rlanza1054 Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 Hi all, I would like the ISY994 to be able to control some IR devices. I have talked about wanting to control a few devices via IR Transmit (my ISY994IPro with iR only receives IR commands), specifically my Frigidaire Air Conditioners. I was told that these air conditioners use a not so standard IR scheme which some IR Transmit devices can record the IR code correctly. I think I read that the Global Cache can do this. So I figured that I might try to invest in one to try it out. But after looking (nothing is eer easy) Global Cache makes more than a few models. The one that interests me the most is the wireless version (which would make it easier for placement in the room. that model is the 'Global Cache WF2IR iTach Wi-Fi to IR'. However I noticed this as well: 'Global Cache iTach Flex Wi-Fi (Flex-WF)' Which of these two models would be the best to use and the easiest to setup? I do realize that I have to some how manage to either import the Air Conditioner remote codes or put the Global Cache devices into learn mode and teach it the codes. Thank you for your help. Rob PS As some of you know I already own Harmony Hubs and Remotes and also two Amazon Echo's, one regular Echo and one Echo DOT. My issue with the Harmony integration is that right now you can only control 'Activities' (those that own Harmony's know what I am talking about), it does not allow for control of one single command from one particular 'device'. Hopefully this will change at some point. I know there are workarounds using multiple Activities but it make it so complicated because the Harmony likes to shut off devices when switching Activities. And I know about overriding those Power issues. But its like fitting a round circle into a square box, ou can make it work but its not realy the best. I also invested in a Anymote Home IR but that requires having your Smartphone be near enough to control it. That they say can send individual device commands to the Echo but I haven't played with it. It also says it can intergrate with Insteon and Z-Wave, but I think they are talking about the Insteon Hub. I do not see Universal Devices ISY994 as listing as one of the devices it supports. But the developers says if they contact him, he would add the ISY994. Maybe UDI can contact him his email address is: colortigerapps2gmail.com Their webpage is: www.anymote.io I also have one my list of things to try is the Raspberry Pi device and setup. I purchased everything needed but haven't had the time to set it ip and learn it. And now I'm thinking the Global Cache products might be the easiest thing to get going. I just need to verify which model to get!
BamBamF16 Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 I use the flex line as they are very small and powered by USB adaptors. I think the functionality is identical just a different form factor. Each itach flex can control or output to 3 ir devices, with one optionally a blaster. Jeff
oberkc Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 While I own two of the WF2IR devices, I use them with other software and have only performed limited experiments using them with the ISY994. I am a little fuzzy on what the flex device does and how that compares. My impressions are that one could use the WF2IR and learn specific codes from an ir remote, but that it takes some effort (and the network module) to get things working. If you are willing to experiment a bit, however, I expect that this would work. The one concern I have is that some ir-controlled devices can use codes that appear to be non static and that may create some complications. On the other hand, if you were able to learn the command on your harmony, I doubt this is a concern. Is there some reason you have not chosen the irlinc transmitter? While I do not own one, this seems to me to be the obvious option. (Perhaps there is some limitation with ISY of which I am not aware?)
BamBamF16 Posted June 25, 2016 Posted June 25, 2016 I'm sorry if I was vague. I use the itachs with a different program as well. I was just describing the differences as I know them. Jeff
io_guy Posted June 25, 2016 Posted June 25, 2016 I use an IP2IR (The wired version of the WF2IR) with external programs and the ISY. As mentioned above, the iTach can do essentially the same thing. The unit works great but does require some IR learning (with their software) and then the ISY network module to send the specific IR commands. It's a little bit complicated but once you get the hand of it it's very powerful. I would definitely recommend it over the IRLinc - it allows for an infinite number of IR commands to be sent and is not limited to the ISY.
