All:

I'm way frustrated. I've installed Active Home 1.41, I've got a new CM11A model interface, I've programmed the timers, and the damned thing doesn't work.

Communications works OK, tests OK, but the timers I've set do NOT work. Manually, everything works fine. But the timers do NOT work. Actually, some do and some don't. But it's random. Things come on when they're supposed to, but don't go off when they're supposed to. Things don't come on when they're supposed to, for reasons I simply don't understand.

One question: The alleged manual for CK11A suggests plugging the COMPUTER into the CM11A unit. I am communicating over the RS232 interface on Com1. Even though that should be sufficient, is it required to plug the computer into the CM11A?

This appears to me to be way, WAY buggy.

Thanks for whatever advice you can give.

The CM11A has a problem if you leave the comm cable attached to the CM11A but NOT attached to the computer. The result is the internal clock will randomally jump to some other time (and place). The fix is to either leave the CM11A plugged into the computer at all times *OR* disconnect the comm cable from the CM11A when you've finished downloading the program.

The computer's Com1 cable has been plugged into the CM11A at all times.

Try unplugging the cable from the CM11A when you're not downloading a program.

Uninstall your software, then reinstall it. This has worked for some.

I had the same problem when I first started using Active home. Even though all my switches worked fine with a palm pad or Maxi controller lights would only operate maybe half the time with Active home. The problem turned out to be an older TV was putting noise on the line. After adding a noise suppressor it worked 100 % of the time. At least until last week. Now for some reason it has failed to shut off one light every other time of so. Probaly noise again but without a meter I think I'm going to just live with it. You may want to try unplugging TV's,computers ( after you download to interface) and monitors, stereo equipment and any other appliances you may have and see if the situation inproves.

Larry, you're my hero! Unplugging the cable from the CM11A seems (so far) to have solved my instance of the exact unreliability probs that Bob described.

Cheers!

Neil,

Glad to hear it. I had the same problem with the CM11A and was pulling my hair out until someone made that suggestion.

I found the CM11A's less-than-reliable time keeping to be a bit of an annoyance. You can't beat the cheap price, though. It was enough to let me know that I wanted a more robust programmable controller and I quickly upgraded to the JDS TimeCommander with which I've been quite pleased. I turned around and sold my CM11A (the IBM kit) on eBay for nearly what I'd paid for it so it was a good way to see if I really wanted to spend the money on a better controller.

If I were doing it today, I'd probably go for the Ocelot as it is about a quarter of the price of a TimeCommander w/IR capabilities and is only slightly more limited.