Remotelincs - gone crazy

[Candide]

I have an ISY 99 and 2 Remotelincs.

The RL's have been working OK - until recently.

 

When I press a button the LED will wait about 10 seconds then blink once, wait about 2 seconds then blink quickly about 25 times.

 

This happens when button 3 is pressed off on one unit and when button 4 is clicked on or off on the other.

 

What does this flashing mean? The scene that is controlled is activated, but the blinking on the RL will not stop.

 

I have done a FULL reset and a BUTTON reset - but it does not change.

 

- A second question: I notice on the Admin Console that each RL button controls a scene, as I have set it to do. But it also says that each RL button "is controlled" by the same button on the other RL.

 

Is this correct, should it be this way?

 

Thank in advance...

[Brian H]

Sounds almost like you have the RemoteLinc Buttons linked to each other.

If so; the one not in use; is in a power saving mode and will not respond to any Insteon Signals sent to it. That could cause the LED on the RemoteLinc in use retrying to communicate and the flashing LED means a communications failure.

[Candide]

Is there a reference somewhere that lists all the codes that can be sent by flashing the LED? Half the problem is that I do not know what the flashing means.

 

I have also tried using them right next to each other, one after the other, so they are not in power save mode. The flashing still happens.

 

I tried counting and it may be more like 10 flashes after 3-5 seconds, but it is very rapid flashing - not the slow flashing when in communications mode.

 

 

 

Sounds almost like you have the RemoteLinc Buttons linked to each other.

If so; the one not in use; is in a power saving mode and will not respond to any Insteon Signals sent to it. That could cause the LED on the RemoteLinc in use retrying to communicate and the flashing LED means a communications failure.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello Candide,

 

As far as Managed By, it only means that they are both controllers for the same scene. But, they are not linked to one another (since they are controllers only).

 

As far as the blinking, would you make sure that all the devices in your scene respond? It may well be possible that one (or more) of devices in your scene (button 3) are not responding and thus the blinking.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

Is there a reference somewhere that lists all the codes that can be sent by flashing the LED? Half the problem is that I do not know what the flashing means.

 

I have also tried using them right next to each other, one after the other, so they are not in power save mode. The flashing still happens.

 

I tried counting and it may be more like 10 flashes after 3-5 seconds, but it is very rapid flashing - not the slow flashing when in communications mode.

 

 

 

Sounds almost like you have the RemoteLinc Buttons linked to each other.

If so; the one not in use; is in a power saving mode and will not respond to any Insteon Signals sent to it. That could cause the LED on the RemoteLinc in use retrying to communicate and the flashing LED means a communications failure.

[Brian H]

Yes. It dawned on me that both are controllers only and will not link to each other.

[Candide]

Thanks for the reply.

 

I did some testing and this is really getting weird.

First - the controlled devices/scenes work, they turn on or off as per the button pressed.

 

There are 2 sequences of flashing I noticed:

1. A delay of about 5 seconds, then one flash, delay of 2 seconds and 14 or 15 flashes.

 

2. A delay of about 5 seconds then 20 flashes.

 

On one RL the On and Off clicks of button 3 produce the different flash codes.

This RL has the 20 flashes for B3 off, B6 on and off and the 1-15 flash on B1 on and B3 on.

 

The other RL has the 20 flash for B3 on and off, B6 on and off and B5 on.

One time I did notice the 1-15 flash for B3 off, but since then it has been 20 flashes.

 

I gather from the lack of responses that there is no users or developers guide anywhere that lists what the flashes mean?

 

Thanks again...

[MikeB]

Typically flashing after a command is sent indicates that one or more devices did not respond to the command. I'm not aware of anything that defines specific errors based on # of flashes.

 

One question for you - are any of the members of these scenes KeypadLincs? If so, what firmware version are they?

 

Thanks

[Candide]

Thanks for the reply. I have no KeypadLincs.

 

The devices are 7 SwitchLincs (2476D), 6 OutletLincs (2473) and 3 LampLincs (2456D3). The only other devices are the RL's and the 2 rf receivers - and, of course, the ISY 991 Pro.

 

I ask about the flashing because there are the two distinct and consistent sequences - the 20 and the 1-15. I suppose it could be some kind of corruption - but I would have to think that it is defined somewhere.

 

 

 

 

Typically flashing after a command is sent indicates that one or more devices did not respond to the command. I'm not aware of anything that defines specific errors based on # of flashes.

 

One question for you - are any of the members of these scenes KeypadLincs? If so, what firmware version are they?

 

Thanks

[MikeB]

The devices are 7 SwitchLincs (2476D), 6 OutletLincs (2473) and 3 LampLincs (2456D3). The only other devices are the RL's and the 2 rf receivers - and, of course, the ISY 991 Pro.

 

As far as the ISY goes, only the SwitchLincs, OutletLincs, and LampLincs should be listed as members of the scene in the ISY.

 

I have experienced odd RemoteLinc flashing issues in the past that I ended up attributing to a newer KPL I had installed. However, I no longer needed a RemoteLinc in that room and was never able to pinpoint the issue 100%.

 

You might want to completely delete the scenes and RemoteLinc from the ISY, re-add it, recreate the scene, and add devices back in 1 at a time to see if you can narrow down what seems to cause the issue.

[Stowaway]

This may relate to your problem - my RLs have had issues that are caused by the SwitchLincs air gap buttons. I know this will seem strange!

 

Observation: one of the biggest problem I have had with switchlincs is the air gab button can become slightly depressed. This commonly occurs when someone turns off a load using the switchlinc! (Usually done by the wife but I can't fix her heavy hand!) When it occurs, lights may or may not respond, I will usually see communication issues (evidenced by ISY communication errors) when a query is run. I have also seen flashing RL leds occur at the same time (as comm errors). The switchlinc led may also be off due to the air gap button contact problem.

