rick.curl

Agree- but what is causing the problem then? All eight of my V.28 devices are doing the same thing.

One of them will be for a lamp post in the front yard, so it will be simple enough to have the "time of day" program do a query- but if I want to turn it one or off from my smart phone I'm not sure how I'm going to add the query to that.

Another thought- since these always work if I do a query after sending a command, is there a way to always follow a command with a query when communicating with a V.28 device? that would at least be a band-aid so I can use these.

Unfortunately I have eight of these (new old stock). I realize that this is an old hardware design. Let me go out on a limb here- Is there any more recent firmware that will work on these? And the BIG question- If there is, how can I get a copy of it? I do a lot of work with embedded microcontrollers, and if I can find more recent firmware I can find a way to get it loaded in the module.

Show Device links /Compare gives two lines- the first says [Identical] and the second (all zeroes) says [Identical/Ignore]. Seems to be much like the other devices except this one only has two links, which is expected since I am only trying to test it. Firmware in devices that are working is V.39, 32, 23, 38, and 42. Firmware in the device I am currently working with is V.28, so some of the working devices are higher and some devices are lower than this one.

The ISY is the PRO version. There are currently 161 links in the PLM. I have tried plugging multiple 2456S3's into multiple locations (nothing plugged into the load side). This includes plugging one of the new 2456's into an outlet adjacent to an old 2456 that always works. The thing that is baffling to me is that trying to control one of these devices ALWAYS works, but the ISY always fails to get the status and gives the "failed to communicate" message - but then I can do a query and it ALWAYS gives the correct status. BTW- I want back to the old single band devices after I bought several new (smaller case) dual band devices and the housings disintegrated after a little over a year and Smarthome wouldn't replace them. After several attempts to patch them they all went in the trash. Lots of money down the tubes. I did read the thread referenced a few posts above, but I didn't see anything that is helpful. I think I can rule out interference since the older identical devices that have been here for a long time are working fine. Still stumped. Any other thoughts?

Here 'tis: Thu 01/20/2022 07:10:23 PM : [INST-TX-I1 ] 02 62 07 D1 81 0F 13 00 Thu 01/20/2022 07:10:23 PM : [INST-ACK ] 02 62 07.D1.81 0F 13 00 06 LTOFFRR(00) Thu 01/20/2022 07:10:24 PM : [INST-SRX ] 02 50 07.D1.81 52.64.60 AF 13 FE LTOFFRR(FE) Thu 01/20/2022 07:10:24 PM : [Std-Direct Nack] 07.D1.81-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=3 Thu 01/20/2022 07:10:24 PM : [D2D EVENT ] Event [7 D1 81 1] [ERR] [1] uom=0 prec=-1 Thu 01/20/2022 07:10:24 PM : [ 7 D1 81 1] ERR 1 Thu 01/20/2022 07:10:33 PM : [INST-TX-I1 ] 02 62 07 D1 81 0F 11 FF Thu 01/20/2022 07:10:33 PM : [INST-ACK ] 02 62 07.D1.81 0F 11 FF 06 LTONRR (FF) Thu 01/20/2022 07:10:33 PM : [INST-SRX ] 02 50 07.D1.81 52.64.60 AF 11 FE LTONRR (FE) Thu 01/20/2022 07:10:33 PM : [Std-Direct Nack] 07.D1.81-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=3

I just discovered something- After I get the "failed to communicate" message in the admin console I can do a query and the status updates correctly.

Thanks for the response. I tried the factory reset followed by restoring the device. No joy. ISY and UI firmware version are both 5.0.16

I've had a 2456S3 ApplianceLinc controller in the base of a lamp post in the front yard for several years. It has gotten to the point that I have to send commands to it several times before it will respond, so I am trying to replace it. I have several "new old stock" 2546S3's on hand so I got one of these out and tried to use it to replace the one in the lamp post. The ISY sees it when I link it, and I can turn the light on and off, but the ISY says the device is not responding. The status still says OFF even when it is switched ON. I completely removed it from the system and put it back in, but got the same results. Now I've got it sitting next to the ISY, and I tried three other 2456S3's, and the same thing happened. I still have other 2456S3's in my system that are working fine. This has got to be something simple that I'm overlooking. Can some kind soul point me in the right direction? Thanks! -Rick

UPDATE: This just got really wierd. I discovered that I can turn certain modules on and off using my phone through MobiLinc Pro but not from the Administrative console. I get "Cannot communicate" messages on the console. I verified the address of one of the devices. Then I tried writing updates to the device and then I tried restoring the device. Neither one helped. I removed the device from the system and attempted to re-install it, but I got a "Cannot determine Insteon engine" error. I moved the device (a 2635-222) to a receptacle adjacent to the PLM and it installed without any errors. I moved it back to its original location, and now it's rock solid. Baffled.

Yes it is, but it is plugged into the same receptacle where the previous PLM worked perfectly (until the capacitors died). The PLM is plugged directly into the wall receptacle. I have an Insteon FilterLinc plugged into the other side which in turn feeds a UPS.

