Hello All,The CM11A hang-ups have been mentioned a lot here but I could not find a truly exhaustive fix anywhere. So, my question:Are newer CM11A still hang-up prone? Mine is from around 2000. Is the CM15A better in quality?Besides quitting out of the blue my CM11A also doesn't always respond to a date&time update. Sometimes it catches, sometimes it doesn't, you just never know.The reason I ask is that I want to keep X10 going but not spend a lot of money on such an ancient technology. The X10 web site has become more glitzy but in my opinion less informative. It couldn't even find the CM15A as a product when I tried.Regards, Joerg

The CM11A is hanging, or the software running it? I always programmed my CM11A and then shut down the software running it. Ran for ever. Still does, but I went to the CM15A for more memory space. Now for that beast, it works well for me, but others will say it is a piece of junk. The built is receiver has a VERY poor range issue, so do not get rid of any receivers you already have installed. Second, mine does not keep real-time at all. Gains about 6 minutes an hour. If you keep it attached to the computer you use to program it with, then the time is always accurate. Others have claimed that the sending range is poorer, but I have not seen that issue, seems to cover the same as my CM11A did.Dan

If you look at the schematic of the current RR501 you'll find about the samenumber of components, including the same tuned transformer that's used withthe discrete oscillator, in the circuit driven by 120kHz from the PIC. Itneeds alignment, too.Joerg wrote:

So you think they adjust the PIC clock frequency by guess and by gosh?Joerg wrote:

And like I said, your fantastical procedure is impossible. You should tryit.Joerg wrote:

CM11A hangup: Any better products?

Aug 15, 2005 46 Replies

Rate this thread:

Joerg 20 years ago

Hello Dan,

It could be. However, every aligment procedure in production is usually a significant cost contributor. Even in China.

IIUC it outputs to TMR0 reg which indeed isn't so cool. But look at Figure 6-6. Maybe there is a way to pipe it through the WDT path. Unless PSA turns off the WDT Time-Out mux or that signal cannot go anywhere. This doesn't seem to be a very versatile uC. Or as they say in the UK, it doesn't float my boat.

If it can't do all that maybe there is a better uC for X-10 than this one, at similar cost. Quite frankly it is the first uC I come across that seems to be unable to do PWM. Even ye olde C51 could do that.

Regards, Joerg

formatting link

Vote

Dave Houston 20 years ago

Vote

Joerg 20 years ago

Hello Dave,

I believe you mean the LC tank circuit. Yes, it needs aligment. But it is only a peaking operation where all you need is level metering. A circuit that is in an oscillator requires a frequency counter which is more expensive in production. Assembling a diode concoction on the pogo pins of a production tester is easy if it can't digest 120kHz directly. However, measuring a frequency isn't possible with cheaper testers.

Regards, Joerg

formatting link

Vote

Dave Houston 20 years ago

Vote

Joerg 20 years ago

Hello Dave,

No, I didn't say that. They will have to have a frequency adjustment procedure at the end of production. That increases cost. If there was a resonator or crystal they wouldn't have to incur that cost.

WRT to alignment I wasn't too impressed with the "precision" of aligment on some of the receivers. As I said earlier, one wouldn't work until after I aligned it myself. Another that occasionally missed a command became much more reliable after aligment.

Regards, Joerg

formatting link

Vote

Dave Houston 20 years ago

Vote

Joerg 20 years ago

Hello Dave,

Which fantastical procedure? The aligment of the receiver LC circuit? All I can say is that the non-working module worked after that and another one became reliable. That's good enough for me.

Regards, Joerg

formatting link

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required