RFXcom transmitter & no programming champion

Post by **DJF3** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:35 am

Hi,

How to control my RFXCom transmitter?
(my VB.net knowledge is nog good, unless it is documented very well I couldn't use VB.net [:)] )

-How can I control it using a website?

-What do I need to download order to control it using homeseer (1.7 right now)

Thankyou!
bye
DJ

Post by **Snelvuur** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:57 am

For starters, http://www.rfxcom.com/downloads.htm

There is a transmitter source file. http://www.rfxcom.com/documents/RFtransmitter.zip to be precise.

Post by **b_weijenberg** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:24 am

DJ,

To control the RFXCOM transmitter form Homeseer you use scripts.
There are some example scripts at the download page:
http://www.rfxcom.com/documents/RFXCOM_light.txt
http://www.rfxcom.com/documents/RFxmit.txt

The RFtransmitter source is in VB and not very well documented as it was written for people with VB knowledge.

Bert

Post by **DJF3** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 2:37 pm

Hi,
Tnx for the pointers.. I have included the first part of the RFxmit within the sub-main/end-sub of the startup.txt, copied the whole RFxmit file to the scripts directory.

After that I added 2 lamps, each with an event that has a "device action A2 on" and I selected the RFxmit.txt script.

Q: Should that be it?

Q: For the CM11 I used the ActiveX component in webpages, IP phones, and Tivo alike devices (KiSS) to control lightning through phones, webpages, xml, TV etc. That was no problem.

If we only had such a component that we could call from a website using 2 parameters (deviceNr,Action).

PS. Once I get it running I will create a wiki with screenshots etc.

Post by **DJF3** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:04 pm

It's working now. After doing some more testing I will create a nice web page describing the install/configuration.

In short:
-Get the RFXCOM_light.txt file and put it in the /scripts directory
-Copy/pasted the middle section of the RFXCOM_light.txt file into RFXCOM_ACK.txt and put this in the /scripts directory
-Copied the last section of the RFXCOM_light.txt file into "A1_ON.txt" and modified the parameters to turn on A1. Also put this in the /scripts directory
-Created a device in HS, added an event called "A1_ON", call script "A1_ON.txt" and set the device-action to turn on A1.

I did notice there's a 4-6 seconds delay between executing an event and the light actually turning on.
-Is that normal?
-Is there a way to fine tune this?
-What component is slowing down this process?

Thankyou!
bye

Post by **b_weijenberg** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:46 pm

DJ,

Enable only those RF modes that you need and disable X10 if you don't need to have X10 RF.
If using X10 RF in the RFXCOM transmitter then don't use another X10 RF receiver (for example TM13 or SC9000) that feeds HS because you will create an endless loop!
The RFXCOM X10 receiver has the possibility to connect an handshake cable that is used to start transmission if no other signal is present (avoid collisions) and the handshake signal will stop the receiving when the transmitter is transmitting, to avoid a loop.

Check the RFXCOM transmitter with the RFtransmitter programm to see what the delay is.

Bert

Post by **DJF3** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:18 pm

In the A1_ON.txt script I changed the counter "cnt=10" to "cnt=1". Now it takes 1 sec for the lights to go on. (this might not be the best or official way to fix the slow response, but it works for me

Cheers
DJ

Post by **b_weijenberg** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:52 pm

DJ,

There must be something wrong. The ACK script is not correct installed or the transmitter doesn't give an ACK response.
It is not adviced to ignore the ACK. Check the HS log and you will probably see Waiting for ACK.
Bert

Post by **DJF3** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 3:22 pm

Looking at the logfile: This is what I see when my outside light turns OFF in the morning:

LAMP A6
SCRIPT:
sub main()
cnt = 10
LOGS:
27-7-2007 5:51:00~!~Event Trigger~!~Time Trigger (event_LampA6_MORNING_OFF)
27-7-2007 5:51:00~!~DEBUG~!~Running script: LAMP_A6_OFF.txt Timer: 21060.45
27-7-2007 5:51:01~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 5:51:02~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 5:51:03~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 5:51:04~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 5:51:05~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 5:51:06~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 5:51:07~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 5:51:08~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 5:51:09~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 5:51:10~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 5:51:10~!~DEBUG~!~Script done: LAMP_A6_OFF.txt-> Timer: 21070.01
27-7-2007 5:51:10~!~DEBUG~!~Running script: RFxmit.txt Timer: 21070.02
27-7-2007 5:51:10~!~DEBUG~!~Calling script function: acknowledge Timer: 21070.02
27-7-2007 5:51:10~!~Info~!~ACK received from RFXCOM transmitter
27-7-2007 5:51:10~!~DEBUG~!~Script done: RFxmit.txt->acknowledge Timer: 21070.02

