mcrean Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I have been looking around and can't come up with an answer. I have an alarm system that transmits X10 commands for certain states. Anywhere from disarming to a door opening. Needless to say I have extensively incorporated it into my isy programming. It is the only X10 device I have left and it is going to stay. The communication, however is less than satisfactory lately. I am thinking of getting a EZX10RF to convert the X10 commands to Insteon at the source of the X10 signals, since the Alarm system and isy PLM are on opposite sides of the house. Any objections to using the EZX10RF? Thanks
RAldridge Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Michael, EZX10RF picks up RF signals. Does your alarm system transmit over the powerline or by RF? Ruben
mcrean Posted December 22, 2008 Author Posted December 22, 2008 It uses Powerline. I got the impression it converts both. Is there a product I can use if this one does not convert over Powerline?
RAldridge Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I wish there was. I translate X-10 commands from my Stargate to Insteon using the ISY. But I do three things to help. I place the X-10 commands (with the XTBIIR by Jeff Volp http://jeffvolp.home.att.net/xtb_files.htm), the PLM, and the Access Points right next to the electrical panel.
mcrean Posted December 22, 2008 Author Posted December 22, 2008 Thanks for the replies. My PLM is 1' from the panel and I have no Access points. I have not needed them, yet... Here is the manual for the EZX10RF. It states that it converts powerline signals also. Has anyone tried this? http://www.simplehomenet.com/Downloads/ ... -start.pdf
Stowaway Posted December 27, 2008 Posted December 27, 2008 Thanks for the replies. My PLM is 1' from the panel and I have no Access points. I have not needed them, yet... Here is the manual for the EZX10RF. It states that it converts powerline signals also. Has anyone tried this? http://www.simplehomenet.com/Downloads/ ... -start.pdf Yes, the EZX10RF does receive RF or Powerline X10 signals and resend them as Insteon signals if programmed to do so. I use the EZX10RF to receive Eagle Eye motion Sensor RF signals and rebroadcast them via the Powerline to trigger Insteon programs which I have set up with the ISY. (I do not use the EZX10RF to convert X10 to Insteon, only to rebroadcast X10 signals.) It sounds to me like your problem is signal strength and you need to focus on how to improve the signal transmission from your alarm system. Since you said you do not have access points, how do you get your X10 signals to cross over the electrical phases of your house wiring? It is also well documented that some Insteon devices can attenuate or absorb and reduce the strength of X10 signals. You may need to call SH to determine how to increase the power of your alarm system's X10 signals.
rhughes Posted December 27, 2008 Posted December 27, 2008 Since you said you do not have access points, how do you get your X10 signals to cross over the electrical phases of your house wiring? Just an FYI, access points do not pass X10 signals between each other. To bridge X10 signals on the power line, you would need some sort of hard wired X10 compatible coupler. SmartHome sells some that plug into the clothes dryer outlet. Randy
someguy Posted December 27, 2008 Posted December 27, 2008 a word of caution to you. the newer software/firmware in the EZX10RF's is not yet compatible with the ISY. I'm sure the ISY will catchup to the new EZ software/firmware sometime soon though.
RAldridge Posted December 28, 2008 Posted December 28, 2008 It uses Powerline. I got the impression it converts both. Is there a product I can use if this one does not convert over Powerline? My mistake. You are right. I did not know that SimpleHomeNet added the powerline feature earlier this year. Another option: Is there a way, in your setup, to get the X-10 powerline signals closer to the PLM? I ran a flat telephone cord from my Stargate to an outlet next to the PLM and the electical panel.
mcrean Posted December 29, 2008 Author Posted December 29, 2008 There are ways to get the x10 closer to the ISY, not hard. I am tired of the X10 thing popping up every couple months and I figure this was an option. Thank you for the replies though, I like to hear er.. read what others think. Yes, I have a repeater behind the dryer, the one cool thing is the LEDs showing me the signal transfer and noise. I found a noisy cell phone charger that way. Coupling phases for the Insteon signals has not been necessary yet, it works 99%. I have a 220v Air conditioner that has a control transformer running in it that I think is bridging the phases. Did you know I once found a CF ballast throwing noise on the line just from the 5v the X10 module puts out to detect for local control (when the module is off)? That took a while to find!
mcrean Posted December 29, 2008 Author Posted December 29, 2008 I have moved the alarm module piggy backing the PLM. It still does not see the X10 signals very well. I ruled out the alarm module by connecting an X10 appliance module in the house and the alarm controls it 100%. I also unplugged the X10 repeater. This seems to have started since I upgraded to 2.6.9. The log shows many missed X10 signals. Could it be the PLM?
mcrean Posted December 29, 2008 Author Posted December 29, 2008 The alarm module being too close to the PLM made the PLM not see any X10 signals from the alarm module. I moved it to a different outlet and it seems much better. We will see.
RAldridge Posted December 29, 2008 Posted December 29, 2008 The alarm module being too close to the PLM made the PLM not see any X10 signals from the alarm module. I moved it to a different outlet and it seems much better. We will see. I had a similar issue until I changed out the PLM. When I moved the old PLM away from the X-10 interface at the electrical panel, it read the X-10 much better. But when I needed the old PLM to transmit X-10, it had trouble reaching the X-10 interface. The new PLM is right next to the X-10 interface at the electrical panel and has been working fine... in both directions.
mcrean Posted January 1, 2009 Author Posted January 1, 2009 I emailed Smarthome and they suggested I factory reset the PLM. How do I do that? Is it possible?
ulrick65 Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 I emailed Smarthome and they suggested I factory reset the PLM. How do I do that? Is it possible? Uplug it, wait 10 seconds...hold in the set button while you plug it back in. Wait 10 seconds and release the set button. Of course you will have to restore the PLM from ISY if you do that...I am guessing you already know that.
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