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

["BruceR" <brNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxx>]

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.