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Less X10 more Zwave - Powerflash X10

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    Less X10 more Zwave - Powerflash X10

    My driveway is 1/2 mile long. For 20+ years I've had a vehicle detector buried under the pavement that works great. When a vehicle is detected to closes a contact and sends a signal by a 5 volt wire.

    I have that wire connected to an X10 powerflash unit, model PF284, that sends an X10 code to Homeseer when a vehicle passes. Is there a way or product to accomplish this using a Zwave module instead of X10?

    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Current Date/Time: 1/16/2018 10:45:52 PM
    HomeSeer Version: HS3 Pro Edition 3.0.0.368
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home - Work Station
    System Uptime: 0 Days 3 Hours 27 Minutes 58 Seconds
    IP Address: 192.168.160.50
    Number of Devices: 49
    Number of Events: 7
    Available Threads: 200

    Enabled Plug-Ins
    3.0.0.8: CM15A
    3.0.0.14: NetCAM
    1.0.0.6: Sample Plugin
    3.0.0.36: X10
    3.0.1.130: Z-Wave

    #2
    I had a similar situation where I used the X10 powerflash unit along with outdoor microwave sensors to alert me if someone is approaching my home. The powerflash units were not reliable. I now use an arduino uno and run the relay contacts from the microwave unit into the input for the arduino and use the arduino plug-in for HS3. This has been extremely stable and it is easy to setup.

    Ronnie

    Comment


      #3
      Some Z-Wave door/window sensors have a contact closure that you can use. You'll need to check carefully for those that support this.

      If you have an alarm panel, you might be able to wire it to a contact closure.

      If those dont pan out, +1 for an arduino. Super-easy to wire it in and detect voltage, resistance, etc.
      HS4Pro on a Raspberry Pi4
      54 Z-Wave Nodes / 21 Zigbee Devices / 108 Events / 767 Devices
      Plugins: Z-Wave / Zigbee Plus / EasyTrigger / AK Weather / OMNI

      HSTouch Clients: 1 Android

      Comment


        #4
        For about the same money and less work, use a Fortrezz MIMOLite Zwave Input Output Module.
        It provides relay control. Use MIMOLite V1 and not V2 as there are issues with V2 and Homeseer.

        See here for more details.

        Robert
        HS3PRO 3.0.0.500 as a Fire Daemon service, Windows 2016 Server Std Intel Core i5 PC HTPC Slim SFF 4GB, 120GB SSD drive, WLG800, RFXCom, TI103,NetCam, UltraNetcam3, BLBackup, CurrentCost 3P Rain8Net, MCsSprinker, HSTouch, Ademco Security plugin/AD2USB, JowiHue, various Oregon Scientific temp/humidity sensors, Z-Net, Zsmoke, Aeron Labs micro switches, Amazon Echo Dots, WS+, WD+ ... on and on.

        Comment


          #5
          Last edited by Pete; January 17, 2018, 02:33 PM.
          - Pete

          Auto mator
          Homeseer 3 Pro - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e 64 bit Intel Haswell CPU 16Gb
          Homeseer Zee2 (Lite) - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e - CherryTrail x5-Z8350 BeeLink 4Gb BT3 Pro
          HS4 Lite - Ubuntu 22.04 / Lenovo Tiny M900 / 32Gb Ram

          HS4 Pro - V4.1.18.1 - Ubuntu 22.04 / Lenova Tiny M900 / 32Gb Ram
          HSTouch on Intel tabletop tablets (Jogglers) - Asus AIO - Windows 11

          X10, UPB, Zigbee, ZWave and Wifi MQTT automation-Tasmota-Espurna. OmniPro 2, Russound zoned audio, Alexa, Cheaper RFID, W800 and Home Assistant

          Comment


            #6
            Zwave version of X10 PowerFlash

            When I put my vehicle detector in I can only remember a single maker of the units somewhere in the Dakotas or Midwest. I got lucky, didn't do any calculations. There already was a 2-twisted pair copper that phone company installed under driveway. I talked them into installing a different 4-twisted pair and they let me use the old 2-twisted pair. I dug up that line, attached the sensor. Then here at the house I connected the beeper+5volt device to the X10 PowerHouse module. It has worked flawlessly, every time for many years. The only failures were that it false alarms if I get a nearby bolt of lightning. I was just thinking of getting away from X10 because it can be unreliable sometimes at the house and the modules/devices are cheaply made, fail.

            Until I bone-up on arduino I might just stay with X10.

            Is HS3 really any better than HS2? I just switched to HS3 and first impressions are disappointing. Adding events and devices is so quirky. You can't insert actions in an event. If you click the wrong "Done" you have to delete the action and start over. If you "Control a Device", select that device, then you cannot select that device again as a following step/action. That seems insane.

            Are there still a lot of people still using HS2? I have thought about switching back to HS2. I finally upgraded because the PC was ancient and finally died.

