Re: PowerLinc Controller and X-10 switches

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

Charles,

For the number of microsteps that the receivers respond to (which differs
from the 210 steps reported by the CM11A) I used a small clamp on lamp and
sent n microdims, looking at the filament at the end of the series of
microdims. I reset to max and increased n until I found the number that
would take it just to the point where I could see not even the dimmest glow
from the filament. For the LM465 this was around 150. It was different for
the LM14A but here I had to use the Kill-A-Watt since it doesn't dim below
about 5%.

I shut down my web page as I don't have the energy to try to maintain it any
more so you cannot download my CM11A demo app. It makes these types of tests
fairly easy. I can email a copy if your email address is good and will
accept ~2MB attachments.

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
>
>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