I've had very bad experiences with the CM11A. It's locked up frequently
on me.
Most of the people I've spoken with who've done lots of installations
like the Marrick LynX-10. It's a little expensive, but supposed to be
rock solid and have the best x-10 implementation. (There's even cool
software for analyzing what's going on the powerline with it.)
I've used the Powerlinc USB and Serial interfaces in installations with
no problems. I have had one DOA (USB model) though.
None of the pros seem to use X-10 Inc's products at all.
I've had the most problems with palmpads and other x10 wireless stuff.
I'm probably going to move to IP (on 802.11) wherever I can (lots of $$$).
Mitch
Dave Houston wrote:
> A standard lamp module or switch will dim in 6% steps using any of the
> computer controlled X-10 interfaces.
>
> The LM14A and several Leviton switches will respond to extended commands -
> 64 dim levels which can be set directly.
>
> Many of the SmartHome modules and switches will respond to preset dim
> commands - 32 dim levels which can be set directly. (I've had problems with
> these.)
>
> I think the CM11A is stable. The CM15A hardware is excellent but X-10 is
> still screwing with the firmware and software. I'm not sure what you mean by
> 1138U - if it's the SmartHome interface, my personal experience with their
> products has been poor. Most of those who say nice things about them have a
> financial interest in saying nice things about them so I give them little
> credence.
>
> If you have software that can control the CM11A in response to IR commands,
> this might be the best way to go.
>
> Or, you might consider the IR543AH. You can buy it for about $60 from
> Baran-Harper. It can handle preset and extended dims but you will need a
> programmable remote (e.g. Pronto, Home Theater Master, PDA) to send the
> needed codes. I think it does 6% steps for standard dims but I may be
> mis-remembering. Most IR remotes can send the standard codes.
>
> Scenes are a function of the lamp module or switch not of the controller.
> The LM14A and many Leviton switches have scene capability. PCS switches and
> most of the SmartHome modules and switches also do scenes. Details vary.
> This app note explains things briefly (if you follow all of the embedded
> links).
>
> http://www.mbx-usa.com/compare.htm
>
>
> MikyMike <abcdef70@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>
>>Thanks Dave for your great explanation.
>>
>>I'm a little bit disapointed by X10 product. At least the ones that I
>>have.
>>
>>It appears that using a remote is not the best way to go about it, so
>>i wonder, if i use only the computer to control the lights will I be
>>able to have proper dimming.
>>
>>I don't need a huge range (distance) because everything is in the same
>>room - light, remote, computer, and so on... it's for a home theater
>>room.
>>
>>If I can use the computer to control the lights with a decent dimming
>>effect (at least 6% dimming is already better than 12% or 18%...) it
>>will be ok for me. I can forget about controlling by remote using
>>RF...
>>
>>My computer is used as a personal video recorder, and have an IR
>>remote control for the playback/record part... maybe I could map a
>>couple of buttons to dim and raise lights, and simply use the computer
>>to send dim/raise to the lights, instead of using RF remote and with
>>RF receiver...
>>
>>I don`t need an exhaustive control of X10, I usually use the following
>>levels of light:
>>
>>100%, and 0% (ON,OFF)
>>70% and 30%, to create ambiance lightning...
>>
>>If scene dimming gives a better feel, maybe I could preset some
>>dimming scenes, like "dim to70%" or "to 30%", map a button for each
>>dimming preset, then simply tell the CM11A or any other controller to
>>execute these presets...
>>
>>
>>Do you know the dimming step (percents) and dimming scene capabilities
>>of the CM11A, CM15A, 1138U and so on???
>>
>>Which one is best??
>>_____________________________
>>
>>On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 12:11:37 GMT, nobody@whocares.com (Dave Houston)
>>wrote:
>>
>>
>>>The TM751 has a minimum dim step of 12%. The RR501 has a minimum step of
>>>12-18%. The CM15A has a minimum step of 12%. The Leviton HCPRF has a minimum
>>>step of 12%. These are independent of the remote (except for the extra 6%
>>>step of the RR501).
>>>
>>>Most X-10 remotes and other X-10 RF transmitters send a minimum of five
>>>copies of the RF code. The SH624 and some of the universal remotes can send
>>>single copies if you press/release the button quickly. However, all of the
>>>transceivers will still send a 12% dim to the powerline even with a single
>>>RF copy.
>>>
>>>I made this a user setting (6% or 12%) with the BX24-AHT (no longer
>>>available). Dan Lanciani has implied that his replacement PIC for the RR501
>>>uses 6% steps but I don't recall seeing this stated explicitly. I don't
>>>think it's worthwhile to replace the RR501 PIC as it will still have poor RF
>>>range.