            Comment


              #7
              In my opinion, while HS2 was great , HS3 is even better. Sure there's a bit of a learning curve but you will find that there is more power under the hood especially with new plugins available.

              Robert
              HS3PRO 3.0.0.500 as a Fire Daemon service, Windows 2016 Server Std Intel Core i5 PC HTPC Slim SFF 4GB, 120GB SSD drive, WLG800, RFXCom, TI103,NetCam, UltraNetcam3, BLBackup, CurrentCost 3P Rain8Net, MCsSprinker, HSTouch, Ademco Security plugin/AD2USB, JowiHue, various Oregon Scientific temp/humidity sensors, Z-Net, Zsmoke, Aeron Labs micro switches, Amazon Echo Dots, WS+, WD+ ... on and on.

              Comment


                #8
                I am sure HS3 has much more capability, and being able to run on linux is a great plus. I hope they work on events and devices though. I do not understand why they only allow a device used once in a a set of actions (then statements). There is not way to edit an event with an action insert. Maybe it is all just me and being new at HS3.

                Comment


                  #9
                  I've never found a Z-wave replacement for the X-10 modules. I think someone here had a Z-wave window/door sensor hack to use as a contact closure. I'm working on my first Arduino project and as stated by others, this might be the way to go.

                  The Arduino solution won't be as simple as the X-10, but I'm enjoying learning something new. My first project is water pressure monitoring and I'm almost there. Replacing my driveway alert X-10 interface could be my second. I'll be happy to let you know what I am able to do.

                  On a final note, it took me some time to make the change from HS2 to HS3. Part of that was my long history with X-10. HS3 isn't X-10 centered as the earlier versions had been, and required a new way of thinking. Once I figured it out, I would never go back.

                  Barry

                  Comment


                    #10
                    You could use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Everspring-Z-...ve+door+sensor connected to a 5-volt relay that has normally-closed contacts. When the driveway sensor trips, the relay would activate and open the contacts, which would trigger the z-wave sensor.
                    Fred

                    HomeSeer Pro 3.0.0.548, HS3Touch, Zwave 3.0.1.252, Envisalink DSC 3.0.0.40, WeatherXML, Z-stick, HS phone, Way2Call

                    Comment


                      #11
                      @oregonbob

                      Here have continued to utilize X-10 (since 1978).

                      X10 is working well today with Homeseer 3 using CM11A, TI-103, TW-523 and Volp X10 controllers.

                      The debug features on the X10 HS3 plugin will indicate noise if you have any on your powerline.

                      I am at 100% connectivity with no issues today using the CM11A with Homeseer 3 and Jeff Volp's dual phase TW-523 (XTB-IIR) on my Leviton OmniPro 2 panel.

                      Mostly utilize X10 these last few years with my Christmas decorations...easy and fast.
                      - Pete

                      Auto mator
                      Homeseer 3 Pro - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e 64 bit Intel Haswell CPU 16Gb
                      Homeseer Zee2 (Lite) - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e - CherryTrail x5-Z8350 BeeLink 4Gb BT3 Pro
                      HS4 Lite - Ubuntu 22.04 / Lenovo Tiny M900 / 32Gb Ram

                      HS4 Pro - V4.1.18.1 - Ubuntu 22.04 / Lenova Tiny M900 / 32Gb Ram
                      HSTouch on Intel tabletop tablets (Jogglers) - Asus AIO - Windows 11

                      X10, UPB, Zigbee, ZWave and Wifi MQTT automation-Tasmota-Espurna. OmniPro 2, Russound zoned audio, Alexa, Cheaper RFID, W800 and Home Assistant

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Hey Pete... still using some X-10 here as well without issue using TI103.
                        Out of curiosity, how do you get the X10 HS3 plugin to indicate noise ?

                        Robert
                        HS3PRO 3.0.0.500 as a Fire Daemon service, Windows 2016 Server Std Intel Core i5 PC HTPC Slim SFF 4GB, 120GB SSD drive, WLG800, RFXCom, TI103,NetCam, UltraNetcam3, BLBackup, CurrentCost 3P Rain8Net, MCsSprinker, HSTouch, Ademco Security plugin/AD2USB, JowiHue, various Oregon Scientific temp/humidity sensors, Z-Net, Zsmoke, Aeron Labs micro switches, Amazon Echo Dots, WS+, WD+ ... on and on.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          @Robert,

                          Turn on debug in the X10 ini file in HS3.

                          Running HS3 in Linux here.

                          [settings]
                          PluginDebug=True
                          Override=False
                          COMPort=/dev/com1

                          Not sure why it mentions COMPort=/dev/com1

                          Here have a static USB configuration for X10.

                          /dev/ttyUSBX10

                          [ATTACH]66016[/ATTACH]

                          If you have noise then it repeats and delays transmission.

