Bought house with isy/insteon installed and need help!

[dannyk65]

Hello,

 

I've been living in a house for three years now that had everything installed and running lights and irrigation.  The previous owner gave me login info for isy admin console and the UD site, but that's it.

 

I noticed my lawn and plants dying and eventually determined (mainly through lots of forum reading) that my PLM died 2/27.  Bought a replacement 2413S and set it up following the wiki, and while I can toggle things on/off through the admin console, the four irrigation programs are not running.  In admin console, PLM links are zero.

 

I have no other information from the previous owner, so I do not have an old backup.  

 

Also, in the garage there is an EZrain controller with a big white ELK box plugged into/wired to it.  

 

I have an isy 99ipro.

 

I have no idea where to start trying to get everything talking to each other at this point.  Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance,

Dan

[Techman]

Hello,

 

I've been living in a house for three years now that had everything installed and running lights and irrigation.  The previous owner gave me login info for isy admin console and the UD site, but that's it.

 

I noticed my lawn and plants dying and eventually determined (mainly through lots of forum reading) that my PLM died 2/27.  Bought a replacement 2413S and set it up following the wiki, and while I can toggle things on/off through the admin console, the four irrigation programs are not running.  In admin console, PLM links are zero.

 

I have no other information from the previous owner, so I do not have an old backup.  

 

Also, in the garage there is an EZrain controller with a big white ELK box plugged into/wired to it.  

 

I have an isy 99ipro.

 

I have no idea where to start trying to get everything talking to each other at this point.  Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance,

Dan

 

First make sure you have the current ISY firmware and UI (4.5.4)

 

If you PLM count is zero then the PLM most likely wasn't set up correctly.

Unplug both the ISY & PLM, then plug in the PLM, then after about 10 seconds plug in the ISY

In the ISY under file, uncheck the automatic writes to battery devices.

Then do a restore PLM.

 

Finally do a PLM link count and let me know with the number is.

[Brian H]

The ISY99i last firmware version is 3.3.10.

[dannyk65]

Hi Techman,

 

Thanks for your reply!

 

Firmware is 3.3.10 and UI is 4.5.4.

 

Zero PLM links.

 

ETA:  when I launched the UI, it automatically launched 'running then' on one of my irrigation programs.

[oberkc]

Dannyk65

 

I believe your SW and UI need to be the same.  Since you are still on ISY-99, this should both be 3.3.10.

 

Like the others have pointed out, zero links in the PLM does not sound right.  If restoring the PLM does not work, I can only suggest you re-review the instructions from the wiki:

 

http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-99i/ISY-26_INSTEON:File_Menu

 

Once you get those two things sorted out, if your programs continue to fail to run, we can look a little deeper.

[dannyk65]

Dannyk65

 

I believe your SW and UI need to be the same.  Since you are still on ISY-99, this should both be 3.3.10.

 

Like the others have pointed out, zero links in the PLM does not sound right.  If restoring the PLM does not work, I can only suggest you re-review the instructions from the wiki:

 

http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-99i/ISY-26_INSTEON:File_Menu

 

Once you get those two things sorted out, if your programs continue to fail to run, we can look a little deeper.

Hi oberkc,

 

I followed those instructions to restore the PLM and when I go to Tools>Diagnostics>Show PLM Links Table and click Start, then Count it pops up Zero.

 

Am I doing something wrong to check PLM links?

 

ETA: You're saying I should revert the UI to 3.3.10?

[apostolakisl]

You can't revert to UI 3.3.10.  The oldest one available is 4.5.4.  But it shouldn't be an issue.

 

It sounds as though you have not done a restore plm.  It should not have 0 links.  When you replace the plm you must do a restore plm.  Either your ISY plm links table got wiped somehow, or you have not succeeded in restoring your plm.

 

I can only say, try again with the "restore plm".

[dannyk65]

You can't revert to UI 3.3.10.  The oldest one available is 4.5.4.  But it shouldn't be an issue.

