Can't get a successful write to a RemoteLinc --

[manowell]

Can't get a successful write to a RemoteLinc.  Have worked on this one a couple of hours this morning, including removing it from the configuration and adding it back in.  During that process I found out that there's a "sweet spot" of sorts in an upstairs bedroom that I had to have it in to add it back.  The remote's address is 11.C5.18.

 

I've added it back to scenes, but writing the changes out fails:

 

Sun 11/01/2015 11:55:10 AM : Setting Time From NTP
Sun 11/01/2015 12:00:56 PM : [11 C5 18 1  ] Link   16 : 0F78 [E201143B46010001] Writing [E201143B46010001]
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:27 PM : [11 C5 18 1  ] Link   16 : 0F78 [E201143B46010001] Writing [E201143B46010001]
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:27 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 28 0F
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:27 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 28 0F 06          SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:29 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 2F 28 0F    SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:29 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=3
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:29 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 2B 78
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:29 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 2B 78 06          PEEK   (78)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:31 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 2F 2B E2    PEEK   (E2)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:31 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=3
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:31 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 28 0F
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:31 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 28 0F 06          SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:31 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 23 2B E2    PEEK   (E2)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:31 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=0
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:38 PM : [        Time] 12:02:38 0(0)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:40 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 28 0F
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:40 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 28 0F 06          SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:49 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 28 0F
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:49 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 28 0F 06          SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:50 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 2F 28 0F    SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:50 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=3
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:50 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 2B 79
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:50 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 2B 79 06          PEEK   (79)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:51 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 23 28 0F    SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:51 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=0
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:51 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 2F 2B 01    PEEK   (01)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:51 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=3
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:51 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 28 0F
Sun 11/01/2015 12:02:51 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 28 0F 06          SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:00 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 28 0F
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:00 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 28 0F 06          SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:09 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 28 0F
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:09 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 28 0F 06          SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:09 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 2F 28 0F    SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:09 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=3
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:09 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 2B 7A
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:09 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 23 28 0F    SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:09 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=0
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:09 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 2B 7A 06          PEEK   (7A)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:10 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 2B 2B 14    PEEK   (14)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:10 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=2
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:10 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 28 0F
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:10 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 28 0F 06          SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:11 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 2F 28 0F    SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:11 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=3
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:11 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 2B 7B
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:11 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 2B 7B 06          PEEK   (7B)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:12 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 11.C5.18 3C.49.9F 23 28 0F    SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:12 PM : [std-Direct Ack] 11.C5.18-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=0
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:12 PM : [iNST-DUP    ] Previous message ignored.
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:21 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 28 0F
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:21 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 28 0F 06          SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:30 PM : [iNST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 11 C5 18 0F 28 0F
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:30 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 11.C5.18 0F 28 0F 06          SET-MSB(0F)
Sun 11/01/2015 12:03:34 PM : [11 C5 18 1  ] Link   16 : 0F78 [E201143B46010001] *Failed Writing [E201143B46010001]

[stusviews]

Try moving the Remotelinc somewhat distant from the PLM, but near a dual-band device. I had some RemoteLincs that needed to be about 40' away from the PLM before I could write to them. Once that's done, they work everywhere.

[Brian H]

I had the same findings. Near the PLM was a problem. At the other end of the house near an Access Point all was 100% fine.

[hart2hart]

I have a PC away from PLM and near an access point. I run console while adding remotelinc with level 3 event viewer. By changing position and angle of remotelinc, I can see sweet spot as events start scrolling...

[manowell]

Try moving the Remotelinc somewhat distant from the PLM, but near a dual-band device. I had some RemoteLincs that needed to be about 40' away from the PLM before I could write to them. Once that's done, they work everywhere.

 

I put the RemoteLinc outside the garage at the end of the house furthest from the PLM but still within 35' and two walls of a dual-band device, it went right in.  Great ideas, thanks!

I have a PC away from PLM and near an access point. I run console while adding remotelinc with level 3 event viewer. By changing position and angle of remotelinc, I can see sweet spot as events start scrolling...

 

This is a very clever idea.  I've been pondering, "I wonder if there's a signal strength meter?"

[stusviews]

Any X10 (120 kHz) power line signal strength level indicator will indicate Insteon (131.65 kHz) signal strength because the frequencies are so close. There are also 900MHz field strength meters available. Insteon RF is 915 MHz.

[MarkJames]

This is a bit late of a response to this but I thought I'd throw this in here in case anyone else has this problem

 

I have the same issue writing to my remotelincs.  For some reason if I'm too close to an AP or dual-band device it won't write.  Rather than walk around the house, though, looking for an area that works better I just put my remotelinc in a kitchen cupboard or desk drawer.  That seems to weaken the signal strength to it enough to get a successful write.

 

mark

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Mark,

 

Are these the big RemoteLincs or small ones?

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[MarkJames]

Hi Michel,

 

These are the big ones (though they're a couple of years older now) - the 2440's.

 

I can write to them but not if they're right beside an AP or dualband device.  I generally put them in a drawer or cupboard and then they write just fine.

 

It may be that my situation is different as I have quite a number of access points (2443) in my install.  My home has an unusual powerline system.  Back in the early '80s the power company offered a program where they charged heating/cooling at a reduced rate.  They would install a second meter in your home so that the power came in to the main meter and then a subpanel was fed from the main *through* a second meter.  At the end of the billing cycle they would total up your use and subtract the amount that was used on the second panel.  That difference was charged at regular rates while the heating meter rate was half that.  We have that system to this day - we get charged 3.5 cents/kWh for heating power.  Obviously I'm not giving up a great deal like that!

 

Anyways - sorry to drone on - but the end result is that I have a meter interfering with my install.  Most devices are on one side of it but some are on the other.  Insteon (and previously X10) signals have a hard time flowing reliably through the meter so I've put in a number of AP's to wirelessly bridge this deficiency.  It took some time to get my Insteon system (92 devices) running reliably.  I've got a couple of the original Signalincs still in use as well as multiple Signal Bridges (I have 7 panels in the house).  At this time it's pretty solid - though even with my recent v9E PLM I'm getting occasional ALL-ON events that I'm troubleshooting my way through.

 

It could well be that it's the multiple AP's or Signalincs  that cause the write trouble, though I've got at least a dozen or more dual band devices now as well that could be involved.

 

Anyways - I just noticed this thread and figured that I had encountered a similar problem - 2440's directly beside a dual band (2413s) PLM won't write at all.  As soon as I get some distance from the PLM or tuck it in a drawer it starts to write just fine.

 

mark

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Mark,

 

Thanks so very much for the feedback. Yes, definitely an issue with dual band PLMs and older RemoteLincs. To be honest, I have never ever seen a successful installation when there are older access points and RF SignaLincs (with the antennas) in conjunction with dual band devices. It has always been a hit/miss. If you have many recent dual band devices, I strongly recommend getting rid of your access points and wireless SignaLincs (if you have any).

 

This said, I do not think the RemoteLinc issue is related.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[Brian H]

I don't think the old 2440 can handle some of the new modules. Not sure if it is a protocol thing.

I also can't link one to my Alert Module. That has no issues linking to a TriggerLinc.

 

Too close to my PLM is a known issue seen by many here.

In my case other end of house with a 2443 Access Point processing the Insteon RF and passing it by power line to the PLM seems to be OK.

[stusviews]

I found the same result with my seven 2440s. They link when near any dual-band device except that they must be distant from the dual-band PLM. Once linked, they function from any location.