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Teken

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Everything posted by Teken

  1. It was LOL!
  2. I believe it really comes down to what is in your system and how you expect it to operate. Some have the controller simply turn things on and off. Some have it turn devices in the home based on duration or time of day. The above scenario I would gather encompasses about 70% of the ISY user base. Then you have those who have environmental devices and they wish to track its energy consumption, duration, and cycle time. I fall under this category and because I do must have repetitive programs / variables that allow me to track those areas. The next is of course those who use the network module to activate or react to other network related devices or to push data to cloud hosted services. Based on a few peoples replies that is another place where high usage can come into play. I agree with you if I could make something lean and mean and small in program size. I always try that method first opposed to using massive line of code to do the same. For me its the KISS principle but the reality is the ISY Series Controller by default requires a certain level of programming if specific wants and needs are to be met. I know there was a user on here that stated he had some insane amount of programs I believe approaching the limits of the ISY Series Controller! Upon reading his reply almost three years ago I had to take pause and think if he was exaggerating or was really at that level. Fast forward three years later I am about half of what he was! Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I would break 12 programs never mind dabble into the use of variables! It really came down to the massive amount of knowledge and help from people like Xathros and his like that pushed me forward in making *real* use of my HA controller. So, I lay complete blame squarely on the feet of our resident Xathros for my massive hoards of programs / variables! At some point in time I hope very much to stream line a few programs and really see what 5.XX has to offer. I truly believe if the new release allows me to push data to other cloud based services in a more streamlined approach via variables. I fully expect to see about 100+ network resources of all kinds.
  3. Teken replied to smokegrub's topic in ISY994
    Standard derating Derating is the reduction of the maximum capacity (or "load") a dimmer can reliably handle when its side-sections (or "fins") are removed. Dimmers build a lot of heat, so if your going to use more than a single gang box (switch box), you must use a smaller load on the circuit than for which the switch is rated. For example, you have 2 dimmer switches in a 2 gang box. The switches are rated for 750 watts when installed in an individual box, but because of the heat buildup, you may need to derate each switch to 600 watts if installing 2 switches in 1 (2 gang) box.
  4. Too funny! I thought you would have easily pushed past 500 plus programs etc. [emoji5]️ Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
  5. Teken replied to Wingsy's topic in ISY994
    Smartlabs recommends a Range Extender for every 2000 square feet. This is why coupling / bridging must be confirmed for all floors, rooms, zones. Do not rely on the fact you have dual band devices installed in the walls if the JBOX is metal. This will dramatically reduce the RF range from none to several feet. Programs by default require more time when compared to linked scenes. Best practice is to always use scenes for all primary use. This ensures if the controller is down the base system will always operate. NOTE: All the coupling in the world will not resolve a noise issue in the network. It's imperative you install the correct loads while following the maximum power output of each Insteon device. Always follow the derating of side by side dimmers etc. Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
  6. Teken replied to smokegrub's topic in ISY994
    Agreed install and load in use is important to know and follow. Lots of folks are still under the impression all LEDs are dimmable they are not. One of the worst habits I have seen are those who insist upon using the wire nut / marrette to secure the wire bundle! No . . . You must use linesman pliers and secure the bundle then screw on the marrette! Once screwed on pull and yank on it to ensure its properly seated and secured.
  7. Teken replied to jwarner964's topic in ISY994
    That made me laugh! On the technical side the newer unit offers many new firmware features not seen before on older units. - Ability to turn on/off RF or Powerline - Smart Hops - Adjustable LED brightness / Turn off LED - Blink on error - Send message cleanup - Independent load sense
  8. Oh something stupid like 329 Integers Variables, 146 State Variables, and just under 400 programs. So I don't know if that is a lot or a little but its still growing!
