Thursday, 16th July 2009
 

CM12U Home Automation Controller & Windows Software





  • Now available as either 9 Pin Serial, or USB Connection
  • Let's you control X10 devices directly from your PC
  • Set up Timed Events that run at specific times
  • Set up Dawn/Dusk Events to run at sunrise or sunset
  • Compatible with Windows 95, 98, ME, XP and Vista 32bit (See Note below)
With the CM12U X10 Computer Interface, you can program timed schedules for your lights and appliances and also create X10 macros. With macros, a single X10 command can be used to trigger a sequence of X10 commands. On-screen representations of switches allow you control X10 devices directly from your computer by clicking on them.

A limited number of programmed events and macros can be downloaded to the 1K memory on the CM12U unit for stand alone operation (with the PC turned off). Energy Star compatible PCs can be automatically "woken" up from sleep mode when the PC is required to take action (for programmed events that exceed on-board memory space).

The CM12U unit plugs into the serial port of any PC running Windows. The socket on the front of the unit is an unswitched pass-through power outlet for the power cord of the PC (though we suggest leaving this socket unused to help prevent the PC interfering with X10 communications). A CD-ROM drive is required.

Only P/N 10075 is supplied with free software ActiveHome Version 1.42
P/N 12006 and P/N 12726 are NOT supplied with any software, but you can download ActiveHome here

Please note that Active Home software is extremely basic, and is really intended as a "taster" of PC controlled home automation. It basically turns your PC into a timer, allowing modules to be turned on and off at specific times, and/or at dawn/dusk. We highly suggest purchasing Homeseer software which is proper home automation software for use with the CM12. No support is offered in any way for Active Home software.

If you insist upon using the free software, then 2 x AAA batteries are required to keep the RAM intact. The RAM is not powered by the mains electricity. If you have a PC attached 24/7 then the timers will operate via the Active Home software. However, if the PC is disconnected then batteries are required. Note that if you disconnect the CM12 from the PC, it is important to disconnect the cable at the CM12 end. Otherwise the CM12 will pick up interference via the serial cable, and it's internal clock with run fast/slow. If you use Homeseer or Harmony then batteries are not required as neither software package uses the RAM in the CM12 (the CM12 only acts as a Gateway), and in any case with these software packages require the PC be connected and running 24/7

The USB version of the CM12, is a standard CM12, with a USB -> Serial converter. The USB driver is setup to emulate a serial port

Advice for users of Windows XP and Vista 32bit using RS232 CM12
If you have trouble getting ActiveHome to communicate with the CM12 under Windows XP, try these two steps.
1. Left mouseclick the Windows "Start" button, highlight "All Programs" -> "Home Control" -> "ActiveHome (TM)". Right Click on "ActiveHome(TM)" and then left click on "Properties" Screen View
In the properties window that opens choose the "Compatibility" tab, check the "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" checkbox and select "Windows98 / Windows Me" from the drop down list. Screen View. Then left click "OK".
2. Reconfigure the serial port to COM2 (which on XP is done through Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manager -> Port Settings -> Advanced).

Advice for users of USB CM12

Ensure you install the included driver before you plug in the USB to Serial cable

Then plug the USB to Serial cable in, and connect it up to the CM12

Then you need to find out what COM port your USB to Serial cable is configured as - this is checked by right clicking on the "My Computer" icon, selecting Properties, selecting the Hardware tab, selecting Device Manager and expanding the "Ports (COM & LPT)" branch in the list there. There should be an entry for "Prolific USB to Serial device". Right click on that and choose "Properties". Go to "Port Settings" and click the "Advanced" button and you should see a drop down list of available COM port numbers - the entry in the box initially is the number that that unit is set to currently. It needs to be between COM1 and COM4 to be able to work with Activehome.

Once you know what COM port number it is set to (and it's between 1 and 4) then set that in the Activehome communications setup menu.

Download Active Home Version 1.42
Download CM12 USB Driver
Download Homeseer Version 1.7 Demo

Approved


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Customer Comments about this product
Score:
Item exactly as described. First Class delivery service. Will deal with this Company again. (Kevin. Chorley)

 
Part No Description Stock Availability at 08:47 Jul, 16 If ordered on-line Price = Qty to
order
12697 CM12 Serial & Harmony Home Software SPECIAL DEAL Stock = 1
No Back Orders Permitted
£ 44.03
(£ 38.29 + VAT)
12698 CM12 USB & Harmony Home Software SPECIAL DEAL Stock = >500 £ 63.25
(£ 55.00 + VAT)
 
10075 CM12U Home Automation Controller (Free X10 "ActiveHome" Software)(9 Pin RS232) Stock = 1
No Back Orders Permitted
£ 32.19
(£ 27.99 + VAT)
12006 CM12U Home Automation Controller (NO Software Supplied - Pse Download) (USB) Stock = >500 £ 51.37
(£ 44.67 + VAT)
 
12726 Domia 10/X10 PC Starter Kit - CM12U (Serial & USB, 2 x 2026UK Plug-In Dimmers) Stock = 61 £ 52.90
(£ 46.00 + VAT)
 
12445 SPARE - Serial Cable for CM12 (9 Pin -> RJ11) Stock = 10 £ 5.75
(£ 5.00 + VAT)
12005 SPARE - USB Cable for CM12 (USB -> RJ11) Stock = 74 £ 20.70
(£ 18.00 + VAT)
10274 Duracell Ultra AAA 1.5V Battery (4 Pack) Backorder £ 2.76
(£ 2.40 + VAT)


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10376 DK10U Barking Dog (X10 and RF Control) & DM10E External X10/RF Motion Sensor Stock =>100 £ 64.40
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