From: Joey F. <joe...@gm...> - 2006-03-28 04:19:02
|
I have seen a lot of posts about the cm11a being unreliable (?) Is this true? How is it unreliable? I have purchased one recently because of the fact that it delivers % to the LM14A that I have. It is pretty important that i have this particular function, but is the use of the cm11 asking for trouble? I already had a Firecracker, but spilled the extra cash for this one. Maybe you guys can fill me in? Thanks, Joey French |
From: Tim S. <tp...@ma...> - 2006-03-28 04:32:41
|
On Mon, March 27, 2006 23:11, Joey French said: > I have seen a lot of posts about the cm11a being unreliable (?) Is this > true? How is it unreliable? I have purchased one recently because of the > fact that it delivers % to the LM14A that I have. It is pretty important > that i have this particular function, but is the use of the cm11 asking > for > trouble? I already had a Firecracker, but spilled the extra cash for this > one. Maybe you guys can fill me in? If reliability is important to you, it's a complete hunk of crap. Most of us experience lockups and missed signals. I get past this by sending codes multiple times. Soon, (as soon as Neil gets back to writing code) I'm going switch to the Insteon USB unit I have still in the box around here somewhere. I'm in the process of buying some of the Insteon appliance modules, as my X10 supply is finally gone, and another unit has died. I'm sorry you actually bought a cm11a. I would have sold you one of mine for a nominal price plus shipping. Tim |
From: Joey F. <joe...@gm...> - 2006-03-28 04:54:06
|
Crap. Anybody else? I have that sinking feeling, cause reliability is a HUG= E issue. |
From: <mis...@co...> - 2006-03-28 05:27:36
|
and you're using x10? I have 2 CM11a's. They both randomly lock up. the x10 instructions to fix that issue are, effectively leave unplugged for 5 minutes if that doesn't work, try 30 min, 6 hours, 24 hours ... At 11:54 PM 3/27/2006, Joey French wrote: >Crap. Anybody else? I have that sinking feeling, cause reliability >is a HUGE issue. Rick Steeves ri...@si... http://www.sinister.net |
From: Joey F. <joe...@gm...> - 2006-03-28 05:57:39
|
Holy crap. I am now terrified of using them. How about this option as a workaround: Can I use one cm11a for the nonessential "special" use I have i= t for, and the cm17 for everything else? Maybe a little more reliable? Is it possible to use both on the same port, same box? I haven't tried it. Joey On 3/28/06, mis...@co... <mis...@co...> wrote: > > and you're using x10? > > I have 2 CM11a's. They both randomly lock up. the x10 instructions to > fix that issue are, effectively > leave unplugged for 5 minutes > if that doesn't work, try 30 min, 6 hours, 24 hours ... > > At 11:54 PM 3/27/2006, Joey French wrote: > >Crap. Anybody else? I have that sinking feeling, cause reliability > >is a HUGE issue. > > > Rick Steeves > ri...@si... http://www.sinister.net > > > > ------------------------------------------------------- > This SF.Net email is sponsored by xPML, a groundbreaking scripting > language > that extends applications into web and mobile media. Attend the live > webcast > and join the prime developer group breaking into this new coding > territory! > http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=3Dlnk&kid=3D110944&bid=3D241720&dat= =3D121642 > ________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe from this list, go to: > http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=3D1365 > > |
From: Dave S. <da...@om...> - 2006-03-28 06:30:55
|
mis...@co... wrote: > and you're using x10? > > I have 2 CM11a's. They both randomly lock up. the x10 instructions to > fix that issue are, effectively > leave unplugged for 5 minutes > if that doesn't work, try 30 min, 6 hours, 24 hours ... > > At 11:54 PM 3/27/2006, Joey French wrote: >> Crap. Anybody else? I have that sinking feeling, cause reliability is >> a HUGE issue. > > Rick Steeves > ri...@si... http://www.sinister.net Wow, I feel very fortunate... so far, anyway. I picked up a CM11a from Smarthome almost a year ago now, and it's been flawless. I'm sure it's just a matter of time, but here's hoping Neal gets done with his book soon, and I can fire up the Insteon powerlinc without trepidation. Dave Stenhouse |
From: Ron <ro...@za...> - 2006-03-28 07:39:03
|
