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XTension Discussion
My Switchlinc V1 saga continues
In this chapter I have learned that doing my tax return is more fun
than fighting these Switchlincs.
On the positive side, I am getting fairly comfortable with Applescript
due to all my programming of these switchlincs.
On the negative, it seems that in the spring and fall, my switchlincs
behave badly and come on in response to noise or something. I have
just written an audit that will rotate through the switches and query
their state. This comes back as a preset dim with the value of
brightness. I compare it to what XTension thinks it should be and then
reset all the switchlinc lights if I find one out of spec.
I could just reset them all to their values but I have some signal
integrity issues and their current state changes made locally at the
switch are not always received by XTension. This means an overwrite
strategy would turn off lights people had just turned on.
Unfortunately, I think my query commands cause the lights to misbehave
even more, so, it causes AND fixes the problem. Oh well, more
Applescript learned.
Today I got a new shipment of X-10 signal filters and I got out my Elk
signal meter to try and work on my signal integrity issues. I whipped
up a little "test" scheduled event that turned off a light every 10
seconds; that way I could run around the house and look at the signal
strength. I was unplugging things to find the source of a .2v signal
when I normally get 1Volt. To my surprise a new culprit : A Costco
purchased "Royal 80x crosscut paper shredder" ! It sucks the signal
even when turned off but plugged in. Go check your paper shredders
everyone.
I have a switchlinc on a bathroom light bar with just incandescent
bulbs. If it is full on, it becomes a .2V signal noise source. If it
is dimmed a couple of steps then it is quiet. Still need to figure
this one out?
I have a couple of outlets that read extremely weak signal. Still a
puzzle. Is a wired in smoke detector a suspect?
I think I may try to add another CM-11 to the other phase to see what
happens. I have a Leviton HCA-02 repeater now that I think is working
but what the heck.
Or maybe finishing my taxes would be more fun this weekend:-)
Steve Hume
than fighting these Switchlincs.
On the positive side, I am getting fairly comfortable with Applescript
due to all my programming of these switchlincs.
On the negative, it seems that in the spring and fall, my switchlincs
behave badly and come on in response to noise or something. I have
just written an audit that will rotate through the switches and query
their state. This comes back as a preset dim with the value of
brightness. I compare it to what XTension thinks it should be and then
reset all the switchlinc lights if I find one out of spec.
I could just reset them all to their values but I have some signal
integrity issues and their current state changes made locally at the
switch are not always received by XTension. This means an overwrite
strategy would turn off lights people had just turned on.
Unfortunately, I think my query commands cause the lights to misbehave
even more, so, it causes AND fixes the problem. Oh well, more
Applescript learned.
Today I got a new shipment of X-10 signal filters and I got out my Elk
signal meter to try and work on my signal integrity issues. I whipped
up a little "test" scheduled event that turned off a light every 10
seconds; that way I could run around the house and look at the signal
strength. I was unplugging things to find the source of a .2v signal
when I normally get 1Volt. To my surprise a new culprit : A Costco
purchased "Royal 80x crosscut paper shredder" ! It sucks the signal
even when turned off but plugged in. Go check your paper shredders
everyone.
I have a switchlinc on a bathroom light bar with just incandescent
bulbs. If it is full on, it becomes a .2V signal noise source. If it
is dimmed a couple of steps then it is quiet. Still need to figure
this one out?
I have a couple of outlets that read extremely weak signal. Still a
puzzle. Is a wired in smoke detector a suspect?
I think I may try to add another CM-11 to the other phase to see what
happens. I have a Leviton HCA-02 repeater now that I think is working
but what the heck.
Or maybe finishing my taxes would be more fun this weekend:-)
Steve Hume
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