 

It sounds as though you have not done a restore plm.  It should not have 0 links.  When you replace the plm you must do a restore plm.  Either your ISY plm links table got wiped somehow, or you have not succeeded in restoring your plm.

 

I can only say, try again with the "restore plm".

When I click 'restore PLM' it brings up the progress bar and then disappears about two seconds later.

[dannyk65]

I wonder if restore PLM is even doing anything.

[dannyk65]

Will Restore Devices magically conjure up the missing links?

 

(Sorry, newb.  I moved into the house, everything worked great, until the old 2412 PLM died, then programs don't work and new 2413 PLM shows no links)

[apostolakisl]

When I click 'restore PLM' it brings up the progress bar and then disappears about two seconds later.

It sounds like you might have deleted your plm instead of restoring it on your first run through.  That will remove all links from ISY's plm table.  So your "restore plm" is now writing nothing to the plm.

 

At this point, you either hopefully have a backup of your ISY that you can restore and then do a restore plm, or you start all over from scratch.

[dannyk65]

It sounds like you might have deleted your plm instead of restoring it on your first run through.  That will remove all links from ISY's plm table.  So your "restore plm" is now writing nothing to the plm.

 

At this point, you either hopefully have a backup of your ISY that you can restore and then do a restore plm, or you start all over from scratch.

 

This stuff was installed in the house when I bought it; thus I have no backups from the previous owner.  I don't even know how to set up my info to register it/receive email notifications and stuff.

 

Also, I know there is an ELK unit next to the irrigation controller in my garage, but in admin console, the ELK section is blank.

[larryllix]

This stuff was installed in the house when I bought it; thus I have no backups from the previous owner.  I don't even know how to set up my info to register it/receive email notifications and stuff.

 

Also, I know there is an ELK unit next to the irrigation controller in my garage, but in admin console, the ELK section is blank.

You need to contact UDI with your ISY UUID and they would be able to tell you if you own the ELK module or others, and possibly offer you a trade up deal.

[dannyk65]

You need to contact UDI with your ISY UUID and they would be able to tell you if you own the ELK module or others, and possibly offer you a trade up deal.

 

I'm happy to contact UDI.  I've seen nothing but excellent feedback about their service.

 

Why wouldn't the ELK be my module?  Is it possible it was rented by the previous owner or something?

[apostolakisl]

You don't need to contact ISY to see if you have the Elk module.  If you click "help" "about" all of the installed modules will be listed.

 

ISY base package has some very basic Elk integration.  That is probably what you are talking about when you say is blank.

 

It is also possible that as you PLM died it screwed up ISY's table.  I have heard people say this, but am not sure if it is a real thing.

 

You might call the previous owner and see if he has a backup.  Typically you do a backup with every firmware update and your unit has the most up to date firmware available for it, so this would likely mean he did some firmware updates which probably included him doing a backup.

 

Even if you choose to update to a 994i unit and add an elk module, it would save you a good bit of work if you don't have to re-build all your links.  That all transfers to a new unit.

[dannyk65]

You don't need to contact ISY to see if you have the Elk module.  If you click "help" "about" all of the installed modules will be listed.

 

ISY base package has some very basic Elk integration.  That is probably what you are talking about when you say is blank.

 

I know there's a hefty white adapter that says 'ELK' on it plugged into the EZrain controller in my garage.

 

What I meant was in Configuration in the ELK M1XEP section, all fields are blank.

 

I think three years is a bit much to ask the previous owner if he has an update.  Is that being a bit lame on my part?  

[jtara92101]

Every time somebody comes on here and says they are selling their house and want to know what to do, I suggest that they remove the ISY and Insteon devices, because they are doing the new homeowner no favors.

 

I moved from a rental of 18 years, and the new owner THANKED me for removing it! It meant she wouldn't have to mess with it. Home Automation is an acquired taste.