                          Jan-18 10:55:54 AM X10 DEBUG CM11A.SendIt(): Send 0x00 to CM11a (command to transmit the data onto the power line).
                          Jan-18 10:55:55 AM X10 DEBUG CM11A.SendIt(): Got ack of: 0x55
                          Jan-18 10:55:55 AM X10 DEBUG CM11A.SendIt(): Success! 0.278 seconds for CM11a to send.
                          Jan-18 10:55:55 AM X10 DEBUG CM11A.SendIt(): Sending 2 bytes: 0x6 0x62
                          Jan-18 10:55:55 AM X10 DEBUG CM11A.SendIt(): Data sent, waiting for checksum From CM11a...
                          Jan-18 10:55:55 AM X10 DEBUG CM11A.SendIt(): Received a good checksum: 0x68
                          Jan-18 10:55:55 AM X10 DEBUG CM11A.SendIt(): Send 0x00 to CM11a (command to transmit the data onto the power line).
                          Jan-18 10:55:55 AM X10 DEBUG CM11A.SendIt(): Got ack of: 0x55
                          Jan-18 10:55:55 AM X10 DEBUG CM11A.SendIt(): Success! 0.779 seconds for CM11a to send.

                          Mark has the CM15A working well these days. (RF plus X10).

                          Kudos to Mark!!!
                          Last edited by Pete; January 18, 2018, 12:11 PM.
                          - Pete

                          Auto mator
                          Homeseer 3 Pro - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e 64 bit Intel Haswell CPU 16Gb
                          Homeseer Zee2 (Lite) - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e - CherryTrail x5-Z8350 BeeLink 4Gb BT3 Pro
                          HS4 Lite - Ubuntu 22.04 / Lenovo Tiny M900 / 32Gb Ram

                          HS4 Pro - V4.1.18.1 - Ubuntu 22.04 / Lenova Tiny M900 / 32Gb Ram
                          HSTouch on Intel tabletop tablets (Jogglers) - Asus AIO - Windows 11

                          X10, UPB, Zigbee, ZWave and Wifi MQTT automation-Tasmota-Espurna. OmniPro 2, Russound zoned audio, Alexa, Cheaper RFID, W800 and Home Assistant

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Pete:

                            If I recall a cm11a is a serial port device, but you say USB. Are you using a serial-to-USB adaptor?

                            I have an unused cm11a but I never could get it to work using a serial-to-USB adaptor.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Are you using a serial-to-USB adaptor?

                              Yes. I have been using serial to USB adapters since the early days of Homeseer 2.

                              With Homeseer 3 have tested and used my old Digi Edgeports (8-16 serial ports) and whatever exists today in single serial to usb devices. All have worked fine with the CM11A in Linux. (running two HS3 boxes in Linux today).

                              Googling today the preferred processor chip: FTDI or Silabs (very reliable).

                              Amazon, Ebay and Monoprice have them all of the time and very reasonable these days.

                              My HS2 box utilized two Digi Edgeport 8's and one Digi 7 port USB hub with one cable to the HS2 box providing me with 16 serial ports and 5 USB ports. Never had an issue.

                              Here is the HS3 Pro computer connection to one Edgeport8

                              HS3Pro:/dev# lsusb

                              Bus 003 Device 002: ID 1608:000f Inside Out Networks [hex] Edgeport/8

                              8 serial ports

                              HS3Pro:/dev# ls ttyUS*
                              ttyUSB0 ttyUSB1 ttyUSB2 ttyUSB3 ttyUSB4 ttyUSB5 ttyUSB6 ttyUSB7

                              BTW over the years there have been counterfeit chipped USB to Serial devices...sold for as little as a $1 ....here messed up my testing a few years back purchasing a few (like 10) of these counterfeit USB to Network interfaces that were Apple clones that looked identical but didn't function correctly....in the 1960's it was how many transistors were in a radio....and then too you saw fake transistors in radios....
                              Last edited by Pete; January 19, 2018, 08:27 AM.
                              - Pete

                              Auto mator
                              Homeseer 3 Pro - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e 64 bit Intel Haswell CPU 16Gb
                              Homeseer Zee2 (Lite) - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e - CherryTrail x5-Z8350 BeeLink 4Gb BT3 Pro
                              HS4 Lite - Ubuntu 22.04 / Lenovo Tiny M900 / 32Gb Ram

                              HS4 Pro - V4.1.18.1 - Ubuntu 22.04 / Lenova Tiny M900 / 32Gb Ram
                              HSTouch on Intel tabletop tablets (Jogglers) - Asus AIO - Windows 11

                              X10, UPB, Zigbee, ZWave and Wifi MQTT automation-Tasmota-Espurna. OmniPro 2, Russound zoned audio, Alexa, Cheaper RFID, W800 and Home Assistant

                              Comment

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