FWIW, I never had my cm11 stuck, the whole x10 stuff works ok here. But; My house is not so big. I live in Europe (230V 50Hz) And I eat fairtrade bananas and chocolate.. ;=) Regards, Ron. -----Original Message----- From: mis...@li... [mailto:mis...@li...] On Behalf Of Dave Stenhouse Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 8:31 AM To: mis...@li... Subject: Re: [mh] So, tell me about the CM11A... mis...@co... wrote: > and you're using x10? > > I have 2 CM11a's. They both randomly lock up. the x10 instructions to > fix that issue are, effectively leave unplugged for 5 minutes if that > doesn't work, try 30 min, 6 hours, 24 hours ... > > At 11:54 PM 3/27/2006, Joey French wrote: >> Crap. Anybody else? I have that sinking feeling, cause reliability is >> a HUGE issue. > > Rick Steeves > ri...@si... http://www.sinister.net Wow, I feel very fortunate... so far, anyway. I picked up a CM11a from Smarthome almost a year ago now, and it's been flawless. I'm sure it's just a matter of time, but here's hoping Neal gets done with his book soon, and I can fire up the Insteon powerlinc without trepidation. Dave Stenhouse ------------------------------------------------------- This SF.Net email is sponsored by xPML, a groundbreaking scripting language that extends applications into web and mobile media. Attend the live webcast and join the prime developer group breaking into this new coding territory! http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=110944&bid=241720&dat=121642 ________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from this list, go to: http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=1365 |
From: Neil C. <nc...@co...> - 2006-03-28 16:04:07
|
Ron wrote: > FWIW, > > I never had my cm11 stuck, the whole x10 stuff works ok here. I've had mixed results, I had 2 for a number of years that were fine. I took one apart (I don't think I assembled that one yet). Another burned up (over heated) and I'm on my 4th. One seems to be missing. Other than the overheated unit they work well unless I get a brown out. Then they need to be unplugged, plugged back in and an external X10 command sent. Then it works fine. I've been running one since they first came out around 1996. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry nc...@li... http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/ Backup site |
From: Joel D. <jr...@io...> - 2006-03-28 16:21:10
|
On Tue, 28 Mar 2006, it would appear that Neil Cherry wrote: > Ron wrote: >> FWIW, >> >> I never had my cm11 stuck, the whole x10 stuff works ok here. > > I've had mixed results, I had 2 for a number of years that were > fine. I took one apart (I don't think I assembled that one yet). > Another burned up (over heated) and I'm on my 4th. One seems to > be missing. > > Other than the overheated unit they work well unless I get a > brown out. Then they need to be unplugged, plugged back in and > an external X10 command sent. Then it works fine. I've been > running one since they first came out around 1996. I've been running mine for at least 5 years with I think one lockup in all that time. It's plugged into an outlet in a quad box, with a Leviton filter between it and the other duplex outlet. The other duplex outlet has a my beer fridge and my mh pc plugged into it. I may lose an x10 command about once a month or so at the worst. The outlet is about 4 feet from my breaker box, and there's a passive coupler plugged into the dryer outlet that is another 15' away. The only time I have problems in my house is if I leave a certain pc (which I rarely use) plugged in. Its power supply seems to kill x10 on that circuit. Someday I'll either put a filter on it or dump the pc. -- Joel Davidson Austin, TX |
From: Joey F. <joe...@gm...> - 2006-03-28 18:08:17
|
Okay, so on the test system at home, I am running the cm11a with one lm14a and a full capacity of eleven three prong appliance modules. All of these modules are on one "bank" type power strip, 48" long with 12 vertically aligned outlets I got specifically to use the modules with. I have none of the two way modules (yet) sending anything back to the cm11a. I have entertained the notion of putting the MH box (soon to be an old headless hp evectra series mini-itx running linux) on a battery back up. Could this configuration be made more foolproof? Maybe a noise filter on the "outlet bank" strip? I am really thinking that I may try to use the cm11a to contro= l the one lm14a for the all-important % function, and use the cm17 for the other modules (opinions?). Keep in mind all of my modules are within four feet of each other, on the same circuit. Maybe I could attempt to isolate this circuit in some way? It seems like it will take some trial and error. Thanks again for the advice, everyone. If anyone has any more experiences, good or bad, I'd love to hear them. Joey French |
From: Jim S. <js...@sy...> - 2006-03-31 00:19:37
|
Joey, =20 I have a CM11A and I don't have any lock up problems - I have written in = the past about layout of the X10 network for better reliability - but the = bottom line is that the X10 protocol has very simple redundancy - it sends the = data twice, and uses a very simple error check - but there are no two way communications that the message has been received - it is not really = upto TCP kind of expectations - but hey it was conceived in the 1970's with = the objective of cheap receivers. =20 I have seen occasions when the message hasn't gotten through - even in a well designed network - I think maybe about 2 to 3% of the time. Those things that I care about - I send the message twice a few minutes apart. Pool pump off, 2 minutes, pool pump off. For those things I can live = with - garage lights off - sometimes (<2%) they just stay on until the next = time around to turn them off for inactivity. I have my irrigation system = running off of X10 with a home built module to receive the messages - once it = gets a turn on signal - it sets a hardware safety timer to turn off after 80 minutes unless it receives another valid X10 command - because I can't afford a flood! =20 If you are controlling life and death things for your fish I would do = one of two things: =20 1) Equip Misterhosue with some kind of sensor to know if a pump / light = is on or not - you can use other than X10 for feedback loop, or =20 2) Use some isolated relay board, or theatrical lighting system that is directly connected to the PC to control the vital things. (Since they = are all close together you really don't need to send X10 protocol to remote places in your house). =20 If you have others - such as lights and what not - that if they stay on longer than programmed - and the fish just get tired because the day is = long - maybe X10 is ok - still I would use dual send off, or on commands on = top of a reliable network. =20 On your electrical circuit - it sounds fine - check to see if the power = bars have surge suppressors that can interfere. Also I would try to put the sendor (CM11A) in the middle of the receivers - rather than at one end. = You could write a module that turns something on and off every 5 seconds for = say 10 minutes - grab a beer and watch it for a missing pulse - that would = give you an idea of reliability - however you might need to repeat with each hardware module. The hosue code that the module is on is irrelevant but different modules have their detector circuits tuned not that accurately = so you might want to verify the important modules you need to trust. =20 Jim Serack =20 Message----- From: mis...@li... [mailto:mis...@li...] On Behalf Of Joey French Sent: March 28, 2006 1:08 PM To: mis...@li... Subject: Re: [mh] So, tell me about the CM11A... Okay, so on the test system at home, I am running the cm11a with one = lm14a and a full capacity of eleven three prong appliance modules. All of = these modules are on one "bank" type power strip, 48" long with 12 vertically aligned outlets I got specifically to use the modules with. I have none = of the two way modules (yet) sending anything back to the cm11a. I have entertained the notion of putting the MH box (soon to be an old headless = hp evectra series mini-itx running linux) on a battery back up. Could this configuration be made more foolproof? Maybe a noise filter on the = "outlet bank" strip? I am really thinking that I may try to use the cm11a to = control the one lm14a for the all-important % function, and use the cm17 for the other modules (opinions?). =20 Keep in mind all of my modules are within four feet of each other, on = the same circuit. Maybe I could attempt to isolate this circuit in some way? = It seems like it will take some trial and error. Thanks again for the = advice, everyone. If anyone has any more experiences, good or bad, I'd love to = hear them.=20 Joey French |
From: Joey F. <joe...@gm...> - 2006-03-31 01:03:24
|
Thanks a ton, everyone. I will give the "all off" test a try and see what it's looking like. I will also report back as soon as I see a problem with mine, and try to se= e if it matches anyone else's problems, troubleshooting, how to fix it, etc. Just out of curiosity, what type of module is say, more reliable than the cm11, any of the Insteon, smarthome, etc? How easily are they implemented? How about the MH code for these other modules? Joey French |
From: Jim S. <js...@sy...> - 2006-03-31 14:15:15
|
I just remembered something else - my communication reliability with X10 protocol went way up with misterhouse being the only transmitter - all = my RF signals come back through the W800RF32A module rather than RF -> X10 = over the powerline. As a result there is no opportunity for collisions, and = no need for collision detection - something the protocol lacks. -----Original Message----- From: mis...@li... [mailto:mis...@li...] On Behalf Of Joey French Sent: March 30, 2006 7:56 PM To: mis...@li... Subject: Re: [mh] So, tell me about the CM11A... Thanks a ton, everyone. I will give the "all off" test a try and see = what it's looking like. I will also report back as soon as I see a problem with mine, and try to = see if it matches anyone else's problems, troubleshooting, how to fix it, = etc. Just out of curiosity, what type of module is say, more reliable than = the cm11, any of the Insteon, smarthome, etc? How easily are they = implemented? How about the MH code for these other modules?=20 Joey French |
From: Gianni V. <gia...@ya...> - 2006-03-29 05:43:26
|
