Etekcity to replace X10?

[CAI_Support]

We want to hear from users about replacing X10 support features with Etekcity RF remote feature? It seems through a low cost RF433 module, we could add support for that to replace X10 RF support.  We want to hear users feedback to decide.

 

[pablo]

Looks like there are only outlets available,
There would be nice to be able to control light source directly  (smart bulb) or do Z-wave.

 

[CAI_Support]

Etekcity RF remote sends out 25 bits RF signals. The first 10 bits are address bits.  Next 10 bits are button code bits. Followed by On/Off commands. They are carried on 433MHz RF frequency, can be easily received and decoded by a low cost 433MHz RF modules through computer audio port and Audacity free audio recording software.
 
We will first introduce the function on current shipping WC8 firmware, then add that to WC32 firmware.  This feature will allow users to control EtekCity RF sockets from PLC programming, WEB gui, and through API command line command.  Users do need to attach a 433MHz transmitter to OP8 and power source.  That 433MHz transmitter can be obtained from Amazon or Ebay for very low cost.

 

[CAI_Support]

Lab test working for Etekcity RF remote sockets.
Little PLC code will turn on and off Etekcity RF sockets every 20 seconds
 

start
etek 69 5 1
delay 20000
etek 69 5 0
delay 20000
end

 
Browser also working, which is actually calling API call

"http://192.168.1.15/api/sendetek.cgi?rc=69&bc=5&cmd=1"

 
Where 192.168.1.15 is board IP address, 69 is actually RF remote address, 5 is button 5, last cmd= 1 is for on, 0 for off.

 

[CAI_Support]

To test this new firmware, please download it from our web site at
 

http://www.cainetworks.com/support/download/wc8plc030331-update.zip

Please note this is not formal released firmware yet, it tested working in our lab, but we do need to get enough user feedback before making it formal released firmware.  Please follow update instructions on our site for how to update WC8. This firmware only works with HW rev 2.3.x boards.
 
 
Wiring diagram can be found here:

http://www.cainetworks.com/products/webcontrol/WebControlEtekCity.pdf

 
 
In addition to the Etekcity RF socket support, this firmware also sends VAR1-VAR4 in addition to user intended in WEBSET call. Please let us know if there is any feedback.

 

[CAI_Support]

Although we have not seen real remote address beyond 99, but 10 bit address space do allow up to 1023. We just don't have enough Etekcity remote to know for sure. so we updated GUI in EtekControl.htm to allow up to 4 digit number entered into Remote Code field.  If downloaded GUI code date stamp is not Nov 29 2017, it can be downloaded again to have this change reflected. Current download files are already changed.
 
Also, search on eBay or Amazon can find "433 MHz RF Transmitter and Receiver" for about $0.99 each set shipping from overseas, or little bit more from local suppliers.

 

[CAI_Support]

A testing firmware for WC32 boards is available to download and testing, in this testing release, it also replaced X10 support with Etek support in browser and PLC code. We will wait till there are enough feedback from users to release it as formal release.

For wc32 board only, download testing firmware from this link:
http://www.cainetworks.com/support/download/wc32update040222.zip

 
If your board is running firmware version earlier than 4.02.20, please make sure keep record of your current configuration, including download your PLC code to your computer, since WC32 firmware from 4.02.20 changed its storage allocation in firmware to reassign larger EEPROM space for GUI code.  For Etek support details, please refer to the PDF file link in earlier discussion. Thanks for your feedback and suggestions.

 

[CAI_Support]

Merry Christmas for HW rev 2.2.2 board users, we are able to make firmware upgrade earlier than scheduled for adding Etekcity support to HW Rev 2.2.2 boards. Testing firmware can be downloaded from here:
 

http://www.cainetworks.com/support/download/wc8plc030232-update.zip

Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome.

 

[CAI_Support]

We just released formal release firmware today for all boards. Previous firmware inherited a bug when X10 enabled, more than one output ports were disabled. With today's releases, Etek enable will only disable OP8 from browser or PLC to OP8 control, when Etek is enabled. Version number is not changed, please make sure firmware timestamp showing in status.xml is 12/7/2017

 

[CAI_Support]

One way to find your current Etelcity RF remote address is to use WebControl PLC code to increment by 1 in a loop, and wait for two seconds in each increment. When your light is on, that VAR1 displayed number is your RF remote address.

START    
	SET VAR1 1  
LOOP:
	INC VAR1   
	ETEK VAR1 1 1 
	DELAY 2000   
	GOTO LOOP   
END

 

[mdsmith]

Really sad and disappointed that X10 is not support for Webcontrol. The only reason I have the board was for X10 support. And why is CAI supporting Etek, it only support 433MH? If anybody out there knows how to comunicate with X10 via FireCracker implementation for Webcontrol please respond.
 
Michael

 

[CAI_Support]

You can always download previous firmware to get the X10 feature running on new WebControl boards. Since there is no current X10 control products selling on market now, we developed new firmware so that users who do not have X10 products could use new firmware to control Etek and similar products.