Re: PowerLinc Controller and X-10 switches

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

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