Re: PowerLinc Controller and X-10 switches

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

Which dimmable SwitchLinc switches does the software support? The 2384
appears to be most like standard X-10 switches but I don't know whether the
software will send it standard dim commands or preset dim commands. Your
X-10 switches will not respond to the latter. I think you need to try it to
see.

"Flavio Silva" <flavio_ernesto143@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Hi, Dave and Charles,
>
>I don't intend to be rude, but your talking is greek to me.. :)
>
>My question remains: I have tons of dimmable X10 switches which aren't
>listed on Smarthome software. Which one should I specify?
>
>Thanks again and sorry if I sound rude.
>
>Flavio
>
>"Dave Houston" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx> escreveu na mensagem
>news:43a0bc44.51679485@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> 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
>>
>