intellihome

Thanks Rand, Could you please elaborate? There are many selections from the pull down menu for the THEN statement in a program. I posted two of them to try and understand... as example...what the ON 15 /OFF 7 are. I assume it's brightness level but I am confused as to what happens. As an example, what will the following program do to the KPL button A? If Time is 9:00:00PM Then Set 'Mud Room KP A' On 9 / Off 5 (Backlight Level) Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

Thanks for elaborating. I did not realize the Insteon signal was more complex and therefore more vulnerable to noise. Makes more sense as to why I have some reliability issues. One last thing...In regards to your quote above, I was under the impression from Smarthome, the more devices you have the stronger more reliable your network. But if the more you have, the more impact you have on signal strength doesn't that make the network weaker?

Thanks! That's a good starting point. I appreciate your help.

Thank you Mark. (I will browse the Wiki a little bit more then I have). so how I decipher the level and ramp rate. In the example shown on the wiki link you provided it shows either an "FF" or "00" for response (level) and a "1F" or "00" for a ramp. What are these values? I only know an on level to be % (such as 50%) and ramp to be 1 second to 9 minutes. Thanks for your time.

Thanks UpstateMike, If I may expand my question a little bit based on your responses... 2. What do you mean by in sync? If the signal is received simultaneously by lets say 30 devices (in the same area), how do they start repeating the signal? Who goes first, second, third...? what about the other 70 switches? Are these signals sent parallel? or sequential? wouldn't this cause collisions or be excessive traffic? 3. The reason I ask about this is because, prior to insteon, I as well as others had elaborate X10 systems that were quite reliable. I am now 50/50 X10/Insteon. My insteon simply replaced X10 modules. The fact that my X10 worked so well and still does must indicate that I do not have a serious noise or signal sucker problem in my install. I don't want to get off topic with my specific issues but just state that in general, one would assume that the insteon network is not as robust as it is in theory. I read far to many posts on reliability issues where our moderators and members question signal problems due to noise and signal absorption. As I write this post I start to wonder if certain noise offenders could be more of a problem to Insteon then X10. It's kind of set in my mind that "If it doesn't affect X10 then it won't affect Insteon...maybe that's not true?

I recently read MarkJames post that is now a "sticky". (Thanks Mark) "The command would get relayed through the network until a responder with a matching destination address received it." I've read a lot of posts over the last year and I thought I read some contradicting information. I can't recall the info, so would rather start fresh to clear my head. As a simple example, My house has 100 devices. I have switchlinc A (controller) linked to switchlinc B (responder), 1. Is it true to say that if I press switchlinc A ON, that all 100 devices will relay the command until switchlinc B sends an Acknowledge or the HOP count expires (three tries)? 2. What happens when 100 devices try to relay (send the same command all at once)? 3. If this MESH network works as described, we should't see so many posts about communication problems??

Hello, In regards to writing a program and setting an action for a KPL button, I was hoping somebody could explain what the following means? ON 0 / OFF 0 (Backlight level) ON 15 / OFF 7 (Backlight level)

Can anybody help clarify the information I see when I look at a device link table. I have seen a few posts that explain it. Like the great, recent write up by MarkJames, but my device table does not resemble what was posted. As in the example below, I recognize the address but nothing else. OFF8? A2? 00? FF? 1F? 01? 6 button KPL OFF8 : A2 00 12.9F.7D FF 1F 01 OFF0 : E2 01 12.9F.7D FF 1F 01 OFE8 : E2 03 12.9F.7D FF 1F 03 The count goes to 20, I only show three as an example. Also, This KPL only has two togglelincs linked to buttons A and B and the on/ off buttons control the load. Plus these two buttons are included in a "bedroom OFF" scene. I don't see how the count is 20 links. Once I can decipher the links table, I should be able to figure it out.

No other issues with the switches to speak of other then an occasional KPL button not changeing LED state as a responder. You're probably accurate that I have communication issues which finally solidifies my thoughts that... Insteon is no more reliable then my X10 that I had running on Homeseer for over ten years. Smarthome sure did fool me with the "Insteon Mesh network" concept. At least I have the ISY to help manage this protocol. Without the ISY, I would have dropped Insteon a year ago. I'll continue to plug away at my communication issues and try to improve my system. As always...Thank You!

alf, I have the exact question you have. I looked some of the spec sheets and don't really see any glaring advantages. As you mention, perhaps some have both and can give their opinion. In a sense, I hope their is no additional benefit to a later rev KPL's because I know I'll be tempted to plop down a few hundred as well.

Yes Michel - ISY99 Pro Additional info - The green arrows display "writing" while the scene is being created. After the scene is created if the arrows remain they display 0101 (or some form of 0's and 1's...I can't remember specifically).

Upgraded 2.7.10 to 2.7.11 Upgrade went smoothe - No issues to report Wrote a few programs, created a few scenes, added a togglelinc. Edit: One thing I am seeing is on one KPL...If I add a button to a scene, the ISY completes the scene but the green arrows remain next to all the devices that were written to. I exited out of the admin console and logged back in only to still see the green arrows. I then remove the button from a scene and add it back and the arrows go away. The green arrows will remain after a scene is complete 3 out of 4 times. (I made several scenes just to get a frequency) Edit (2) The green arrows will go away by Creating another scene with the device in question or an unassociated device. Edit (3) this issue occurs on three of my KPL's (I only made scenes for these three so far). Again, it's 3 out of 4 times.

