Guys, help me out if you can. 2 questions...

1. I have a basic system set up right now with IR543, and some wall switches and modules. I recently received the CM11a and for the most part it works. Pretty cool product. However, I set up a macro on A5 for instance. It works fine when I control it with the computer. The macro also works when I use my mx-500 remote when the pc is hooked up to it. The problem is when I disconnect the CM11a from the PC altogether. The macro no longer works from the remote. I'm assuming the IR543 should send the A5 command to the plugged in CM11A and then the CM11A should execute the macro. But nothing happens unless the PC is hooked up to it. I made sure to download the macro from PC to cm11a but nothing. Anyone know what's up?

2. Also, I have basic wall switches controlling outside lights. Well, every now and then I'll go outside and the dam lights will be on for no reason without me turning them on. What's this all about? what can I do to fix?

thanks for this great thread and the knowledgable, helpful people on it. i think I'm becoming an x-10 junkie.

I guess if you search long enough you'll eventually find the answers. I read by changing to "Fast macro" that will work and it did. CM11a works well. Slower response time than I would have liked but still OK.

Still not sure about why the lights sometimes go on by themselves. Anybody have this experience or a quick fix for it?

That one is pretty tough to troubleshoot without more information.

Typically this type of thing is caused by noise on the line.

Martin
Martin@AutomatedOutlet.com

Not sure what info I can give that would help. The 2 switches that control the outside lights are basic. One is the WS467 and the other is the similar Radio shack brand. There is a 3rd switch on the same panel but it is not x-10 and it controls my foyer lights. I have the CM11a plugged in downstairs and the outside lights set to go on for about 4 hours in the evening. That seems to be working fine. But, I do sometimes find the lights on at different times of the day when they shouldn't be. Not sure where the noise could be coming from or if that's even the issue. I guess I'll have to do some trial and error.

sorry to ask this again but can someone offer any assistance to the erratic behavior for my outside lights. I'm trying to read through threads but I'm getting confused. They offer things like couplers/repeaters, noise filters, boosterlincs, etc. I'm not sure what I should try first. I'd rather not spend that much to fix this problem since I only have a few modules and switches in my entire system.

is it possible that someone is hitting the switch? are the switches toggle switches, meaning that up is on and down is off, or are they the push button type?

I would first try using a different housecode AND number to control it and see if the mystery on goes away.
If that doesn't cure it , I would next unplug the cm11a for a couple of days to see if it is being sent from it.
Then, I would look real close at the software (Active Home,marginal at best). Make sure you do not have the "security" feature enabled as it does turn lights on at random times to make you house look lived in.
Try these and let me know how it goes....

This message was edited by dad628 on 04/14/04 20:43.

vincent...push button type. nobody else is touching it. I told my fiancee not to go near it.

troubleshooting x10 can be a pain. I agree that you should first change housecodes, then also from your activehome menu with the cm11a plugged in to your computer--go to tools, find other computers--and clear or reset this function. if a housecode change stops your problem then you can check this "find other computers" which should be labeled "find other x10 users" to see if someone is infact using this housecode.

if that doesn't clear it up, you might also try changing brand of lightbulbs. cheap x10 switches with 2 wires (usually black and blue or red) bleed power thru the bulb filament to complete the circuit to "listen" for an x10 signal. I've heard that some incandescent filaments can be rather nasty and cause problematic switch behavior

if the problem still persists, you probably should consider using a more expensive switch, one with not only a hot wire (black) and a load hot wire to the bulb (blue or red) but also a white neutral wire (if your switch box has white (neutral) wires in the box). these switches complete the x10 circuit without having to go thru the bulb filament to neutral. this may help the most.

if that doesn't do it, then I would check for noisy applications on this circuit (roof mounted ventilator fans set on thermostat, etc and if there is one, perhaps an inline-noise block may solve your problem.