  9. Teken replied to Wingsy's topic in ISY994
    The three major things for any Insteon network is (confirmed) proper coupling / bridging outlined in the users manual. The 2413S PLM Users guide explains the 4 tap beacon test and what to expect. Next, is to identify all noise makers / signal suckers in the home and filter them or replace them. Do not plug the PLM on a circuit that is loaded with electronics such as computers, cell chargers, UPS, filtered surge strips. Last, is to ensure proper RF coverage either using the new Range Extenders or Lamp Linc / On-Off Relay. Since the Lamp Linc / On-Off Relay only loses 50 feet of RF to the RE. Having dual use is always great because the RE can not be re-purposed for anything else besides coupling and transceiving from RF to Power line. If you're going to have a wall wart might as well have a dual purpose one! Lots of folks like to place the PLM / ISY as close to the electrical panel as possible for the best power line distribution. I believe given the vast amount of dual band devices being offered by Smartlabs this requirement isn't so important anymore. No matter what you do best practices of any new install is to hard reset all devices prior to enrolling them to the network. There have been countless stories of ghost issues unexplained. Hard resetting the device will restore the unit to a factory state and remove any test links or programming from the production line.
  10. Light dims are excellent solution but for those with very little budget you can certainly use the black sharpie. If done correctly it can tame the glare quite a bit so give it a try.
  11. Teken replied to Kush's topic in ISY994
    No kidding, talk about scamming the customer. The Seco version has been used in almost every major application from thousands of vendors around the world. Its proven, reliable, and flexible for the end users needs why mess with something good that just works??
  12. Teken replied to smokegrub's topic in ISY994
    To your original question are the newer KPL's worse than years past? I would have to gather the hardware has advanced and gotten better in a few areas. I do have to temper that reply with the fact Smartlabs has removed and deprecated a few features or options once available to the general public. Along with the fact the KPL Relay continues to make that annoying buzz! [emoji35] Outside of those two issues my expectation is any new KPL should serve their master for many years to come. Knock on wood! [emoji53] Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
  13. Teken replied to jwarner964's topic in ISY994
    I can tell you from a technical and user experience the new dual band, dual outlet is miles ahead in terms of quality and performance when compared to the single band, single outlet linc. I realize you only need one controlled outlet but the reality is the single outlet linc was a piece of crap! You won't have any regrets besides a lighter wallet from buying one. Trust me, the new one is very good and operates like a champ.
  14. Teken replied to smokegrub's topic in ISY994
    I have several generations of KPL from dimmers to relays and none of them have ever failed. I had received a used KPL in a bulk auction many years ago and the load portion did not operate. That KPL was simply re-purposed for status alert duties. Without knowing all of the intimate details of the environment, load, electrical health. Its hard to say what has caused some of the negative feed back with respect to the KPL's. I don't know if the reviews are all pertaining to the relay vs dimmer units. But I can safely tell you that after living in twelve different states America has some of the crappiest power I have ever had to endure. It doesn't take away from the fact earlier KPL / Switch Lincs in themselves had terrible PSU with in either. Just that many places in the United States have extremely dirty power. This doesn't even address the surge loads with in peoples houses which often times causes more long term damages to ones electronics. I've been a long time (fanatic) in monitoring, measuring, and capturing power related issues from work and at home. Its fair to say with out this critical data point lots of this is pure guessing on most peoples part. That's my $0.00000000000000001
  15. Not sure if this feed back is worth any value but typically a scene is used for the GDO in concert with a KPL. As you're fully aware the majority use it for both status and control. Since it seems you won't have this requirement then I am not sure what value there would be in using a scene? Unless you plan on linking the sensor from the I/O Linc to some other Insteon enabled device like a LED, Lamp Linc, etc. I personally would not count on a software widget to alert me of a On/Off state for the largest door in my home. I would opt to have a hard linked KPL etc for that status and control.
