Brian H

I only started seeing the problem with a hardware 2.1 PLM. My older 1.? ones did fine right next to the PLM.

I had to move my original RemoteLincs to the other end of the house near an Access Point. To program or change things. So the 2413S PLM could not receive the Insteon RF signals from the Remotelinc and the Access Point had to reach the PLM by power line commands.

Some of us write all the model number, location and ID of all our modules in a notebook. We also do a factory reset on all new modules. As they have been known to ship with test links in them.

Any of the battery operated Insteon Modules have to be woken up. If you also have the HUB controlling the same modules. It can sometimes lead to half links and strange things. As the ISY994i does not know anything about the HUB and the links it adds to the modules.

Open Closed module is an RF device and has to be woken up before adding it. As it is in a power saving state and will not answer. There is a start linking choice in the Link Menu but I believe it does not work as well. Most of us don't use that method. You start linking in the Administrative Console. Then go around and push the individual modules set button until the ISY994i adds it to the link database. It will be added as the six digit ID of the module. If memory serves me. Then when all are added . You stop the linking process in the Administrative Console.

I would say the 2413S PLM is almost 100% of the problems. They have a known reputation of going belly up. In the Tools Diagnostics tests. If the PLM Status/Info says Safe Mode. The PLM has joined the large group of dead modules. There is even a very long thread here on the 2413S issues and how some have rebuilt theirs. http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/13866-repair-of-2413s-plm-when-the-power-supply-fails/

I had the same findings. Near the PLM was a problem. At the other end of the house near an Access Point all was 100% fine.

I like the fact you put a label on each wire. Will make testing an troubleshooting easier.

I have seen Crestron HA mentioned a few times on various Automation Forums. The Smarthome sales page also indicated it is not available. Even at that price.

We have seen failed Switchlincs do this. If a factory reset and restore don't work. Good chance it has failed. Most likely the power supply area. I believe someone reported changing the filter caps in theirs to fix it.

If the modules are mounted in a metal electrical box or there are obstruction between buildings. The RF range could be almost nothing. So you maybe having to use the power line signals.

Try putting a power cube on the output and add a small 4 watt old fashioned incandescent night light bulb. That should be enough to swamp the sensing current. That is what the X10 users did and it works just as well for the small sensing current from Insteon modules.

The latest hardware 2413S PLM has updated components in the power supply. That are supposed to make it more reliable.

The Smarthome Kit uses an ELK930 Doorbell and Telephone Ring Detector set of boards. Two doorbell boards and one telephone board are on a snap apart board. Elk930 Manual if you are interested. http://cache-m2.smarthome.com/manuals/1221.pdf They are used on the Sensor Input of an Insteon I/O Linc. http://cache-m2.smarthome.com/manuals/2450.pdf Kit Quick Guide http://cache-m2.smarthome.com/manuals/24950a6-qsg.pdf

For those who are handy. There is a thread here on repairing the failed power supply in the 2413S. http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/13866-repair-of-2413s-plm-when-the-power-supply-fails/ The new 2413S should have the updated power supply parts in it.

I would try the wiring check. Then factory reset and ISY Restore . Though we have seen other reports of such actions be a failed device.

If you are using a 2413S PLM and it is over two years old. It may have failed. In the Tools; Diagnostics Tab; PLM Info Status see if it is connected or in the safe mode. Also if the Link Database is empty that is another sign of a failed PLM.

I saw this on the Smarthome Forums. Near the end of the thread. A user found a fix for a back light that is out. Seems a current limiting resistor burns out and the backlight goes out. http://forum.smarthome.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12859

Before the ACT Solutions web site went down. The AF120 was on the "We still have some in inventory" list. When gone that is it. The great Uncle Phil's X10/A10 troubleshooting tutorials are also long gone.

Is there any known power line signal suckers or noise makers on the lines feeding the problem areas? Like Computer power supplies, UPS unit and small battery chargers to name a few. RF range can be effected by things like walls and metal between the two devices using RF. Insteon indicates 150' but with a no obstructions side note. Smarthome does sell a Dual Band Insteon Range Extender . Not sure if it would do anything i the top floor of the home. http://www.smarthome.com/insteon-2992-222-range-extender.html

The 2413S PLM does not supply any power through the RJ45 serial jack like the older 2412S did. So the external supply has to be used with a 2413S

The 2412S supplies unregulated 12 volts DC [closer to 18 volts DC] to the ISY controller. I believe the external power supply is 5 volts. Not 100% sure here but I believe the PLM supply and external supply go through a diode on their input. In that case the unregulated 12 volts from the PLM would back bias the diode for the external supply. To prevent a back feed into the external supply from the PLMs 12 volts. So it probably would do nothing.

The 2412S has a completely different power supply in it and the 2413S capacitor fix does not apply. It uses an older style AC Power Transformer power supply. I bought my latest 2413S from Amazon awhile back. Hardware 2.1 firmware 9E that I believe is still the latest.

The latest PLMs. Seem to have an RF issue with the RemoteLinc and RemoteLinc2. Try and get as far away from the PLM as possible. So another Dual Band module processes it when trying to add it back. My Remotelinc would not add back when it was close to the PLM but was added with no issues. When it was at the other end of the house near a Access Point.

I have not see anything like that. There were a few of the older HUB modified to add the serial daughter board but it was in place of the original network board. Smatlabs is very secretive on new products until ready to sell them. So could be in the works. Teken found a few new PLMs listed in the drop down list of devices in the ISY firmware.