rlanza1054 Posted July 1, 2016 Author Posted July 1, 2016 Is there some reason you have not chosen the irlinc transmitter? While I do not own one, this seems to me to be the obvious option. (Perhaps there is some limitation with ISY of which I am not aware?) Maybe I made a mistake in purchasing the Global Cache Itach WF2IR. Because it was my understanding from reading some stuff that to learn my Frigidaire Air Conditioner the Insteon IR transmitter had trouble learning those particular codes. I did get the iTach and am playing around with it. The iLearn software is easy to use to record codes. But after talking with support, I learned that these learned codes are stored in a plain text file; which is editable, I've even looked at the file it creates and the codes it store. However, the unit does not store the codes internally as I thought. Support said the software I end up using will read this file of codes and then transmit the codes to the iTach via internet (wifi). I had also purchased a Anymote Home and setup using the AnyMote software for Android. The AnyMote can transmit to a Global Cache unit. And I tested that although I didn't need my learned codes since AnyMote's database already had the Frigidaire AC in its list. I test sending but never tested with an IR Blaster plugged into the 3 ports on the iTech. Incidentally, this iTech is so small, you might say its cute looking. Like a Smurf. I don't know why that even entered my head. LOL! So it might be easier to setup and use the Insteon IR Transmitter since the ISY994 can link to it just like all the other Insteon modules. Now I will have to do more work to get the ISY994 to talk to the ITech. I might just try and purchase the Insteon IR Transmitter in the end. I do the my Harmony and Amazon working with the ISY994, I just wish at this point the ISY994 could send a command to the Harmony. Right now the talking is in one direction. The Harmony can talk to the ISY via IR but the ISY can't talk to the Harmony. Unless the Harmony can listen to commands via Z-Wave? Or maybe the ISY can send a command via IFTTT to the Amazon and then the Amazon send the command to the Harmony. These devices need to be two-way but I guess we are not there yet. I have put that much time into this because of taking care of other things in my life, but I will gert there at some point. And I thank everyone for their help. Rob
Michel Kohanim Posted July 1, 2016 Posted July 1, 2016 Hi rlanza1054, Are you saying that iTach cannot send IR commands? Please note: 1. IRLinc TX has limited IR code support 2. Harmony ... we have sent them 3 emails and they never replied With kind regards, Michel
coder96 Posted July 1, 2016 Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) i use the ip2ir and some flex production to control multiple devices. It is a bit tricky to get working. The simplest was I found to get things going. telnet to the ip2ir on port 4998. Once connected do a get_IRL This will put the box in learning mode. There is a little hole that has the ir receiver behind it. Test your remote with one button to get a feel for how it works. You should have a command for each time you hit the button. Save this some where to test with later. Do a stop_IRL The will stop the learning mode. Then you can experiment with the sendir command. This is what you will use to send the ir command. Once you have that all setup. You will just need to create a network resource in ISY. Edited July 1, 2016 by coder96
rlanza1054 Posted July 7, 2016 Author Posted July 7, 2016 Hi rlanza1054, Are you saying that iTach cannot send IR commands? Please note: 1. IRLinc TX has limited IR code support 2. Harmony ... we have sent them 3 emails and they never replied With kind regards, Michel No it can send IR commands
rlanza1054 Posted July 7, 2016 Author Posted July 7, 2016 i use the ip2ir and some flex production to control multiple devices. It is a bit tricky to get working. The simplest was I found to get things going. telnet to the ip2ir on port 4998. Once connected do a get_IRL This will put the box in learning mode. There is a little hole that has the ir receiver behind it. Test your remote with one button to get a feel for how it works. You should have a command for each time you hit the button. Save this some where to test with later. Do a stop_IRL The will stop the learning mode. Then you can experiment with the sendir command. This is what you will use to send the ir command. Once you have that all setup. You will just need to create a network resource in ISY. Since that last post I want to update on what I have working right now I attached the IR Blaster cable on port 3 of the Global Cache iTach WF2IR. I tested it with the Anymote software (on Android) which was very easy to setup to talk to the Global Cache iTach. I set the Anymote to send the commands to the Global Cache IP address I set the iTach WF2IR to use. I set the Anymote to use port 1:3 which tells the Global Cache to use port 3 (the Blaster port) to transmit the IR command for the Fridgidare Air Conditioner. I sent a Power Toggle command. It works perfectly. The only trouble I'm having with the Anymote software is with the Amazon Echo integration. It works but I'm having trouble having it understand my naming of the remotes. A typical problem the Amazon Echo has. Since the Global Cache iTach WF2IR works so great, purchased a second unit. I'm probably crazy because I actually own 3 Harmony Hubs and Remotes (two Ultimate's ans one Elite, I also have an older Harmony Link but that is not support by Amazon Echo or IFTTT). I just don't like that that I have to setup an Activity to do a simple Power Toggle for one device, the Anymote software integrates directly into the Amazon Echo, no need to pass the commands to IFTTT. Anymote is an actual direct skill offered on the Amazon Echo. Just like the ISY994 has a direct connection to the Amazon Echo, ISY994 is a skill on the Amazon Echo. But what I ultimately want to get going is to have the ISY994 talk directly to the Global Cache. I have been reading the tread on how to program that in the Network Module of the ISY994. I was looking for an example to of doing that where I can Import into my ISY994 to learn how to program it. And lastly, I did learn how to record the Frigidaire Air Conditioner codes using Global Cache's iLearn software, I never had an issue doing that. Rob
coder96 Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 Under the Configuration -> Networking -> Network Resources tabs Click the Add button at the bottom In the popup window. Select Tcp Put your ip of the WF2IR in the host Port will be 4988 Time out I use 500 Mode will be C Escaped In the body text box. Put in the sendir string with \n\r at the end. Save your resource. Use the test button at he bottom to see if it works.
rlanza1054 Posted July 7, 2016 Author Posted July 7, 2016 Under the Configuration -> Networking -> Network Resources tabs Click the Add button at the bottom In the popup window. Select Tcp Put your ip of the WF2IR in the host Port will be 4988 Time out I use 500 Mode will be C Escaped In the body text box. Put in the sendir string with \n\r at the end. Save your resource. Use the test button at he bottom to see if it works. Great Success! Got it all working! I now have the ISY able to control the two air conditioners (one in the livingroom and the other in the bedroom). Each going to two different Global Cache iTach WF2IR units. Now that I have it working I will be adding other IR commands. A few more for the Air Conditioners and I guess I'll play around with adding the TV, Cable Box and Home Audio System. One thing I am trying to figure out how to do. I have a CCF file for my Frigidaire Air Conditioners. Which has the complete set of commands for the entire remote. However, I am having trouble find the correct utility to convert the CCF file of separate command codes into HEX codes so the I can convert those HEX codes into Global Cache codes. If I can do that I don't have to use the iLearn software to record each of the codes manually. I tried several utilities offered on www.remotecentral.com website but either I don't know how to use those utilities or they just don't do what I need. Does anyone know how to do that? I will attach the ccf file in the post for anyone to take a look at and maybe do the conversion for me. I also am going to post my setup so anyone else can use it if they want. I did an export and it made a .zip file but when I tried to unzip it manually Windows gave an error message, so I'm not sure if this is the way to share it. I hope I'm not posting something that is insecure or has my info in it? But just in case the Frigidaire Power Toggle code that I'm using is: sendir,1:3,1,39308,1,1,354,176,23,21,23,21,23,21,23,65,23,21,23,21,23,21,23,21,23,65,23,21,23,65,23,21,23,65,23,65,23,65,23,65,23,65,23,21,23,21,23,21,23,65,23,21,23,21,23,21,23,21,23,65,23,65,23,65,23,21,23,65,23,65,23,65,23,1614,354,88,23,3771,354,88,23,3771,354,88,23,3771,354,88,23,3771,335,107,4,3900/r/l Thank you! Rob frig-air-5000btu.zip ISY-NetRules-Backup.v4.5.1__Thu 2016.07.07 02.37.52 PM.zip
Michel Kohanim Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 Hi Rob, Thanks so very much for the update and sharing your results. With regards to CCF to HEX, have you take a look at ilearn? http://www.globalcache.com/downloads/ With kind regards, Michel
rlanza1054 Posted July 10, 2016 Author Posted July 10, 2016 Hi Rob, Thanks so very much for the update and sharing your results. With regards to CCF to HEX, have you take a look at ilearn? http://www.globalcache.com/downloads/ With kind regards, Michel Hi, I used the ilearn and recorded all the IR commands manually and gave up trying to convert the CCF file. Its all working. I'm attaching to this post all my IR commands should anyone want to use them. I think there is an area that I should place them but until I find it, I'll just share them here. Its the EXPORT file of all the Network Resources I created. The following devices that I am controlling are: Frigidaire AC Power Toggle Frigidaire AC Temp UP Frigidaire AC Temp DWN Frigidaire AC Fan Speed UP Frigidaire AC Fan Speed DWN Samsung Smart TV Power Toggle Cable Box Power Toggle (for Time Warner Cable Boxes) Pioneer Audio Receiver Power Toggle Panasonic AC Power Toggle Panasonic AC Temp UP Panasonic AC Temp DWN Samsung Home Theater Power Toggle Samsung Home Theater Input Toggle Rob ISY-NetRules-Backup.v4.5.1__Sun 2016.07.10 04.32.46 PM.zip
robl Posted October 28, 2017 Posted October 28, 2017 Thanks for the info! I bought the iTach flex and have been playing around with it for my home theater. I found the Insteon IR blaster to be way too flaky and finnicky, and calling Harmony via IFTTT often didn't work. Harmony.py works, but usually has a 30 second startup time. Using ISY network resources in C-escaped mode with \r\l works! The \r\l was the magic trick where I was stuck. Happy to find this thread! I've found that iLearn often hangs when trying JSON and the REST API. Has anyone gotten this to work repeatedly? (port 80) Also, their iTower has listings for power on/off for my TV (Vizio) and Reciever (Pioneer), but their codes look radically different from the ones I measure. Mine work, the iTower ones don't. Has anyone else had more success there? Any other thoughts or experiences on making this device work well? Thanks, Rob
robl Posted October 28, 2017 Posted October 28, 2017 Btw, for anyone picking up an iTach flex Wifi, a key part is missing in setup. They ask you to connect to an ad-hoc wifi network. What they don't say, and support confirmed for me, is that these networks are not seen by Android devices (I tried a phone and a tablet). And it won't be seen by win10 by default. I downloaded their win10 utility to help, and norton quarantined it quickly. I followed their command line instructions, but got unexpected errors. Apple devices *do* work, so I borrowed my wife's iphone, and got past this step fast and easy. Anyone have any luck with sending multiple commands via an ISY network resource? I narrowed down the guidance above to only needing a \r at the end of a command. (using both \r\l will make the second command give an error) But ... after making it work, I simply get busy_IR errors in response. My guess is that we need some sort of flow control - wait for success response for a command before sending the next one. I can do this with an rPi, but I'd rather do this native in ISY. I tried to cheat by adding a bunch of fluffy commands, such as status, but those return too quickly. 5 of them weren't enough, I might need a hundred or more. Ideally they would queue the commands until ready. Nope. Second best would be some commands that force a wait operation to occur. Nope. In case it matters, this is for a Costco LED lighting strip. This was almost impossible to get working with the Insteon IR module, but this device learned the codes, and they worked well when repeated. I'm creating a command called "IR; Reset Device" that switches to white and brightens it 3 times, so it reverses any odd colors and modes that may have been set. Yes, the other workaround is a program that calls 4 network resources, perhaps with a 1 second delay. Sometimes my network is flaky and things are missed, and I'd rather work at full device speed, so I'm trying to do it in 1 network command. I also tried JSON mode with several JSON lines (both with and without a , seperator per JSON spec). Still no go. JSON is a bit unfortunate, in that ISY returns N/A most of the time so I can't see error codes.
rlanza1054 Posted December 16, 2017 Author Posted December 16, 2017 Btw, for anyone picking up an iTach flex Wifi, a key part is missing in setup. They ask you to connect to an ad-hoc wifi network. What they don't say, and support confirmed for me, is that these networks are not seen by Android devices (I tried a phone and a tablet). And it won't be seen by win10 by default. I downloaded their win10 utility to help, and norton quarantined it quickly. I followed their command line instructions, but got unexpected errors. Apple devices *do* work, so I borrowed my wife's iphone, and got past this step fast and easy. Anyone have any luck with sending multiple commands via an ISY network resource? I narrowed down the guidance above to only needing a \r at the end of a command. (using both \r\l will make the second command give an error) But ... after making it work, I simply get busy_IR errors in response. My guess is that we need some sort of flow control - wait for success response for a command before sending the next one. I can do this with an rPi, but I'd rather do this native in ISY. I tried to cheat by adding a bunch of fluffy commands, such as status, but those return too quickly. 5 of them weren't enough, I might need a hundred or more. Ideally they would queue the commands until ready. Nope. Second best would be some commands that force a wait operation to occur. Nope. In case it matters, this is for a Costco LED lighting strip. This was almost impossible to get working with the Insteon IR module, but this device learned the codes, and they worked well when repeated. I'm creating a command called "IR; Reset Device" that switches to white and brightens it 3 times, so it reverses any odd colors and modes that may have been set. Yes, the other workaround is a program that calls 4 network resources, perhaps with a 1 second delay. Sometimes my network is flaky and things are missed, and I'd rather work at full device speed, so I'm trying to do it in 1 network command. I also tried JSON mode with several JSON lines (both with and without a , seperator per JSON spec). Still no go. JSON is a bit unfortunate, in that ISY returns N/A most of the time so I can't see error codes. Btw, for anyone picking up an iTach flex Wifi, a key part is missing in setup. They ask you to connect to an ad-hoc wifi network. What they don't say, and support confirmed for me, is that these networks are not seen by Android devices (I tried a phone and a tablet). And it won't be seen by win10 by default. I downloaded their win10 utility to help, and norton quarantined it quickly. I followed their command line instructions, but got unexpected errors. Apple devices *do* work, so I borrowed my wife's iphone, and got past this step fast and easy. Anyone have any luck with sending multiple commands via an ISY network resource? I narrowed down the guidance above to only needing a \r at the end of a command. (using both \r\l will make the second command give an error) But ... after making it work, I simply get busy_IR errors in response. My guess is that we need some sort of flow control - wait for success response for a command before sending the next one. I can do this with an rPi, but I'd rather do this native in ISY. I tried to cheat by adding a bunch of fluffy commands, such as status, but those return too quickly. 