Hi,

I ordered a SwitchLinc Wall Switch from Chris Couture and it has finally arrived (I was amazed how fast the shipping time was). I installed it without any problem, but a question for you guys. I was trying to set the ramp rate remotely, but the manual says I need an X10 Maxi Controller, or similar device. All I have is a IR543, and a Palm Pad. Does it mean I can't do it? I want to set up a ramp rate so the light will go from 0% to 30% in a period of 2 minutes (for HT effect). The local ramp rate is too fast (only up to 9 seconds).

Another problem is when I want to turn on the light through IR543 or the Palm Pad, there is a 90% chance that the SwitchLinc will not respond. It was working fine with my other X10 wall switch. I wonder if I did something wrong to the programming. However, I can press the paddle and it works fine.

Thanks for your help

Simon

I was trying to reset the switch, but it doesn't seem to work. How firm do I need to press the rocker? I'm just gently pressing it, is it enough? Thanks

Simon

I found out now I can turn on/off the switch by using the MT10A timer. However, I can't control it through IR543 nor the Palm Pad Controller. Any ideas? Thanks

Simon

Just some updates. I was finally able to reset the switch to the default (I just wasn't sure I firm I need to press). The switch is set to A1 locally and I am able to control it through Palm Pad no problem. However, I'm still unable to get it to work with the IR543.

Simon

Simon,
You will need to be able to send out a preset dim of 32% if you want a 2-minute delay on the ramp rate. Any device that would send out preset dims could do this. I don’t know if you are using any computer control or if it has the ability so send out preset dims but that would work. You could program in macros to do the resets and the programming sequence. Without being able to send out preset dims, you can still program up to a 9-second delay. I don’t know why the Smartlinc would not respond when the other X-10 switches worked fine. Usually it is the other way around. The Switchlinc’s are much more sensitive that regular X-10 switches. Do you have any surge suppressers in you house? These can sometimes cause problems with Switchlinc’s? Also, Hitachi TV’s are bad about noise. Let me know if you need more help.

Chris

I've been considering ordering a switchlinc wall switch to evaluate but I'm concerned from this thread that I don't have what it would take to program it. Is it true that it's features can't be set on the switch itself? I've got an IR543 with a Pronto sending it codes, several RF switches and a RF transceiver, and Activehome software with it's computer interface. What does it take to set ramp rate, preset dim level, etc..?

Dave

How do I send the "CLEAR" sequence (O16,N16,M16,P16,M16)? Can I use Pronto to accomplish this? It says in the SwitchLinc manual I can't send Housecode and Unit Code with ON or OFF. I think the Pronto can do it since I have all 1 to 16 in my CCF and all I have to do is to switch the Housecode on the IR543 every time I transmit a signal. However, so far I have no such luck. If the SwitchLinc sucessfully received the "CLEAR" signal, will it blink (LED) to let me know the "CLEAR" command has been initiated?

As far as remotely turning on/off the SwitchLinc (currently set to A1), I can now use Palm Pad and the Commander-X software to control it. However, I can't use IR543 to remotely turn SwitchLinc on nor off. What I did was I press "1" on the IR543, then "ON" or "OFF", nothing happens. Right now, the alternative is to use ActiveHome and create a dummy macro (A6) so that when I press A6 ON, then it will turn on A1, or A6 OFF will turn off A1. This works fine but it's weird. I also tried to change SwitchLinc from A1 to A16 just to make sure, but it's the same.

In addition, what are the characteristics of the SwitchLinc, I mean does it respond to ALL LIGHTS ON/OFF, STATUS REQUEST, etc? I need to find out so I can make a profile for this SwitchLinc in the Commander X program.

Thanks for your time.

P.S. In my room where the SwitchLinc is installed, I have 3 surge suppressers and 1 UPS. SwitchLinc and all other devices are working fine, they will respond to any on/off commands. Only SwitchLinc will not respond to IR543 when I press (1+ON/OFF).

Simon

If I do require to get a Maxi Controller for SwitchLinc programming, is it the model SC503 from X10? The SwitchLinc manual is listed #MC40. Just wanted to make sure.

Thanks again

Simon

Dave,
The Switchlinc can easily be programmed from the switch itself. It only requires a sequence to reset it and to program ramp rates more than 9 seconds (can be programmed up to 9 min. with a O16,P16,N16,M16,M16 sequence. As long as you can send out these codes, you will be fine. It’s a lot easier to program with a Maxi-controller or Touchlinc although they are not required.

Simon,
If the IR543 is not working the switch, it is probably not effectively sending a sequence to it. Can you program a few macros in your Active home software to send out the sequences? If so, you could use any type of remote to trigger the sequence. Another suggestion is to unplug all the suppressers and retry the IR543.

The Switchlinc will respond to All light on, All lights off, Status request and preset dims along with on, off and bright and dims.

Chris Couture

Thanks, Chris. Email me with how much you'd charge to mail me one.

Dave

Chris,

I've made a Macro in ActiveHome and set it to A6. Now when I trigger an A6 ON signal, it will then send A1 ON, thus turning on the SwitchLinc. This works fine but I will not be able to use remote dimming because the macro is either on or off. I'll try to plag the IR543 somewhere else and un-hook all the surge suppressers and UPS and try it.

Thanks for your help and I'll let you know. I will probably get a Maxi Controller to play around with it.

Simon

Mystery solved!!! Now A1 from IR543 will work for SwitchLinc. All I needed to do was to move to another wall outlet. Dimming, on and off are now working through A1; the macro from ActiveHome is not needed anymore.

Another question I want to ask, I have ActiveHome, Commander X, IR543; is there any way to send those SwitchLinc sequence with what I have? I can order a Maxi Controller but it will take several days to come in. I can't wait, life is too short!!! Thanks

Simon

Simon,
I don't know if the software you have will do this but if so, can you use it to send out an O16, N16, M16, P16, and M16 to program the ramp rate?

Sorry if I'm short on the replies, I am at home and am trying to get some stuff done. I will be more help on Monday.

Dave,
I can send you one for 68.00 plus 5.00 S&H in the USA. (Sorry about the advertisement but I can't e-mail from home) That is 3 days of less using FedEx. I also have the 1135 slaves in stock. Let me know.

Chris Couture

Chris,

I tried to send out an O16,N16,M16,P16, and M16 from the Commander X program but it doesn't seem to work. I did it couple times from IR543 with Pronto, with no luck. Do I need to press something on the SwitchLinc before I can send the sequence?

Chris, I very much appreciate your help for the last few days. Don't worry about it if you don't have time to respond.

Simon

Simon,

I have never tried to use the IR543 to send the programming sequence. I will try it tonight to see if it is possible and what exactly is happening when you do so. I can see all the X-10 activity and will track the Pronto / IR543 transmissions. I would suggest using a Maxi Controller or Touchlinc to do the programming.
You don’t have to press anything on the switch before you send it information; the sequence is what puts the switch into the programming mode. Let me play around and I will give you some better suggestions later. If you would like and don’t want to buy a Maxi controller, I could send you a one to use and you could return it when you are finished programming the switch. Let me know.

Chris