Thanks Michel -

I am a little confused with the KPL issues that "may" be present during the 2.7.9 to 2.7.10 drama. I have a couple of KPL's that I installed while my ISY was version 2.7.9. I upgraded to 2.7.10 painlessly but I have a few issues with the KPL's. Without really wanting to get into the troubleshooting, I just want to factory reset the KPL's and add them back with 2.7.10. What's the best way to do it? Do I need to delete each device thats in the KPL scenes or can I just delete the KPL scene? Do I need to delete all programs that include the KPL's and then rewrite them? Or just leave the programs as they are and when I add the KPL back into my device list...all is good?

I can confirm. I had this happen every time I created a new program or copied a prgm in 2.7.8 and 2.7.9 However in 2.7.10, for me anyway, it is now just an intermittent occurrence. Every so often it will happen. I haven’t figured out the rhythm to it yet. Tim I also can confirm that 2.7.10 has an intermittent occurence and have not played with it enough to determine what scenario causes it.

OK, I just set one up with a KPL as a responder only, and a SL as a controller and it worked as you advertised. I'm not sure what was going on last time I tried doing this with my I/O lincs. I'll have to revisit the past situation so I can get a better understanding. Thanks for your response!

MarkJames, I will try this again (experiment a little) but I know I tried this once before and it did not work for me. Please see this thread... http://forum.universal-devices.com/view ... highlight=

I learned (from the Forum) how to use KPL button LED's as status indicators by putting them in scenes as controllers with the device we want "monitored". This works great but the buttons also become controllers of the device if pressed (I don't want this). Is there a way to use the KPL button as status ONLY? So if you inadvertantly press the button it will not do anything? I tried a program but it did not work. I do not understand the "On 15 / Off 0 (Backlight Level)" selections either. I'm sure a description is on the board somewhere...can someone please point me in the right direction? If Status 'Garage Door A Sensor' is On Then Set 'Bathroom KPL - A' On 15 / Off 0 (Backlight Level) Else Set 'Bathroom KPL - A' On 0 / Off 0 (Backlight Level)

dkaleita, As I understand it, the links you created without the ISY have no way of being "learned" by the ISY. It is best to add your devices to the ISY with the option of remove existing links, even better is probably a factory reset on the devices, then add your devices to the ISY and then create your links via scenes. From then on, it's a win win with your ISY. Your ISY will truly pay for itself in what it's best known for...manageing your Insteon links, on-level and ramp rates.

Right next to the label "C32". They are the only rectangular solder pads anywhere near this area.

Excellent News. A representitive from Venstar has suggested a fix which I implemented this evening and tested. The Humidity updates on the T1700 are gone. The display on the ISY now shows 0% all the time. They said they will make a change on future T1700's. The Fix: 1. Remove the T-stat from the baseplate. 2. Looking at the PCB with the V2 adapter port faceing down, you will see where a humidity sensor could be installed on the bottom right side of the PCB (it's actually written "Humidity sensor"). Just above this area you will see two rectangular solder bumps. The component label is C32. 3. Get a soldering iron and short these two pads together with a solder bead. BTW When I removed the V2 my stability returned. All x10 fired perfectly and my keypad buttons leds are always in synch. The V2 is now installed and the ISY is controlling nicely.

delston, They do not need to be (nor can they be) added to the ISY or anything else. As you put it "they are passive" to the system.

Hi Michel, Since the V2 I have noticed decreased reliability especially with my X10 programs and KPL button status from garage door I/O Linc (sensor). I also noticed comm fails while creating scenes with KPL's. I had have to try three or four times to create the scene. I have not really studied the behavoir as well as I should have and should not assume however while looking at my logs, the humidity updates are mostly <1minute intervals and never more then a few minutes. I have an ELK ESM1 signal meter that sees Insteon signals. The meter verifies the log. If an x10 signal is sent and the V2 sends an update as often as it does, it's bound to crash signals. insteon traffic is why we need a 1 second delay before X10 signals are sent in our programs? I think it would be silly to keep the adapter and have traffic every minute of every day, week, and year. The device is now removed and the V2 is also removed. I'll see if the reliability comes back up and post back. I don't expect to see a firmware change from SH anytime soon either. The problem is really with Venstar IMO. The Venstar reports a humidity change (albeit a bogust change). The V2 does what it supposed to do... reports it. I think my only options are... 1. figure a way to make the Venstar "hold" it's bogust humidity signal. 2. Buy the more expensive T1900 3. See if SH can send me back a V1 adapter 4. Send the T1700 and adapter back to SH and forget about Insteon climate control.

I need to disable my V2 thermostat adapter due to the constant traffic generated by the Humidity sensor problem. I disabled all my programs that used the T-stat I was going to Remove the device from My Lighting but I see the Disable option. Can I "Disable" the device and then physically remove the V2 adapter from the thermostat? Or should I "Remove" the device from My Lighting and then physically remove the adapter?

I am in the electronics field as well. I will look into the T-Stat humidity circuit. I will give Venstar Tech support a call also. Still being fairly new to Insteon am I correct to say that this Humidity update is "Insteon Traffic"? Is it no different then sending an Insteon command to a SwitchLinc every minute or two? 24hours by 7days Is this a serious issue in regards to the Insteon/ISY system reliability? I have been getting intermittent keypad button status lights out of synch and failed X10 control right around the time I installed the V2. If this is in fact the case then I think I should remove the V2 adapter until the problem is resolved by Venstar or Smarthome. Would anybody agree?