sanders2222

Last week, my Venstar thermostat began acting strange a few days, then communication to ISY 994-IR was lost entirely. I don’t have any issues with any other device on the system. The t-stat was installed fall 2010 and beyond initial setup, has had no issues since. My PLM is a 2412 with an Access Point module plugged directly into it. But last week when I accessed the ISY remotely, the Fan setting was ON. It should’ve been AUTO. I changed to Auto and all seemed good. Checked following day and same thing. On the 3rd day, ISY gave me an error message when I tried to change the Fan status. On the fourth or fifth day, I noticed the ISY displayed the red exclamation mark next to the t-stat device (failed communication). So, from my remote location I’m trying to evaluate what the problem is. I tried to Query and restore the device. Neither did anything. So I’m thinking here are some possible issues: Insteon component quit working. Power supply to t-stat disrupted (backup battery died) Power to furnace off (not likely) Motherboard in furnace fried, disrupting power to t-stat. Anyway, I am just wondering if anyone else out there has experienced an issue with their Venstar t-stat. And if that is not my issue, I may need to contact my furnace repairman. Update: Today my house checker said the t-stat was working as they turned up the heat & furnace came on. Hmmmm.

Thank You Michel! I think these steps cleared up my problem After steps 1 & 2, I followed the link in step 3. This opened the "ISY Finder; Not Found" window like before. BUT there was an option to pull down and expand the window, exposing the menu buttons to enter my remote address and open the Admin Console. PROBLEM SOLVED. This is my story and I'm sticking to your solution. Admittedly, I do not recall if the pull down expansion of the ISY Finder window exited before. If it did, then that's a BIG DUH! I certainly don't recall ever seeing the ISY Finder window NOT showing the menu buttons. LOL

I too use dozens of variables that include day/date. I have a variable that tracks daylight and evening times (0 = daytime, 1 = sunset, 2 = prime time, 3 = late night and 4 = midnight). The number change can trigger programs that turn on/off devices, change HVAC settings or monitor statuses. I have one variable that mirrors my security arm state (0 = I'm home, 1 = away or out on the town and 2 = On Vacation). These variables control folders that contain sets of programs. If I'm away my HVAC settings are different and if its after dark, it's nice to come home to a lighted driveway. But I don't want to light the drive every night if I'm on vacation. The Vacation folder programs also have a number of random wait actions I don't need or want when I'm home. Another variable counts the times the door into our garage opens/closes each day. This allows my system to revert to vacation programs if no one is home for a day.

Yes. And thanks for chiming in Michel. The problem is my ISY Finder window provides no such options. It's just a narrow little window that opens with one line stating "ISY Finder; Not Found". The only options using the right icon are to Move/Size/Close and on the left a close window option. A right mouse click doesn't help either. It's like I only get a portion of the Finder app to open. I don't think it's a firewall issue as this has worked before on this PC (before getting a new battery). Plus I have another Win 10 laptop set up almost identically and the Admin Console works just fine. So I'm not sure just where the issue is. It's been a bugger! BTW: I can access the my site using the web browser. And the web browser app is fine for most my queries. It also provides an option to open the "Admin Console". That lets me use the console.

How do i bring up the ISY Finder? It pops up "ISY FINDER NOT Found" & the main dialog box opens (& of course fails). If you view my attached image, the upper middle of image is all that appears. There is no option to do anything in that box. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Looks like removing,, then reinstalling Firefox RESOLVED most of my problems. I can now view my cameras and connect to the ISY via the WEB Ajax application. AND from there I can even open the Admin Console with Java. So my remote access has been restored just updating Firefox. However, I still do not have the convenience of opening the Admin Console directly. All I see is the top portion of the ISY FINDER dialog box (see attached image in original post). There is no option to edit the Finder and point the app to the right address. And of course, the connection fails. Hmmm. Any suggestions?

Thought I did that... twice. But I'm finding I can't remotely access the ISY on this PC using the web Ajax browser app. I get a timeout message like it's the wrong address. The strange behavior may be with my no-ip address or Windows 10. I find I can access one camera, so I know the dynamic address update is correct. Plus I can use the Ajax app on my cell phone to access all cameras and the ISY. That confirms the no-ip address forwarding is correct. So maybe it's something to do with Win 10 on this laptop. Edit; OK All the no-ip links work on my notepad just fine. But not on this laptop. I wonder if Firefox is my issue, I will try re-installing that to see if that clears up my issues.

