How is this device connected to the ISY-994 Series Controller?

[Teken]

I am in the middle of installing this new Autelis / ISY 2 way bridge. I noticed that the device came with a RS232 to Ethernet adaptor. The older ISY-99 Series Controller had an actual RS232 Serial port. The newer style ISY-994 does not.

 

How are the two devices configured and hooked up to communicate over a serial connection?

[MWareman]

I don't believe that ISY has the ability to interface with anything via the serial port. The bridge probably communicated with the ISY via Ethernet and the network module. The RS232 side likely connects to the Autelis.

 

Does the bridge say it requires the network module?

[Teken]

I don't believe that ISY has the ability to interface with anything via the serial port. The bridge probably communicated with the ISY via Ethernet and the network module. The RS232 side likely connects to the Autelis.

 

Does the bridge say it requires the network module?

 

Hello Michael,

 

As I understand the document(s) and the Wiki located here: http://autelis.com/wiki/index.php?title=Universal_2-Way_Serial_Interface_for_ISY that is how its supposed to be connected. As stated the older style ISY-99 Series Controller had a Serial port on the back.

 

The new ISY-994 does not? 

 

On the Autelis unit is simply a port marked RS232 (via Ethernet) the other end I assume can (either) use the RS232 to Ethernet adaptor for legacy hardware. Or simply connect the other end of the cable to a switch / router?

 

In essence the serial communication is going over TCP/IP but the signal is actually serial in nature. I do have the network module along with the energy, weather, etc.

 

P.S.

 

The device does say it requires the network module!

 

Any insight would be great!

[Brian H]

The Hardware Data for the ISY99i Series indicated it has two serial ports.

One for the PLM communications and the second one is for shell administrative access.

I don't believe it can be used for any normal communications functions.

http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-99i/ISY-26_INSTEON:Frequently_Asked_Questions#Hardware

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Brian H,

 

You are 100% correct. Both on 99 and 994, that other port is used for monitoring/debugging.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[Teken]

Hi Brian H,

 

You are 100% correct. Both on 99 and 994, that other port is used for monitoring/debugging.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

OK, so how is this new device attached to communicate from the Autelis device to the ISY? I would have to assume the other end of the Ethernet cable does not use the RS232 adapter plug and simply plugs into the network switch / router. 

 

It would then use the network module to communicate to the and from the ISY? 

[LeeG]

"It would then use the network module to communicate to the and from the ISY?"

 

The Network Module is used to send commands to the Autelis.   The Network Module is outbound only.

 

The Autelis sends information to the ISY using Variables.

 

 

ISY Configuration

For 2-Way integration, you must have an ISY device with the Network Module installed and version 3.1.0 or greater firmware.

Variables

In the Variables Section of your ISY controller under State variables, create a sequence of variables, one for each rule you have made and in the same order. The lowest variable ID will be used as the offset as described above.

Network Resources

In the Network Resources section of your ISY controller, create commands to send data to the serial port on the Autelis Universal Serial Interface.

[Teken]

"It would then use the network module to communicate to the and from the ISY?"

 

The Network Module is used to send commands to the Autelis.   The Network Module is outbound only.

 

The Autelis sends information to the ISY using Variables.

 

 

ISY Configuration

For 2-Way integration, you must have an ISY device with the Network Module installed and version 3.1.0 or greater firmware.

Variables

In the Variables Section of your ISY controller under State variables, create a sequence of variables, one for each rule you have made and in the same order. The lowest variable ID will be used as the offset as described above.

Network Resources

In the Network Resources section of your ISY controller, create commands to send data to the serial port on the Autelis Universal Serial Interface.

 

Lets all step back for a bit shall we.

 

The Autelis device has a RS232 Serial port which uses a Ethernet plug. Since the back of the ISY-994 does not have such a interface I/O.

 

Is it safe to say the other end of the Ethernet cable is inserted into a switch / router port??? If so, my next assumption is that it uses the network module to interface with the other. As stated it also uses variables to complete the other communication update / exchange.

[MWareman]

You'd have to check the manual for the Autelis, or ask them. As far as I can tell, the Autelis is NOT designed to connect directly to the ISY. Its designed to be connected to the same Ethernet network as the ISY. The manufacturer should be able to confirm that though.

