Jason Miller
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Posts posted by Jason Miller
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On 9/20/2021 at 6:42 PM, lilyoyo1 said:
As soon as the last thread dies a new one pops up starting the whole debate all over again.
What technology a person chooses for the future is irrelevant since anything can take over at anytime. Figure out what controller you want to use and go with products that work with it.
Reality is that there are no perfect standards. Every single one has their own pros and cons. It's really up to the individual to decide what matters most to them and what fits into what they need. While asking on forums is nice, all you'll end up getting is what fits each individual that responds.
Take myself for example. Im all about simplicity, aesthetics, and experience. Because of that, the only 3 protocols I'd use are insteon, Control 4, and Radio Ra2.
While there are some aesthetically pleasing zwave switches, zwave still misses the mark on simplicity and experience by a large amount making it a non starter for me.
Insteon does meet all 3 of my minimum criteria so they're part of my list. While the old line has grown long in the tooth on design, the new is infinitely better looking. In addition to looks, the feel and response is top notch. In regards to simplicity, all devices can be controllers, responders, give status, etc. There's no guessing game or parameters to concern yourself with. Everything just works with each other.
If insteon were to shut down in the next 5 years, my stuff would still be working. Their existence changes nothing about my home. If it shits down in 10. So what!!! Same thing. My house will still work and when it stops, it's cheap enough that I'm ok with swapping them out for something else.
With Ra2, their protocol is second to none. If set up properly, they'll work forever without fail. While looks are subjective for their basic switches, they do have others that look really good. While Ra2 is limited programming wise, the Isy changes that (after all we're talking about using the Isy). The Ra2 lighting experience is amazing (as it should be since Lutron invented the dimmer).
The icing on the cake is that it can be used with other controllers as well so you still have other options in the future. The downside is price. Depending on needs, the free course may be enough. If not, the advanced course costs. However, it's cheaper to spend the 650 or so that it costs than it is to pay someone to do it for you. Still device cost and training is an additional expense that limits most people.
For me, C4 has the aesthetics, it's simple to program, and the experience is amazing as well (though not as amazing as Lutron). In addition, it's ability to be integrated with A/V naturally, makes it even better.
Just like RA2, the downside is that it's installer only.
Tuya and other wifi devices should be a non-starter for any serious HA enthusiast. All of those cheap things are extremely limited long term due to lack of scalability and flexibility.
The power of any system resides in the controller not the devices so that does help with tuya and other wifi based devices but they can only do so much.
I would recommend looking at all the options the Isy supports (if this is the controller of choice) and research each one's pros and cons to see what fits your needs
My intent isn't to start a debate. I'm literally tired of reading the debates and want someone to lay out what they plan to do. What this has proven to me, it's all still an unknown and it's a time of change. So, debates are just that, as nothing is really the leader until it all sorts.
My issue with Insteon, everything has been out of stock for nearly a year. My stuff is starting to break so I wanted to sort what's the best path forward, thus my question.
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On 9/20/2021 at 9:00 AM, upstatemike said:
The real future is Tuya Smartlife. If you use a voice assistant you are already dependent on the cloud anyway so you might as well get Tuya Smartlife compatible stuff and stop agonizing over all the competing technologies.
I am trying to research this. Many of the products seem like actual bulbs and such, versus switches for existing fixtures? I am ok being on the cloud, as yes, Alexa is what I use to control my ISY now anyways.
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1 hour ago, Brian H said:
If the 2443 Access Points are a revision 2.0 and above. They are built on the base 2413 PLM main board. Subject to the same power supply issues we see in the 2413S PLM. They can also be rebuilt with the power supply repair information.
The older ones where built on the older interface module. I imaging {but never did} you could change the caps in them and they may also work.
I do have extra Insteon modules. So for now I am OK but in the future. Not sure which way to go.
Agree. I could repair the broken stuff by relocating some switches and stuff, but I'm more concerned about the future. When I installed all this 8 years ago it felt dated ..... and with it all breaking ... I find myself unsure.
I am even considering wifi switches and such, using Amazon Alexa as the controller! Seems for a small setup, it may work, and let the legacy stuff slowly die and replace as required.
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8 hours ago, simplextech said:
What to go with depends. Is Insteon going away? Unlikely. Are they slow to deliver. Yup. So if you want a lighting system that's been around a long time and will continue to be around for a VERY long time then go with Lutron. Lutron did invent the dimmer after all. You won't have appliance plugs (15A capable) unless you go with Radio Ra 2, but you can always use Z-Wave for those purposes.
Z-Wave sucks for lighting (My opinion, shared by many) but it's great for aux devices like power plugs and such. If you have a decent controller and a good mesh then it's good for some sensors too depending on requirements.
The old ISY994i is long in the tooth and is getting a much needed update with the Polisy. It takes time to port a system and work out all of the issues and make it as stable as the predecessor but it will get there. I'm hoping with some much needed improvements along the way (string support!!!!, increased node name length, etc) you know little things
My issue is, everything for Insteon seems to be "out of stock" for over a year. I get the sense more to the story exists than Covid manufacturing issues. Are lutron z-wave switches? All the ones I found were the "Caseta" brand and none were toggle switches. Am I missing something?
Thanks for the input.
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9 hours ago, midrar said:
I think this is the future unfortunately.
https://zigbeealliance.org/news_and_articles/chip-is-now-matter/
I read about this but struggled to find any details around timing. I get the sense it's not the immediate future and will take time for it. Thoughts?
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I've spent the last hour reading threads on this site about SmartHome and Insteon. Still, I find myself not sure on the path forward. This thread is an attempt, I hope, to selfishly help me understand a path forward. I have all Insteon Switches in my house for the past 8 years or so. Dated equipment. Slowly, things are failing. Tonight, a dimmer switch in the wall popped and smoked. All my access points are cooked. My 994i has z-wave (I added the little chip) and it powers 2 door locks and an outlet module.