I got my Samsung ultrabook back from the "Depot". That's Microsoft Store speak for where ever they send stuff t get it fixed. As I'm putting things back together, everything is good except access to my ISY. I can't get my ISY console to open. Plus I notice the dialog the ISY Finder not found (see attached screen shot). It's like a key piece of the software app that connects to the ISY is missing. But I do not see links that create the Finder dialog box. I am able to open the ISY Console on my back-up Dell laptop, but the behavior is quite different on my ultrabook. Both laptops have Win 10. I cleared the Java cache and reloaded the latest Java application. Still doesn't work. What could I be missing?

I had 2 MS set up & after 8 years both suddenly died on me. They no longer sent on/off status updates to the ISY & programs were no longer triggered. I replaced 1; no probs. ISY reported On then Off status as expected. I purchased a 2nd one on ebay & installed it too. Then I noticed the 2nd MS status is always ON, never OFF. However any motion does send a new ON trigger as programs function properly. So my question is does the MS have settings that turn reporting features ON or OFF? Are these features controlled by the ISY? OR did I get a defective MS? Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Am I ever happy the ISY fully integrates the ELK M1! I was having remote connection problems before I discovered my desktop PC died. CenturyLink sent me a new modem/router (M/R) and I purchased a new desktop on eBay (came with Win 8.1). Didn't like that so paid for Win 10 and began the process of reloading programs/apps. While I was apprehensive re: swapping out my router, it was upsetting that I no longer had access to the ELKRP. I could not remember if I ever created an ELKRP backup file either. I knew I had to reconfigure the router for my LAN and pass-through addresses. My concern was that I would break everything (ISY/ELK relationships) swapping out the M/R. I completed the basic changes to the IP mask simply by plugging into the new M/R. But that was the simple part. I needed to muster enough courage to disconnect the old and put in the new. I was not looking forward to that. When I did, the new M/R had strange IP numbers as devices. It was then I realized I needed MAC addresses to know what I was looking at. So I reconnected the old M/R back up and wrote down (cut-n-paste actually) ALL the MAC addresses. Once that was accomplished, I: Connected up the new M/R and identified each device discovered. Then I set the static IP addresses for my ISY, ELK M1 plus a couple of cameras. With the exception of the Russound IP to Serial bridge (which never could be discovered), I figured all other devices can live with the dynamic addressing. I am concluding my ‘bridge’ is also toast & needs replacing. How both my desktop PC and bridge died while on vacation is beyond me. Both were powered off the whole time we were away. After the static address were defined, I opened my ISY console and was glad to discover the link to the ELK was recognized and worked. I also tested my cameras in the browser and they worked too. I then added the pass-through addresses; now they are working (using my original no-ip hostname). The part I was still missing was the ELKRP on the desktop. I had to create a new account (using Smiths for my template) and found the M1EXP was discoverable. However, I could not connect to it because I was using a custom port and had no idea what that was. Enter the ISY. All the information I needed was there, including the description of all the zones and their arming settings. I added the port number in the RP and bingo, I was in. I had to re-enter all the zone information and settings but as each was updated, they disappeared from the conflict list. I also had conflicts with Output, lighting and other settings, but I used the option of copying the system information to the database and suddenly I was done. Had the ISY not presented the information needed, I would’ve been in a BIG mess! For me, this was a big hurdle. Thank you Universal Devices for creating the ISY into what it is today!

Thanks for the feedback. You nailed it. I do have a static IP but I was not having issues with my computer connections at the time. Sill strange though. But I have one of those CenturyLink modem/router/WiFi combos (C1000A) so this doesn't surprise me, plus it's CenturyLink! LOL I rebooted the router and power cycled the ISY and all appears all is working again. Problem SOLVED! Thanks for your help.

Sometime today my ISY has locked me out. Everything seemed to be working fine earlier but now I cannot open the Admin Console. I notice the 4th blue light (from left) & red light next to it are flashing. I tried power cycling the ISY but nothing changed. For all the years I've had this system I've never seen this issue before. What does it mean?

Interesting post. I have a DSC alarm at another site as well that I plan to hook up to the network. I am familiar with the Envisalink add-on to do this. I assume the ISY can then send commands to the alarm through the networking module. But how does the Raspberry Pi and DSCLink help with the ISY connection? And do these allow the ISY to know the status of the alarm or do you need a separate app to access the alarm for the status? Also, from my experience with the ELKM1 at home, your method of leaving then arming AWAY will not work. It seems you have to arm first, then leave (opening and closing a door) otherwise the system will default to arm STAY.

OR you can do what I did when I was unable to get the Mobilinc trial version to work... use the Ajax GUI that is FREE. I have an Android too and using the browser, I can log into my ISY with most the functionality I have with the Admin Console. No other hardware or purchase to to this. The one exception I have found is while I can choose and run any program, I cannot edit them. Plus once logged into the system, save the page as a favorite and login credentials are remembered. One last note is you can even log into you Admin Console on the phone. But the screen size is too limited to be useful or work with. I still use the PC for that. I use a free DNS host through no-ip.com if I'm out and about. But if I'm home, i use the 192.168.n.n address to access the ISY.

