Re: [mh] X10 Extended commands

[Charles S. <cws...@tr...>]

On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:53:15 -0400
Troy Carpenter <tr...@ca...> wrote:

> On Friday 25 April 2008 12:45:44 am David Norwood wrote:
> > My understanding (from looking at the cm11 code) is that you transmit a
> > extended_code command, then you transmit one or more packets with the
> > "extended" bit set and the byte to send replacing the house and
> > unit/command nibbles.
> >
> > I looked at the PLM developers manual posted here a few days ago, and
> > setting the "extended" bit isn't documented on page 26.  Smarthome products
> > use a different method to do "direct dim", so it's possible they don't
> > support extended codes.  Only the lm14a and leviton modules support them,
> > afaik.
> >
> > You might not want to fight this windmill, and get an insteon lamp module
> > instead.  Make sure they support the direct dim functionality of insteon
> > protocol.  Most insteon light switches do, so i'm guessing the lamp module
> > does too.  The insteon light switches also support the x10 preset_dim
> > method of doing direct dim, so the insteon lamp module might also support
> > this.  I know this works with the PLM too, but the insteon protocol is
> > better to use.
> >
> > David
> 
> So far, over at the Smarthome forum thread I started 
> (http://www.techmall.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2941), the indication is that 
> there is no support in the PLM for extended X10 commands.
> 
> That's not such a problem for my X10 installation since I only have 2 LM14 
> modules, but it is bad news to anyone who has more advanced devices ( like 
> Smarthome's own TempLinc ) that use X10 extended commands.  The Insteon PLM 
> is only "backwards compatible" for installations with standard X10 devices.
> 
> For me, I have three choices:
> 
> 1. Live with no dimming on my LM14 lamps.
> 2. Buy an older CM11A or RCA HC60RX for about $10 on ebay and use it to send
>    the extended commands.
> 3. Suck it up and buy replacement Insteon Lamp modules for about $70.
> 
> Right now I'm sticking with #1 with eventually going with #3.
> 
> Troy

The Smarthome TempLinc 1625 uses the Preset Dim (X10 functions 0xA and 0xB)
commands, not the X10 Extended Code (X10 function 0x7) commands.  Smarthome
would be shooting themselves in the foot if they didn't support the Preset
Dim used for all their own older X10 'Linc dimmer modules. Not to say they
didn't do so of course. :-)

The LM14A supports the standard X10 Dim and Bright commands, although there's
a randomness (due to phase) in its response.

Regards,
Charles Sullivan