Setting up control of Rako lights from Pronto TSU9600 via rfx9600 extender.

maj74 · 02-11-2009, 9:01 PM

Well, my rako units have arrived and I've wired in the pill control unit as well as the face plate, and they are working properly which is good.

Not having so much luck with the Pronto control. The rako software module is installed onto my TSU9600 and all the settings in the software are correct as far as I can tell.

The RAV232 unit is attached to my rfx9600 extender.

However the pronto is not running any lights successfully.

Can someone help me with possible reasons?

a) Does the rako software on the TSU9600 work purely through prontoscript? When I press buttons on the pronto, should I see the transmit animation on the top of the screen? (I see nothing) Do I still need to set up somehting in the component database? The only rako units in the control code database are for the RAVIR controller.

b) Does the RAV232 have to have a 12v power supply connected when working from an rfx9600 extender? My rako supplier thought it shouldn't need one, (the manual only says reccommend) but haven't got a spare one at the moment, so can't test. If it has to have one, then I'll go buy another 12v power transformer tomorrow!

These are my 2 thoughts on most likely issues. Is it one of these, or could it be something else?!

Dave964 · 02-11-2009, 10:15 PM

a) Yes - purely prontoscript.

b) Yes, it needs it's own power supply - at least, mine is using it's own power supply. Does your RAV232 light up? Mine is illuminated by a pretty blue light.

Note that there is one other possibility for the problem you're having. When I got mine, the documentation said that it defaulted to 9600bps, but that was not true. It was actually defaulted to 1200bps - I had to connect to a laptop (hyperterminal) and change the baud rate before it would work.

maj74 · 02-11-2009, 10:19 PM

So I shouldn't see any transmit animation when I press a button?

My rav232 is not lit up, so I guess it's the 12v issue!

Thanks as always.

Dave964 · 02-11-2009, 10:24 PM

No, you won't see a transmit icon. Note that the control panel contains an LED though (red or blue depending on which option you chose) and that should flash when you press a button. Assuming it flashes, then I'd say the module is working fine.

With no blue light, it definitely sounds like you need a power supply. Be warned about the baud rate though, because you might still have that problem. It took me a couple of hours to figure out that was my problem - which considering I wrote the prontoscript for the Rako module - wasn't very impressive!

maj74 · 02-11-2009, 11:15 PM

Thanks for the info. I shall check the baud rate. I get the blue led 'light' on the rako screen on the pronto, it's just the rav232 that's resolutely dim. Will try a 12v supply tomorrow!

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 9:04 PM

Well my RAV232 is now lit up, but still nothing happens via the pronot panel buttons. Do I not have to do anything to the pronto setup file to tell it that the rav232 is connected to serial port 2, other than specify this in the install page of teh rako module?

I don't have the rasoft software. Can I use 'hyperterminal' to check the baud? Is this a piece of software or something already in windows? I have xp sp2.

Dave964 · 03-11-2009, 9:20 PM

All you have to do is set the correct serial port in the installation page. Obviously you also have to ensure the room numbers etc. are also correct on the installation page.

Hyperterminal is part of Windows. Go to the Start menu -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Communications -> HyperTerminal.

However, the problem is I suspect you don't have a serial port on your PC? I was lucky - I had serial to USB cable that I'd bought for an old pronto, so I could connect the serial cable from the RAV232 to that.

I suspect the baud rate is the problem you're having - it was for me. But you'll need to be able to connect the RAV232 to your laptop to prove it (and fix it).

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 9:32 PM

No, I have a serial port on my computer... plugging it in now...

does it need the 12v supply when plugged into the pc... it's not lit up blue!

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 9:34 PM

ok... connected via hyper terminal... now lit up in blue... so what do I need to check?

Dave964 · 03-11-2009, 9:38 PM

The instructions in the RAV232 tell you how to change the baud rate. I can't remember the details - think it was baud 9600 or something?

Basically - if I remember correctly, the RAV echoes what you type. So - set the baud rate to 9600 in hyper terminal, and I think there will be no response from the RAV. Then change the baud rate to 1200 in hyper terminal - and I think the RAV will respond (echoing your typing). Then you can change the baud to 9600 on the RAV by typing the correct command (check the instructions - if you don't have them, I'll need to find mine).

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 9:41 PM

Well I have hyperterminal open, with a large blank white window, and a flashing black cursor, but I can't type anything into the window... aaaahhh this is infuriating!

