Re: Decora HCPRF WAS: Re: UPB, etc. WAS: Need some antenna advice...

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

I have the LynX-10 PLC but they wouldn't give me the details needed to write
diagnostic software for it, probably because they were planning their own,
so it's in my junk box.

"BruceR" <brNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>I have the Lynx which shows a lot of interesting detail but hasn't
>really helped me do much troubleshooting. I spent an hour with the
>engineer who designed it at an EHXpo 2 years ago and he showed me how to
>read it. He talked about updating the software to make it a little more
>useful for field work but nothing came of it.
>The ESM is handy for a quick test particularly when you want to look
>across a room and see if a signal is getting through.  I like the
>Monterey but it is somewhat error prone as Dave mentioned. It is still
>useful and was my favorite UNTIL I got my hands on the ACT 004 tester.
>Not cheap, it is, (saw StarWars the other night) but for the money it's
>a better unit than the Monterey and is my current favorite.  I still
>have my old Leviton tester too, now about 20 years old, and it still
>does the job in a primitive sort of way.
> If I could only have one, it would be the ACT 004. (Home Controls had
>the best price on it at the time).
>
>
>
>From:Robert Green
>ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx
>
>> "Dave Houston" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>
>>> This has drifted rather far afield from the original thread.
>>
>> Agreed.  And I am going to break it out into two messages because the
>> thread splits again!
>>
>>> I have one of the Leviton HCPRF transceivers but don't recall that
>>> it has a built-in lamp module. At least not a dimmer - mine has a
>>> solid state relay.
>>
>> Correct.  Although the one I have says "300W max., 60W min.
>> Incandescent load" and responds to the ALL LIGHTS ON command - it
>> does not respond to DIM or BRIGHT commands.  I assumed that made it
>> more of a lamp module than an appliance module.  They confuse the
>> issue pretty solidly by stating, in one part of the documentation:
>>
>>    NOTE: If a power interruption should occur while the device
>>    in ON, the light load will return to its previous light level when
>>    power is restored.
>>
>> That's a neat trick for a module that doesn't seem to respond to DIM
>> commands sent by Palmpad, Sticka Switch, Credit Card/Keychain type
>> controllers and Mini-controllers.  The HCPRF PDF file goes on to say:
>> "It can also be programmed to respond to scene commands from scene
>> controllers." Perhaps if it dims, only Leviton controllers can
>> activate that function.
>>
>> However, further on down when they discuss testing, they seem to
>> contradict themselves by saying:
>>
>>    "3. Transmit DIM and BRIGHT commands. The device will not
>>     react, but will transmit the DIM or BRIGHT command through
>>    the house wiring; all units set to the same code will respond."
>>
>> So, I'm not quite sure *what* it is.  I'd consider it a
>> "non-dimmable" lamp module, but it's definitely a weird duck.  It
>> *always* collides with the TM751s that are set to matching housecodes
>> and it doesn't accept commands from the older-style transmitters that
>> came with the RR501s (which had the somewhat useful 4 position unit
>> slide switch).
>>
>> The HCPRF got retired because of the interactions with other
>> transceivers but I'd sure like to know what it's putting on the line.
>> The Decora unit makes the ESM1 do a weird little dance whenever it's
>> activated on a housecode with dedicated TM751 around.
>>
>>> It's RF range seems comparable to standard X-10 transceivers.
>>> Unfortunately, there's no room within the case to add a connector
>>> for an external antenna so I did not try to trace the circuit to see
>>> whether they are using the hot side as electronic ground. Without
>>> knowing that I cannot make any antenna recommendation.
>>
>> Yes, it's quite crowded in there.  I suspect that if the HCPRF ever
>> DID dim, they disabled that function to limit heat build-up inside
>> such a small unit. I'd spring for the CM15A with its far roomier
>> cabinet.  It might be possible to remount the HCPRF in an old RR501
>> case, but it hardly seems worth the effort since it doesn't play nice
>> with the TM751's I use.
>>
>>> There should be no collisions as the Leviton will back off and wait
>>> for a clean line before it sends PLC. You will get duplicates of all
>>> signals. If you have marginal coupling between phases you might see
>>> different results at different times. If the Leviton can't "hear"
>>> the other transceiver, there will be collisions.
>>
>> I suspect this is what's going on with the ESM1 showing a definite
>> second signal at a lower voltage after it reports a good signal and
>> then a strong noise block.  This is what I'd like to be able to "see"
>> in some sort of detailed display.
>>
>>> Your ESM1 tests sound like collisions.
>>>
>>> I think the Monterey is vastly overpriced. It falsely reports every
>>> 1110 sequence not followed by a valid X-10 sequence as a "bad start
>>> code" when they are usually the results of collisions between
>>> signals offset by 1/2 cycle. The TesterLinc is cheaper. I think
>>> Bruce Robin posted comparisons of all of the available testers.
>>
>> I've read through comments by you and others about the Monterey and
>> decided to pass on it.  While it stores captured PLC data, there's NO
>> WAY to output it to a PC for analysis.  I ordered the LynX-TOOLS
>> Power Line Analyzer.
>>
>> http://www.marrickltd.com/lynx_tools.htm
>>
>> We'll soon see what it says about the Decora's dawdling.
>> Interestingly enough, the ESM1's strength LEDs seem to follow the
>> Decora's status light blinks by about 1/2 a second.  I'm determined
>> to figure out why the ESM1 shows 1.4 volts or the first series of
>> blinks and only .4 volts for the second "good" signal.
>>
>>> This is a good choice for a "scope"...
>>>
>>>      http://www.usb-instruments.com/documents/small_stingray.pdf
>>>
>>> You should also get ACT's Scope-Test2 if you want to look at X-10 PLC
>>> signals.
>>
>> I got the strong sense that were a traditional "scope" to appear, I
>> would find myself in the doghouse with SWMBO.  The Stingray looks
>> awfully sweet and if the Lynx doesn't do what I hope it will do, I'll
>> seriously consider it.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what's
>> really on the line, not just whether the signal's strong or not.
>>
>> Thanks again for your comments, Dave
>>
>> --
>> Bobby G.
>