Looking at one of my other lamps (A7)
SCRIPT:
sub main()
cnt = 1
LOGS:
27-7-2007 15:09:05~!~Event Trigger~!~Trigger from menu (Lamp A7 ON rfx)
27-7-2007 15:09:05~!~DEBUG~!~Running script: LAMP_A7_ON.txt Timer: 54545.52
27-7-2007 15:09:06~!~Info~!~wait for ACK
27-7-2007 15:09:06~!~DEBUG~!~Script done: LAMP_A7_ON.txt-> Timer: 54546.13
27-7-2007 15:09:06~!~DEBUG~!~Running script: RFxmit.txt Timer: 54546.19
27-7-2007 15:09:06~!~DEBUG~!~Calling script function: acknowledge Timer: 54546.27
27-7-2007 15:09:06~!~Info~!~ACK received from RFXCOM transmitter
27-7-2007 15:09:06~!~DEBUG~!~Script done: RFxmit.txt->acknowledge Timer: 54546.28

In both cases the lights go on of off correctly. Attached are my startup scripts. Note that I have modified some to identify which scripts causes which logs..

Cheers!

Post by **b_weijenberg** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 8:45 pm

DJ,

There is no attached file in your previous message.
Please try the updated V2.00 script files http://www.rfxcom.com/documents/RFXCOM_light.txt

If you still have problems when using the new files please attach your files with the modifications in a new message.

Bert

Post by **DJF3** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:19 pm

New try, now running HomeSeer 2 (instead of 1.7)
------------------------------------------------
Install/Config according to Quick_Start_Homeseer.pdf

-HS2 running in VMWare Win2k server host
-RF Transmitter doesn't work, until I click "Get transmitter version and reset RF modes". Then I can select any mode (32/48/with or without XRTS etc) and it works.

-LOG starting HS2:
11/28/2007 11:16:13 AM Startup 48 bits mode enabled in RFXCOM transmitter
11/28/2007 11:16:13 AM Info ACK received from RFXCOM transmitter
11/28/2007 11:16:14 AM Info wait for ACK
11/28/2007 11:16:14 AM Startup KlikOn-KlikOff enabled in RFXCOM transmitter
11/28/2007 11:16:14 AM Info ACK received from RFXCOM transmitter
11/28/2007 11:16:15 AM Info wait for ACK
11/28/2007 11:16:15 AM Startup Harrison enabled in RFXCOM transmitter
11/28/2007 11:16:15 AM Info ACK received from RFXCOM transmitter
11/28/2007 11:16:16 AM Info wait for ACK
11/28/2007 11:16:16 AM Startup Koppla enabled in RFXCOM transmitter
11/28/2007 11:16:16 AM Info ACK received from RFXCOM transmitter
11/28/2007 11:16:17 AM Info wait for ACK
11/28/2007 11:16:17 AM Startup X10 disabled in RFXCOM transmitter
11/28/2007 11:16:17 AM Info ACK received from RFXCOM transmitter
11/28/2007 11:16:18 AM Info wait for ACK
11/28/2007 11:16:18 AM Startup Scripting is OK
11/28/2007 11:16:18 AM Info Finished initializing scripting
11/28/2007 11:16:18 AM Startup Starting scheduler
11/28/2007 11:16:18 AM Startup Start up complete.

Attached: startup.txt, RFXCOM_ACK.txt and RFX_A4_ON.txt (event)
When using RFtransmitter the red led on the USB device blinks once, when using HS2 it blinks for half a second.

Download Attachment: [img]images/icon_paperclip.gif[/img] startup.txt 5.68 KB

Download Attachment: [img]images/icon_paperclip.gif[/img] RFXCOM_ACK.txt 992 Bytes

Download Attachment: [img]images/icon_paperclip.gif[/img] RFX_A4_ON.txt 2.15 KB

Post by **b_weijenberg** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:26 pm

DJ,

I've sent you an email to contact me by phone or skype.
I don't see the problem and we have to discuss some diagnostic activities.

Bert

Post by **DJF3** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:15 pm

Excellent. It's working now! Had to change the H33 to H37 in the startup script. Also removed some stuff that wasn't required because I don't have Kaku or other protocols. Tnx Bert!

Post by **TANE** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:03 pm

Bert,
I'm also having problems with the ethernet transmitter version.
have done all the changes..but still no success.

The receiver part is working fine.

Post by **b_weijenberg** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:15 pm

Chak,

Please be more clear. Is it hardware or software? Does the transmitter operate using RFtransmitter?
Is it the Homeseer script that doesn't work?

Bert