[Teken]

You'd have to check the manual for the Autelis, or ask them. As far as I can tell, the Autelis is NOT designed to connect directly to the ISY. Its designed to be connected to the same Ethernet network as the ISY. The manufacturer should be able to confirm that though.

 

Hello Michael,

 

Well there's the problem the manufacture has NOT replied back to any of the forum posts or a direct e-mail via their support contacts!

 

I feel like I am about to wig out . . . 

 

I was really hoping this would be a very straight forward project where it required a little bit of programming to get me up and running. As it stands, either the (actual) serial port is not used from this device and it simply uses the Ethernet port to communicate via the ISY network module, along with sending variables etc.

 

Or, the other end of the serial cable (which uses Ethernet cable with out the RS232 adapter) is simply connected to the switch / router??

 

Never mind that: I would love it if someone could show me a screen shot of what the variables look like in the ISY and in this blasted Autelis device! I must have read the Wiki 999999999999999 times and simply can not grasp what values are supposed to be entered into the (P)attern (V)alues box.

 

Spending hours on this box on a beautiful Saturday is NOT my idea of fun! 

 

So I don't have to upload the same pictures this link provides lots of pictures of the device: http://www.brultech.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=929&start=80

[MWareman]

With you! Not my idea of fun either. I don't have one of these though, so I am unable to dive into it with you. I hope you find someone that has one that can help out!

[Teken]

With you! Not my idea of fun either. I don't have one of these though, so I am unable to dive into it with you. I hope you find someone that has one that can help out!

 

Michael,

 

No worries Sir. You have been a wealth of knowledge and support in the past. This is the primary driver as to my install thread so others don't have to go through all this non sense and gib jab documentation.

 

I don't get how hard it can be to provide real world examples with pictures so the lay person can follow?? Programming these variables really is out of my element which I can honestly state. 

 

It would be great if a ISY member with this device could reply back and upload what the variables and network resources look like for the 1 wire temperature sensors. I am so glad I didn't purchase those humidity sensors off the bat before I got this device up and running!

 

It would have been lots of wasted money on something I could not even use or deploy.

[Teken]

For the sake of clarity: The end goal is to send the temperature / humidity sensor readings into the ISY. The ISY will then control what ever Insteon device in the home to control the ambient temperature and the environment via the HVAC system.

 

What I need to know is the following:

 

1. Connect the RS232 Serial cable or not? If so to what?

 

2. If the above is NOT connected and the Autelis device simply communicates via TCP/IP, all the while using the ISY Network Module and State Variables. How is this set up and configured to do so?

 

3. As many before me have stated before: A picture speaks a thousands words! I would appreciate a screen capture of someones Autelis / ISY-994 device which also shows the network resources and how its set up.

 

This should be easy, no???     

[Brian H]

From what I have found on their web site.

 

The serial port is used to connect to other devices so they can be used with your ISY994i. Through its Ethernet Network Interface connection.

I would think if you are only using the 1 Wire devices. The serial port would be left with no connections.

 

I agree. Their web site is very vague and unclear.

 

I hope someone with the actual device can give you the exact details.

[io_guy]

Brian H is correct on how it works.

Teken, you should have saved some money and bought a Raspberry Pi

[johnnyt]

the first photo shows an RS232 DB9 to RJ45 converter from the device that reads my temp/humidity sensors (Midon Design's Temp08). This is what the autelis bridge reads and - based on the rules you set - writes to ISY variables via your LAN. The second photo shows the network cable (to router) on left and, in my case, a splitter so I could still keep feeding the data from my temp sensors to HomeSeer serial port as well as the Autelis serial port - it has been very handy to have both working in parallel. (I have to keep HS running because humidity calculations requires more than the simple arithmetic available with ISY. See product request http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/13695-decimals-and-advanced-math-or-special-functions/ for the calculations I'm talking about)

 

the third photo shows some of the rules I've set up. Autelis was very helpful in helping me confirm the rules I needed. They were also willing (and quick) to add some functionality I requested. Not sure what's happening in your case, Teken, but it is the weekend as well as peak summer vacation season.

