| ECS-L Home Automation and Security Archives |
| Subject: From: Date: | LM14A/CPU-XA problem/fix Mark Gilmore Mon, 04 Oct 1999 05:33:26 -0700 |
-- Mark Gilmore Omnipotence (ECS home automation software) http://www.usit.com/omnip 423-745-0026
| Subject: From: Date: | Applied Digital support Dave Houston Thu, 30 Sep 1999 14:03:19 GMT |
There have been a few questions recently from those who have only recently become acquainted with Applied Digital (maker of the CPU-XA and other HA equipment) about how well they support the CPU-XA. I think the following chronology illustrates their level of support and dedication to the HA market. On Sunday afternoon, I discovered what I thought was a problem with the way the CPU-XA handled the LM14A two-way lamp module. It had been my impression that the new Leviton preset dim functions used the X-10ded(tm) commands and thus should work with the LM14A as well as with the new Leviton switches but I found that the CPU-XA Leviton functions did not work with my LM14A. I sent an e-mail to Dan Smith, the ADI engineer who does the software for the CPU-XA. On Sunday evening he responded, saying that since he was away from the plant, he had forwarded my report to Dan Boone, the president of ADI, who would be back at the plant on Monday after being at the CEDIA show all weekend. On Monday I ran a couple more tests which seemed to confirm that the problem I was seeing was in the CPU-XA's implementation of the X-10ded(tm) commands. I e-mailed reports to Dan Boone, who replied that he would get an LM14A and duplicate my tests. I'm sure he had other things on his plate since he'd been away from the plant for a few days. On Tuesday, I posted a message here seeking confimation that the X-10ded(tm) codes did work with Leviton switches. Karl Denniger confirmed that he was using Dan Lanciani's code (written for the LM14A) to control his Leviton switches. I copied the messages to Dan Boone. Later that day, I had an email from Dan Boone that he thought he had found the cause and was working on a fix. On Wednesday evening, I had an e-mail from Dan Boone that he had a fix that he was sending me. This morning, FedEx delivered a new PIC. I installed it in my CPU-XA which now controls my LM14A's X-10ded(tm) functions. In all, there were three working days between Dan Boone learning of the problem and the shipment of the new PIC. I think that's impressive. I should note that, since the CPU-XA uses a TW523 for X-10, it can only send X-10ded(tm) commands - it cannot receive the X-10ded(tm) status reports from the LM14A (due to TW523 limitations). With the Leviton switches, this is a moot issue as they do not transmit any X-10ded(tm) status reports. --- Dave Houston http://Commander-X.com Thu, 30 Sep 1999 14:03:19 GMT