[quote=“utz, post:160, topic:169028”]@mano
it will take a while for me to process … I will have a look.[/quote]
Absolutly, No rush, X10 over Vera UI4 is doing exactly what I want it do
Utz, I have a newbie question.
I take a very quick look at your code, and I don’t understand how you select the right serial ports in the plugin.
If you have several serial ports over USB connected to the Vera, how do you address the right serial port to communicate ?
Forget my question, I found agood explanation.
http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,7143.msg45312.html#msg45312
My message is a little off topic … but I am searching help.
I just installed the dual RS232 kit in my PowerMax Pro and the software Remote Programmer from Visonic on a PC having a serial port and running Windows XP.
Unfortunately, I don’t succeed to log in with the software.
If my panel in in install mode, I get this message: “Login not allowed. Installer menu is active.” OK
If my panel is not in install mode, I get this error message “Access to PowerMAX denied. Check Download Code and retry.”. Of course, my code is correct, I enter the master code.
In the panel, is there something to setup to enable the RS232 connection ? I have found nothing in the menus.
I am connected to the left port of the dual RS232 kit (named PL/PC). I tried the other port but in this case, it looks like the Powermax Pro is not detected.
Any idea what could be wrong ?
If this is not working with the official program, I doubt it could work later with the Vera plugin (I am waiting for the USB adapter) 
I do not have a powermax pro, so hard to say.
There are codes for user and installer. and then there is an entirely different code for the software to connect. I think the default there is AAAA or something (Is in the manual).
Utz
[quote=“utz, post:165, topic:169028”]@lolodomo
I do not have a powermax pro, so hard to say.
There are codes for user and installer. and then there is an entirely different code for the software to connect. I think the default there is AAAA or something (Is in the manual).
Utz[/quote]
You are simply the best 8) It works with code AAAA and I am able to retrieve my configuration.
This is nowhere in the documentation I get from the Visonic web site.
As soon as I get my USB adapter, I will try your plugin.
Just a little bit more off the topic…
I am trying to make the connection between the Vera2 and the PowermaxPro wireless. Trying to get the little XRF wireless links working. Trying is the word. These little babies are half the price of Xbee and operate at 800-900 Mhz. So well out of the 2 Gig range where your WiFi and DEC phones live. Trying to get it working between the PC and Powermax with the Visonic software first. If it starts to work and is rock solid, I’ll move it to the Vera2. I’ll update on the settings and the bits I’ve used to make the link wireless.
Not ofcourse someone else has already done this !
mano, no i have not done this. in my case both systems sit on the same shelf and a wire is ok for me.
Mano, you can use the rfxcom plugin to use the powermax sensors wireless. One warning, the movement sensors can’t be used for switching lights because they automatically sleep for 2 minutes after detecting a movement. If the 2 minutes aren’t a problem, all works great.
rfxcom is a nice option, especially if you have as well other devices then the visonic stuff. However, you would not be able to use the control panel functions such as arm/disarm this way (unless the rfxcom can emulate a keyfob which might be possible).
Have not looked at the rfxcom. (yet). As I am migrating away from an existing X10 setup to Zwave, Iam using the PowermaxPro as an interface to Vera for Auto Alarm enable/disable during the night and also the ability to control one-way X10 devices.
Has not been a good week for my pocket, the reciever on the PowermaxPro for the RF packed up on Sunday Night and had to order a replacement Alarm Panel. Plumbed in last night, Vera2 does not talk to the PowermaxPro on the port I was using before. Looks like the new firmware, where auto-detect for powerlink connection must be specific to a particular assigned port on the powermaxPro. I’ll have to move the Vera2 connection to the correct port tonight and see if it works.
[quote=“mano, post:171, topic:169028”]Have not looked at the rfxcom. (yet). As I am migrating away from an existing X10 setup to Zwave, Iam using the PowermaxPro as an interface to Vera for Auto Alarm enable/disable during the night and also the ability to control one-way X10 devices.
Has not been a good week for my pocket, the reciever on the PowermaxPro for the RF packed up on Sunday Night and had to order a replacement Alarm Panel. Plumbed in last night, Vera2 does not talk to the PowermaxPro on the port I was using before. Looks like the new firmware, where auto-detect for powerlink connection must be specific to a particular assigned port on the powermaxPro. I’ll have to move the Vera2 connection to the correct port tonight and see if it works.[/quote]
I think you have to use the left port. I was not able to get any communication with the right port from the dual RS232 board.