 

Here's an example of the data stream my rules look for along with the rule:

 

Data: Humidity #10[bC0000003774FE26]=52%

Rule: [,B,C,0,0,0,0,0,0,3,7,7,4,F,E,2,6,],=,*,*,%     A,19,2,0,55
 

Data: Temp #01[E600080092288810]=22.00C

Rule:[,E,6,0,0,0,8,0,0,9,2,2,8,8,8,1,0,],=,*,*,*,*,*   D,19,2,0,64

 

The last value is the ISY state variable ID (one of the things they added for me) and the second last value is calibration offset (also added at my request)

 

While there certainly was some setup to it, it's been rock solid for me since day one.

 

Edit: you don't need the network module for this but you do need an RS232 data stream to read (or I think they have an RS485 bridge too)

[Teken]

the first photo shows an RS232 DB9 to RJ45 converter from the device that reads my temp/humidity sensors (Midon Design's Temp08). This is what the autelis bridge reads and - based on the rules you set - writes to ISY variables via your LAN. The second photo shows the network cable (to router) on left and, in my case, a splitter so I could still keep feeding the data from my temp sensors to HomeSeer serial port as well as the Autelis serial port - it has been very handy to have both working in parallel. (I have to keep HS running because humidity calculations requires more than the simple arithmetic available with ISY. See product request http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/13695-decimals-and-advanced-math-or-special-functions/ for the calculations I'm talking about)

 

the third photo shows some of the rules I've set up. Autelis was very helpful in helping me confirm the rules I needed. They were also willing (and quick) to add some functionality I requested. Not sure what's happening in your case, Teken, but it is the weekend as well as peak summer vacation season.

 

Here's an example of the data stream my rules look for along with the rule:

 

Data: Humidity #10[bC0000003774FE26]=52%

Rule: [,B,C,0,0,0,0,0,0,3,7,7,4,F,E,2,6,],=,*,*,%     A,19,2,0,55

 

Data: Temp #01[E600080092288810]=22.00C

Rule:[,E,6,0,0,0,8,0,0,9,2,2,8,8,8,1,0,],=,*,*,*,*,*   D,19,2,0,64

 

The last value is the ISY state variable ID (one of the things they added for me) and the second last value is calibration offset (also added at my request)

 

While there certainly was some setup to it, it's been rock solid for me since day one.

 

Edit: you don't need the network module for this but you do need an RS232 data stream to read (or I think they have an RS485 bridge too)

 

Johnny,

 

In your third picture for the P / V numbers in the Autelis unit. How are these values derived and determined? At this point I really need some spoon feeding because I really don't follow what the hell is going on here.

 

Can you post up a 1 wire temperature sensor in the Autelis unit and the comparable values in the ISY for both variable / network resource.

 

I have read the Wiki so many times I feel I am getting more retarded by the minute! 

 

ALL I WANT TO DO IS GET THE 1 WIRE SENSOR READING INTO THE BLASTED BOX . . .

[Teken]

Brian H is correct on how it works.

Teken, you should have saved some money and bought a Raspberry Pi

 

To be fair I really thought this device was pretty much plug and play. I would say 95% of this device is extremely straight forward in terms of set up.

 

What is really chaffing my *** is the lack of common sense examples with pictures to illustrate what needs to be done! All I want to see is the:

 

Question: How is this device wired to communicate to the ISY?

 

Answer: Hey dummy, all you need to do is plug in the Ethernet cable and the unit will communicate to the ISY via the network module / state variables / network resource.

 

Question: What value is supposed to be entered into the P / V box?

 

Answer: Hey dummy, your supposed to put in XXX in the P, and YYY in the V

 

Question: What should the state variable look like to read the 1 wire temperature sensor?

 

Answer: Hey dummy, your supposed to create it like this, and that, with the following parameters. If you have existing state variables in the ISY please ensure the following is done in the Autelis unit! BTW: Here are some fantastic pictures for you to see, review, and follow!

 

Yeah . . . I have yet another box to muck around with, trial, beta, and push up hill . . . 

[Teken]

After two grueling days of trouble shooting and diagnostics I have finally figured out how this stupid thing is supposed to operate and work.

 

I will be documenting this process in a few days.

 

I wasted enough cycles on this and will be enjoying a good movie and some great food!