4-way switch scene and Mobilinc control

[ChuckA]

I have a commercial application using ISY-994i and a 2413S PLM.  We have three Switchlinc 2477S wired in a 4-way arrangement (replaced a hardwired 4-way switch arrangement, but rewired per 2477S manual).  I configured the 3 switchlincs as a scene via the ISY rather than using the manual linking process in the 2477S manual.  They all show up as being both responders and controllers of each other in the ISY console.  I can control them all on and off by controlling the scene via my ISY console, but cannot control the same scene using Mobilinc Pro.  It returns the message "Bad message - ISY failed to process the request.  Please try again."

 

I noticed that if I operate each switch individually via the ISY, it will not operate the other Switchlincs.  Is that normal?  I have not had the chance yet to see what happens when the Switchlics are operated manually at their various locations (project is located at a winery 60 miles away).

 

I have another dusk to midnight scene controlling some other devices and it works fine via ISY console and Mobilinc.

 

I also have some Insteon communications issues at this site due to distances between devices and I'm sure some noise on the powerline as well.  I could use some help sorting those out.  This Insteon system is an attempt at replacing a once working X10 system that failed years ago.

[oberkc]

I noticed that if I operate each switch individually via the ISY, it will not operate the other Switchlincs.  Is that normal?

 

Yes.  The switches will control the scene only when controlled manually.

 

It sounds to me as if you have done everything properly.  Unfortunately, I don't understand the details between mobilinc and the ISY.  Can you sync mobilinc with the ISY without errors?

[stusviews]

Controlling an Insteon device using the ISY sends a direct command to that device. Direct commands control only the device itself, not any of the device's links (i.e,, members of scenes that the device is a controller of). To do otherwise could create an infinite loop.

 

Here's a link to the MobiLinc forum

 

Communication problems are often difficult locate but, once found, the solution is usually easy. The best way to receive help is to describe the problem in as much detail as you can.

[InsteonNut]

Hi ChuckA,

 

If you get this message "Bad message - ISY failed to process the request" you need to delete the scene in the ISY, sync MobiLinc to confirm the scene has been removed, and then recreate it in the ISY and finally resync MobiLinc to your ISY.

 

Wes

[ChuckA]

Hi ChuckA,

 

If you get this message "Bad message - ISY failed to process the request" you need to delete the scene in the ISY, sync MobiLinc to confirm the scene has been removed, and then recreate it in the ISY and finally resync MobiLinc to your ISY.

 

Wes

 

Thanks Wes! - That did the trick for the 4-way switch scene!  I really like this ISY, and Insteon so far.  So much better than my X10 experiences have been.  Now I just need to work out the communications issues on the rest of this system.  This is a winery up near Napa CA.  It had an X10 system that worked at one point, but failed over the years.  They replaced all the X10 devices with Switchlinc 2477S devices and we have used some well placed boosters (2992-222) in the main winery building to get the devices in that building communicating and linking the 3 phases of the 120/208V system.  So there are 5 switchlincs (including the 3 in the 4-way arrangement) that are communicating with the PLM/ISY.  One of the switchlincs in the 4-way arrangement is Is at least 180 feet from the PLM, but on the same phase and on a dedicated circuit for the load (contactor) that it controls, so distance itself is apparently not the problem with the other devices.

 

There are 11 other devices around this campus style layout, and on the same 120/208V system that will not communicate with the PLM/ISY.  They are anywhere between 180' and 300' away from the PLM as the crow flies and I am not sure yet if they are all on the same phase of the electrical system, but I am trying to get them arranged that way so we can eliminate phase coupling as an issue.  Most of the switchlincs simply control a contactor that in turn controls the lighting, so getting the control circuits all on the same phase of the system shouldn't be that big a deal.  We have some opportunities to use booster repeaters between these different areas as well, and I have recommended that since these will go outdoor that they mount them on outlets in plastic boxes with plastic bubble covers so as to not shield the RF signals of these dual band devices.  Other than that, what are some other ideas for transmitting the signal to farther reaches of the system, which likely also has multiple sources of noise that will be difficult to control?  The facility has an Ethernet network including fairly decent wi-fi and I was wondering if there is such a thing as a Insteon Ethernet and/or wifi repeater that can be tied into the network at each building that can then repeat the signal back out on to the more local parts of the power system. 

[stusviews]

Range extenders which repeat, but don't boost, Insteon signals are the best method for transmitting the signal further. Once you have the three phases coupled you can use the beacon test to determine if RF is reaching between devices.

 

Any offending power line device can filtered using one or more X10 Pro XPF filters or a FilterLinc if the culprit is a 110V plug-in device