Re: CM15a reliablity

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

I don't recall saying that overheating caused the random signals. I'd be
more inclined to think that moderate overheating was a result of a lengthy
period of continuous transmissions.

My experience is that I can induce this behavior almost at will by leaving
the serial cable connected only at the CM11A end.

"Joe Bfstplk" <bfstplk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Thanks , Dave
>
>The possesion problem I speak of is no due to the serial floating. With the
>serial line plugged in, it had problems.
>
>It has been a long time since I had time to fool with it, or hang around
>here. As I remember, after being plugged in a number of hours,  it would
>start send out commands on its own. I dont remember exactly what commands -
>I seem to remember it was counting; or it may have been random.
>
>Someone suggested it was due to overheating....I seem to remember it was you
>who said this.
>Certainly seems to be the case. After unplugging the unit, I would have to
>give it a cool down waiting period before plugging it back in.
>
>
>"Dave Houston" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:4368ace0.47483359@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> The overheating seemed to be related to a specific transformer that was
>used
>> in some early versions so it only happened with some CM11As. I would be
>> surprised if the same problem appeared in the CM15A given that it was
>> apparently solved in the CM11A.
>>
>> I think the lockups were mostly related to firmware (i.e. the PIC
>program).
>> The CM15A uses a Cypress µController so it's unlikely to have the same
>> firmware issues. It may, however, have its own.
>>
>> Most of the cases of demonic possession were easily exorcised by keeping
>the
>> serial cable connected or disconnected at _both_ ends. If the CM15A has
>the
>> same problem it can likely be cured in the same manner.
>>
>> The CM11A also had a problem with its signal strength fading during its
>1ms
>> duration - made worse by loading. This could be fixed by changing a
>> resistor. The CM15A does not exhibit this problem.
>>
>>
>http://groups.google.com/group/comp.home.automation/browse_thread/thread/6b1
>ba0cd1050658a/683aab3fb0577048?lnk=st&q=cm11a+schematic+galvin+group:comp.ho
>me.automation&rnum=1&hl=en#683aab3fb0577048
>>
>> Aside from the dinky antenna the hardware used in the CM15A is OK. It uses
>> third party RF transmitter and receiver daughterboards.
>>
>> I was not impressed with the X-10 software. I don't know whether any third
>> party software has appeared. It's not as easy to do this for USB as it was
>> for RS232.
>>
>> X-10 maintains an ActiveHomePro forum which might be a better place to ask
>> your questions.
>>
>> "Joe Bfstplk" <bfstplk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> >Sorry...I meant to say the CM11a had reliability problems
>> >
>> >"Joe Bfstplk" <bfstplk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> >news:bxt9f.497862$x96.395430@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> CM14a had a lot of problems  ( overheating, lockups, and demonic
>> >> possession ). Is the CM15a any more reliable, or do the same problems
>> >> exist?
>>
>