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hleerobinson
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| Posted: May 04 2010 at 17:45 | IP Logged
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I just purchased Power-Home and I have been unable to find a user manual for version 2.1b and haven't received any reply from support@power-home.com. Does anyone know where I can get a user manual for release 2? There have been some significant changes that are not covered by the 1.3 manual. In particular, my triggers for received X10 codes are not working.
For instance, I am trying to set up a trigger to turn on an Insteon device when I issue an X10 command. I couldn’t find anything about the “Device Control” action type. When I did find something in the Forum related to this, it mentions “Action Style” which does not appear in my version of PowerHome. Unfortunately, it was the “Action Style” that was the problem/solution in the forum article. My version of PowerHome does not have that field. My trigger is not working, what if the problem is the “Action Style” and I can’t set it?
My trigger looks like this:
insert into triggers values ('A7ON','A7 On turns LampLee On','INSTEON+LAMPLEE+ON',4,'A',7,2,'1',1,0,3);
ID: A7ON
Description: A7 On turns LampLee On
Action Type: Device Control
Action: INSTEON+LAMPLEE+ON
Trigger ID: A
Trigger ID Number: 7
Trigger Value: On
Boolean: 1
The last event is “Trigger check of A7ON performed.” There is nothing in the Insteon explorer raw log about sending out the command to turn on the LAMPLEE device.
It would be nice if there were some error messages or some other indication of why the program decided not to execute the trigger.
Lee Robinson
Edited by hleerobinson - May 04 2010 at 20:26
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TonyNo
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| Posted: May 04 2010 at 19:28 | IP Logged
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Wow. No response is unusual. When did you send that email?
There is no updated manual yet.
Here is what my Device Control triggers look like...
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BeachBum
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| Posted: May 04 2010 at 23:22 | IP Logged
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Try using X-10 In for trigger type instead. It works for me
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Pete - X10 Oldie
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hleerobinson
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| Posted: May 04 2010 at 23:43 | IP Logged
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That's what I used. Interesting that it did not show up in the SQL export generated by Power-Home. When I went back to PowerHome Explorer and checked the Trigger Type, it says "X-10 in"
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hleerobinson
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| Posted: May 04 2010 at 23:44 | IP Logged
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The X10 signal is being received and recognized. The trigger is just not being triggered for some reason.
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grif091
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 00:07 | IP Logged
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Does the Event Log as viewed from Powerhome Status display show anything after trigger check. Try double clicking on Action and verify that the three pieces of information are displayed in the popup.
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Lee G
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hleerobinson
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 00:19 | IP Logged
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The status says:
Incoming X10 Received on Insteon DM controller Insteon Byte values: 00 65 Decode A7
Incoming X10 Received on Insteon DM controller Insteon Byte values: 01 62 Decode A(on)
Trigger Check of A7ON performed
and that is it. when I double-click on the Action the three pieces of info: "Insteon" "LAMPLEE" and "ON" show up. But nothing in Level/Formula.
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grif091
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 00:29 | IP Logged
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That is the expected popup results. I defined what you have and it works here. Can you screen capture the trigger definition and post. The Boolean field is suspect as it would stop the trigger Action from occurring.
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Lee G
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grif091
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 02:15 | IP Logged
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Another area to check is Setup/Logs. Make sure that Insteon Out, Insteon In, and Formula Error are checked.
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Lee G
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BeachBum
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 08:25 | IP Logged
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You might try building a simple macro so you can debug it from there. Then setup the trigger to fire the macro. It may be a problem with groups don’t know.
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Pete - X10 Oldie
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hleerobinson
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 08:38 | IP Logged
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It would be nice to have some documentation on some of this. Here are my devices:
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smarty
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 08:59 | IP Logged
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Check the highlighted red box'es. PH has dis-abled them (hence the red) because the number of re-try attempts has been max'ed out.
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Elk - Insteon - BlueIris - DMC1 - PowerHome - XLobby - HA_Bridge w/Dots - Brultech
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grif091
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 09:10 | IP Logged
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The red shaded Clear Failed column indicates a problem communicating with the specific device. With as many devices as you have red shaded you have a significant powerline communication problem. Powerhome will stop background activity (status query, link management) once a device is red shaded. Check the Comm Failed column to have Powerhome remove the red shading and start using the device for background activity again.
The first thing I think of when I see that many devices with comm problems is the lack of 120V leg coupling. What are you using to couple the 120V legs. Another possibility is a UPS power supply attenuating the PLM signals. If you have a UPS where the PLM is plugged in try moving the plug point of the PLM using an extension cord to power the PLM away from the computer equipment. Smarthome recommends using a FilterLinc to isolate the UPS from the powerline to avoid Insteon signal attenuation. Also be sure the PLM is NOT plugged into a power strip or being supplied from a UPS.
Note that red shading does not affect foreground activity which includes Triggers and the Actions of a Trigger or Macro. Foreground activity is attempted regardless of whether the Comm Failed column is red shaded or not.
