CM12U - any issues - reliable ?

["David Chapman" <david@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Automated Home DiscussionI have had 3 "add-a-motor" units
controlling curtains here and they work great. The add-a-motor is very dumb
and opens or closes when power is applied so I've been using simple pin
type mechanical timeswitches to control them. It works OK but is a bit hit
and miss and this time of the year I'm always adjusting them as they open
too late and close too early.

About 2 years ago I bought a basic X10 system to control them - a CM12U and
4 x AM12U switches. All looked good on paper and it sort of worked but the
PC software was flakey and occasionaly it would "miss" commands
and get out of sync so the curtains would close when they should be opening
- no time to noodle so went back to timeswitches.

However in a wave of optimism inspired by having to set the gazillion
clocks in the house this morning I'm ready to give it another go. Where is
the best place to start with software to talk to the CM12 ? I'm a PC not
Linux bloke but want something very simple and hopefully therefore cheap or
even less than cheap. Also any firmware updates for the CM12 - I'm assuming
it has firmware ?

David C


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]