Re: PowerLinc Controller and X-10 switches

[Charles Sullivan <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave,
Regarding my data:
I don't have an o'scope so have to rely on the CM11A's report
of the PLC dims/brights.  I use one CM11A to transmit and a
second CM11A as a receiver.  I distinguish between the dim_level
(1-22) which is the programmed value for the sending CM11A and
the dims reported by the receiving CM11A which range from 2 to 210.

If I program the sending CM11A to send dim_level 1,
the receiving CM11A reports either 2 or 3 dims.  In general, the
receiving CM11A reports according the the formula:
  Received dims = 11 * ( dim_level - 1 ) + X
X is usually 2 or 3, rarely 4.  The variability is apparently
determined by the sending CM11A or by some power line condition.
The receiving CM11A reports a maximum of 210 for dim_level 19
or greater.

The 2000STW goes from PresetDim level 32 to 2 (or vice-versa) when
dim_level (or brighten) is 14, corresponding to received
dims/brights of 145 or 146.  For a standard X10 dimmer, it takes
a dim_level of at least 19 to go from fully on to fully
dimmed.

I recall watching a voltmeter as I repeatedly sent dim_level 1
in a slow loop to a standard X10 lamp module, but can't find my
notes on that exercise. (This is where a recording voltmeter
would come in handy).

How are you measuring the PLC dims?

Regards,
Charles Sullivan

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 18:28:11 +0000, Dave Houston wrote:

> I have three 2000STWs all of which date to about the time they were first
> released. I ordered one before they were shipping. When I had problems they
> replaced it and gave me two more. Two have no stickers (possibly the
> freebies) and the third has 0179 & 4802 so I'm not sure the stickers are
> meaningful.
>
> All three work OK on one "phase" here. None work on the other "phase"
> although one seems to work OK (in limited testing) when a Dell printer is
> unplugged or filtered. I can see nothing beyond a 20mVpp ripple at about
> 650kHz on the phase that gives them difficulty. The LEDs flash randomly and
> they do not respond to commands on the problem "phase". LM14As work fine in
> the circuits where the LampLincs fail.
>
> I've recently installed a ToggleLinc PLC (non-dimming, one-way) to control a
> bathroom fluorescent fixture. So far, so good.
>
> I'm confused by your data.
>
> I've never found an X-10 module that took more than ~150 microsteps from
> full bright to full dim (LM14A excepted as it never dims to 0%). My 2000STW
> goes from full bright to full dim with 32 microsteps.
>
> My 2000STW goes from full bright to full dim in 14 "standard" dims. I think
> it's probable that the 2000SC reacts the same way. Still, I'd like to hear
> from someone who has sent microsteps to a 2000SC.
>
> "Charles Sullivan" <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>Dave,
>>Here's some data I took to characterize  a 2000STW purchased about 2
>>years ago .
>>It has two stickers: "0786" and "2403".  (The latter looks about right
>>for a date code
>>but this is the only Smarthome lamp module I own so I can't be sure.)
>>
>>The Preset Dim commands provide 32 distinct steps (verified with a
>>voltmeter).
>>
>>It takes only about 150 ordinary dims/brights to cover the range from
>>fully Off to
>>fully On, as opposed to the 210 or so required for a standard X10
>>dimmer.
>>Sending ordinary dim/bright level 1 or 2 from a CM11A changes the
>>Preset
>>Dim step by 1.   Sending single ordinary dim/bright level 1 through 14
>>commands
>>from a CM11A  to a 2000STW initially fully On or fully Off provides
>>about 13  distinct
>>steps in the 2000STW.
>>
>>Regards,
>>Charles Sullivan
>>
>>Dave Houston wrote:
>>> There are some anomalies in the documentation. The 2000SC manual says it has
>>> 32 dim levels although it also includes the comparison chart you cited
>>> showing that it does not respond to preset dims. The manual's
>>> troubleshooting guide refers to disabling local control but the page
>>> referenced has nothing on that. I suspect SmartHome just needs to do a
>>> better job of proof reading.
>>>
>>> The troubleshooting guide does acknowledge the lock-up problem I documented
>>> when the 2000STW first shipped. If they would just fix that the 2000SC would
>>> be a bargain at $10 for a lamp module with resume dim.
>>>
>>> I just did a quick check to make sure my memory was accurate. The 2000STW
>>> appears to have 16 dim levels. Interestingly, the 2000STW responds to a
>>> microdim/microbright with a 1/32 step. I wonder how a 2000SC might respond
>>> to microsteps.
>>>
>>> Charles Sullivan <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>> >According to the table at:
>>> ><http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/SHD-Matrix-plug-ins.pdf>
>>> >the LampLinc Essential 2000SC is dimmable but doesn't receive
>>> >the X10 Preset Dim.  So if supported by your software it ought
>>> >to emulate the X10 dimmer modules.
>>> >
>>> >However Smarthome also sells X10 dimmers, albeit under their own
>>> >part numbers, and I'm surprised they wouldn't have software support
>>> >for them.  Try looking for wall switch 2032.
>>> >
>>> >Regards,
>>> >Charles Sullivan
>>> >
>>> >On Thu, 08 Dec 2005 21:58:44 -0200, Flavio Silva wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> Hi, guys,
>>> >>
>>> >> I gave up on CM15a and bought a Smarthome PowerLinc Controller and I'm about
>>> >> to start writing macros on it.
>>> >>
>>> >> However, for the switches, the software allows dimming only on the Smarthome
>>> >> ones.
>>> >>
>>> >> Question is: May I tell the software I'm using a dimmable Smarthome switch
>>> >> and actually use one of my X10 ones? Does it work? If so, which one should I
>>> >> specify?
>>> >>
>>> >> Thanks a bunch!
>>> >>
>>> >> Flavio