x10 interface plugin (cm11a)

[DeanONH]

Is there any interest in a bidirectional plugin for the CM15A?

Thx,

Dean

[CollinR]

I would say yes for any automation interface, the better the interface the more I'd like to see it. This is why I put up the xAP / xPL request. IIRC this would by default also provide PSCO4 / CM11a / CM15a bidriectional support as xPL already supports it.

[specter333]

I did find support for the CM15 (newer USB version IIRC with RF) python support however I don't have one to play with.

Hi Collin, where did you find the support for the CM15, I haven't been able to find anything about it by searching the forums. Do you mean as in an EG plugin?

I use a CM15 but I have to have EG trigger another program to send the X10 codes.

Alternately, can EG send command lines? Or run shorcuts as if they were an executable file? With the X10 SDK I can send commands to the CM15 with either of those which would eliminate the need for a plug in.

Thanks again for your help. Rich

Thanks Rich

[CollinR]

I just meant I had seen some code that can send recieve with the cm15a.

Code: Select all

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<EventGhost Version="908">
    <Macro Name="MasterLightsOn" Expanded="True">
        <Event Name="TCP.MasterLightsOn">
        </Event>
        <Action>
            EventGhost.Wait(0.010000000000000011)
        </Action>
        <Action>
            System.Execute(u'C:\\Program Files\\Home Control\\X10com32.EXE', u'f1 off', 3, False, 2, u'')
        </Action>
        <Action>
            EventGhost.Wait(0.010000000000000011)
        </Action>
        <Action>
            System.Execute(u'C:\\Program Files\\Home Control\\X10com32.EXE', u'f1 on', 3, False, 2, u'')
        </Action>
    </Macro>
</EventGhost>

Thats all I do, I would assume it to work with the CM15a in the same way just modify the path.

You do want a plugin however, this would allow for true 2 way controls. You can have x10 RF devices trigger actions on your PC or use your PC's joystick to dim the lights in your living room.

[specter333]

I off course don't understand what's in the code but I don't see the parameters the CM15 uses, so I assume it's not just me but they don't play together. Now that you mention it I have seen code for two way operation but I never really paid any attention to it, just on and off are all I'm worried about.

The CM15 command line interface is ahcmd.exe and the basic commands are,
C:\***\ahcmd.exe sendplc m1 on
C:\***\ahcmd.exe sendplc m1 off
C:\***\ahcmd.exe sendplc m1 dim 70%
C:\***\ahcmd.exe sendplc m1 bright 70%

Of course the m1 is the modules unit and house code and the dim and bright commands can be set to any percentage you choose. The sendplc is send power line command, if you want to send an rf command it's sendrf.

The good news is by seeing how your code entered into EG I was able to figure out the command line option. There is so much EG can do but I need an instruction manual.

One more thing figured out a few hundred to go, thanks again for your help. Rich

[CollinR]

Yes your specific line would look like this.

Code: Select all

System.Execute(u'C:\\Program Files\\Home Control\\ahcmd.exe', u'sendplc m1 on', 3, False, 2, u'')

[specter333]

Ok, that works very well. So one event triggers the macro and it polls the x10 module to see if it's on or off then sends the opposite code. Is that correct? Only thing is sometimes it turns it on then off again at once.

Two questions, EG is now logging my palmpad remote which I don't think it was doing before but it only logs "X10.On" or "X10.Off" but not the unit codes. So with 16 buttons on the keypad I can only make two triggers. Ok that's not a question but a statement. Next one is a question.

I noticed you used TCP for triggers, I think TCP means "Task Create Plugin". How do you create TCP event from other applications, for instance what did you use to trigger this event?

By the way, I made a Desktop Remote from a picture of a palm pad and posted it in the Feature Request forum. Since you do X10 you may want to check it out.

Thanks again. Rich

[CollinR]

Ok, that works very well. So one event triggers the macro and it polls the x10 module to see if it's on or off then sends the opposite code. Is that correct? Only thing is sometimes it turns it on then off again at once.

No polling this is one-way transmit only solution.

Two questions, EG is now logging my palmpad remote which I don't think it was doing before but it only logs "X10.On" or "X10.Off" but not the unit codes. So with 16 buttons on the keypad I can only make two triggers. Ok that's not a question but a statement. Next one is a question.

Something odd is happening with your install, I don't get anything back from the PLC and you shouldn't either. Possibly you have an x10 remote reciever that is picking up RF commands???

I noticed you used TCP for triggers, I think TCP means "Task Create Plugin". How do you create TCP event from other applications, for instance what did you use to trigger this event?

You may need to rethink your EventGhost deployment, I install it on each PC in my home and under every user account on each PC. All posses the network sender and reciever plugins, so they can coordinate actions.

TCP mean the network reciever plugin caught that event. Using the TCP plugin will allow EventGhost to talk PC to PC or user to user on the same PC. You should definately sped some time playing with this.

By the way, I made a Desktop Remote from a picture of a palm pad and posted it in the Feature Request forum. Since you do X10 you may want to check it out.

Thanks again. Rich

Cool I'll do that.

[specter333]

Something odd is happening with your install, I don't get anything back from the PLC and you shouldn't either. Possibly you have an x10 remote reciever that is picking up RF commands???

The Palm Pad is an RF remote, it's not picking up events from the plc in the code. I was just wondering why it was only on or off for every button.

You may need to rethink your EventGhost deployment, I install it on each PC in my home and under every user account on each PC. All posses the network sender and reciever plugins, so they can coordinate actions.

TCP mean the network reciever plugin caught that event. Using the TCP plugin will allow EventGhost to talk PC to PC or user to user on the same PC. You should definately sped some time playing with this.

Ok, I do use the Network Event Sender/Receiver plugins already. My Cm15A is on this computer and my USBUIRT is on another computer. So to control my X10 modules with my remote, which includes lights, powering on my projector and lowering/raising the video screen, everything is sent with this plugin.

Thanks again
Rich