Let me add (my 2c) to this topic. I use a European version of CM11 (Marmitek with Serial connector) without problems since 2+ years. So perhaps the issues are only for the US version??? GV --- Ron <ro...@za...> wrote: > FWIW, > > I never had my cm11 stuck, the whole x10 stuff works ok here. > > But; > My house is not so big. > I live in Europe (230V 50Hz) > And I eat fairtrade bananas and chocolate.. ;=) > > Regards, > Ron. > > -----Original Message----- > From: mis...@li... > [mailto:mis...@li...] On Behalf Of Dave > Stenhouse > Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 8:31 AM > To: mis...@li... > Subject: Re: [mh] So, tell me about the CM11A... > > mis...@co... wrote: > > and you're using x10? > > > > I have 2 CM11a's. They both randomly lock up. the x10 instructions to > > fix that issue are, effectively leave unplugged for 5 minutes if that > > doesn't work, try 30 min, 6 hours, 24 hours ... > > > > At 11:54 PM 3/27/2006, Joey French wrote: > >> Crap. Anybody else? I have that sinking feeling, cause reliability is > >> a HUGE issue. > > > > Rick Steeves > > ri...@si... http://www.sinister.net > Wow, I feel very fortunate... so far, anyway. I picked up a CM11a from > Smarthome almost a year ago now, and it's been flawless. I'm sure it's just > a matter of time, but here's hoping Neal gets done with his book soon, and I > can fire up the Insteon powerlinc without trepidation. > > Dave Stenhouse > > > ------------------------------------------------------- > This SF.Net email is sponsored by xPML, a groundbreaking scripting language > that extends applications into web and mobile media. Attend the live webcast > and join the prime developer group breaking into this new coding territory! > http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=110944&bid=241720&dat=121642 > ________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe from this list, go to: > http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=1365 > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------- > This SF.Net email is sponsored by xPML, a groundbreaking scripting language > that extends applications into web and mobile media. Attend the live webcast > and join the prime developer group breaking into this new coding territory! > http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=110944&bid=241720&dat=121642 > ________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe from this list, go to: http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=1365 > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com |
From: Clive F. <sc...@fi...> - 2006-03-29 08:31:43
|
I use the UK version (so 2p from me). I am on my third or fourth unit - they usually last less than a couple of years. Nowadays I write the date of purchase on it with a CD marker pen. Clive -----Original Message----- From: mis...@li... [mailto:mis...@li...] On Behalf Of = Gianni Veloce Sent: 29 March 2006 06:43 To: mis...@li... Subject: RE: [mh] So, tell me about the CM11A... Let me add (my 2c) to this topic. I use a European version of CM11 (Marmitek with Serial connector) = without problems since 2+ years. So perhaps the issues are only for the US version??? GV --- Ron <ro...@za...> wrote: > FWIW, >=20 > I never had my cm11 stuck, the whole x10 stuff works ok here. >=20 > But; > My house is not so big. > I live in Europe (230V 50Hz) > And I eat fairtrade bananas and chocolate.. ;=3D) >=20 > Regards, > Ron. >=20 > -----Original Message----- > From: mis...@li... > [mailto:mis...@li...] On Behalf Of=20 > Dave Stenhouse > Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 8:31 AM > To: mis...@li... > Subject: Re: [mh] So, tell me about the CM11A... >=20 > mis...@co... wrote: > > and you're using x10? > > > > I have 2 CM11a's. They both randomly lock up. the x10 instructions=20 > > to > > fix that issue are, effectively leave unplugged for 5 minutes if = that=20 > > doesn't work, try 30 min, 6 hours, 24 hours ... > > > > At 11:54 PM 3/27/2006, Joey French wrote: > >> Crap. Anybody else? I have that sinking feeling, cause reliability=20 > >> is > >> a HUGE issue. > > > > Rick Steeves > > ri...@si... = http://www.sinister.net > Wow, I feel very fortunate... so far, anyway. I picked up a CM11a=20 > from Smarthome almost a year ago now, and it's been flawless. I'm=20 > sure it's just a matter of time, but here's hoping Neal gets done with = > his book soon, and I can fire up the Insteon powerlinc without=20 > trepidation. >=20 > Dave Stenhouse >=20 >=20 > ------------------------------------------------------- > This SF.Net email is sponsored by xPML, a groundbreaking scripting=20 > language that extends applications into web and mobile media. Attend=20 > the live webcast and join the prime developer group breaking into this = > new coding territory!=20 > = http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=3Dlnk&kid=3D110944&bid=3D241720&dat=3D= 121642 > ________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe from this list, go to: > http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=3D1365 >=20 >=20 >=20 >=20 > ------------------------------------------------------- > This SF.Net email is sponsored by xPML, a groundbreaking scripting=20 > language that extends applications into web and mobile media. Attend=20 > the live webcast and join the prime developer group breaking into this = > new coding territory!