Hi Bob,
On my end I could not get around this issue after several tests. So we implemented a new dome control system instead. We made an arduino with a heartbeat such that it is always be about to close the dome if the control PC doesn't check-in. My environment code that was feeding Vaisala weather data to ACP via the boltwood file is now doing this check-in and it is also controlling the 7ft clam during alerts etc. My automatic ACP plan generating code adds a dome schedule to each plan as a comment. This is then parsed by the environment code to automatically control the dome (allows for partial shutter positioning etc too).
The dome is disabled in ACP but I still feed the Vaisala weather data to ACP via the boltwood file so ACP knows to park the telescope etc during a weather alert.
If people are interested in these heartbeat systems and/or the astrohaven serial control systems we could make them for you. They are pretty cheap to build.
Cheers,
James