I have bought an RFXtrx to replace an aging W800 and gain access to a lot more devices throughout the plugin under development. Here are my first comments on the device and the plugin:
- very small and easy to install. I already had the FTDI driver installed, so immediately after plugging the box on a USB port it was ready to work, no extra power supply needed.
- started the plugin and immediately was in business, I could see messages detected and displayed in the log.
- I have 3 security devices, a few X10 motion detectors, 1 remote command, a flat X10 switch and 2 Chacon devices, all were seen in the log. The problem for me was deciding which protocol I should use in the list, and what were the parameters.
- I did not test yet the range of reception for the RFXtrx, I will do it in the next days.
- I could not access to the settings of the RFXtrx using the Windows program RFXmngr on a Parallels emulation on a Mac. I had to use a 'real' Windows PC. Settings are simple and I updated to the latest firmware easily.
- I cannot find the SD18 smoke detector in the log, this is the only device I cannot use with the plugin.
Questions:
- Is there a place where I can find out which device uses which protocol ? I think I use the right ones, but for example I was surprised to have to use 'AC/X10 switch' for the X10 remote commands or switches.
- Is the Smoke Detector using a different protocol ? It is well seen like the other security devices by the security attachment script I was using before, so I am surprised that it is not detected.
- The Chacon door sensor is ref 54781 is not reliably detected. If I wait less than 2 seconds before two movements a lot of movements are missed. I checked it with the RFX connected on the PC directly (so without the plugin) and it is the same. It could be that this sensor is transmitting a lot (I mean during a long time), because during 2-3 seconds after a movement no other commands seems to go through to any device.
- It seems that the devices created by a plugin are not 'remote display' enabled. Is it something normal or an option given to the programmer of the plugin ?
All in all a very good RF receptor, with an already usable and promising plugin, extending tremendously the possibilities of Indigo for us European users ! Looking forward for adding more devices and helping if I can on the plugin development.