=20 > = http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=3Dlnk&kid=3D110944&bid=3D241720&dat=3D= 121642 > ________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe from this list, go to: http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=3D1365 >=20 >=20 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around=20 http://mail.yahoo.com=20 ------------------------------------------------------- This SF.Net email is sponsored by xPML, a groundbreaking scripting = language that extends applications into web and mobile media. Attend the live = webcast and join the prime developer group breaking into this new coding = territory! http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=3Dlnk&kid=3D110944&bid=3D241720&dat=3D= 121642 ________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from this list, go to: http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=3D1365 |
From: Chris B. <ch...@ba...> - 2006-03-28 08:27:28
|
Are you using the CM11 backup functionality that I added in some time ago? If not, grep /bin/mh for cm11_bak_port and cm11_heartbeat and take a look. Basically MH can monitor the two CM11s with a ping style capability and then use the one most likely to still be alive. > -----Original Message----- > From: mis...@li... [mailto:misterhouse- > use...@li...] On Behalf Of mis...@co... > Sent: Tuesday, 28 March 2006 4:13 PM > To: mis...@li... > Subject: Re: [mh] So, tell me about the CM11A... > > and you're using x10? > > I have 2 CM11a's. They both randomly lock up. the x10 instructions to > fix that issue are, effectively > leave unplugged for 5 minutes > if that doesn't work, try 30 min, 6 hours, 24 hours ... > > At 11:54 PM 3/27/2006, Joey French wrote: > >Crap. Anybody else? I have that sinking feeling, cause reliability > >is a HUGE issue. > > > Rick Steeves > ri...@si... http://www.sinister.net > |
From: Neil C. <nc...@co...> - 2006-03-28 22:06:55
|
Tim Sailer wrote: > On Mon, March 27, 2006 23:11, Joey French said: >> I have seen a lot of posts about the cm11a being unreliable (?) Is this >> true? How is it unreliable? I have purchased one recently because of the >> fact that it delivers % to the LM14A that I have. It is pretty important >> that i have this particular function, but is the use of the cm11 asking >> for >> trouble? I already had a Firecracker, but spilled the extra cash for this >> one. Maybe you guys can fill me in? > multiple times. Soon, (as soon as Neil gets back to writing code) Still writing and it's wearing me thin. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry nc...@li... http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/ Backup site |
From: David N. <dno...@ya...> - 2006-03-28 06:26:12
|
The ocelot supports the &P command required to set % brightness directly = on the lm14a. It's tricky to setup on windows, but doable. The ACT = TI-103, BSC, and Lynx10PLC modules appear to support &P and might be a = good choices. You might contact the authors to see if they have tested = with the lm14a.=20 David=20 ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Joey French=20 To: misterhouse-users=20 Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 8:11 PM Subject: [mh] So, tell me about the CM11A... I have seen a lot of posts about the cm11a being unreliable (?) Is = this true? How is it unreliable? I have purchased one recently because = of the fact that it delivers % to the LM14A that I have. It is pretty = important that i have this particular function, but is the use of the = cm11 asking for trouble? I already had a Firecracker, but spilled the = extra cash for this one. Maybe you guys can fill me in?=20 Thanks, Joey French |
From: Brent D. <br...@de...> - 2006-03-28 12:58:39
|
I've been using the same CM11A for 6+ years and have never experienced a lockup or failed signal problem either in my old 980-sq ft house or my present 2700-sq ft home. I know I'm in the minority here but the thing just works for me. I do have a plug-in SignalLinc repeater/bridge installed and several FilterLincs on some of the bigger x10 signal-suckers in the house, but things "just work" for us and I have a lot of X10 devices (4 full house codes used plus the RF stuff now that I have a W800RF32A). My advice would be to give it a try and see how it works for you. I think one of the other replies mentioned a workaround or two for some of the problems others have experienced, so if you do have problems you have some things to try. Good luck, Brent -----Original Message----- From: mis...@li... [mailto:mis...@li...]On Behalf Of Joey French Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 10:12 PM To: misterhouse-users Subject: [mh] So, tell me about the CM11A... I have seen a lot of posts about the cm11a being unreliable (?) Is this true? How is it unreliable? I have purchased one recently because of the fact that it delivers % to the LM14A that I have. It is pretty important that i have this particular function, but is the use of the cm11 asking for trouble? I already had a Firecracker, but spilled the extra cash for this one. Maybe you guys can fill me in? Thanks, Joey French |