 

Cause: The air gap button has been depressed just enough to either disconect or short out some contacts and cause communication issues (evidenced by the ISY communication errors).

 

Solution (short term): I find that the button needs to be pulled back out - not enough to air gap or cycle the switch! Just enough to see the led properly glow on the switch itself. Then run an ISY query on the device to confirm communication.

 

Let us know if you find this on any of your Switchlincs. I would like to get SH to address this issue.

[Sub-Routine]

Thanks for the reply. I have no KeypadLincs.

 

The devices are 7 SwitchLincs (2476D), 6 OutletLincs (2473) and 3 LampLincs (2456D3). The only other devices are the RL's and the 2 rf receivers - and, of course, the ISY 991 Pro.

 

I ask about the flashing because there are the two distinct and consistent sequences - the 20 and the 1-15. I suppose it could be some kind of corruption - but I would have to think that it is defined somewhere.

 

 

The flashing is from the cleanup commands failing. 1-15 is one device responding to subsequent requests after a failure, while three other devices fail completely. 20 is four devices not responding. Probably.

 

Since the scene responds this points to good communication from the RL to the devices and poor communication from the devices to the RL.

 

Rand

[Candide]

Thanks for the info, but this does not macth with what I have. Each of the scenes in question only has 2 devices, so 3 or 4 failing cannot be happening.

 

Maybe I will try moving one of the rf receivers and see if that makes any difference.

[Sub-Routine]

I have never counted the flashes, but rapid flashing is a communication error. Moving an Access Point will certainly be worth a try. You should use the AP linking procedure whenever you move one.

 

I hope that helps.

Rand

[Candide]

I moved each access point twice to other outlets, using the proper linking process. This did not change anything.

 

I had also been corresponding with Smarthome and have received a new replacement RL. I removed one existing RL, linked in the new replacement and set all the buttons to the same scenes as the original.

 

The new RL is working fine - with no flashes.

The existing second RL still has the rapid flashing.

 

I have tried to count the flashes and it appears to vary.

There is the delay one flash, delay 10-15 flash sequence.

There also is a straight quick-flash sequence - that varies between about 13 and 20 quick flashes.

 

I think this rules out a device communications problem - unless it is with the second RL itself. I also turned off nearly everything in the house - fans, lights etc. but that had no effect on the flashing.

 

My next test will be to remove the second RL and completely re-link it.

Stay tuned...

[Sub-Routine]

Good news on the one RL.

 

There is a way to factory reset the RL. Hold the Bright button for 10 seconds while/after inserting the last battery.

 

Rand

[Brian H]

When reinserting the battery. Wait until the beeper beeps twice after the continous beeps stop while holding the Bright Button.

 

A single on off button can also be reset by removing the battery. Wait 10 or more seconds. Hold the Off side of the button you want reset and insert the battery. Hold for at least three seconds befor releasing it.

[Candide]

Thanks for the post - I had reset each of the RL's numerous times, full reset as well as individual button resets. I had also tried moving the 2443 AP's to different outlets - with no luck. Today I moved the PLM and ISY to another outlet - and that also did not change anything.

 

I am migrating to Insteon from X-10 and still have a few X-10 devices left, like ApplianceLincs and Lamplincs. The ISY supports these and I have a couple of these X-10 devices programmed in to it. I also I was using a 4827 BoosterLinc - for better X-10 signal transmission over both phase legs of my electrical system.

 

I read that some older X-10 BoosterLinc's interefered with Insteon - specifically version 2.0 and 2.5. I have version 3.0. According to SmartHome rev 3.0 of the 4827 "Does not interfere with INSTEON signals"

 

As soon as I removed the 4827 the problems with the RL's stopped.

 

I verified this by plugging it back in and removing it again (permanently).

This has been a long and frustrating issue - but I believe it has been resolved once and for all.

 

Thanks to all for posting here and trying to help, it is appreciated.

 

-----------------

Separately - a question: Do the 2443 Insteon AP's communicate over the power line or only on RF?

[Michel Kohanim]

Candide,

 

Thanks so very much for the update.

 

As far as I know, APs communicate both on RF as well as Powerline.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

Thanks for the post - I had reset each of the RL's numerous times, full reset as well as individual button resets. I had also tried moving the 2443 AP's to different outlets - with no luck. Today I moved the PLM and ISY to another outlet - and that also did not change anything.

 

I am migrating to Insteon from X-10 and still have a few X-10 devices left, like ApplianceLincs and Lamplincs. The ISY supports these and I have a couple of these X-10 devices programmed in to it. I also I was using a 4827 BoosterLinc - for better X-10 signal transmission over both phase legs of my electrical system.

 

I read that some older X-10 BoosterLinc's interefered with Insteon - specifically version 2.0 and 2.5. I have version 3.0. According to SmartHome rev 3.0 of the 4827 "Does not interfere with INSTEON signals"

 

As soon as I removed the 4827 the problems with the RL's stopped.

 

I verified this by plugging it back in and removing it again (permanently).

This has been a long and frustrating issue - but I believe it has been resolved once and for all.

 

Thanks to all for posting here and trying to help, it is appreciated.

 

-----------------

Separately - a question: Do the 2443 Insteon AP's communicate over the power line or only on RF?

[Brian H]

Thanks for the update. A BoosterLinc of all things.

APs use both RF from unit to unit and send and receive on the powerline also. For Insteon signals. X10 is not processed by APs or the older RLs. That is why my ACT CR134 X10 repeater is still in use. Though X10 is not that important any more as there are now RemoteLincs and soon to be released Motion Sensors.