how to connect & test CTX35

[Edwin2008]

Running HSPro with TI103 plugin. original running with PMIX35.
Took a fresh installed XP pc and installed HSPro. Over this i copied the HSPro program files folder to have all settings identical
Connected the CTX35 to COM 1 with a straight cable at 19200 none 8 1 setting
No luke in switching anything, even at the same powerline

Installes CTX test software, no luke eather. Am i missing something or is the CTX35 mailfunctioning?

[Bwired]

? looks like OK setting
Are the lights on or flashing on the CTX35

[Edwin2008]

yep, CTX looks normal (as far as i know).
Lights blinks, but no reaction from xanura switches. I even tried to run the PMIX35 on other computer but it shows no signals from the ctx on the powerline.

[drmacchi]

pc is the same ?
if not , did you check the com port by other way (a modem or something else)
serial cable is the same?
did you copy the settings of the startup txt file of homeseer?

[Edwin2008]

brand new
when sending command via test tool i see the TX light blink on the ctx
tried three serial cable's
copied the entire homeseer folder from a working pmix35 configuration and changed the TI103 com port to com1

[drmacchi]

If you are using the test tool from Holec Eaton , you can not only check transmission but even turn on/off devices , go HELP/COMMANDS and see example.
did you try to start devices by this way?

[Edwin2008]

yes, i did

[drmacchi]

So if HS and Test tool both don't work , it should be : CTX , serial cable (no you tried 3), serial port .
find another pc to test with Test-tool
find a serial port addon card .
last question : is your rs232 pure , or a usb-to-serial ? because with that usb ctx35 and other interfaces have many problems.

[Edwin2008]

that also puzzeld me. So i had to search for a pc with onboard rs232 port.
do you know if the ctx uses a straight or crossed cable?
f i use the test tool and i sens a L1 command (yes with a L1 configured xanura switch) then there should happened something i guess?

[drmacchi]

So you dont use a native serial port ?
cable is straight
L1 is the address of your device ? i use x10 device and in the image you see the command to turn on a x10 lamp on A1.
about ctx-address (see image again) i use ADDRESS ZERO (there are many options)

[Bwired]

2 <-> 3
3 <-> 2
5 <-> 5

ctx35 rs232 pinout

ctx35 rs232.jpg (39.73 KiB) Viewed 9571 times

[Edwin2008]

i do use a native com port, so no usb conversion or tcp/ip. just plain integrated in motherboard.
confused about cable. drmacchi says straight, bwired seems like crossed.
yes, L1 is a X10 device (ZAX12)

[Menno]

Always use straight cable with CTX35. All wires in cable should be connected. So 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 etc.

I see on your screendump that you are trying to use testtool and Homeseer at the same time. When homeseer is configured to
work on COM1 for the CTX, then this will not work. Always close all programs that are using the comport you are testing.
Check for other program's running on the background that maybe use the comport (for example touchscreendrivers, 1-wire drivers etc).

CTX can be configured in two speeds, 9600 or 19200, Check these settings in testtool.

Good Luck!

[Bwired]

Always use straight cable with CTX35. All wires in cable should be connected. So 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 etc.

Menno could be right about this, I did not actually check the cable, but normally its crossed so I assumed.

[drmacchi]

I do confirm that cable is straight. with crossover it doesn't work. then if you are running HS , and at same time launch test tool , it gives you a warning that COM PORT IS ALREADY IN USE.