The Warped Code Cellar HOUSE/2 and X-10 FAQ


 * Origin: http://home.att.net/~ASchw
 * Written by: A. Schwarz
 * Date created: 6 Nov 1998
 * Last updated: 16 Jun 1999

HOUSE/2 and HOUSE/290 are OS/2 based home automation programs using X-10 devices.

This is a collection of the most frequently asked questions about HOUSE/2 and the X-10 components. It should provide some good ideas if you want to start your own home automation. If you are already into home automation, then hopefully it will provide some useful hints and tips.

For a more detailed description of what X-10 components are capable of please read: http://home.att.net/~ASchw/x10parts.html

Read this illustrated guide to run HOUSE/2 over a network: http://home.att.net/~ASchw/house2net/h2netw.html

Please note: I'm not in any way connected to any brand names mentioned, nor do I endorse these products. I simply provide software for these devices that may be useful and practical.

X-10 Ground Rules
Definitions:

1. Modules are referred to as X-10 devices that turn your light on/off like the appliance, lamp and wallswitch modules. Modules must be activated by controllers.

2. Controllers are devices which you can use to active modules. Controllers can be the computer interface CM11A or CP290, keychain remote or minicontroller, devices with a number of switches assigned to individual modules.

First of all you have to understand how X-10 works in order to successfully use the devices. X-10 devices communicate through the power lines of your house. In most cases no extra wiring is necessary, just plug the devices in and you can control them from anywhere in the house. The computer interface (CM11A) communicates with the modules through the power lines as well, however, it uses an RS-232 serial line to communicate to your PC.

In order to maintain proper communication between controllers and modules, all devices must be plugged-in directly to the power outlets. Do not plug these devices into surge protectors, line filters or UPS (Uninterruptible Power Sources). That applies to the CM11A computer interface as well. If you do plug the X-10 devices into surge protectors or a UPS, they simply will not work.

The CM11A has a pass-through line connector. You do not have to connect your computer power to that connector for CM11A controller to PC communications.

To make things a bit more interesting, X-10 has also introduced RF devices. These devices are wireless, battery operated and work up to 100 feet (claimed). RF devices are keychain remotes or TM751 and RR501 Transceivers that can receive RF signals and also contain an appliance module. These devices really do not require wiring at all.

1. What components or devices do I have to buy to take fully advantage of HOUSE/2? Where can I buy them?
You need to purchase X-10 or X-10-compatible devices and in particular, you need the model CM11A computer interface made by X-10. You can find a collection of internet links to mail order companies selling X-10 devices in the HOUSE/2 Help. Look for Internet Links in the index. You can also directly go to http://www.x10.com which is the manufacturer of the X-10 devices. You will find the CM11A computer interface in the ActiveHome starter kit. If you like to purchase the CM11A separately, see http://www.asihome.com for information. Note: The price to purchase the CM11A separately may be as much as the ActiveHome kit. With the CM11A computer interface, you will receive software that runs on Windows. You have to register the shareware program HOUSE/2 separately if you use it longer than 30 days.

2. HOUSE/2 causes a Connect Error. The CM11A will not respond to HOUSE/2.
There are several reasons for this problem and none is related directly to HOUSE/2. First, make sure the serial port selected in HOUSE/2 is set to the same as where the CM11A is connected to. Make sure the baud rate is not locked if you use SIO. See the HOUSE/2 Help - Troubleshooting section for details.

Try not to use any serial adapters or extension cords to connect the CM11A. Also, try to use COM1 or COM2 first, before using additional ports like COM3-COM8 if you have one of these multi-serial boards.

Once you have made certain that the connection is proper, then it's most likely that the CM11A is latched-up. Unfortunately it is quite common, fortunately, it can be unlatched quite easily. See UNLATCHING THE CM11A below for doing this. If you have time, call X-10 and let them know about the latch-up, after all it is a problem with the CM11A hardware and not HOUSE/2 or even ActiveHome Windows software. Yes, ActiveHome Windows software has the same problem, I experience this before I even had HOUSE/2 written.