Something I have noticed could be a problem when used with the Vera plugin: it looks like the communication is cut automatically after a certain time. I noticed that witen using the Remote Programmer software from Visonic. But I don’t know yet if the connection is cut by the software or by the panel.
I am using a PowerMax Pro with a recent firmware, and there is nothing in the menus to enable PowerLink2 or RS232 communication. Detection is automatic.
Does someone already use the Vera plugin witrh a recent PowerMax Pro ? With no problem ?
In case of the panel is cutting the communication, would it be possible inside the plugin to detect it and to establish a new connection ?
Is it with the Visonic plugin possible to arm the Powermax without waking up anyone with his squeak? Right now my wife is going crazy about the sound
Vera can only arm/disarm the same way as when using the keyfob. I think you can disable the beeping in the general configuration of the powermax. Then it should also be quiet when arming from vera.
Its definate, only the left port has been coded to work with the Latest PowermaxPro firmware. And it did come in automatically without any issue to Vera 2.
Whereas on the old firmware of PowermaxPro, both ports on the RS232 used to work with Vera emulating the Powerlink.
You can turn the squak option off on the keypad on the panel.
Time Update from Vera used to work not anymore, had to manually punch in the time and date on the new panel.
As I have the old panel on the kitchen table, (with the duff RF receiver) I can now use that for some of the PC to Powermax wireless connection and then move it onto Vera and get rid of the long cable.
bedtime
I am having some issues establishing a RS232 connection to my Powermax+. I have purchased the Visonic RS232 adaptor kit and plugged it in. The cable connects to a FTDI serial to USB connector cable, which uses default settings and is otherwise communicating fine on my laptop with a serial card reader. When connected to Vera there is no response or output from Powermax, so I downloaded the Powermax software and hooked it up to my laptop. It scan my ports, then takes a bit longer to scan port 6 which is the FTDI virtual com port, but ends in an error as it finds nothing connected to it. So I have unplugged the adaptor from the Powermax panel several times. Powercycled it without batteries. Tried installing the Powerlink from the admin menu, but all to no avail. Has anyone else experienced these types of difficulties connecting and is there a trick I could try?
the first thing is to check if vera recognizes correctly the serial port. I assume it did and you could connect the plugin to the serial port.
Next step would be to see if there is any communication between vera and the powermax. The plugin creates a file in /var/log/cmh/ called powermax_pdu which records all serial communication. Have a look what is happening in there (anything going in and out?).
Thanks for the pointer. The log shows a series of what appear to be → outgoing messages from Vera in an attempt to establish communications. This then times out after 5 hours. Probably because there is no response from the panel. So looks like the panel, the cable or connector are potential issues. In noticed that the supplied DB9 to RJ45 conector block has only 3 pins on the RJ45 side. Could be sufficient for RS232. Not sure though?
2012-03-13 23:30:20 1331677820 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-13 23:31:20 1331677880 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-13 23:45:20 1331678720 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-13 23:46:20 1331678780 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-14 00:00:20 1331679620 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-14 00:01:20 1331679680 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-14 00:15:20 1331680520 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-14 00:16:20 1331680580 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-14 00:30:20 1331681420 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-14 00:31:20 1331681480 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-14 00:45:20 1331682320 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-14 00:46:20 1331682380 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-14 01:00:20 1331683220 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-14 01:01:20 1331683280 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-14 01:15:20 1331684120 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-14 01:16:20 1331684180 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-14 01:30:20 1331685020 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-14 01:31:20 1331685080 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-14 01:45:20 1331685920 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-14 01:46:20 1331685980 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-14 02:00:20 1331686820 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
2012-03-14 02:01:20 1331686880 → 0D A2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 1A 0A
2012-03-14 02:05:37 1331687137 → 0D AB 0A 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 06 0A
Yep, data is sent but nothing comes back. What are the serial communication settings (baud, …).
I would try first to establish communication from a PC to the powermax using the configuration software provided from visonic. When this works, the next step would be to attach vera.
Thanks for the help. Bought a new cable based on Prolifix chipset and established comms directly!
As I have Vera 3, I am on UI5, so all devices are created and I can see activity, except I cannot control the alarm panel. Will uninstall and try and install the UI4 way, to see if this makes a difference.
Thanks so far !
Update: The new cable and the UI4 style manual install sure helped. I am up and running with the plugin!