smokegrub Posted June 19, 2017 Posted June 19, 2017 To monitor door openings I use Hidden Door Sensors and TriigerLincs. The former use batteries sparingly even in highly trafficked areas. I change batteries in these on or about every 12 months. The TriggerLincs, however, in comparison are battery hogs. One of these devices is located on an outbuilding and the door was never opened for 5 months. Nevertheless, the battery did not last 4 months! The other is located on an entry door that sees a relatively low number of openings and the battery in it lasts just a few months. These are high quality lithium batteries, the same as those used in the hidden door sensors. The only thing I see that might contribute to this is the TriggerLincs constantly show a heartbeat in the ISY. Any help with this would be appreciated.
Techman Posted June 19, 2017 Posted June 19, 2017 To monitor door openings I use Hidden Door Sensors and TriigerLincs. The former use batteries sparingly even in highly trafficked areas. I change batteries in these on or about every 12 months. The TriggerLincs, however, in comparison are battery hogs. One of these devices is located on an outbuilding and the door was never opened for 5 months. Nevertheless, the battery did not last 4 months! The other is located on an entry door that sees a relatively low number of openings and the battery in it lasts just a few months. These are high quality lithium batteries, the same as those used in the hidden door sensors. The only thing I see that might contribute to this is the TriggerLincs constantly show a heartbeat in the ISY. Any help with this would be appreciated. Check to see if there's an option on how often to send the heartbeat signal. If so, reduce it
smokegrub Posted June 19, 2017 Author Posted June 19, 2017 I haven't done anything like this in a long time. Do I need to place the device in linking mode, delete it, then re-add it in order to get to the setup features?
Techman Posted June 20, 2017 Posted June 20, 2017 I haven't done anything like this in a long time. Do I need to place the device in linking mode, delete it, then re-add it in order to get to the setup features? The hidden door sensors have an option on how often you want it to send the heartbeat signal. change it to 12 or 24 hours. You'll need to put the device into linking mode in order to write the changes to the device
smokegrub Posted June 20, 2017 Author Posted June 20, 2017 I have put the device into linking mode. My problem is the next step. How do I get to the level where I have the option to make changes in settings? It appears I am going to have to delete, factory reset it and re-add. I don't want to do that if there is another way. Thanks.
larryllix Posted June 20, 2017 Posted June 20, 2017 (edited) I have put the device into linking mode. My problem is the next step. How do I get to the level where I have the option to make changes in settings? It appears I am going to have to delete, factory reset it and re-add. I don't want to do that if there is another way. Thanks. IIRC you never need to delete or re-add a devce to factory reset. Factory reset any device, and the restore it from admin console. (While in linking mode if a battery device). It's really easy and quick. Edited June 20, 2017 by larryllix
paulbates Posted June 20, 2017 Posted June 20, 2017 I believe the interval is 24 hours and not adjustable. I would investigate other possibilities: How far are the triggerlincs from the nearest dualband devices? Is there metal in the way between the Triggerlinc and dualband device? How hot does environment get on a regular basis this time of year? It would be good to elimate 1. and 2. based on how battery devices work. Page 55 of the Insteon Details whitepaper "1. Battery operated INSTEON RF devices, such as security sensors and handheld remote controls, must conserve power. Accordingly, they are commonly configured so that they do not retransmit INSTEON messages from other INSTEON devices, but act as message originators only. Such devices can nevertheless both transmit and receive INSTEON messages, in order to allow simple setup procedures and to ensure network reliability" The triggerlincs may be working extra hard to get their signal out and transmitting more than others that you have at that location. Can you put a dualband lamplinc (or something) in the outbuilding, or investigate how good the signal is? If you have a helper, or a laptop you can use by the outbuilding, run a level 3 log while putting them in linking mode and restoring, how good/bad are the comms? Paul
smokegrub Posted June 20, 2017 Author Posted June 20, 2017 Paul, I think you are correct. My memory vaguely tells me that controlling the heartbeat interval was not an option with that device. Yes, both devices are in areas where communications are stressed. The outbuilding is about 100 feet from the ISY and the front door sensor is in a location where linking was an issue when I set it up. I will probably replace the outbuilding unit with a tag if battery life on those can manage 5 months or so. I will either add a dual band device near the front door or use a tag. I am reluctant to add a dual band device and perhaps then learn that wasn't the problem. I can't use a hidden door sensor at the front door because of its design. Thanks for the help everyone.
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