Ditto! Except when another opportunity pops up to 'automate' something.

Me too. Despite my trials... besides, I figure it keeps me off the streets at night.

Thanks for chiming in Michel. I like your better approach, but someone would have to walk me through that process. I'm also thinking my problem be because the ISP modem & router turn on at the same time. It seems if the two devices boot up together, that could cause a delay or partial connection to other devices. A UPS for the modem and router could resolve this issue. I do receive messages from the ISY (now that power is restored) but I can't access the ISY or my IP cameras remotely. This happens every time there is a power outage, and of course, it always happens while we're away. And without a reset, I think my ISY is running the house as though we are there (e.g. lighting and HVAC settings are higher than should be). Maybe I need to create an ISY program that checks doorway activity throughout the day and if none, defaults settings to 'vacation' mode. However, without remote access, this will have to wait until I get home (in a couple weeks).

I am looking for a solution that will delay turning on my ISY when power is restored after an outage. My problem is that if the ISY boots up before the modem has booted up, a connection from the outside cannot be made. This requires some groveling on my part, to get my neighbor over there to unplug the ISY, then reconnect it to re-establish communications. If I had a device that had a built in timer, say after 60 seconds or so, that could supply 12VDC to the ISY, I wouldn't need to grovel so much! LOL This delayed start-up should be enough to re-establish the IP addresses from the modem to the ISY (if that is what is happening). Does anyone know if there is such a device? OR is my problem something else entirely? OR should just plug the modem into an UPS to solve my problem?

Thanks LeeG. You're correct that my programs would have the <Not Specified> in place of the device name when I deleted the device. But after I was able to finally re-link it (with the same name), my experience was the device name appeared in the programs like nothing had changed. However, none of them would execute. I checked both the status of the device changes and my Event Viewer to see the device was communicating. All I could think of was the device name in the programs was missing something unseen. If I logged out and then back in to the console, that may have restored all the settings as well. But I needed to follow your suggestion to sort all that out. Thanks for you help!

Thanks LeeG! That was it. Not so easy to do a reset, but I did. Then tried relinking and - waalaa! But I wasn't out o the woods yet. I had to get rid of the red exclamation marks, rehang the MS & figure out why my programs would not run even though the MS was sending messages to the ISY (viewed in Event Viewer). I discovered I had to go into each program with the MS address as a trigger. Delete the condition, save the program, re-add the condition and save it. This even though the name of device was exactly the same.

I tried linking this time with the Event Viewer up, here is what I get: I can see that. I kept things in linking mode until after the New Devices Error message popped up.

Having to replace the battery should not have lost the links to the PLM. That's what I thought. Having replaced this battery several times in the past, I never had to re-link the device. I assumed since the battery was bad (for perhaps several months) a total energy drain may account for that. To add the Motion Sensor to the ISY it cannot already be defined to the ISY. I had removed and deleted the device from My Devices Use New INSTEON Device (as you have been). Before clicking Ok on the popup put the motion sensor into linking mode with a single press and hold of Motion Sensor Set button for 4-5 seconds. Then click Ok. Exactly as I had done! That message indicates the motion sensor either was not in linking mode before or is not in range of a Dual Band device I have the device directly over my PLM (which has an Access point plugged directly into it). So, is there a way to determine if the device is not in linking mode? (e.g. try linking it with a switch or something?)

Just when I think I got everything figured out. I had a battery in an Insteon motion detect (IMD) go bad a month or so ago. At any rate, the IMD has performed for years in it's postion, only requiring a new battery every year of so. I replaced the bat and the device shows it is registering motion. However, I cannot get the ISY to recognize the device. I can hold the button inside the device a few seconds and it looks like it goes into linking mode (flash on every second). If I hold the button another few seconds, it flashes off every second. Press the button again it it stops. It appears to link but then the attached message pops up. No matter what flashing mode it's in, it will not link. Any ideas on what I am doing wrong?

I was trying to debug why some evening programs have stopped working when I noticed several folders set up under the Detail tab are missing under the Summary tab. It appears the files in the folders are there, but the not the folder. In these screen shots, both the Evening Triggers and Events folders are missing. Is there an explanation for this? Is it because these folders do not have a condition which may disable the programs in them?

I discovered one workaround, but I am not sure what I have. I opened the file with WORD, deleted all the double paragraph marks, then copied those changes to NOTEPAD. I then copied that into EXCEL and wahlah: 3687 lines of code. I recognize folder & file names, comment lines & what appears to be a number or Insteon code per line. But none of the logic or labels translates in WORD so this is not what I was looking for.