NewBe questions, (trying to decide if I should buy ISY)

[taterb]

I'm considering replacing (over time) my X10 system with the ISY994i (PRO?) but need to be sure of a few things before committing to it. I bought a Insteon Hub starter system, but it isn't much good in the mixed environment from what I can see. I can only setup X10 devices with only on timer and can't put them in scenes. So I'm looking at the ISY systems and don't want to make a even bigger mistake by buying the wrong system again.

 

1. what about power outages (I live in Fla)? Will it recover and go back to controlling everything without human help? I don't see anything about battery backup/eeprom storage/etc.

 

2. I have quit a few X10 modules I still want to use, but need to have some of them respond to triggers and some that will need to do something (for example, turn on lights) at several times during the day. From what I can tell, that means they need to be in scenes (?). Can ISY handle that?

 

3. I use PalmPad remote control (HR12A) to control my present system and have them scattered around the house. It would be very expensive to replace them all at once. Can I use my present PalmPads to manually turn on/off devices and/or scenes or trigger events?

 

4. I see from the webpage there is an X10 module add on, but can't find any info on it (except it is another $50). Is is needed and/or useful.

 

I'm sure these questions are answered someplace in the forums (I'm sorry if so), but there is way too much info here to digest quickly enough to place an order soon.

 

Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

[oberkc]

I can only setup X10 devices with only on timer and can't put them in scenes.

 

This is the very nature of insteon and X-10. The ISY does not solve that problem, though it can trigger X-10 commands from insteon.

 

Will it recover and go back to controlling everything without human help?

 

Yes. Nothing is lost.

 

I have quit a few X10 modules I still want to use, but need to have some of them respond to triggers and some that will need to do something (for example, turn on lights) at several times during the day. From what I can tell, that means they need to be in scenes (?)

 

No. Being in scenes is not necessary for this to happen. But...yes, ISY can handle that.

 

I use PalmPad remote control (HR12A) to control my present system and have them scattered around the house. It would be very expensive to replace them all at once. Can I use my present PalmPads to manually turn on/off devices and/or scenes or trigger events?

 

I am unsure. I suppose it depends on how the palm pad remote interfaces with your system. If IR, then almost certainly this would be no problem. If X-10 RF, then no problem. If something else, .... probably, but would have to confirm.

 

I see from the webpage there is an X10 module add on, but can't find any info on it (except it is another $50). Is is needed and/or useful.

 

It is not needed, but I find it useful. It adds no functional capability. Rather, it makes managing your X-10 devices more intuitive by allowing one to give them names and add them to the device listing.

[taterb]

I'm not sure I got the quoting correct here but:

 

I can only setup X10 devices with only on timer and can't put them in scenes.

 

This is the very nature of insteon and X-10. The ISY does not solve that problem, though it can trigger X-10 commands from insteon.

 

Will it recover and go back to controlling everything without human help?

 

Yes. Nothing is lost.

 

I have quit a few X10 modules I still want to use, but need to have some of them respond to triggers and some that will need to do something (for example, turn on lights) at several times during the day. From what I can tell, that means they need to be in scenes (?)

 

No. Being in scenes is not necessary for this to happen. But...yes, ISY can handle that.

 

Ok, I'll cross that bridge when I get it.

 

I use PalmPad remote control (HR12A) to control my present system and have them scattered around the house. It would be very expensive to replace them all at once. Can I use my present PalmPads to manually turn on/off devices and/or scenes or trigger events?

 

I am unsure. I suppose it depends on how the palm pad remote interfaces with your system. If IR, then almost certainly this would be no problem. If X-10 RF, then no problem. If something else, .... probably, but would have to confirm.

 

PalmPad remotes are X10 RF based and go to a module that sends the commands to the power line. So the ISY will receive the X10 RF?

 

I see from the webpage there is an X10 module add on, but can't find any info on it (except it is another $50). Is is needed and/or useful.

 

It is not needed, but I find it useful. It adds no functional capability. Rather, it makes managing your X-10 devices more intuitive by allowing one to give them names and add them to the device listing.

 

So, where do I see a description of it and how would I get it?

 

Thank you for the fast response!

[Brian H]

I am using an HR12A Palm Pad in my setup. Using an RR501 to transceiver the X10 RF Command to an X10 Power Line command.

In my case I have an X10 address also programmed into my Insteon modules. So I directly control them. Though the ISY994i controller does see the commands. I am just not using them that way. I do send an A4 AOn in the morning to trigger an X10 Chime Module.

 

There is an A10/X10 Firmware Add On Module that adds extra X10 features but is not needed for basic X10 support.

http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index ... ed_A10/X10

[IndyMike]

teterb,

 

The ISY/PLM cannot receive X10 RF. You will need to retain your X10 transceiver(s) (TM751, RR501, etc) to translate the X10 to the powerline. Once on the powerline, the ISY/PLM can receive and react through programs.

 

Here's a brief description of the X10 module.

It allows you to name your X10 devices and include them in the device tree. If you don't have the module, you can still write programs using X10 House/Unit codes.

 

Without module:

 

If

X10 A1 On if Received

Then

Send X10 A5/On

 

With module:

A1 = Palmpad

A5 = lamp

 

If

Status Palmpad is On

Then

Set Lamp on

 

http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-99i_Series_INSTEON:Enhanced_A10/X10

 

You can order the modules within the ISY administrative console once it is installed.

[taterb]

Thank you all for your responses! I just placed an order for a ISY-994i/IR PRO for $215 from Orchestrated Home! That seems to be much lower than what I saw on SmartHome and other places, but it said it was new, etc. We will see!

I'm looking forward to getting it and seeing what I can do with it.

 

I think I have a lot of reading to do before it gets here!

[oberkc]

Thank you all for your responses! I just placed an order for a ISY-994i/IR PRO for $215 from Orchestrated Home! That seems to be much lower than what I saw on SmartHome and other places, but it said it was new, etc. We will see!

I'm looking forward to getting it and seeing what I can do with it.

 

I think I have a lot of reading to do before it gets here!

 

The ISY needs, also, the "PLM" (PowerLine Modem?). Make sure yours included this. Perhaps the difference in price was due to one being a kit (with the PLM) and the other being just the ISY?