X10 Programming a SocketRocket using ActiveHomePro and Controller CM15a Remote Chime – Part 5

This is part 5 of my X10 blog series.

In the previous entry, I explained how I blew up an old radio by using a Lamp Module instead of an Appliance Module (oops). In this entry, I will explain how to easily program a SocketRocket. The details unfortunately were not forthcoming in its documentation.

The Theory

This is how the SocketRocket picks up new programming:

1. Find a lamp that you wish to control over X10
2. Switch it on so that the lightbulb is lit, just to test it works
3. Switch off the light
4. Unscrew the lightbulb
5. Screw in the SocketRocket, and then the lightbulb into the SR
6. Switch on the lamp. The lightbulb will probably not be lit
7. For the next 30 seconds the SocketRocket is waiting for its signal to program itself
8. After 30 seconds, the SR will either be programmed or left in this unknown state

Item 7 is the key part. What is the SR waiting for? It is waiting to see the same X10 command 3 times in a row. If it sees that, it will assume it is targeted at the SocketRocket and will persist that address. That address will persist even if there is a power failure.

The Practice – How to do it with Controller CM15a and ActiveHomePro

The printed instructions didn’t explain how to program the device with the CM15a. I had to google it to find the best way:

• Open ActiveHomePro
• Click the Other link in the left pane
• Drag a “Remote Chime” to whatever room you want
• Set the address of the Chime to be whatever you wish the lamp to listen on (e.g. A14)
• Power on the lamp with SocketRocket
• In the next 30 seconds, hit the Remote Chime control 3 times in ActiveHomePro
• The lightbulb should now be lit
• Now add a SocketRocket Module to the same room.
• Change the new SR module address to match the Remote Chime
• Delete the Remote Chime
• Manually power off the lamp with the SocketRocket, wait 10 seconds
• Manually power on the lamp
• Test again to make sure the settings stuck

As with any X10 device, this procedure may fail if there are connectivity issues between the controller and module. Follow my advice in this future post if you are at this point and cannot get your gear working.

 

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