New User at sea

[JLOB]

Today is Day One for my ISY994i and the appropriate Insteon PLM.  I have a house full of X10 devices.  I’ll be darned if I can figure out how to add and X10 device.  Can anybody point me to specific instructions on how to do this?  In the dropdown box for adding new devices, X10 stuff is conspicuous by its absence.

Thanks for any help.
JLOB

[larryllix]

Welcome to the forum!

 

X10 can be used two ways.

• Get the X10 firmware module available though the admin console under Help | ???. X10 modules then can act and look like native Insteon modules and appear in the device tree. I think this option has become very cheap.
• Add the X10 device you want to control in the programming lines using the house and unit addresses. Nothing else required.

[oberkc]

Yes, the X-10 add-in module is necessary if you want X-10 devices in the device tree.  I have the module, but don't use X-10 much anymore. 

 

Without the module, your abilities with X-10 are based on programs transmitting x10 commands (house code and number).

[JLOB]

Thanks for your responses.  I ordered the module, but given that it’s a holiday here I probably won’t see it for a few days.  What’s the fastest way for me to get to the programming page and begin entering code?  Remember, this is all NEW to me.  Will I have any control of that device before the module becomes active?

Thanks.
JLOB

[paulbates]

Hi JLOB, welcome!

 

Modules are software based and loaded directly, nothing will be coming via mail!

 

Go to your ISY admin console, to the Help Menu/Purchase modules, it should show up there as "A10/X10 Experimental" as Active under Purchased Modules.

 

Check to see if its there, if it is you are good!

 

If not report back on how you purchased

 

Paul
 

[larryllix]

Select the program tab

Select Details tab

Select New Program

Go...

 

Note you can organise your programs by creating folders.

 

[paulbates]

JLOB

The ISY 'thinks' a little differently than other HA controllers, and you need to learn its way of doing things. To get started as a new user, I would suggest spending an hour reviewing the manual: 

• Sections 1 and 2... plus Section 3.1 - 3.4. 
• Then review the x10 module specifics start on page 60

After that, you should be ready to start adding x10 devices with an eye to automation with the ISY

http://www.universal-devices.com/docs/production/ISY%20User%20Guide%204.2.8.pdf

 

I've used X10 with my ISY, and one thing to watch for is placement of the PLM. The PLM's X10 Transceiver proved a little weaker for me than the TW523, 

 

 

 

Paul

 

[Brian H]

UDI activates the A10/X10 firmware module remotely.

Another indication it is active. In the add a new module drop down list. You will see added devices like X10 and A10 modules.

[stusviews]

There is no need to "add" X10 modules. Everything X10 is accomplished using programs. For example:

 

If
        X10 'A1/On (3)' is Received
 
Then
        Send X10 'A4/On (3)'
        Send X10 'A6/On (3)'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 

The X10 house and unit code is selected from a drop down list. So are the actions.

[JLOB]

I’m trying to set up (test for now) my ISY941 and Amazon Echo.  I follow the UDI directions for “connectivity”, and get a message saying ISY is not on line.  Given that ISY is activating lights and stuff, I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong.  Anyone have an thoughts, or am I being unclear?

Thanks.
JLOB

[kohai]

I’m trying to set up (test for now) my ISY941 and Amazon Echo.  I follow the UDI directions for “connectivity”, and get a message saying ISY is not on line.  Given that ISY is activating lights and stuff, I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong.  Anyone have an thoughts, or am I being unclear?

 

Thanks.

JLOB

 

Have you purchased the 'portal' option for your ISY?  You need that to have the networking functions and remote access functions that come with the portal purchase (e.g. no need to bother with port forwarding, you don't need the networking module if you have the portal module).

 

http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/18015-amazon-echo-isy-step-by-step/

[JLOB]

Have you purchased the 'portal' option for your ISY?  You need that to have the networking functions and remote access functions that come with the portal purchase (e.g. no need to bother with port forwarding, you don't need the networking module if you have the portal module).