The LINK NOT FOUND indicates that some of your links are broken. An active link consists of a link record in the controller and a link record in the responder. The LINK NOT FOUND indicates the link record for that device could not be found. With the communication problems it looks like you are having that would not be surprising.
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Lee G
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hleerobinson
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 09:21 | IP Logged
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Thanks Lee. The UPS is plugged into a FilterLinc 1626. I have two SignaLinc RF 2442 access points and, as a long time X10 user, a Phase Coupler ZCPI-B.
I get the same results with the trigger A8OFF which should turn off a floorlamp. I can easily control that floor lamp from the Insteon explorer so I know that the communication works for that device.
How do you get the information about links and so forth?
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grif091
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 09:50 | IP Logged
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Make sure the Formula Error option is checked. It may require a ReInit to take effect if it is not currently checked. You may be getting an error on the Trigger Action that is not showing up in the log because the Formula error is not checked, although the Trigger definition looks correct. Pete made a good suggestion about using a Macro as a test vehicle for the Trigger problem. You should see the Macro being invoked when the Trigger is fired. It will show as an Event Log entry after the Trigger Check Event Log entry. You would use a ph_insteon function to issue Direct commands to LAMPLEE. Because both the Trigger Action you have defined and a Macro, should you try that approach, will be using Direct commands the broken links do not enter into the picture for now.
The old SignaLincs do not handle Insteon Extended messages so you will eventually need a pair of Access Points. Powerhome is not using Extended messages yet so it is not an issue right now. The next update to PH may start using Extended messages for link management (as HouseLinc2 is using now) so it might be a problem soon.
On the Smartlabs web site there is an old document in the public domain, insteondetails.pdf. The discussion on links still applies so it can be used as a reference source even today. Many of the newer Insteon devices can now be managed with the longer (and faster) Extended messages. This does not change the actual content or function of link records, only the means for reading and writing them.
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Lee G
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BeachBum
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 10:09 | IP Logged
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As Lee pointed out your old X10 phase couplers will work for the X10 signal but not the Insteon. Access Points will not couple X10 either so you will need both.
Your best documentation is right here on the forum. There is a lack of up to date manuals but who has the time or commitment to write them.
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Pete - X10 Oldie
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takig
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 19:13 | IP Logged
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The responses here are helpful and answer specific
questions but the problem is that using and perusing the
forum is the only way to get to know PowerHome.
Basically, you need to stumble around until you are stuck
and then ask the forum. Having at least a basic manual
for the current version should be part of the package.
This forum is great but to a newbie it is difficult to
ask the right questions without a basic understanding of
what makes PowerHome tick and how to use it. I know that
PowerHome is much more powerful than what most people
have managed to figure out on their own or through help
from the forum. I would be willing to wait for new
versions and instead have decent documentation.
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sjvonstein
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| Posted: May 05 2010 at 20:55 | IP Logged
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I can tell you as a recent newbie myself, PH is extremely daunting, but the best way to get a handle on PH isn't a manual... it's playing around endlessly with everything. Granted, better coverage in documentation on functions would be nice, but the best thing to do is try and try. If you run into function problems, search them here and look for example code. It's how I've solved most problems I've had so far. Don't wait, this program is priceless.
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DeanC
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| Posted: August 18 2010 at 23:50 | IP Logged
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There can be no doubt about the value of documentation. Preferably in depth, but at least basic. I completely agree that playing around with something is usually the best way to become familiar with it. However, that assumes that you have at least a starting point, that you are not concerned about breaking it, and probably most significant, that you have time to play with it.
PH is by far the most versatile program of it's kind, at least in my experience. At $100 it's also in the price range of commercial programs. It's not unreasonable to expect documentation containing at least the basics so that a new user has a good foundation on which to base their playing around.
Being developer, programmer, tester, and tech support, I'm sure keeps Dave extremely busy. Plus, hopefully, he has a life away from PH. The help available in this forum is also very valuable. However, the fact is that when a person spends $100 for a program this complex, there is an expectation of, and usually a need for, documentation.
I don't have the answer, but perhaps a forum named Documentation where the very knowledgeable people in this forum could contribute some of their expertise in written form might be helpful?
Dean
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sarcophage
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| Posted: August 19 2010 at 07:36 | IP Logged
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Lee, Dean -
I understand your frustration, as when I first started
using PH, I felt the same way. Then I started looking at
what other, less capable HA packages were charging...
many of them cost $1000+ !
Dave has created an unbelievably flexible application,
and given us the power to make huge customizations. Yes,
there's no manual to peruse, and that would be nice...
but there's no way I'd be willing to pay 8 or 900 dollars
more just to get a manual.
Anyhow - you will find (as you already have to some
degree) that Dave, Tony, grif, and a number of other
experienced users are more than willing to help. I love
this forum, actually!
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PowerHome Messageboard : PowerHome General
Topic: Documentation for version 2.1b
