I have purchased the homeautomation.net PCS switch, maxicontroller and IR 5423 combo kit (along with a 2nd switch and a lamp switch)and need some help.

How do I program the scene? is there a web page, FAQ or manual? Also does anyone know if the scenemaster software on the PCS home page works with the USB linc?

On the PCS site, under "manuals" are some programming guides and other information.

[Link: pcslighting.com]

By all means, program by computer if you can. Manual programming at the switch is a pain in the rear.

I don't think you can use USB, but I'm not sure. I use serial. Since I use the same port for programming my Pronto, Ocelot, APC UPS, and PCS switches, I simply have an extention cable out of my serial port and plug in whichever one I am working with.

Deane

Programming isn't difficult but it isn't exactly intuitive.

Have you been able to set the primary address on the PCS switches? If not, learn to do that first.

For the PCS switch to do scenes you need to set the scene addresses (or use the default), enable the scene enable setting, then teach the switch the scene.

There have been some more detailed thread here on programming the PCS switches so look back for those. Also get the PCS manuals as Deane recommended. I always use the flow chart on the second page of the Quick Progreamming Guide when I'm programming my switches.

One thing that might not be clear in the manuals is that the All Lights On (ALO) button is used as an "Enter" key during programming. You'll also use three ALO's (i.e. ALO, ALO, ALO) to exit from the programming mode.

After checking these resrouces come back here with any specific questions or problems you are having and we'll get you back on track.

To jump in on this discussion, im in need of this same advice. I have entered the main addresses and have used a computer to set up the scenes. My question is how to I activate the scene. What I'm finding is that if my lights are on and I enter a scene it doesnt change to the desired level If the lights are of and I activate a scene then it preforms fine. Is this just the way the switches are or am I doing something wrong.

The scene will work find regardless of the light's current status.

As an example, say you have a switch with a primary address of A1 and a scene address of H1. Send H1 Hon and it'll ramp towards the scene's preset intensity at the scene's preset ramp ramp. If the scene calls for 50% intensity and the light is currently off then it will ramp up to 50%. If the light is currently at 80% then it would ramp down to 50%.

One check you can make is to send just the scene address (without the on) while watching the switch. The red LED on the switch should momentarily flash green indiciating that it is receiving a valid X10 signal for which it is programmed to respond. If you get an red flash then the switch isn't recognising the scene address. If you don't get a flash at all then the switch isn't getting the command at all.

Another test is to send the scene address followed by the off command. i.e. H1 Hoff. Any switch programmed to respond to H1 as a scene address should ramp to off at each switch's applicable ramp rate for that scene.

What may be happening is that when the light is on the noise level is slightly higher and it's just enough higher to prevent the switch from hearing the scene address. If that's the case then you won't get any flash at all when doing the test I described above. If that's the case then lower the receive level (Mode 5, Option 9 I think) and see if that clears it up. If it does, it's definately a noise/signal strength problem and you can take some measures to address that.

One additional item I don't think I saw covered. If you are setting up scenes at the switch you can only set address and ramp rate at the switch. You must follow up by setting the lights intensity. You do this by manually dim or brighten to desired level and then send scene address 8 time followed by "all lights on" to lock in intensity. The PCS manuals leave a lot to be desired, but once you get through one it's fairly easy. Also here is a link to their more detailed manual:
[Link: pcslighting.com]

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com