 

http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/18015-amazon-echo-isy-step-by-step/

Thanks for the reply.  If i read this correctly, I CAN'T use my Echo with ISY unless I buy this module?  If that's true, then I apparenty misunderstood the sales people at UD.

Thanks

JLOB

[kohai]

Thanks for the reply.  If i read this correctly, I CAN'T use my Echo with ISY unless I buy this module?  If that's true, then I apparenty misunderstood the sales people at UD.

Thanks

JLOB

 

Yes, you need the portal because that is where you setup the 'spoken' commands.  Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.

[larryllix]

Thanks for the reply.  If i read this correctly, I CAN'T use my Echo with ISY unless I buy this module?  If that's true, then I apparenty misunderstood the sales people at UD.

Thanks

JLOB

The portal is the easiest method to attach the Echo to your ISY.

 

There are other methods requiring an RPi or other computer, with free bridging software, but more hassle. I haven't tried any of those yet.

[JLOB]

Thanks to all of you who’ve responded to my queries.  I finally got Echo to control a device, but it doesn’t do it directly.  I need to wake Echo and say “ISY.  Echo then tells me about ISY and asks what it can help with.  At THAT point a named device can be controlled, but only one.  There’s GOTTA be another way!

Thanks.
JLOB

[kohai]

Thanks to all of you who’ve responded to my queries.  I finally got Echo to control a device, but it doesn’t do it directly.  I need to wake Echo and say “ISY.  Echo then tells me about ISY and asks what it can help with.  At THAT point a named device can be controlled, but only one.  There’s GOTTA be another way!

 

Thanks.

JLOB

 

Are you using the portal or another route as larrylix described?  (I forgot in the early days there were ways to do it without the portal. I'm new to echo as well.)

[JLOB]

Are you using the portal or another route as larrylix described?  (I forgot in the early days there were ways to do it without the portal. I'm new to echo as well.)

I'm using the portal.

J.

[kohai]

I'm using the portal.

J.

 

I'm out of my depth in helping much more since I'm pretty new to echo.  It sounds like the skill isn't right?  I don't have to address my echo with the word 'isy'.  

[paulbates]

These are the official docs from UDI for integrating the echo with the ISY

 

https://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY_Portal_Amazon_Echo_Integration

[nickp]

Yep; what he said..  

 

Once you've setup the Echo in the portal correctly, you can say "Alexa.  Turn on Kitchen Lights."

No need to wake anything up beyond the normal Alexa command.

 

Good luck, Nick.

[Teken]

Information Only: UDI offers the network module for a one time $49.XX fee. The portal includes the network module as part of its two year $49.XX fee.

 

Should you ever decide to forgo the portal the network module will also be gone. My humble suggestion is when finances are available to purchase the dedicated network module because its money well spent and its not going anywhere. You can submit a service request to UDI to come up with some kind of concession regarding the two modules in place.

 

In the past the simply extended the portal subscription or offered a discount etc.

[JLOB]

All set now.  Needed to re-discover devices.  Works as advertised.  Thank, all of you, for your help.

 

JLOB

[stusviews]

There are two ISY skills. Make sure you enable the "ISY Optimized for Smart Home V2" skill. The "ISY" skill requires that you use both the Alexa wake word and IZZY, too. You can run both skills, if desired. IZZY allows running the IF condition(s) of programs, otherwise you can run only THEN (on command)  and/or ELSE (off command).

[larryllix]

There are two ISY skills. Make sure you enable the "ISY Optimized for Smart Home V2" skill. The "ISY" skill requires that you use both the Alexa wake word and IZZY, too. You can run both skills, if desired. IZZY allows running the IF condition(s) of programs, otherwise you can run only THEN (on command) and/or ELSE (off command).

I thought the old skill was goingvto be removed to avoid further confusion.

[stusviews]

The old skill was removed. The "IZZY" skill is a separate skill (and always was) that allows running IF.