Re: Re: motion detectors: need some input

[Tom Van den Panhuyzen <tomvdp@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi David,

Well, about 25% of the setup is completed now: the lamps are
controllable via X10 appliance modules.
Switching on 2 lamps at the same time is just impossible: it sometimes
takes 2 secs for the second lamp to switch after the first!

Scenario:
- press remote (keychain remote KR22)
- rf receiver puts an X10 command on the wires
- CM11 picks it up
- xpl'ed: via determinators switch on 2 lamps
- CM11 sends ON for first lamp
- CM11 sends ON for second lamp

The remote is a real ##@!!  I have to press it for about 2 secs
otherwise the rf doesn't pick up the signal.  Then I need to be close
enough to the receiver (too close to be useful: in the kitchen to turn
on the lights in the backyard lol...)  If the remote picked up the
signal after about 1 sec the first lamp switches.  And 1 to 2 secs
later the second lamp.

I'm guessig it is the CM11 that cannot put X10 commands faster on the wire
?

Hopefully the TMA4 will work faster (i.e.: using a physical switch
connected to the TMA4, thereby bypassing remote + rf receiver).  The
remote will not be used a lot.  In fact I bought it only to be able to
program the TMA4's.

Regards,
Tom

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:18:51 -0000, rectorydp <dpullen@xxxxxxx>
wrote:
>
> Tom
>
> Just to clarify. It is not the X10 protocol that cause the problem it
> is the module itself. It may be caused by the dimming functionality,
> ie waiting to find out it the switch is pressed for less than 0.5s or
> it may be the way the module operates. If you don't get the problem
> then I guess it is the former. Here's hoping.
>
>
> BR
> David
>
>
>
> --- In ukha_xpl@xxxxxxx, Tom Van den Panhuyzen <tomvdp@g...>
> wrote:
> > Hm... but a bit higher up in this thread Mark says that X10 is
> > reasonably ok in handling collissions and the problem is in the
RF.
> > Anyway, too late now.  I'll let you know how it turns out.
> >
> > Tom
> >
> > On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 17:53:51 -0000, rectorydp
<dpullen@f...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Tom
> > >
> > > Sorry I was a bit late with my response...
> > >
> > > What I meant was that you have to delay pressing a switch to
ensure
> > > that the X10 signal is put on the powerline. If you press
two buttons
> > > together only one will operate. This was the issue that
could cause
> > > the most problem with PIRs. It is possible that a trigger
would be
> > > missed entirely. However, it does depend upon how long the
PIR
> > > triggers for and what happens if two switches are operated
together
> > > for a period of time. I can't test with my TMD4s as they are
> > > configured to issue dim commands once the switches are held
down for
> > > more than 0.5s. I do hope it works ok for you.
> > >
> > >
> > > BR
> > > David
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In ukha_xpl@xxxxxxx, Tom Van den Panhuyzen
<tomvdp@g...>
> > > wrote:
> > > > Too late!  I am an impulsive buyer :-)
> > > > Disappointment 1: received TMD4's instead of TMA4's.
> > > > Disappointment 2: the micromodules don't switch 240V,
they detect
> > > > open/close only.  My mistake...  I thought that the
current from the
> > > > switch would be used, but in fact the switch must be
connected
> > > > directly to the TMA4.  No problem for the switches
(they are
> wired so
> > > > that I can decouple them from the mains and connect to
the TMA4
> > > > without too much hassle) but I have also bought 240V
PIRs.  So I
> will
> > > > have to add relays for these.
> > > >
> > > > I will put a photoshoot online of the evolution of my
project:
> > > > - wiring before the start
> > > > - wiring done
> > > > - the fireworks when the power is switched back on
> > > >
> > > > I understand that a 1 sec delay to switch on the light
when you
> push a
> > > > button is irritating, but I think here it is less
important.
> There is
> > > > already 1 motion detector in use.  It goes via the rf
receiver so I
> > > > guess it is even slower.  I need to go into the garden
quite
> often in
> > > > the dark (to feed the pigs, yep:-) so it is not vital
the
> response is
> > > > immediate as long as its reliable.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for the feedback.
> > > > Tom
> > > >
> > > > On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 17:14:29 -0000, rectorydp
<dpullen@f...> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Tom
> > > > >
> > > > > I wouldn't recommend the TMA4 for use with PIRs. I
use the
> TMD4 with
> > > > > momentary switches to control some of our lights
and you have
> to allow
> > > > > at least a second between switch presses to ensure
that the
> signals
> > > > > are put on the power line. I suspect that the
TMA4s have a similar
> > > > > delay. Of course the location of the PIRs may mean
that youy
> will not
> > > > > have problems with signals close together but you
will be able
> to make
> > > > > that judgement.
> > > > >
> > > > > There will also be a time delay in transmitting
the X10 over
> the power
> > > > > line. I think you will find that this additional
delay will
> make the
> > > > > operation of the PIRs irritating - they will just
be a bit too
> slow.
> > > > >
> > > > > Just my opinion, of course.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > BR
> > > > > David
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > xPL Links: http://www.xplproject.org.uk http://www.xplhal.com
> > > http://www.xpl.myby.co.uk
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