David D Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 I have had my ISY99/IR Pro and Insteon 2412S PLM for several flawless years. I recently upgraded to the 994i/IR Pro and connected to my 2412S PLM and it has worked fine... Until today I was away from our house and went to check the lights using Mobilinc and could not connect to the ISY. Got home and pulled it up on my PC and got the "safe mode" error message, so I unplugged the PLM for 30 seconds to reset (I'm powering the ISY with the PLM). I'm still getting the "safe mode" message when I log on to the ISY. Also, both RX and TX lights on the ISY are on steady for awhile after powering it back up. I can see all my devices in the admin screen, but cannot see any programs (I get a "request failed" error when I select the "Programs" tab). From what I've read, it sounds like my PLM has died. Does anyone have any additional input as to what may be wrong, or is the consensus that my PLM is toast and I just need to order a new one? I've been thinking about a new dual band unit anyway, although all the reviews say they have terrible longevity issues. What say you? David Link to comment
LeeG Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 The 2413S versions before hardware v2.x have capacitor issues. Several folks have replaced the failed/failing caps with success. The newest 2413S at hardware v2.1 should have better caps. It may take 2 years to know this for sure as that is often the failure point of the older 2413S. Link to comment
smokegrub Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Allegedly, the new PLMs have addressed the issues leading to failure after about 2 years service. I replaced one of my old PLMs a couple of days ago prior to its failure. I have a friend who will replace its defective caps and give me a solid backup. I suspect yours is a PLM failure. I wouldn't hesitate to order a new PLM if I were you. Link to comment
smokegrub Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 The 2413S versions before hardware v2.x have capacitor issues. Several folks have replaced the failed/failing caps with success. The newest 2413S at hardware v2.1 should have better caps. It may take 2 years to know this for sure as that is often the failure point of the older 2413S. Sorry, Lee. You must have been typing a response at the same time as me. Link to comment
David D Posted October 18, 2015 Author Share Posted October 18, 2015 My PLM is a 2412S, not 2413S. It's old (in electronics years)! I just found and read the thread on the 2413 capacitor replacement. Maybe has the same capacitor issues? Link to comment
LeeG Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 David D I have used (and am still using) 2412S PLMs for many years without an issue. I think most folks who have moved to a 994i have also moved to a 2413S (as I have). The 2412S failure may be something unrelated to capacitors. I would not be concerned over moving to the latest 2413S. Also I don't think the 2412S is available any more. Link to comment
David D Posted October 18, 2015 Author Share Posted October 18, 2015 Lee, I'm going to order a 2413S from Amazon since I have been contemplating the dual band unit anyway. I read where they have upgraded the capacitors somewhat, so the reliability may have improved. Additionally, does the PLM retain the programming and continue to function if it loses communication with the ISY? So far, I haven't noticed any lighting issues in the house, other than my Mobilinc not communicating with the ISY. Link to comment
LeeG Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Would depend on what has failed in the 2412S. The only thing functional in the PLM from an app perspective is the link database. This remains intact across removing power from PLM but an electronic failure could erase parts or all of the link database. The 2413S has had both situations. Link to comment
David D Posted October 18, 2015 Author Share Posted October 18, 2015 I guess I'm fortunate in that the PLM is still functioning as it is. I can live with it for a couple of days until the replacement arrives. I'm glad since a total failure would cause lighting issues that would irritate the wife! Gotta maintain the high WAF (wife acceptance factor) to enable future automation expansion! Link to comment
smokegrub Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Stu/Lee: Is there any reason for concern as to whether a purchase from Amazon may not result in a device with the new capacitors? Link to comment
Brian H Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 The 2412S has a completely different power supply in it and the 2413S capacitor fix does not apply. It uses an older style AC Power Transformer power supply. I bought my latest 2413S from Amazon awhile back. Hardware 2.1 firmware 9E that I believe is still the latest. Link to comment
stusviews Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 David, In the interim, try using an external power supply for the ISY. smokegrub, My experience is that Amazon ships the latest version of any Insteon product. Link to comment
David D Posted October 18, 2015 Author Share Posted October 18, 2015 @Stu FWIW, my ISY is still getting power from the PLM (ISY power light is on). Would plugging in the supplied external power supply make any difference? Link to comment
Brian H Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 The 2412S supplies unregulated 12 volts DC [closer to 18 volts DC] to the ISY controller. I believe the external power supply is 5 volts. Not 100% sure here but I believe the PLM supply and external supply go through a diode on their input. In that case the unregulated 12 volts from the PLM would back bias the diode for the external supply. To prevent a back feed into the external supply from the PLMs 12 volts. So it probably would do nothing. Link to comment
David D Posted October 18, 2015 Author Share Posted October 18, 2015 Got it. Thanks Brian. Link to comment
stusviews Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 You can use virtually any external DC power supply up to, I believe, 18 volts. My suggestion was in the event the PLM power supply wasn't providing enough current due to age. Link to comment
David D Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 Gotcha. I have the power supply that came with the new ISY and will use that with the new PLM. Sounds like it wouldn't help with the current situation though. Link to comment
Brian H Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 The 2413S PLM does not supply any power through the RJ45 serial jack like the older 2412S did. So the external supply has to be used with a 2413S Link to comment
David D Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Well, I received my new PLM today, connected it as per the "how to" in the Wiki, and I'm getting the same error as before. When I log onto the ISY, it comes up in "Safe Mode". What do I do now? Link to comment
David D Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Just ran diagnostics on the ISY and it says the PLM is not connected. I've rebooted everything several times and even changed the cable between the ISY and the PLM, and still no joy. Could my new ISY have crapped out? Link to comment
LeeG Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Power down PLM and ISY. Power up PLM, wait 30 seconds and power up ISY. Has that eliminated safe mode? Link to comment
David D Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Nope. Still in safe mode. Just for giggles, I pulled out the old ISY99 and 2412 PLM and plugged them in. Guess what? They work. Common denominator here is the new ISY994i. Link to comment
stusviews Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 The 2412 will power the ISY, no external power supply needed. Try it. Link to comment
David D Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 That's how I was running the new ISY at first. I had it powered by the 2412. When I got the new 2413, I connected the external power supply that came with the new ISY. I contacted UDI via email about my problem. Michel responded within minutes. The customer service with Universal Devices is incredible. There are many other companies out there that could learn from their example! I will get an RMA and have the unit replaced as it appears to be defective. I have the old unit pressed back into service until I get a replacement for the new one. I can't access it from outside the house, but at least my programs will run. Link to comment
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