CM15a reliablity

[Joe Bfstplk]

CM14a had a lot of problems ( overheating, lockups, and demonic
possession ). Is the CM15a any more reliable, or do the same problems exist
?

[Joe Bfstplk]

Sorry...I meant to say the CM11a had reliability problems



"Joe Bfstplk" <bfstplk@insightbb.com> wrote in message
news:bxt9f.497862$x96.395430@attbi_s72...
> CM14a had a lot of problems ( overheating, lockups, and demonic
> possession ). Is the CM15a any more reliable, or do the same problems
exist
> ?
>
>

[Hooper]

90 percent of the problems with the CM11A are the fault of the
software.

With the CM15A, 90 percent of the problems are the fault of
the software. The other 90 percent are due to the hardware. :-)

On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 19:03:41 +0000, Joe Bfstplk wrote:

> Sorry...I meant to say the CM11a had reliability problems
>
>
>
> "Joe Bfstplk" <bfstplk@insightbb.com> wrote in message
> news:bxt9f.497862$x96.395430@attbi_s72...
>> CM14a had a lot of problems ( overheating, lockups, and demonic
>> possession ). Is the CM15a any more reliable, or do the same problems
> exist
>> ?
>>
>>

[Dave Houston]

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/6b1ba0cd1050658a/683aab3fb0577048?lnk=st&q=cm11a+schematic+galvin+group:comp.home.automatio n&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@insightbb.com> wrote:

>Sorry...I meant to say the CM11a had reliability problems
>
>"Joe Bfstplk" <bfstplk@insightbb.com> wrote in message
>news:bxt9f.497862$x96.395430@attbi_s72...
>> CM14a had a lot of problems ( overheating, lockups, and demonic
>> possession ). Is the CM15a any more reliable, or do the same problems
>> exist?

[Joe Bfstplk]

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@whocares.com> wrote in message
news:4368ace0.47483359@nntp.fuse.net...
> 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@insightbb.com> wrote:
>
> >Sorry...I meant to say the CM11a had reliability problems
> >
> >"Joe Bfstplk" <bfstplk@insightbb.com> wrote in message
> >news:bxt9f.497862$x96.395430@attbi_s72...
> >> CM14a had a lot of problems ( overheating, lockups, and demonic
> >> possession ). Is the CM15a any more reliable, or do the same problems
> >> exist?
>

[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@insightbb.com> 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@whocares.com> wrote in message
>news:4368ace0.47483359@nntp.fuse.net...
>> 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@insightbb.com> wrote:
>>
>> >Sorry...I meant to say the CM11a had reliability problems
>> >
>> >"Joe Bfstplk" <bfstplk@insightbb.com> wrote in message
>> >news:bxt9f.497862$x96.395430@attbi_s72...
>> >> CM14a had a lot of problems ( overheating, lockups, and demonic
>> >> possession ). Is the CM15a any more reliable, or do the same problems
>> >> exist?
>>
>