Messages

1

Installation issues / Re: Issue with PLCBUS

« on: January 09, 2011, 11:32:09 pm »

I tried putting an incandescent (normal) light globe into one of the circuits on the weekend.  As suspected it didn't flicker but suprisingly all the CFL's which were in the same series (connected to the same module) also stopped flickering.  I mentioned this to the electrician and he said that the standard globe was acting as a filter.  He thinks that he may be able to remedy my problem by putting a capacitor into each of the series of lights after each of the modules.  With that out of the way I can then get on with setting up the LinuxMCE.

2

Installation issues / Re: Issue with PLCBUS

« on: January 06, 2011, 11:14:07 pm »

Not controlling it with any software for now.  I originally programmed the modules addresses and dim rates to 100% at 0 secs (because I'm using non dimmable CFL's until compatible dimmable CFL's are available).  I'm just controlling the lights using the wallplate switches and the lights flicker.  Can't determine whether the problem is coming from the powerline, something within the internal circuit (it's a new empty house with only a computer plugged into the power circuit) or if the modules themselves are the problem.  I will try using an incandescent light to see if it also flickers which I expect it won't.

3

Installation issues / Re: Issue with PLCBUS

« on: January 05, 2011, 03:17:04 am »

I had the same problem when I first set it up. I had the 1411 attached to the core which is under the house on its own circuit. I moved it to the MD in the same room as where I installed the crystal switch and it had no problem. Still on different circuits (one on the powerpoint circuit, one on the lighting circuit) but obviously didn't like our house wiring. We are single phase in Australia (Sydney).

Try connecting your 1411 to the power points in the same room as the light you are setting and see if it helps. I guess you could plug it into your light circuit as well with a light socket adapter...

I might try and set mine up again over the next few weeks. I have left it for a while as it was flickering teh lights at one point and I didn't have time to look into it so it got unplugged.... If I do, I will double check that the wiki page is up to date and the ruby code still works ( when I last used it I had 7.10)

regards
Darren

Just wanted to give an update that I finally got the modules programmed.  The different circuit issue didn't come into it, the problem was with a couple of the modules.  All the other modules that the electrician installed worked fine.  The two faulty modules were two load ones and were only one of the loads in each.  I do have a problem now with the lights flickering.  They are all CFL's and it seems to be constant, although at times it fluctuates between better and worse.  I don't think it is a signal on the powerline carrier, and I live on the city fringe away from industry.  The electrician believes the disturbance is coming from the modules themselves.  The lamps that I am using are Philips Tornado.  Any one had the same problem?

Flossytots welcome,
it would be great if you would add yourself to list of Australian user setups:
http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Category:Australian_Setups

Cheers,
Valent.

Done

4

Installation issues / Re: Issue with PLCBUS

« on: December 15, 2010, 12:56:14 am »

I had the same problem when I first set it up. I had the 1411 attached to the core which is under the house on its own circuit. I moved it to the MD in the same room as where I installed the crystal switch and it had no problem. Still on different circuits (one on the powerpoint circuit, one on the lighting circuit) but obviously didn't like our house wiring. We are single phase in Australia (Sydney).

Try connecting your 1411 to the power points in the same room as the light you are setting and see if it helps. I guess you could plug it into your light circuit as well with a light socket adapter...

I might try and set mine up again over the next few weeks. I have left it for a while as it was flickering teh lights at one point and I didn't have time to look into it so it got unplugged.... If I do, I will double check that the wiki page is up to date and the ruby code still works ( when I last used it I had 7.10)

regards
Darren

Hi Darren,
Thanks for the info, never heard of a light socket adaptor (sounds a bit dangerous) but I will try, and it's only temporary for programming.  So if that does work, and I can program my modules then I will still have issues trying to send signals to the modules.  Looks like I will need to get an RF transmitter to send my signals then?
Do you have any of those 2 load modules?  They only have one reset button, so I'm not sure how I can access the 2nd house code address to change.  Do you know how it's done?
Thanks

5

Installation issues / Re: Issue with PLCBUS

« on: December 14, 2010, 01:22:25 am »

Thanks for the quick response Hari.
I was a bit confused as I thought that was only to be used for 3 phase connections, whereas we are single phase, only a number of circuits.  Should I also be setting the software up for 3 phase also, or keep that at single?
Thanks again

6

Installation issues / Re: Issue with PLCBUS

« on: December 14, 2010, 12:44:34 am »

Hi Bongowongo,
I'm using this program http://x10-hk.com/store/download/PLCBUSUniversalController-v0.50withOCX.zipwhich was written by Kevin Lo in VB6 (I want to get it set up in the windows environment before I even think to tackle in Linux).
According to all the docs, you can choose a house code in the range A-P and 1-16 (256 codes).
So it seems that I am doing the correct steps for the code and the interface is buzzing when I send a command, so that is also good.  The problem now is that when I send an ON or OFF command to the address, the lights themselves won't respond and the software won't acknowledge ('ACK' go green).
Is it because my PC is on the power circuit, whereas the lights are on the lights circuit?  Can the PLCBus signals communicate across circuits?  Anyone from Australia had the same problem?
Thanks

7

Installation issues / Re: Issue with PLCBUS

« on: December 13, 2010, 02:37:12 am »

Hi everyone,
To start I'm a complete home automation newbie, however have been researching the topic for a long time.  My husband and I are just finishing building a new house and I decided to try the PLCBus system on all the lights, so I bought a number of micro modules from 10hk.com and got them installed by the electrician when he was wiring the lights along with momentary switches.  Pretty much all light circuits are covered by a micro module, and all the lights are cfl's.  I bought the dimmable modules, but as there is no recommended dimmable cfl's to use with these, I decided to first use standard non dimmable cfl's and program the modules to dim at 100% over 0 seconds (and then program again at a later stage when the dimmable become available).

The modules I purchased were both the 1 load 2263D and 2 load 2264D dimmable lamp modules.  Kevin also included the 1141 interface for me to program the modules preset dim rate and then send back to him.  I've loaded the current software that Kevin has developed in VB6.

I have a few issues and questions with the set up which I don't quite understand:

I believe that I have set up the interface correctly to the computer, and have the correct COM port open and ready to go.

I want to program one of the 1 load modules to be address H1.  So to do this I tried:

1. Entered H1 into the ‘New\Scenes Address’ House and Unit Code section

2. Pressed and held the reset button on the module for 5 secs until the LED lights

3. Pressed the ‘Main Address Setup’ button.

The ‘ACK’ did not turn green.  Is it supposed to?  The interface makes a noise when I do send the commands which is promising.
I then wanted to try and set the preset dim rate on the module.  So this is what I tried:

1.  Entered H1 into the ‘Basic Command’ House and Unit Code

2.  In the ‘Dimming Control’ section I entered ‘Bright Level’ to 100

3.  In the ‘Dimming Control’ section I entered ‘Fade Rate (Secs)’ to 0

4.  Pressed and held the reset button on the module for 5 secs until the LED lights

5.  Pressed the ‘Preset Dim’ button.

The ‘ACK’ did not turn green.  Is it supposed to?

I did have another couple of questions also:
Our lights are on a separate circuit to the power, all single phase, how does the 1141 plugged into the power circuit talk to the micro module on the light circuit, do I need a bridge of some sort?  Or should I be doing it all with an RF transmitter?

 

How to program 2 load modules?  There is only one reset button how do I program the second address?

Any tips or advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks