Adding devices

[Gee]

Do I actually have to add each insteon device by going to each one individually or is there a "trick" ?

 

Also,

 

Trying to add an Open/Close 2843-222 device. I am manually entering the Isnteon address and I get a "fail" message

 

 

I have an insteon hub and a lot of devices already in service. I've had the UD isy994i for years but it's such a PITA I've gotten little use out of it

[Techman]

There's no trick, you need to add each device, one at a time, using the ISY linking.

 

What version of ISY firmware are you running? You'll need to have a current version in order to support the newer devices such as the open/close sensor.

[Gee]

Firmware is 4.3.26 plus the "FAIL" message references the device specifically - it wouldn't know what it is if the firmware was older than the device, I'd imagine ?

 

no trick, how about a sensible and convenient way ? is there a sensible-convenient way to accomplish adding 10 devices in every corner of the home ?

 

I tried posting a screen capture but I can't do that here either

 

The message sez: NEW DEVICE ERRORS then it shows the address I entered then the device model number then the device name ("Open/Close Sensor v.00 then  "- Cannot determine Insteon Engine"

[Techman]

Plug in / install a device (if the device has previously been used then you should do a factory reset on it before linking)

 

If the device is a battery operated device it needs to be manually put into the linking mode before adding it to the ISY

 

Go to LINK MANAGEMENT - NEW INSTEON DEVICE

 

Type in the address of a device ( xx.xx.xx  be sure to use a period between each xx) then hit OK

 

the whole process is fast and straight forward, it only takes a few minutes.

[larryllix]

.....

 

I tried posting a screen capture but I can't do that here either

...

Use the full editor button at the bottom of the regular editor. You will find a button "Choose Files" at the bottom to post photos and pictures. They must under about 100K.

 

 

Stress on the "Factory Reset" each device. You may also  need to unlink them from the hub or disable the hub so it doesn't interfere.

[Gee]

"I tried posting..." I'm familiar with the interface. When "I tried" I got a message from the board regarding the inability to post imgs to this forum.

 

I will do a reset and go from there (up to a point)

[larryllix]

"I tried posting..." I'm familiar with the interface. When "I tried" I got a message from the board regarding the inability to post imgs to this forum.

 

I will do a reset and go from there (up to a point)

There may be a no-spam filter stopping you from posting attachments for the first few dozen posts.

 

I owned two hubs and sent them back for refunds. After using the ISY you will be quite happy with it having much more than just remote control  over your  devices and real HA.

 

You will get lots of help from people here in the forum as questions arise. Programming can get as complicated as you want it to,

[Brian H]

Open Closed module is an RF device and has to be woken up before adding it. As it is in a power saving state and will not answer.

 

There is a start linking choice in the Link Menu but I believe it does not work as well. Most of us don't use that method.

You start linking in the Administrative Console. Then go around and push the individual modules set button until the ISY994i adds it to the link database. It will be added as the six digit ID of the module. If memory serves me.

Then when all are added . You stop the linking process in the Administrative Console.

[Gee]

Used the HUB app on my phone to get the addresses of each device (while I was in front of my computer) and added everything - except the Open/Close and the Motion Sensors. Pretty clear now these will require a personal visit in order to link them. Still, doing the bulk of the linking from my computer was preferred, and I've managed to accomplish this.

 

Since I just happened to begin the linking process (this time around) with the Open/Close sensor, it stymied my progress being unawares this particular device MUST be woken up. Live & learn.

 

Would be nice if the ISY could just query/search and discover or even read the HUB data since I had managed to "link" the HUB a while ago (don't even remember when I did that).

[Brian H]

Any of the battery operated Insteon Modules have to be woken up.

 

If you also have the HUB controlling the same modules. It can sometimes lead to half links and strange things. As the ISY994i does not know anything about the HUB and the links it adds to the modules.

[Techman]

Gee,

 

when you add the battery operated devices only put one device at a time into the linking mode. After adding to the ISY wait for the device to time out, about 4 minutes, before putting the next device into linking mode.

 

The battery operated devices go into sleep mode when not being used in order to conserve the batteries which is why you're not able to link or query them from the ISY

[stusviews]

You don't need to wait for a battery powered device to time out. Use the set button to take the device out of linking mode.

[larryllix]

Used the HUB app on my phone to get the addresses of each device (while I was in front of my computer) and added everything - except the Open/Close and the Motion Sensors. Pretty clear now these will require a personal visit in order to link them. Still, doing the bulk of the linking from my computer was preferred, and I've managed to accomplish this.

.....

