Re: PowerLinc Controller and X-10 switches

["Charles Sullivan" <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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