Assistance with hardwired device

[gatchel]

Hi all.  This is Mrs. Gatchel.  Since Bob passed 6 months ago I've been slowly but surely learning more and more about how to use and manage our ISY.  Some of you have helped and for that I am most appreciative.  I unfortunately have run into a problem that I am having issues solving and I'd really like to get it fixed by tomorrow as I am about to go away on vacation.  Here goes...

 

Today the breaker for my outdoor spot light tripped and now for the life of me I can't get the device re-linked.  I think the "controller"  for this device lives in the housing of the actual fixture itself.  Of course the light is mounted at the top of our house.  Before I wrestle the extension ladder out I just wanted to check and see if that sounds right to you guys. 

 

Any help is most appreciated. 

 

Leslie

[Teken]

Hello Leslie,

 

Once the device is linked it's pretty much locked in place and no further changes need be done.

 

This sounds like you have other COM issues instead of a broken link association.

 

 

Encrypted By: Phoenix Security Solutions

[larryllix]

Leslie

 

Is there a switch that controls that outside light fixture?

[gatchel]

I am not aware of a switch per se.  Just the Smarthome controllers.

[larryllix]

Have you found the breaker for that circuit to shut it off?

[gatchel]

Forgive my ignorance but if the device is linked then how do I get ISY to recognize it again now that power has been restored.  When I had issues before it seems like I had to put the controller/ device into a learning mode (I'm sure not the proper term) so that I could reestablish the broken link.

[larryllix]

When running the Admin Console can you identify the device in the device tree list?

 

If you can write down the address of the device on paper. It should be a number format like 28.15.4B and be found top middle under the name.

 

Right click on the device in the list and select "Restore". This may take a moment. If you see some action without errors reported then try the button at the bottom of the device's page turn it on and off.

[gatchel]

I see that there is a "restore devices" option in the menu but it scares me quite frankly.  Right now only one thing isn't working a day before I'm leaving the country.  I don't really want to make more issues but it sucks that my housesitters won't have a light in the driveway.  Ugh.  These are the days I really, really miss my husband. 

[larryllix]

I see that there is a "restore devices" option in the menu but it scares me quite frankly.  Right now only one thing isn't working a day before I'm leaving the country.  I don't really want to make more issues but it sucks that my housesitters won't have a light in the driveway.  Ugh.  These are the days I really, really miss my husband. 

Don't worry. Restore won't hurt a functioning device and if links are missing in it may make it work again.

 

If the breaker blew the device may have burned out too. We have to find that out.

[gatchel]

Awwww shoot... I think I just figured it out.  Stand by...

[gatchel]

So the light goes to a switch linc dimmer v 27.  I'm getting the manual now so I can re establish the link.  Woo hoo. 

[stusviews]

Can you identify which device is/was supposed to control the outside spot light?

 

Briefly, when attempting to get the ISY to recognize a device, that device is put into "linking" mode, unless the ID is known in which case the ISY places the device in linking mode.

 

As long as I'm at it, here are a few other terms you should be familiar with:

 

A controller is a device that remotely controls one or more other devices. The devices being controlled are responders. In other words, a device is linked as a controller or it is linked as a responder. Device that are linked together are called scenes. When two devices control each other, as in a 3-way configuration, the devices are cross-linked.

[larryllix]

Nice. So you found the SwitchLinc that controls it. That makes it somewhat easier than ladder work or invisible module units..

[gatchel]

Thank you Stu.  Proper terminology lessons are obviously much needed here.  So the switchlinc seems to be hating life right now.  I pulled the tab and it doesn't seem to work at the switch or at the ISY at this point. 

[larryllix]

After the tab is pulled out for about ten seconds if you push the tab in and hold it in until the buzzing stops it will factory reset the device. Then you need to relink it with the address for it and found on the metal plate on it's front or on the paper where you wrote it down.

 

After that is done doing the restore should bring it back to full status.

[gatchel]

It seems that the device is dead.  No pulling or pushing of the tab has yielded any results.  I do have a replacement in stock.  Perhaps I will try to install it.  Wish me luck and thanks again for all of your assistance. 

[larryllix]

Make sure the breaker is off and test with a known good tester before working on the circuit.

 

Take a snapshot of the wiring connections before disconnecting in case of snags.

 

All the best. Bob would be proud.

[stusviews]

Can you control the outside light from the SwitchLinc?

[gatchel]

Alright... I replaced the switch/ dimmer and the breaker stopped tripping.  I have repaired almost all of the functions but am having a smidge of trouble getting the keypads to respond.  I am feeling awfully proud and appreciative of all your help.  Hopefully I'll get the keypads sorted out soon and be back to 100%.  Then... drink time. 

[gatchel]

I can control the light from the switchlinc and a number of my scenes work but some of the keypad buttons aren't responding.  Some are though.  Something else I have to work through I guess. 

[stusviews]

An ISY scene has one or more devices that are controllers of the scene and one or more devices that are responders. BTW, if a device/button is a controller, then it's also a responder. Here's a typical scene:

 

BR Keypad C

BR LampLinc 1

BR LampLinc 2

 

where red indicates a controller and blue indicates a responder.

 

Try to find the button (controller) or responder. When you click on the device.button, it will reveal the scene(s) that it's a member of.

[Teken]

That electrical event that happen must have been quite a doozy to cause a dead short in that switch.

[larryllix]

Another Insteon bad capacitor shorts out maybe?

 

Ohh no!...  not the SwitchLincs too!

 

We need forensics on this one!

[gatchel]

They have been working on the power in my neighborhood.  This breaker trip is the 1st one we've ever had in this house and we've lived there 12 years.  The restaurant down the street lost all of their computers.  IDK why they wouldn't have protected them but whatever.  I am in keypad hell right now but really... I don't care because in an hour I'm leaving for Aruba.  It'll be here when I get back right?  Thanks again all. 

[gatchel]

Just an update in case any of you were wondering... I had to replace (3) Togglelinc switches and (2) Switchlinc switches due to the power issues I had last month.  They just died.  I wasn't even able to factory reset.  Basically everything on a particular breaker went bye bye.  Of course it had to be the breaker for most my outdoor lighting.  Because now that it gets dark early why on Earth would I want the outside lights to work?  Ugh.  I did call Insteon and they had me ship back one of each switch so maybe I'll get an answer as to what happened.  In the meantime, I have been study, study, studying and practicing and am starting to feel like I am getting closer to controlling my ISY instead of my ISY controlling me.  Thank you all once again for all of the support and suggestions.