commands?
-Dean
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dhoward
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| Posted: December 24 2004 at 10:26 | IP Logged
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Dean,
You are correct, the Ocelot uses a TW-523 for X-10 communication. It also works for extended commands outgoing (quite well I might add). It does not work for incoming extended commands. This is the only real downside.
However, it may not be that bad. I have several two-way extended command capable modules and find that having them respond with extended traffic just overloads the lines with X-10 signals. As long as I can send the extended commands for direct to dim and scene lighting, it's works well for me.
If you're interested, you could even look into using two X-10 controllers and set up something like a CM11A to only respond to incoming extended commands. Kind of the best of both worlds. You get the speed and reliability of the Ocelot (plus it's other abilities) combined with the occasional need to recieve extended commands.
Dave.
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phil13
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| Posted: December 25 2004 at 03:03 | IP Logged
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Dave,
how you divide works between Ocelot and powerhome ?
I'd like to combine :
- an stand alone and not expensive system with I/O (ocelot ?) with "vital" things like alarm and heating
- and all the others things with a pc for having the benefit of the powerhome power.
Have you done that ?
Philippe
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dhoward
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| Posted: December 30 2004 at 18:11 | IP Logged
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I use the Ocelot as my main automation controller but rely solely upon PowerHome and have no programming within my Ocelot.
I know of others who combine both like you speak and PowerHome was written with that purpose in mind (PowerHome is aware of when X-10 and IR is sent from the internal programming of the Ocelot).
Like you say, they will typically put "critical" programming within the Ocelot and leave the fancy stuff to PowerHome. The one thing that I do know is popular is a sort of "Deadmans Timer". Essentially they have an internal program within in the Ocelot that is checking the "health" of PowerHome periodically. If the Ocelot senses that the PowerHome PC is somehow hung, then they can have the Ocelot "reboot" the PC. I dont know how exactly they have the Ocelot check the health, but I would imagine it would be something like PowerHome periodically changing an Ocelot variable or setting an Ocelot timer and the internal Ocelot programming is also monitoring this variable/timer.
Sorry to not be of much help,
Dave.
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phil13
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| Posted: December 31 2004 at 07:07 | IP Logged
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Thanks. I easily see how i can apply your idea :
I've a self made alarm system based on a pic18f452 connected through rs232 to powerhome.
I'm going to add a "powerhome watchdog" function to this system.
If for x minutes, i don't receive an acquitment from the powerhome pc, i'll switch off / on the power of the PC.
Just hope the pc will start normally ....
I don't know the CM11 software but perhaps you can do the same with it.
You have just :
- to create in the CM11 a delayed macro that switch off/on the pc triggered by an X10 order.
- send X10 order to the CM11 from powerhome each 5 minutes for example.
You just need the macro in CM11 can be re-triggered. I don't know if CM11 can do that.
Philippe
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dhoward
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| Posted: December 31 2004 at 11:47 | IP Logged
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Glad it helped  . If someone does come up with a watchdog timer for the CM11A, I'd love to see it so we could post if for all to learn.
Dave.
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PowerHome Messageboard : PowerHome Feature Requests
Topic: Addicon I/O
