TW523 and X10 problems

Hi all,
I have been reading any/all posts regarding the X10 and TW523. I am attempting a very simple test of turning a fan off using Arduino/XTB523/Lamp Module and the x10 library.
I believe i have the correct setup, since when i send the command i see the light on the 523 blink from dim green to bright green, and my serial output shows the command completed, but i get no response from the appliance.
my first (and hopefully only) question is:
do I need anything from the arduino related to power? In one post i saw that a +5V was needed on the ZC pin, on another I saw it was needed on the xmt pin, and on a few others it was never mentioned!
The same question goes for a 10K resistor... although i believe that using the internal pullup solves that question.
Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.
Jerry

Show us in a schematic how you are connected to the TW523.
Are your house and unit codes correct?

Hi Larry,
I have the following
523 is from left to right

  1. Color. Arduino
  2. Not connected
  3. Blk. 2
  4. Red. 4
  5. Grn. Gnd
  6. Yell. 5
  7. Not connected

The above are going directly into the arduino with nothing else inline e.g. +5 or resistors

I believe it is correct because any other combination hangs the code on the write command. This combination allows the code to complete.

and here is my code:
#include <x10.h>
#include <x10constants.h>

#define zcPin 2
#define dataPin 5
#define RCVE_PIN 4

// set up a new x10 instance:
x10 myHouse = x10(zcPin, dataPin, RCVE_PIN);

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
Serial.println("Sending off:");
// send a "lights off" command 3 times:
myHouse.write(HOUSE_B, UNIT_1,3);
myHouse.write(HOUSE_B, OFF,3);
Serial.println("Sent off:");
delay(10000);
}

Do you have?

TW523. Arduino

Zero Crossing 1. ---> 2 Input, coming to Arduino zero crossing
GND 2. GND
RX O/P 3. N.C.
TX I/P 4. <--- 5 TX data output, going to TW523

I have the rx connected. Otherwise, yes to the questions, as per my schematic and code...

I hook up a unit here, it works as it should with your code.

EDIT: I used the original TW523 module

  • Is your UNIT_1 on the same side of the phase as the TW523?
  • Are you sure you have the TW523 wired as I suggested?

Send me a web link to the schematic for your XTB523

Thanks for your patience here!
http://jvde.us/xtb/XTB-523_description.htm
That is the module I have could it just be something stupid like initializing it correctly?

Oh forgot to mention. I am in the same outlet for both modules so same phase...

I am having trouble coming to grips with your wiring in reply #2 and my reply #4.
Since things here are working, you either have a wiring problem, the XTB523 has a problem or is not compatible with the TW523/Arduino library.
Larry

When you set up the test, did you have the wires going directly into the arduino?
This goes back to my first question Do I need external 5V or any resistors?

I used no resistors.
I connected the TW523 directly to: GND, Pin 2 and Pin 5 as in my reply #4.

I used this library:

sigh - ok i guess i am dead in the water until i can get someone to help me with an O-scope to see what is actually happening.
Thanks for all your help/support!
Jerry