Re: PowerLinc Controller and X-10 switches

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

Charles,

If you like to experiment, the SmartHome 1132b, in RS232 mode, will let you
send _any_ arbitrary bitstream to the powerline using ASCII commands. See p5
of its Programming Manual.

     http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/1132B_Programming.pdf

Charles Sullivan <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>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