One word about contacting X-10 if you do run into problems with these devices. I recommend that you try out the ActiveHome Windows software to check if the CM11A will respond. If for any reason the ActiveHome Windows software does unlatch the CM11A, then try HOUSE/2, it should work too. If the Windows software still does not work, then you have a much better chance of getting X-10 to help you with the problem, simply because it's their software. If you mention that the CM11A will not work with other software, then it is simply out of their control to help you out. Can't blame them, they don't know this _other_ software.

Check out UNLATCHING THE CM11A below to get the CM11A to talk to the computer.

3. Unlatching the CM11A Controller.
My CM11A latches up on occasion, it simply doesn't respond to the computer whether I use HOUSE/2 or ActiveHome software. The latch-up does not affect controller to module communications, it only affects controller to PC communications. A latch-up can be recognized by getting a "Connect Error" in HOUSE/2. If you try to read the clock, you will get a "CM11A not responding" error. The steps below have always worked for me to "wake up" the CM11A.

1. Use a minicontroller or keychain remote to turn a module on. This will make the CM11A send out a request to the computer indicating that there was an X-10 event.

2. Connect HOUSE/2 (click on the OFFLINE icon in the button bar). Disregard any connect errors.

3. Read the clock (click on the clock icon in the button bar).

4. If the clock is read correctly, the CM11A is unlatched. Disconnect HOUSE/2 and reconnect to clear the connect error.

5. If the clock is not read correctly and you still get a "CM11A not responding" error, then repeat steps 1 through 3 several times. This has always unlatched my controller.

If the error persists, then read the HOUSE/2 Help - Troubleshooting section for additional tests. Also, consider trying out ActiveHome Windows software before you call X-10 to report a defective CM11A.

Lastly, contact me and I will gladly help you out getting HOUSE/2 to work with the CM11A controller.

4. I created events and they don't work at all.
First of all, each event must be enabled (check box in each timer must be checked), then the module must be enabled such that all enabled events will be uploaded (check the Enable Upload box). Make sure the dim level is greater than zero if the module has dim capability. Finally, you must actually upload the events to the interface (click on the Upload icon in the button bar).

5. Dusk, Dawn and Series Creation buttons don't work.
You must select a geographical area first as longitude and latitude data is required to calculate sunrise and sunset times. Go to Configuration - Settings and Location tab to select the city nearest you from the pull-down list.

6. How can I create a printed manual from the HOUSE/2 Help file.
You can download the help file in text format at http://home.att.net~ASchw/house2.html or you can use HyperView, a file viewer that converts OS/2 Help files to text format, among others. HyperView can be found at http://www.bmtmicro.com/catalog/hview.html

7. What is the difference between the CM11A and the CP290 controller?
The CP290 is about 15 years old and apparently still available. The CM11A is about 3 years old. The CP290 can only be pre-programmed one week in advance as the date can not be set inside that controller. The pre-programmed events will then repeat weekly if not changed. HOUSE/290 overcomes this limit with the weekly auto upload feature. The CM11A can be pre-programmed with any date range. The CP290 only reports X-10 events to the PC that originate from the switches on the controller itself or from timed events as they are executed inside the CP290. External X-10 events from transceivers are not detected by the CP290. The CM11A reports back internal and external X-10 events to the PC.

8. What is the difference between the HOUSE/2 and HOUSE/290?
HOUSE/2 is designed for the CM11A controller. HOUSE/290 is designed for the CP290. These programs are separate because of the considerable difference in protocols between the two controllers.

9. Why can't I control the TM751 Transceiver module from HOUSE/2 or HOUSE/290?
The TM751 Transceiver combination appliance module only receives commands from RF devices like a keychain remote or the new FireCracker controller. It does not receive commands from the power line and therefore can't be controlled by the CM11A or CP290. The TM751 does however send out a signal over the power line that it has been turned on/off and status will be displayed inside HOUSE/2 only. The TM751 appliance module is not a two-way so you can't query status from HOUSE/2.

10. Will HOUSE/2 be open source some day?
Do you know of an open source grocery store?

11. How long did it take to publish the first version of HOUSE/2?
Eight months. It was first released early October 1997.