X10 power line interface to BS2 Question!
I am working on a home automation system for a college EE design project. The idea is to dispense different fragrances depending on a person's mood. The first step was to test the X10 modules I ordered. The power line interface is: PSC04 and is said to be functionally identical to the PL513, which the Stamp reference manual recommends for use with the BS2. I connected this module using the reference manual schematic using RJ11 phone cable. I connected this to the outlet and connected an x10 module with a lamp to the outlet. I used the sample code in the reference manual to see if the x10 module would respond. The appliance does not respond. Also, the x10 modules seem to be in "default-on" mode, meaning the appliance is on when connected to the x10 module. I tried sending an OFF command but no response as well. Also, I tested to see if the BS2 was connecting to the interface module by putting a DEBUG command after it. The reference manual stated that if the BS2 fails to establish contact with the power line interface, the program will stall. After a second or two, the debug message appears. I know it not a wiring quirk of my house as I have tested in two houses. IS the interface module I am using now - the PSC04 - incompatable with the BS2?· Also, the x10 modules I am using are AM486.· Also, has anyone tested the schematic in the referencer manual? Because I did find one error in the command section for ALLOFF.·Any help is greatly appreciated as this project is on a tight deadline.· ·
Erik
Erik
Comments
I believe there's an already existing set of BS2 code to work with the Firecracker, too.
The PLS513 stuff tends to require VERY close timing to get it to work.
Mike
(You can't use a "lamp module" with a C-F-L.· The lamp modules accept dimming codes, but C-F-Ls aren't dimming-compatible.)
One end of my cable is the RJ11 and the other is terminated in a SIP jack.
It works right after the BS2 gets programmed and each time with the reset button.· However, it didn't work from a cold start (BoE slide switch.)· [noparse][[/noparse]Insert Sam Kinison scream here.]
Got it to work right from the get-go by adding a PAUSE at the beginning of the program.
Post Edited (PJ Allen) : 2/27/2009 3:57:08 PM GMT
It's something about using END.· I saw that the PL513's LED was blinking.· So, I said, "A-ha, that's an END, low-power-mode thing."· When I changed that to STOP then there was no further problem and the program as originally posted works right from a cold start.
Post Edit -- Something else: the Z_pin pull-up resistor.· I think that it should be 2K.· I had switched to a 2K before I had my "a-ha moment."· Going back to the 10K made for trouble again.
Post Edited (PJ Allen) : 2/27/2009 8:52:17 PM GMT
Howbeit, I wanted to post that I'm really having a good ol' time with this X10 deal.·
The Stamps' XOUT feature is unique to this product line (SX doesn't have it, neither does the Propeller.)
The required PL513 powerline interfaces are only $20.· The modules (both lamp and appliance) are < $15, good hi-current SSRs cost more than that.· There are packages where they really drive the prices down, too.·
They ship quickly.
As a last ditch attempt to fix the problem, I decided to test if I had the pins reversed, and reversed the connection at the CPU. (Stupid, should have verified the voltages first.) Anyway, with the controller pins reversed, I got solid LED off on the PL513 (which I took for not good right away, and pulled the plugs). Since then, even with the pins reversed back to what I'm fairly certain is correct, the PL513 is pretty much brain dead, as soon as any RJ45 cable ending in a receiver chip it is plugged in the LED goes off, and on examination the box has the all to familiar smell of burnt-IC.
MY real question, though, is this: have you ever seen this issue, in accidentally reversing the P0 & P1 pins on a PL513? If that's the result of screwing up I'm happy to shell out another $20, but if this thing isn't ultimately ever going to work then I don't want to waste any more time on it. Any feedback is appreciated.
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GLOSSERY:
Infinite Loop:
··· See Loop
Loop:
··· See Infinite Loop
Recursion:
····See Recursion
I have a Powerhouse brand PL513, and it has worked fine for me in the past. I gave away the aquarium is was used in and have not yet re-employed it so I can't easily test it ATM. And no I won't hook it up backwards and see if it blows up. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
However, I *think* I have accidently hooked it up backwards. Or at least I'd be suprised if I hadn't. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
I used, IIRC, a 4.7k pullup on mine. I also seem to recall that I had to send the commands more than once to get it to work reliably. They do indeed work, I'm not sure what is going on for you. One thing I found is that running some loads were a problem. For example, the main light for my aquarium (a 500W CF unit) would turn on when commanded, then turn itself back off. I had to use a relay to switch it without problems.
Anyway, as far as I know, the PL513 works with the Stamps.
Jonathan
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www.madlabs.info - Home of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Robot
I haven't hooked any up "backwards".·
I'm working appliance modules, on/off (clunk, clunk.)· I have a lamp module, it on/offs the same, no programming changes, swapping units out,·but I haven't done any dimming with it.
So, to be clear, looking at the bottom of the interface, from left to right, 1 to 4:
1. zero crossing detect
2. common
3. common
4. input from bs2
Thanks for suggestions - if you are still having problems, ill be checking back more often.
PSC04
1. Zero Crossing Detect
2. Zero Crossing Common
3. X10 Common
4. X10 Data Input from OEM
PL513
1. ZERO CROSSING
2. ZERO CROSSING COMMON
3. RX
4. TX
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Shawn Lowe
When all else fails.....procrastinate!
My program works it that way, too.·
The IDE examples in 2.3 and 2.4·list:
That's "counter-intuitive", having·1 then 0.
I would prefer that they'd listed it (as·it is in·2.2):
Perhaps that's the source of the "mis-cue."
·
Post Edit -- The PL513 and the PSC04 are the same; same functions, same pinouts.· Neither the PL513 nor the PSC04·has a RX on its pin_3, that is on the TW-523.·
http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/ademco_plc_wiring.pdf
N.B. -- If anybody is ever looking for a UL-listed zero-crossing detector, that's what the signal on the PL513/PSC04 pin_1 provides.
Post Edited (PJ Allen) : 3/11/2009 1:29:15 AM GMT
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
GLOSSERY:
Infinite Loop:
··· See Loop
Loop:
··· See Infinite Loop
Recursion:
····See Recursion