Dave964 · 03-11-2009, 9:46 PM

If you can't type, it's because the speed is wrong and it's not echoing.

Click on Properties. Make sure the correct port is selected (i.e. your serial port). Then, click on the "configure" button. Change port speed to 1200 and click on OK.

I think then, the RAV will echo your typing.

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 9:50 PM

progress... (of sorts)

setting a baud rate of 1200:

Now I get a title: Rako lighting controller v1.4.1
(c)2003 Rako controls Ltd.

but still can't type anything... try a different baud rate till I find one where I can type?

Dave964 · 03-11-2009, 9:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maj74

progress... (of sorts)

setting a baud rate of 1200:

Now I get a title: Rako lighting controller v1.4.1
(c)2003 Rako controls Ltd.

but still can't type anything... try a different baud rate till I find one where I can type?

No, don't try a different baud rate. If you get that print out then you have the correct baud rate.

Try typing "echo on".

Then I think you'll see what you type.

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 9:57 PM

well it does indeed prove that the baud was set at 1200...

typing 'echo on' doesn't seem to be doing anything...

It seems to freeze up whenever I type anything, and then after several seconds I just get another black arrow in a line by the cursor...

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 9:59 PM

the 'flow control' option is 'hardware' I take it this is correct? (thinking of anything I could try changing now!!!)

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 10:00 PM

turning flow control to 'none' has released it! complete guess.
baud rate changed!

Dave964 · 03-11-2009, 10:01 PM

OK - I'll edit my post and remove my suggestions then. It should all work with the extender now......

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 10:03 PM

I shall go and try it now!!!

Give us a couple of minutes!

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 10:11 PM

well.....

The RAV232 now flashes it's blue light to show it is receiving the command...

but the lights are not responding.

I know the hosue address in the module matches the rako control panel address and the room address is also the same... so I'm officially flummoxed now...

I don't have to pair the rav232 with the rako control panel do I?

Dave964 · 03-11-2009, 10:14 PM

No, you don't have to pair it with anything.

If it's receiving the command, I can't think why it isn't working. The Rako module has an option to keep the installation page visible, and that lets you run some tests. Have you tried that?

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 10:22 PM

Well I have the strangest room!!!

I ran the tests on the install page.... nothing worked.

Once I had run the tests.... about 30 seconds later, the 4 scene buttons work... but not the general fade up and down buttons.

Then after another 2 minutes or so.... all the buttons are working...

So now everything is working.... but I have no idea why!

I shall see how stable the system is over the next couple of days.

All I can say Dave is enormous thanks for your time and patience!!! You are very long-suffering on my road to Pronto automation...

Dave964 · 03-11-2009, 10:24 PM

OK - well, at least that proves the basic setup is OK (I assume the validate parameters test passed at least!).

How far is your RAV232 from the module it's controlling? I wonder if you're having some kind of range issues.

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 10:26 PM

There was never an issue with the validated parameters, it always passed that test!

I had brought the rako control panel right over near the rack where the RAV232 is located... Which is where it gradually came to life...

It's still working back in it's home on the wall by the door.... so touching a lot of wood!

Dave964 · 03-11-2009, 10:28 PM

That's not the range I meant. I meant - the range from the RAV232 to the dimmer module in your lighting circuit. I think that's more likely to be the problem than the pronto to extender range.

In fact - it can't be a problem with the pronto to extender range. The Rako module checks that it can talk to the extender (although I can't actually remember how I made it do that) - and if it's having problems it will warn you that it can't find the extender.

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 10:30 PM

ok... well range from RAV232 to wall (pll) dimmer is about 5 metres...

however the RAV232 is behind the equipment in the rack, behind the pronto extender...

Perhaps I shall try and bring it alongside the extender.

Dave964 · 03-11-2009, 10:33 PM

RAV232 doesn't talk to the wall dimmer. You have something wired into your lights - that's what the wall plate talks to, and that's what the RAV232 talks to.

It could well be positioning of the RAV matters. Mine has been 100% reliable - it's in a cupboard under the stairs, but controls the lights in the lounge with no problem.

There is a funny ariel thing in it - if I remember correctly, when I got mine it was tucked inside - I changed it so it was outside the RAV. Don't know if it makes a difference.

maj74 · 03-11-2009, 10:37 PM

That's what I meant. The dimmer unit is the pill module wired in the wall box. Didn't have room in the ceiling rose to fit the 'in line' dimmer through.