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jeffw_00
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Posted: December 12 2008 at 10:13 | IP Logged Quote jeffw_00

So I keep the PC that runs Powerhome on a UPS, and it keeps running 10-15 minutes after the power goes off. Then the PC is shut off, and later then the power comes back on and the PC reboots, and Powerhome 'catches up' on all the timed events that would have occurred when the PC was down.

But what about the events that occurred when the PC was on UPS? They got sent to stuff that had no power, so are lost.

Not complaining, just food for thought - I don't think there's a workaround, but maybe a feature add for the next major rev?

If PH can't sense the UPS status (maybe through something in windows?) maybe an adjustment can be made to the 'catchup' (i.e., catchup going back 5 min before the power went off)

just a thought. Certainly not a high priority.


/j

ps - and yes, I lost power last night 8-}
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BeachBum
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Posted: December 12 2008 at 11:06 | IP Logged Quote BeachBum

To add more fuel to the discussion, I have PH on a laptop which runs after the power goes off but the PLM is not on house power during the failure. Does PH lose control because of a controller down? Or is that the indicator that there is a power failure?

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jeffw_00
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Posted: December 12 2008 at 11:09 | IP Logged Quote jeffw_00

interesting point - sounds like what you'd like is for PH to realize that the PLC/PLM isn't working, and start to pend events - that seems like the right answer, but can PH do this today? (maybe branch on "PLC/PLM not responding" to shut PH down?)



Edited by jeffw_00 - December 12 2008 at 11:10
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bmwragtop
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Posted: December 12 2008 at 19:20 | IP Logged Quote bmwragtop

I believe most UPS units can connect to the computer via USB, and can send a status message that the power has died, or can send an E-mail.

Maybe PH would be able to receive the E-mail, or someone could write a VB script to trigger off of the "no power" status message.

Some UPS units also provide realtime data on the voltage in and out of the unit, as well as frequency information.

Sounds like there are numerous possibilities here. Unfortunately, I'm willing to bet each UPS manufacturer has their own protocol.

Oh, I'm in the same boat. I lost power 11PM last night. Probably will not be back until Monday. Luckily i have a generator, but it only powers critical components (like my DSL modem )
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BeachBum
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Posted: December 13 2008 at 00:34 | IP Logged Quote BeachBum

Sounds like you live in NH.

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bmwragtop
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Posted: December 13 2008 at 15:57 | IP Logged Quote bmwragtop

Yes, sir. Heart of ice country.

I even lost my DSL connection for most of today, but it seems to be back for now.

I don't think I will be executing past due timed events when I start PH again - I think it is going to be at least Tuesday before my neighborhood gets power.

Tom
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BeachBum
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Posted: December 13 2008 at 19:52 | IP Logged Quote BeachBum

Not to worry.. The South shall rise again; they are sending power trucks your way. Yep, I think timed events will drive you nuts.. Stay warm.

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GadgetGuy
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Posted: December 16 2008 at 09:29 | IP Logged Quote GadgetGuy

There is an additional problem here which I have been
struggling with, and finally corrected today.

When PH runs on a UPS connected machine but the rest of
the house's Insteon devices are not, then device polling
fails and the Maximum Failure flag gets sets for those
devices, disabling them from further use until reset.

I added a TRIGGER TYPE of 'System Process' , with a
TRIGGER ID of 'Startup' to the "Triggers" collection and
an ACTION command of ...

   ph_insteonclearfailed("")

This clears the Failed flag for all devices upon startup
(and actually I added the same sequence for a
Reinitialize System Process event too).

I use Windows Scheduler to automatically reboot my
machine every morning at 3 AM, thus even when I am away
for extended periods I am assured of not being locked
out of PH use for any reason.

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jeffw_00
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Posted: December 16 2008 at 09:39 | IP Logged Quote jeffw_00

don't plug the PLM/PLC into the UPS, plug it directly into an outlet
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Posted: December 16 2008 at 10:16 | IP Logged Quote BeachBum

I asked the question on the other thread if the Comm errors where from the Max Error count exceeded. Upon further testing I unplugged the PLM from the wall and ran a series of ph_insteonwithret to all devices and received no Comm errors or any message about the PLM. The Raw log was in an endless loop talking to a disconnected PLM. The actual devices have Comm errors as a result but no indicator on the PLM. The Execution Queue got backed up and PH was basically hung in a loop. Plug the PLM back in, cleared the Comm errors and returned to normal. Ran the test for 10 minutes…

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GadgetGuy
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Posted: December 16 2008 at 10:28 | IP Logged Quote GadgetGuy

jeffw_00 wrote:
don't plug the PLM/PLC into the UPS,
plug it directly into an outlet


Good comment! MY PLM is plugged into the wall but the
PH computer runs on a UPS.

As you have indicated, plugging a PLM/PLC into a UPS
would put it on a dead-end street as the UPS is isolated
from house power circuits by impassable electronics.

Clearly anyone that did this would quickly realize that
nothing was working!!!

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