 

You might want to avail yourself of the generous upgrade offer from ISY. Scroll to the near the bottom:

 

    https://www.universal-devices.com/sales/

 

I think you will be able to even keep your existing isy99i. Any plugins that were purchased will be transferred to your new 994i, and I think you will be blocked from installing any plugins. I forget the exact details. Some people use the old one for a vacation home, etc.

 

It will be easier to get help, as almost everyone here has moved on to isy994i.

 

The Support page has links to everything you need. And do continue to ask questions here!

[jtara92101]

"ELK Module" is a software entitlement on the ISY. Not the ELK equipment itself. ELK module is what lets the ISY talk to your ELK.

 

ISY has a number of software entitlements that can be purchased. If the previous owner purchased them, they will just be there automatically, as they go by the UUID of the device.

 

If you upgrade to an isy994i, you will email UDI, and they will transfer your modules from the 99i to the 994i.

 

If you have to start over, as you add Insteon devices to the ISY, it will offer some choices as each device is added. You can "preserve existing links" if you wish, and then you will at least keep the connections between buttons and dimmers and scenes.

[larryllix]

I thought the Restore PLM used the programs and Scenes to build a link database that it shoved into the PLM.

 

If that is the case and he has no programmes and no backup file then there would be no point in pursuing that avenue.

[dannyk65]

I thought the Restore PLM used the programs and Scenes to build a link database that it shoved into the PLM.

 

If that is the case and he has no programmes and no backup file then there would be no point in pursuing that avenue.

 

All my programs are still there.  At scheduled start time, they don't start anything.  

 

This problem didn't exist until my old PLM died.  

[dannyk65]

"ELK Module" is a software entitlement on the ISY. Not the ELK equipment itself. ELK module is what lets the ISY talk to your ELK.

 

ISY has a number of software entitlements that can be purchased. If the previous owner purchased them, they will just be there automatically, as they go by the UUID of the device.

 

If you upgrade to an isy994i, you will email UDI, and they will transfer your modules from the 99i to the 994i.

 

If you have to start over, as you add Insteon devices to the ISY, it will offer some choices as each device is added. You can "preserve existing links" if you wish, and then you will at least keep the connections between buttons and dimmers and scenes.

 

I hear you, and thank you for that info.  At least upgrading is an option.  

 

I'm just not sure how I'd feel about dumping a bunch of money at something that won't work in its current form.  I just want my sprinklers to run on the timer again like they did before the old PLM failed.

[dannyk65]

When I run device links table one of the 4 irrigation stations is in the dropdown menu.  It gives me this:

 

0 : 3FF8 : 00 00 00.00.00 00 00

 

Not sure if this is good, bad or neither!

 

ETA:  same thing shows up when I run ISY links table

[dannyk65]

So apparently that one link I noted in the above post actually ran itself a few minutes ago according to its program and watered the front entryway area of my house.  I've got no clue why the others cannot do the same.  It would solve all my problems.

[dannyk65]

Ok, I've been doing a ton of internet research.

 

The only issue I care about is my irrigation programs working again.  

 

I have an ELK 24v connected to what looks like an EZflora v92 (admin console says v92).

 

Am I correct that my irrigation (in admin console) will show up under one label?  Example: when I show device links table, only one ezflora is available in the dropdown menu.

 

How do I get the other programs (they are all there in admin console) to actually turn on the sprinklers?  Do I need to unplug the EZflora?  Hold set button?  Would that cause the whole thing to combust?  

 

Should I do something in admin console?  Device restore?  Links?  

 

I don't want to click anything and destroy things!

 

Thank you

[Brian H]

I would NOT unplug the EZflora and hold the Set Button while plugging it back in.

That will do a Factory Reset and all links will be gone and all built in preset safety timers set to default.

 

Here is the EZflora Quick Guide if you need it.

http://sandbox.smartenit.com/downloads/EZFlora_Quick-Start.pdf

 

The ELK module sounds like the 24 Volt AC supply for turning the valves On and Off.

 

You may find more information here. In the section covering the EZflora and its original name EZRain.

 

http://forum.universal-devices.com/forum/5-ezrainezioezsnsrf/