Posted: September 25 2002 at 15:30 | IP Logged

I read through the user guide, searched here for batch and command line but no hits.

I use Girder as my main home system controller. From Grider I control IR send and receive, PC commands and controls, and X10 by executing Activehome batch command line interface.

How does Powerhome accept batch commands or an API or??

Thanks, Don

l

Posted: September 25 2002 at 21:41 | IP Logged

Don,

PowerHome does not currently have a command line interface or API.  These enhancements are planned for a future release.  In the meantime, I whipped together a little command line utility that will allow you to control PowerHome by evaluating a Send Keys formula.  It's command line driven and uses the existing PowerHome internal webserver so you must have that activated to use this program.

You can download it from the Other Downloads page or get it by clicking the link below:

/otherdown/phcommand.zip

Hope this helps,

Dave.

Posted: September 29 2002 at 16:45 | IP Logged

Thanks Dave.

I'll give it a try as soon as I can resolve the larger general X10 problem I have. I am getting pretty frustrated with X10 in general. The CM11a interface is really unreliable in my home. I have read about various ways to free it up but it should be stable enough to reliably accept simple codes.

I started looking to alternatives to Activehome hoped I would find a PC-CM11a interface that is more reliable but so far PowerHome gets hung up on the CM11a like Activehome.

Warning - from here on I am asking for help not related to the software but any bone or two or even a steak to get me unstuck would be greatly appreciated.  :-)

I have noise and signal interference problems. I bought a X10 tester and my house is pretty messed up.

I unplugged nearly all the electrical items with cords going to the wall sockets in the house. I used the XPTT and XPTTR and discovered that I have certain plugs which must be wired on the other phase since they do not get any signal from plugs on other circuits. So, a phase coupler is in order, right?

As I plug equipment back in, I get signal loss from 5V to under 20mv. From what I read this is solved with powerline filters, right? I even notice when I plug in an X10 appliance module with nothing connected I get a signal drop from the module.

Is this all quite normal and do these remedies get the electrical signal flowing smoothly throughout the house?

I have gone into a holding pattern since I may need a lot of those filters and they are not cheap. Can I put one between a strip and the wall plug to cover several items with one filter?  Are there any DIY filter designs available?

http://www.smarthome.com/1626.html

http://www.smarthome.com/4845acf.html

I also have a heavy duty two way appliance module used to control my power amp. The module creates enough noise that I can hear a low db but audible noise when the amp is on and idle. Do I need to rig up a relay type system instead and have the relay controlled by a Universal Module like http://www.smarthome.com/2010.html to jumnp around the module generating the noise?

If there are other links more geared to covering this end of X10, let me know.

Thanks in advance. Don

Posted: September 30 2002 at 14:38 | IP Logged

Don,

Im sorry to hear about all the problems you've been having with the CM11A.  In my house, the unit has worked nearly flawlessly.  Every now and then it will glitch, but has been very stable.

As far as the signal not reaching the other phase, yes, a phase coupler should solve this problem for you.  I might ask how many square feet your house is?  Ive read of problems with houses larger than 3000 square feet and the signal not being strong enough.

As far as your other questions, Im afraid I wont be able to help you as Ive never had to delve into this kind of troubleshooting.  A VERY good resource for anything X-10 related is the X-10 Home Automation Knowledge Base located at http://www.geocities.com/ido_bartana/.

Concerning the two way appliance module.  Im surprised to hear that this unit is inducing noice since it is a relay controlled device.  I would'nt doubt it though with the power passing in such close proximity to the module.  You could probably solve it just the way you describe by using the universal module to control a separate relay.

Version 1.01.3 has just been released.  It has completely rewritten communication routines.  I doubt it will solve the problem if there is something inherently wrong with communication on your wiring with the CM11A but it might be worth a try.

Dave.

Posted: October 01 2002 at 18:04 | IP Logged

Dave,

I think part of the problem is the age of the house and wiring. The house, a typical California rancher built in 1955,  is 1900 sq ft and has mostly ungrounded wiring and plugs. A couple of additions over the years added grounded wire to parts of the house. 

I don't think I have any appliances or electrical equipment that are  particularly noisy or unusual so I am suprised more people don't experience more problems.

The way I can "unstick" the CM11A is one that is documented. If I put an X10 signal on the power line by triggering any module,  it seems to clear the CM11A. I unload and reload the Activehome comm link and that clears it up again for awhile. 

I'll try your new version and see if it helps. I do like your software and once I get this stuff sorted out, I'd like to give it a solid trial.  I'll be back.

Thanks for the support,

Don