I am afraid you are going to have to visit each device anyway. Without a factory reset you are bound to have weird problems later with half links in your hub and some modules. Then you will wonder why your programs are working the way you think they should. This gets nasty, very time wasting, frustrating, and blamed on ISY usually.

[oberkc]

no trick, how about a sensible and convenient way ? is there a sensible-convenient way to accomplish adding 10 devices in every corner of the home ?

 

I must admit to being a little curious...in what way could it be more convenient?  Put ISY in link mode, tap the devices, done.

 

Are you looking to avoid the physical movement throughout the house?  This can be done if you know the addresses for each device, but I have found it (personally) easier to simply tap the device.

[Brian H]

Some of us write all the model number, location and ID of all our modules in a  notebook.

We also do a factory reset on all new modules. As they have been known to ship with test links in them.

[Techman]

After linking your devices run an ISY "generate topology" report and you'll have a record, with addresses, of all you devices.

[jrclark1978]

Don't mean to hijack with my first post, but it seems like I have been experiencing similar futility with adding Insteon devices.  For some reason, I cannot register any device using the "Start Link" function.  I literally hit the button and nothing happens, no popup.  

 

I've resorted to adding devices manually, which worked for one motion sensor, but not for any of the dimmers or switches.  The ISY would always respond with "Failed".  It was an infuriating hour spent for nothing.  Any help would be appreciated.

[Techman]

Don't mean to hijack with my first post, but it seems like I have been experiencing similar futility with adding Insteon devices.  For some reason, I cannot register any device using the "Start Link" function.  I literally hit the button and nothing happens, no popup.  

 

I've resorted to adding devices manually, which worked for one motion sensor, but not for any of the dimmers or switches.  The ISY would always respond with "Failed".  It was an infuriating hour spent for nothing.  Any help would be appreciated.

 

Is the attached screen what you're using to link new devices?

[LeeG]

jrclark1978

 

I prefer to use "New INSTEON Device" because a device Name is assigned rather than the Insteon address of device.  Also "New INSTEON Device" must be used to add a battery powered device.

 

However, if using "Start Linking" the following popups are expected.  StartLinking is the initial popup from clicking Start Linking option.  FromSetButton popup displayes when device Set button is pressed for 3-5 seconds.   Then click Finish button on StartLinking popup.  The device is added using the Insteon address.  See DeviceAddComplete image

[jrclark1978]

Is the attached screen what you're using to link new devices?

  

jrclark1978

 

I prefer to use "New INSTEON Device" because a device Name is assigned rather than the Insteon address of device.  Also "New INSTEON Device" must be used to add a battery powered device.

 

However, if using "Start Linking" the following popups are expected.  StartLinking is the initial popup from clicking Start Linking option.  FromSetButton popup displayes when device Set button is pressed for 3-5 seconds.   Then click Finish button on StartLinking popup.  The device is added using the Insteon address.  See DeviceAddComplete image

Techman, that is the method I'm using for all devices.

 

LeeG, none of those screens appear when I hit "Start Linking".

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm about to give it another shot here in a few minutes. Will update on success or failure.

[Techman]

  

Techman, that is the method I'm using for all devices.

 

 

 

Type in just the device address and use auto discover. If that doesn't work then you may have a communications issue, either interference or poor powerline coupling.

What model PLM are you using?

[LeeG]

The initial popup should display when Link Management | Start Linking is clicked.  No device interaction is required.

 

Suggest exiting Admin Console and restart.

 

What does Help | About show for

 

Firmware?

UI?

[Gee]

If I must physically visit each module and do a factory reset on each (as has been suggested) does this imply that the Insteon HUB will then need to be re-linked or worse, does this imply that you must choose between either the HUB or the ISY but you can not utilize both ?

[jrclark1978]

LeeG, see below.

Techman, I've tried adding devices and using "Auto Discover" and get a "Failed" message again.  Not sure how to get the model of the PLM?

 

[larryllix]

If I must physically visit each module and do a factory reset on each (as has been suggested) does this imply that the Insteon HUB will then need to be re-linked or worse, does this imply that you must choose between either the HUB or the ISY but you can not utilize both ?

As others have noted, two controllers don't play well together. If the Hub turns a device on or off, ISY won't know about it and any logic used may not work  correctly and vice versa.

 

It can be done but most are not willing to do the homework to support this complexity and complications that arise from it.

 

It's pretty easy. Just ...

unplug device,

hold down the linking button,

plug back in,

wait for the beeping to stop,

let go of the linking button,

right click on the device in admin console,

select restore.