5 of them weren't enough, I might need a hundred or more. Ideally they would queue the commands until ready. Nope. Second best would be some commands that force a wait operation to occur. Nope. In case it matters, this is for a Costco LED lighting strip. This was almost impossible to get working with the Insteon IR module, but this device learned the codes, and they worked well when repeated. I'm creating a command called "IR; Reset Device" that switches to white and brightens it 3 times, so it reverses any odd colors and modes that may have been set. Yes, the other workaround is a program that calls 4 network resources, perhaps with a 1 second delay. Sometimes my network is flaky and things are missed, and I'd rather work at full device speed, so I'm trying to do it in 1 network command. I also tried JSON mode with several JSON lines (both with and without a , seperator per JSON spec). Still no go. JSON is a bit unfortunate, in that ISY returns N/A most of the time so I can't see error codes. Hi, I should say its been a long time since I logged into the forum. I went a bit crazy I know own 4 Global Cache iTech WF2IR. Yes, when you first get the units its a bit of a pain to get it to be reconfigured to be on your own WIFI SSID Network. Once you do that it all works. I used iLearn to record all the IR commands. Then you import (copy and paste) the commands into to the ISY994. I have a recorded IR commands from my Samsung Smart TV, my Pioneer Home Theater, my TWC Cable Box (sorry we are now Spectrum), my LG 24inch TV, my LG 27 Smart TV, my Viewsonic 13 inch TV's, my Frigidaire Air Conditioner, my Panasonic AC. And a few other devices. I really should just post the text file of all my recorded IR commands. I did not add every command to the ISY (in the Networking Resource area. I know have 6 Amazon Echo's throughout the apartment. And I also have a Harmony Hub in every room. Each room also has the Global Cache WF2IR. I now made it possible to run all 7 TV's from one cable bo (a DVR that can record 6 channels at the same time) I use two different devices to achieve that. I also have one Amazon Fire TV that can be played on all the TV's. All the Tv's are mount to the wall using those Gas Articulating Arm. Can be moved into any positions at will. I'm presently working on mounting my Samsung 65 inch TV on one of these arms. (See Omni Mount PLAY 70 and am using their DSK70 stud wall adapter). I'm building a fake wall with two by fours anchored to my plaster over cement wire mesh walls with butterfly toggles bolts. It will hold the Tv and it will also hold a floating media cabinet. Right now I'm recovering from an accident. I tripped over an extension cord and broke both my knee caps and one big toe. I won't be home until Jan 5th if all goes well. Ok, I guess if it helps I can provide how I did everything in the ISY. If you are geting busy. You probably didn't get the IR command recorded correctly. It took me sometimes 4 or 5 tries before I got a command to work correctly. After you use the iLearn, using the TEST option within the iLearn if it comes back with OK and actually does the command like turn on the tv. Make sure you name the command and save it. it get recorded into one text file. Then I do a copy and paste that recorded command into the ISY. Make sure you use that setting on the top as C.Escape. Paste then add the /r/l I think the position is important. I don't remember if its /l/r or /r/l but after you save it the ISY strips out the /l. Please make sure you save and update eveything before testing. I never get a busy as you are getting. If I am sending a string of commands to make sure they don't get lost or maybe the busy your getting, I add wait a 1 second between sending each command. Make sure you are using the blaster port and the blaster IR transmitter that comes in the box. It goes on Port 3. When recording with iLearn make sure you set to 1:3 with the Ip address. Sometimes it gets changed and youdon't realize it. The saved IR Command line at the beginning you should see that 1:3. I have sometimes changed it in the saved text files so I know its goes to the correct port. I've attached my iLearn text filefor you to look at. Rob TempIRdata.txt
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