I am not excited about the future of home automation and will not replace everything with smart switches. I am going to replace 90% with basic non smart switches and only want to convert a few at this point.
My primary goals of the system:
Control 10 light switches
Control 2 z-wave schlage door locks
Amazon Alexa control for voiceThis all works today, but with a system that is starting to fail, I find it impossible to get replacements for (i.e. insteon switches).
So, if you were me, what route would you go? I am ok to replace everything and start from scratch as I understand the ISY994i is on a short life for future development.
Can of worms, I know.
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Ok .. I have narrowed this down a bit.
- Restore device in dashboard does nothing
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Devices shows it cannot communicate
- I click on
- Turns on
- When i click "off" in dashboard, popup says it cannot communicate
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Click ok, click off a bunch, error comes up, "drive not found"
- Click ok
- Click off again
- It works
If I query the device manually, it finds it, but eventually the issue above arises.
Nothing changed in the house, same LED Bulbs we had when installed years ago. Only change is the access point.
It seems everything is back ordered .. just due to chip issues or something else?
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Programs seem to run. However, one program for instance always neglects cutting garage lights off now. If I log into the LAN dashboard and click a device, such as dining room lamp (2466D Toggle Linc Dimmer), I must query it. Once found, it shows up, but when I try to use it, says cannot communicate. Same room, same type of switch, same issue.
I am not certain of older power line or dual band. Is the 2466D dual band?
All switches work fine when used manually on the wall.
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Ok .. I did some walking around the house. Upstairs, I have an Insteon Access Point 2443 .. not lighting up. Suspect that is the issue?
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I just want to ensure, Polisy currently is an add on for the ISY Device? However, eventually, it might be the replacement? I don't understand the purpose of polisy. It looks like polyglot which I got configured on my ISY currently.
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The LED on the PLM is solid and doesn't seem dim. I unplugged it and plugged back in as well. I've rebooted the ISY several times as well. No new devices installed on the same circuit as the PLM.
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But now things are showing "not able to communicate" or Alexa will say "OK" but the lights won't turn off. Lots of "cannot communicate errors" on the dashboard.
ISY 994i
Firmware 5.0.16CI can't upgrade the firmware because, "Series 300 z-wave will show as version 4.55.00 the last compatible firmware is 5.0.16C (and you can order the upgrade to go to Series 500)"
PLM shows connected
I see the device on the LAN dashboard (java client) and the ISY dashboard on the cloud.
Is this just the age of the system? Any thoughts? Nothing has changed with the setup or nothing inside the home has changed.
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2 hours ago, DennisC said:
Have you entered data in the configuration fields in each Node Server from within Polyglot on either Polisy or your RPI?
I have.
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You have been very helpful and clarified my question. Thank you.
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I added weatherbit and it shows no data as well. But it's connected in the page. Do I have to add a node from the ISY desktop?
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Ah, I see it now .. any idea why it's blank though?
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Ok and it's correct that you use the standard Java client as normal to build programs, add devices, and such? These are just means to add more function to ISY.
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I've had my ISY 994i for about 6 years, maybe 7. No issues, added the z-wave module, everything works. I recently upgraded to the latest firmware, 5.xx (whatever it is) from 4.xx. No issues. I use the weather module which is being sun set May 2020, so I need to find something else. I as told to use Polyglot. After an hour of watching videos, only to confuse myself more, I need a diagram to help me grasp this. Is this how it all works?
- ISY 994i device in house
- Connect to it via java client
- Configured to connect to ISY Portal for web based stuff and ability to hook to Amazon Alexa (which I do)
- Polyglot sits on top, enables other web services to connect to ISY Portal, which connects to hardware device in house
So, I believe I have configured the Polyglot system and added Aris weather, the node.
What do I do from here?
I still must use the java local client to make programs and such, right?
When I log into java desktop, I do see Node Servers at the top.
Can someone help me understand all this? One video I watched said I needed to buy RaspberryPi device off Amazon?
I feel like times past me by on my basic setup.
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I just upgraded from version 4 to this latest version. Overall, not terrible. I had to manually sync all the zwave devices again and manually press the buttons on all the insteon leak detectors to get them to show. The schlage lock didn't show, until I manually locked the door, and it showed. Spent about 25 minutes updating all programs and such.
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Ok, fixed it .. ahhh .. I was using some old DNS server from when I set things up. It's now working and all is fine in the world. I updated to use Google DNS servers.
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I just followed the instructions for gmail and getting the same generic SMTP error upon setup as well.
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Hello, 994i user for a few years. In the email configuration area, I had "use default" checked for SMTP. Worked fine. However, it no longer works. When I click "test" I see:
Mail server DNS Error
[[SMTP errors ....
Did something change that would cause the default to stop working?
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This Aeotec heavy duty switch looks great. I am having my electrician review it now as well, to ensure it will work. Admittedly, I want to have a way to "bypass it" so if the switch fails, I can override it. He is looking at a solution to this, like a manual pull that would send it another route, thus, bypassing this switch, in the event it fails, I will still be able to have power. I'll keep everyone updated.
Dare I ask .......
in ISY994
Posted
What great reading this has been .. sitting here Saturday morning, a week or so after my initial post. For anyone that cares, here is my summary:
For the time being since I cannot find any suppliers with Insteon switches in stock, I replaced the broken ones by reverting switches I don't use for HA, back to standard, and taking those to replace the broken things.
I'm back online, ISY994i with Amazon Alexa controlling everything.
I'll check back in a few months and see what progress, if any, has been made.
Thanks.