Program runs but actions not taken

[Kentinada]

My new ISY994i seems to be working... most of the time. But I am finding that I have some programs that say they ran but the actions are not taken. For example, I have a program that turns off my outdoor lights in the morning at sunrise. Here is a portion of my log file:

 

Front Door Lights Fast Off Thu 2013/12/12 08:13:29 AM Program Log

Scene:Christmas Outdoors Off 0 Thu 2013/12/12 08:13:29 AM Program Log

RL UP - 6 Status 0% Thu 2013/12/12 08:17:45 AM System Log

Shed Lights Status 0% Thu 2013/12/12 08:17:45 AM System Log

Garage Lights Status 0% Thu 2013/12/12 08:17:45 AM System Log

Outdoor1 Status 0% Thu 2013/12/12 08:17:45 AM System Log

Outdoor2 Status 0% Thu 2013/12/12 08:17:45 AM System Log

Shed Plug Status 0% Thu 2013/12/12 08:17:45 AM System Log

Island Plug Status 0% Thu 2013/12/12 08:17:45 AM System Log

 

It looks like it should have shut all the lights off but it didn't. I am wondering if the time delta from Scene off at 8:13 to the first device action time of 8:17 is any clue. This is completely intermittent unfortunately. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't which makes debugging next to impossible I realize. Any suggestions?

[apostolakisl]

If it is intermittent, then there is a good chance it is a communication issue. Especially if the log says the program ran. Is every device in the scene not turning off or just some of them? If it is just some of them, then you for sure have a comm issue.

[Kentinada]

it's all of them I'm afraid.

[apostolakisl]

it's all of them I'm afraid.

 

 

Doesn't mean it isn't a comm issue. Are all of the devices on the same circuit? Do you have any other devices around the house fail at a similar time? Do you have other programs running at sunset that might be resulting in clashing signals or noise generation at that time.

[Xathros]

Another possibility is that the devices or on the opposite 120V leg from the PLM and work when a 220V appliance is temporarily bridging the phases.

 

Do you have any access points or other dual band devices confirmed as bridging the 2 120V phases?

 

-Xathros

[Kentinada]

They're not all on the same circuit and yes, I have access points for each side.

[Xathros]

They're not all on the same circuit and yes, I have access points for each side.

 

Good. Have you run the 4 tap test on the AP's recently to confirm operation and range? I have had one of my AP's stop working on occastion and need to be unplugged and replugged to get it going again. I notice certain things stop working when this happens.

 

-Xathros

[Kentinada]

Never heard of that one. I'll look that up.

 

Also, do you have to add APs in pairs? Does it make sense to add a 3rd AP at a point in the house that is not close to either of the 1st two?

[Xathros]

Never heard of that one. I'll look that up.

 

Also, do you have to add APs in pairs? Does it make sense to add a 3rd AP at a point in the house that is not close to either of the 1st two?

 

The AP's manual covers the Beacon (4 tap test). Usually you tap the set button on one AP 4 times quickly, this will put it in broadcast (beacon) mode. Then you go observe the LED on other AP's or dual band devices. Any LED that is blinking indicates that it is receiving RF from the AP beacon where you started the test. The color or brightness indicates same or opposite phase from the broadcasting beacon. Refer to the receiving device's manual for LED meanings.

 

With a pair of the newer AP's, the receiving AP will blink green when on the opposite phase (this is good - bridging phases) or red when on same phase as the broadcasting AP.

 

A minimum of 2 AP's or Dual band devices with one on each phase and in RELIABLE RF range of each other is considered a requirement.

 

Additional AP's may be installed at remote locations to provide RF coverage for wireless devices that may not be within RF range of the PLM of phase bridge devices. No limit on how many you install but too many may cause issues with multiple comm pathways and duplicate messages. Beyond the bridging of phases, AP's simply pass messages between RF and the power line. The do not link to the ISY, each other or other devices.

 

I hope that clears it up. If not, I'm happy to elaborate further.

 

-Xathros

[apostolakisl]

Do I understand correctly that they do turn on every day per an ISY program, it is just that they aren't turning off?

 

What are the loads? Can you turn them off from the ISY admin console?

 

A highly probable issue is that you have something with a ballast or transformer that when turned on is causing noise. You have no problem turning it on, but once on the load is scrambling or attenuating your Insteon signal and thus you can't turn it off.

 

Try turning each device on/off one at a time from the admin console. You might find that one of them is the culprit. You would need to filter whichever one is making the noise.

[Kentinada]

No ballasts or transformers. I reset the APs and things seem to be working so far.

 

Is it correct to say I don't really need APs if I now have dual band devices working on both legs of my electrical service? Do they serve the same purpose as the APs? Do APs do anything that dual band devices do not?

 

Thanks.

[Xathros]

No ballasts or transformers. I reset the APs and things seem to be working so far.

 

Is it correct to say I don't really need APs if I now have dual band devices working on both legs of my electrical service? Do they serve the same purpose as the APs? Do APs do anything that dual band devices do not?

 

Thanks.

 

AP's generally provide better coverage than many dual band devices and are easy to relocate for testing or to improve coverage in another area. If your existing dual-band devices are providing phase bridging and adequate access for your wireless devices then no, you don't need to add APs.

 

-Xathros

[apostolakisl]

If resetting the AP fixed the problem, then it sounds like you had a comm issue. But I don't know why your access points would have needed resetting and if this will recur. If you already have dual band devices and the system is not working without the AP's, then apparently you are not getting the coverage with the dual band devices. All the stuff Xathros said.

[Xathros]

But I don't know why your access points would have needed resetting and if this will recur. If you already have dual band devices and the system is not working without the AP's, then apparently you are not getting the coverage with the dual band devices. All the stuff Xathros said.

 

 

On at least 2 occasions over the last 3 years, I have had to reset my access points (probably only one of them failed but reset both at same time by flipping the 220V breaker that powers their dedicated circuits). I believe both occasions were preceded by brownouts but can't swear to it at this point.

 

-Xathros

[apostolakisl]

But I don't know why your access points would have needed resetting and if this will recur. If you already have dual band devices and the system is not working without the AP's, then apparently you are not getting the coverage with the dual band devices. All the stuff Xathros said.

 

 

On at least 2 occasions over the last 3 years, I have had to reset my access points (probably only one of them failed but reset both at same time by flipping the 220V breaker that powers their dedicated circuits). I believe both occasions were preceded by brownouts but can't swear to it at this point.

 

-Xathros

 

 

Interesting. I ditched all of my access points after I installed about 10 of the dual band switches. Things actually seemed to work better without the AP's. Sadly, I have about 4 swtches in my house that are very hit or miss with comm. I can not for the life of me figure it out. I even replaced a couple of them with dual band switches and they still miss about 25% of the time (and yes I put several dual band switches in places that never have trouble). Always the same ones and in the same part of the house. But I can't find the noise/sucking.