This section explains how to get started, both for first time users and users who already have a CP290 interface and have used other software to control it.
First Time Installation of HOUSE/290 with new CP290 Interface.
This explanation assumes that you installed HOUSE/290 with a new CP290 interface for the first time and that you have not previously used the CP290 with any other software.
Follow the installation instructions of HOUSE/290 and the CP290 interface to install both products. Connect the CP290 to one of your serial ports. Start up HOUSE/290 and select the serial port you connected the CP290 to from the Configuration - Settings - Comm notebook page. Save the settings and connect to the interface by clicking in the OFFLINE icon in the tool bar. Click on the BATTERY icon. Select the battery type (Regular or Alkaline) and click on New Battery. This will save the battery installation date and type to the HOUSE290.INI file. Exit the screen and click on the CLOCK icon to verify interface time. If the time does not match system time, then click on Set Interface Time to correct it.
If you have problems up to this point, please read the help section on Troubleshooting.
If battery data and clock are successfully set, then you can disconnect from the interface by clicking on the ONLINE icon in the tool bar and start adding modules to HOUSE/290.
To add modules, make sure Group 1 is highlighted and click on ADD MODULE or ADD WALLSWITCH icon in the tool bar. You can also make these selections from the MODULES pull-down menu. A module will appear on the screen. Right-click on the gray slider area (but not inside the slider channel) to bring up a menu. Select EDIT to start editing module name, address, type, on-time etc.
You can add up to 12 modules and macros to one group. Use the groups to logically organize your modules by room, function, time of the year, etc. Please read the section on module editing for the various types of settings and features.
Migrating from Other Software to HOUSE/290.
This explanation assumes that you installed HOUSE/290 with an existing CP290 interface and that you have used the CP290 with other software.
Start up HOUSE/290 and select the serial port you connected the CP290 to from the Configuration - Settings - Comm notebook page. Save the settings and connect to the interface by clicking on the OFFLINE icon in the tool bar. Click on the BATTERY icon. Select the battery type (Regular or Alkaline) you installed into the CP290. Edit the battery installation date. The format is DD MMM YYYY. You can approximate the date as it is not used for any calculations. Exiting the screen will save the battery installation date and type to the HOUSE290.INI file. Click on the CLOCK icon to verify interface time. If the time does not match system time, then click on Set Interface Time to correct it.
If you have problems up to this point, please read the help section on Troubleshooting.
With HOUSE/290 still connected, select TOOLS - Read Interface Memory. This will read all the current CP290 timer programming and prompt you to save it in a file. Default file name is CP290.IBK. In case you want to restore these settings, use the provided RSTCP290.CMD program to return back to the original settings. The file CP290.IBK must be present for RTSCP290.CMD to work. There is currently no conversion tool available to create HOUSE/290 modules from an existing CP290 setup.
If battery information and clock are successfully set, then you can disconnect from the interface by clicking on the ONLINE icon in the tool bar and start adding modules to HOUSE/290.
To add modules, make sure Group 1 is highlighted and click on ADD MODULE or ADD WALLSWITCH icon in the tool bar. You can also make these selections from the MODULES pull-down menu. A module will appear on the screen. Right-click on the gray slider area (but not inside the slider channel) to bring up a menu. Select EDIT to start editing module name, address, type, on-time etc.
Note: Please be aware of the 30 timer limit if you did not register the program. An unregistered program will not be able to preset or restore more than 30 timers.