>>>
>>>There is no way to get less than 6% steps using standard dims. You can get
>>>~3% (1/32) steps using preset dims, or ~1.5% (1/64) but no X-10 remotes send
>>>these codes as RF and no standard X-10 transceivers respond to them. I did
>>>include these in the BX24-AHT but it required a programmable remote (e.g.
>>>Pronto) although, since the BX24-AHT allowed users to redefine the response
>>>to RF codes, it was possible to have it send preset or extended dims in
>>>response to a standard RF code.
>>>
>>>I am hoping to build all of the features of the BX24-AHT into a plug'n'play
>>>daughterboard that replaces the microcontroller in the CM15A but I'm still
>>>trying to decide on the PIC to use. The PIC18F252 looks good for a serial
>>>version and the PIC18F2550 is now shipping for USB but both need a crystal
>>>or resonator for the oscillator and, given that I want to avoid any
>>>soldering for the user, space is extremely limited. The PIC18F2620 has an
>>>internal oscillator (and more memory) but there's no USB equivalent.
>>>
>>>MikyMike <abcdef70@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>>I've tried with a UR19 remote, i've tried with a palmpad, I've also
>>>>tried with the firecracker interface (from the spec, it's supposed to
>>>>dim the light by 5% increment).
>>>>
>>>>Whatever the remote i use, i always got the same thing, i can
>>>>dim/bright the light from 100% to 0% in 7 step, no mather the speed
>>>>pushing button. If i push the button once, the change in the dim is
>>>>really big.
>>>>
>>>>I'm not sure to understand what you mean by RF repetitions.. And i'm
>>>>still not sure of what i must do to have a proper dimming control.
>>>>I've think to use the computer only to control the light, if it's the
>>>>only solution to have a decent dimming control, but it's surely not
>>>>with the firecracker interface...
>>>>
>>>>Can you specify what i must use, to have a proper control of the
>>>>dimming?
>>>>
>>>>thank-you.
>>>>
>>>>On Wed, 19 Jan 2005 07:34:52 GMT, Charles Sullivan
>>>><cwsulliv@triad.rr.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>On Tue, 18 Jan 2005 01:54:24 -0500, MikyMike wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Hi,
>>>>>>which Wireless Transceiver Module is more reliable than the TM751?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I have some problem with the tm751, when i dim light using remote
>>>>>>control, the light dim in big step.. i can dim it in 7 or 8...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I`m pretty sure it must be the poor TM751 design...
>>>>>
>>>>>You're putting _all_ the blame on the wrong horse - the
>>>>>problem is equally likely due to your remote.
>>>>>
>>>>>There are two factors at play here:
>>>>>
>>>>>1. Different remotes send a different minimum number of RF
>>>>>signal repetitions with the quickest possible tap on the
>>>>>button. Newer PalmPads and the UR81A Universal Remote
>>>>>send a minimum of 6 RF repetitions.
>>>>>
>>>>>Very old PalmPads and the X10 SS13A "Stick-a-Switch" can
>>>>>send as few as one. The Firecracker dongle always
>>>>>sends a minimum of 5 RF repetitions.
>>>>>
>>>>>2. Different transceivers accept different
>>>>>numbers of RF repetitions before they
>>>>>transmit the next higher level of Dims over
>>>>>the power line.
>>>>>
>>>>>Here's some data I measured with a SS13A:
>>>>>
>>>>> Dim level sent by
>>>>>RF transceiver (percent)
>>>>>Repeats RR501 CM15A TM751*
>>>>>------- ----- ----- -----
>>>>>1 6% 6% 12%
>>>>>2 6 12 12
>>>>>3 6 12 12
>>>>>4 12 15 12
>>>>>5 12 18 12
>>>>>6 17 22 12 <===
>>>>>7 22 25 12
>>>>>8 22 28 24
>>>>>9 27 30 24
>>>>>10 27 34 24
>>>>>14 - - 24
>>>>>15 - - 36
>>>>>
>>>>>(*) The TM751 sends out one 12% dim for every
>>>>>so many repeats or fraction thereof - at least the
>>>>>unit I have in hand right now labeled P10485B.
>>>>>
>>>>>So if you're using a PalmPad (6 repeats minimum),
>>>>>the first step will be worse with a RR501 (17%)
>>>>>or CM15A (22%), than with a TM751 (12%).
>>>>>However holding down the PalmPad button for
>>>>>appropriately longer times can give you smaller
>>>>>subsequent steps with a RR501 or CM15A.
>>>>>
>>>>>(The RF repetitions were counted by observing
>>>>>the raw output of an X10 MR26A receiver
>>>>>connected to a serial port. The dims were
>>>>>monitored with a CM11A.)
>>>>>
>>>>>Regards,
>>>>>Charles Sullivan
>>>>>
>>>
>
>