The PLM I just got from Amazon is version 2.5. Is that the one with the bad capacitors? Aside from the PLM, nothing changed on my system. The replacement PLM is plugged into the same receptacle as the one that failed.

I recently had to replace my PLM because it kept going offline. Seems that these last about two years and the capacitors fail. I think this is the third time I've replaced it (a couple of years apart). The previous times, all went well, but this time the PLM often fails to communicate with several devices that were previously reliable. This morning there were nine "cannot communicate" messages. Have I received a marginal PLM? If it could never communicate with some devices I would think it's a programming issue, but since it can sometimes communicate I'm suspicious of the PLM. Thoughts? Thanks! -Rick

That's very helpful. I just ordered an IOLinc, and as soon as it arrives I'll start playing with this. It occurs to me that I really only need to poll the IOLinc for the first couple of minutes after the PLM boots up after a power outage. Is there a way to detect that the PLM has just booted up and use that to trigger a program to poll the IOLinc?

You know- after I posted I realized that I didn't state the goal of this project- so I'm glad you brought that up. The goal is to send a text to my phone to let me know when the generator starts and stops. I may also want to send an email just so it will leave an easily-accessible "trail" of events. I like the suggestion about polling the IOLinc. I think I'll give that a try. Thank you!! -Rick Agree! Thanks. -Rick

It is "mostly" a Generac transfer switch, but it's cobbled together out of parts from several other switches. I've got the contact closure OK- the problem is monitoring it. -Rick

I wish I had an Elk alarm. Maybe some day. Thanks. -Rick

I noticed a couple of other threads that touch on this subject but didn't really answer my questions, so please forgive me for starting a new thread. The setup: I have Generac 25KVA whole house generator that is installed and working fine. The whole Insteon system behaves perfectly while on generator. The generator is an older one that will not support Generac's new monitoring system. The ISY is on a UPS and the PLM is not. The ISY has the Z-wave option installed. The problem: I've got a relay tied across the fuel solenoid valve on the generator which gives me a contact closure when the generator is running. At first glance it would seem to be simple to tie the contact to an I/O Linc or an open/close sensor, but then I realized that at the moment the generator starts the PLM will be down since the AC power is out. Once the generator is running it can easily send a signal when it stops, but not when it starts. The options I can think of: (1) Add a time delay so the contact closure doesn't happen until the PLM has had time to boot (2) Use a Z-wave contact module since it should still work while the PLM is down (3) Move the PLM to the UPS. I really don't want to do this because I will be losing direct powerline signalling and will have to depend on RF only. I think this will significantly reduce the reliability of the system. I'm open to suggestions. What are your thoughts on this? If the Z-wave contact module is the best solution, which one(s) will work with the ISY? Thanks for any guidance. -Rick

Ahh- now THERE'S the really hard part!!!

BIngo! Don't know how i overlooked that, but "mailbox open" contained a subject but no body text. Working fine now. Thanks, folks! -Rick

Hi Jon- Thanks for the suggestion. I originally had it set to "Control" instead of "Status". When it's set to Control, I see the program start but it never stops, even after closing the mailbox. If I set it to "Status" it runs when the mailbox is open and stops when it is closed. unfortunately I don't receive the notification either way. I just changed it back to "control" and double-checked. I don't understand all that I know about this! -Rick

I'm trying to use a 2421 TriggerLinc to send a text to my cell phone when our mailbox is opened. The program is very simple: If Status 'Mailbox-opened' is on Then Send Notification to 'Default' content 'Mailbox is open' Else -No actions When I move the magnet away from the TriggerLinc I can see the state change to "on". I can see the program run, but I never receive a notification. If I go to "Configuration > Emails/Notifications" and select "default" and then click on "test" I receive a text message. I'm obviously doing something wrong. What is it? Thanks! -Rick

Thanks! I didn't know about parenthesis. I'll read up on it. I modified my program as suggested in post#4 above. I'll report back when I find out if it works tomorrow morning. Appreciate the help! -Rick

I've got a bunch of programs and they're all running fine, but I'm trying to add one that should be simple but I can't get it to work. Here's what I'm trying to do: On Mondays I leave the house at 5:30 AM, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I leave at 6:00. If it's dark when I leave I would like the side yard light to be on for 15 minutes. Here's what I've got at the moment: If From Sunset To Sunrise (next day) And On Tue, Wed, Thu Time is 6:00:00AM Or On Mon Time is 5:30:00AM Then In Scene 'Outside / Side Yard' Set 'Outside / Side Yard' 100% (on Level) Wait 15 minutes In Scene 'Outside / Side Yard' Set 'Outside / Side Yard' 0% (on Level) Else -No actions I tried changing "Sunrise" to "same day" but it is still never running. This has got to be something ridiculously simple that I'm overlooking. What is it? Thanks! -Rick