  16. Teken replied to Kush's topic in ISY994
    Hello Kush, Is it safe to say none of the I/O lincs are programmed with the *Trigger Reverse* option? Can you please verify and post up a screen capture for each I/O linc. My expectation is (even if) the ISY was rebooted it would have sent a confirmation the door was closed not open. This is how I have my system set using Prowl and e-mail to ensure if there is a system issue I always know the last known (good) state. One thing to try and confirm is if perhaps the sensor that gave the bad reading could have (momentarily) tripped due to a large gust of wind. This is something I have tested in my own system to see how much magnetic gap would cause the system to trip. To date I have confirmed it would take more than half an inch of travel before the door would show a open / ajar state. That sort of wind condition is not typical in my area so depending upon how your sensor is mounted this could impact you more or less. For your reference my sensor is mounted at the top of the door and the actual sensor just uses gravity to fall into place. Meaning even if the wind blew the door (buffeted) the sensor would move in unison with the door moving back and forth. This is why I mounted my sensor this way because it provided the most robust method of monitoring opposed to other means.
  17. I/O Lincs are single band only. Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
  18. At the rate we are giving up our civil liberties. Canada will very much be a Nazi State! [emoji16][emoji35] Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
  19. If your PLM is only six months old its eligible for a full replacement under Smartlabs 2 year warranty period.
  20. Can you elaborate on the section high lighted in red a little bit more??
  21. Hello Gerry, The closest thing I have seen to what you describe is (IF) there is a power disturbance. This is where the PLM does not come up before the ISY is looking for it upon power restore. That is the closet thing I have seen first hand but this would be noted by the fact the front of the ISY LED's would show an error status on one or more of the LED's. Many of us have avoided this situation by placing the ISY on a UPS backup system. You sure can.
  22. Because many users do not have Z-Wave as their secondary protocol installed into the ISY. For those that do going with Z-Wave is an alternative for sure. Or in the case of others who have a ELK alarm system that is another method or any 3rd party security alarm system. The reality is, unless the GDO maker is the provider of said (remote) controller. There is no product on the open market that is supposed to initiate the same, none. We as tinkerers have made it so and in doing so have to accept the responsibility of having a 3rd party device integrating with something that was never designed from the on set to support such a feature. People have to take responsibility for their own actions unless they want to live in a nanny State like CA, NY! Back On Topic: Won't this be a kick in the face when the solution to the ALL ON / ALL OFF is found to be something so small and simple???
  23. Now, you're all knowing! Welcome to the brotherhood of energy conservation. [emoji4] your devices should arrive with the most up to date firmware. If not, please do update both units to ensure the most features. Configure all networking attributes first. So you can talk to the box's if any trouble shooting is required. Please take sometime to read over all the PDF manuals to get a basic understanding of the install process and setup. Label all CT's at the end of the wire for ease of install and future trouble shooting. Ensure AC power is present for all three transformers: Dash Box, GEM, GEM PT. Should you run into any problems please do let us know. Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
  24. Hello Blueman2, I must stress the following point(s) so balanced information is stated for all to see. The GDO kit has been sold for more than 7 years which equates to tens of thousands of units in the wild. This issue has never existed until recently and in my humble estimation seems to impact an extremely small portion of the general public. I can safely say out of the tens of thousands of Insteon users with the GDO kit. There have been less than 100 people who have reported this ALL ON / ALL OFF issue. To date this ALL ON / ALL OFF issue has not appeared in any other software / hardware controller from any maker, none. This includes every version of controller Smartlabs has created and sold to the public. Steps have been taken from Smartlabs to remove the ALL ON / ALL OFF command from the device table from the PLM and future Insteon devices. The reality is, no one knows exactly how to repro this issue where it is measurable in a closed state. My expectation is once this information is validated and proven. This critical piece of information will be shared to the UDI forum members in a concise manner which all can apply and recreate if need be.
  25. The only time it should try to do that is if it's part of a linked associated scene. Are you sure you haven't selected add a new device to an existing scene? Plus a battery device must be awaken to write to the device. Ideals are peaceful - History is violent

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