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MrAverage
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| Posted: February 21 2018 at 21:38 | IP Logged
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I'm hoping that someone can help me determine if PowerHome will fit my application.
I have a considerable investment in X10 devices, which has obviously gone obsolete long ago, and I'm not about to scrap it all for new technology if I can avoid it.
Recently, the controller I use, a SmartHome PowerLinc 1132U (also obsolete) has been failing. My alternatives for a replacement are very few, so I was pondering using PowerHome on an old laptop running XP with a suitable powerline interface. The problem there is that I'm limited in choices for a powerline interface with a USB connection (laptop doesn't have a serial port).
About all I can find are X10 CM15A's still for sale, and those have absolutely no software available for them. Will PowerHome run with this interface? Would XP need any special drivers for that interface? I'm assuming that since the original software for it is unavailable, the same would apply to any required drives (if any are required), and I'm not sure if PowerHome can run it as-is.
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nick7920
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| Posted: February 23 2018 at 13:10 | IP Logged
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Dont have CM15A but
still using x10 devices more RF like window and door
open and for some other purpose.
most of the insteon controller will send x10 command
thru power so light switches will work but will not
receive RF signal.
to get RF signal I have been using W800RF which is
directly supported by Powerhome and connected thru com
port. they now have updated model.
http://www.wgldesigns.com/w800.html
Nick
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 23 2018 at 18:52 | IP Logged
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Average,
Appreciate your interest in PowerHome and will do my best to provide some answers. PowerHome does indeed support the CM15A interface (both PLC
and RF portions). It does require the installation of the CM15A drivers which I can provide for you via email.
You can also look into an Insteon PLM controller like Nick suggested and that would give you the option of also migrating to newer technology as
well. Keep in mind though that the PLM is NOT the best X10 interface though. If you have simple X10 devices that don't require the sending of
extended X10 commands, the PLM should work ok for you. If you need to support X10 extended commands (most devices don't support this and
usually only the more expensive devices included this option) then you would want to look elsewhere.
As far as not having a serial port, any USB to serial interface based upon the FTDI driver set seems to work very well. In my own setup, I run
on a laptop (Win 7) and no longer have dedicated serial ports. I instead have a couple of USB to serial adapters (that split into 4 serial ports
each) and then use the serial interfaces built into the Global Cache GC-100 controllers over IP.
One of the best X10 interfaces (in my opinion) was the original CM11A. These can still be had for pretty cheap on Ebay and should work well if
you get the USB to serial adapter. Another alternative is an XTB-232 interface which is an independently developed copy of the CM11A with
increased power and higher performance. Several PowerHome users swear by this interface.
As Nick also suggested, the W800RF32A is excellent for handling the RF side of X10 communication and also helps to improve overall X10
communication by removing the RF X10 signals from being retransmitted onto the powerline.
Whatever you decide, definitely give the 30 day trial of PowerHome a try before purchasing. PowerHome definitely appeals to the more technically
inclined user and may not be to your liking.
Hope this helps,
Dave.
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MrAverage
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| Posted: February 24 2018 at 11:44 | IP Logged
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Thank you both, Dave & Nick for the much-appreciated input.
I have a rather complicated X10 system that is a mix of automation, security and remote access. Some parts were custom designed and built by myself and some items were off-the-shelf pieces that I had modified, so technical stuff isn't an issue for me. Like I mentioned... it's quite an investment.
Much of my system depends on RF, so I already have that in place courtesy of a W800RF. This makes me hesitant to use the CM15A, because another RF interface can be problematic unless I find a way to disable it... which I'm sure I could. I really only need a new powerline interface at this point.
I'd prefer to go with some powerline interface with USB connectivity to replace my dying 1132CU (I'll attempt to repair it at a later date). I already have a serial to USB converter for my laptop, but for whatever reason, it doesn't work reliably with WinXP. Perhaps I'll try another brand and then use a CM11A.
For now though, I think what I will do is order a CM15A and try that with PowerHome (already downloaded). So, Dave, if you would kindly send me the drivers, that would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
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dhoward
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| Posted: March 01 2018 at 02:50 | IP Logged
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Average,
No need to worry about the RF side of the CM15A since PowerHome actually implements the PLC and RF portions of the CM15A as two separate controllers. If you
want both PLC and RF, then you would create two controllers (CM15A PLC and CM15A RF). You can also just create a controller for the specific tech you need.
Definitely give another USB to serial interface a try. Here is link to what I am currently using: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ETDC8K. I have two of
these for a total of 8 serial ports. From the product description, you can clearly see that it uses the FTDI chipset which is what is important.
Good luck!
Dave.
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MrAverage
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| Posted: March 01 2018 at 21:25 | IP Logged
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Thanks for the info, Dave... and the link you emailed me for the CM-15A drivers.
When I finally have some time to play with it all, I'll post the results here.
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RobertPeterson
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| Posted: August 16 2018 at 02:42 | IP Logged
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dhoward wrote:
Average,
No need to worry about the RF side of the CM15A since
PowerHome actually implements the PLC and RF portions
of the CM15A as two separate controllers. If you
want both PLC and RF, then you
would create two
controllers (CM15A PLC and CM15A RF). You can also
just create a controller for the specific tech you
need.
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Thanks Dave for clarifying that PowerHome implements
the PLC and RF portions of the CM15A as two separate
controllers. Cleared my doubt and solved my problem.
Edited by RobertPeterson - September 19 2020 at 17:09
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MrAverage
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| Posted: August 17 2018 at 12:25 | IP Logged
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Just an update on my situation....
As my original post mentioned, I was interested in PowerHome (with a CM15A interface) as an alternative to a failed SmartHome PowerLinc 1132U which I had been using with my X10 system.
My problem is that I never found enough time to learn to program the PowerHome software, although I did briefly test it in a basic fashion with a CM15A interface (which worked well).
In the meantime, I was able to find a used-but-working SmartHome PowerLinc 1132U interface which restored my system to full operation. This also allowed me to repair the failed former unit by replacing the two electrolytic caps and the internal lithium cell (all available from Mouser). Now I have two fully functional 1132U's.
Thanks to all for your support. Perhaps when I find the time, I will explore PowerHome once again.
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Topic: Is the CM15A interface compatible?
