Mustang65 Posted October 1, 2017 Posted October 1, 2017 OK, after reading a number of posts I guess that I need to ask a few questions prior to purchasing the best ISY994i controller that will meet my needs now and in the future. What I HATE!!!- Depending on CLOUD based systems. ActiveHome Pro for one.)- The Insteon Hub (did not do my homework before purchasing....- Depending on PLC as the ONLY method of remote control. (Line Noise)- Multiple App's to run my home What I have:- Since the 80's I had been using the X10 as my primary system. I have about 30 modules.- Was limping along using ActiveHome Pro and a few scripts I created for specific tasks.- PURCHASED a 2245-222 Hub (x!@#....)- Still have issues with Sun-Rise/Sun-Set- Built IOT circuits using the NodeESP8266 (Arduino) and Raspberry Pi circuits.- xBee2 circuits- Circuits using the xBee2 (monitoring water flow control (4), Weather info (Temp/Humidity...) Was in Chicago when the Hurricane hit:- We lost power for 3 days. Alarm system functioned great as I made an extended backup power module for it)- Lost Internet for 4 days.- 2245-222 went down after the UPS system ran out of power (2 days for office, working on that now, SOLAR power). Power came on Hub rebooted before my router came back on, was not connecting to the CLOUD. - Used my IOT (NANO-ESP8266) circuits to cut the power to the hub so it rebooted with the router up and running. Came back online. Purchasing:- isy994i?- Energy monitor from Bruitech- SOLAR power (have a 250 watt panel/MPPT charge controller) What I need:- The correct isy994i controller to meet my needs. With ZigBee connectivity and Brultech.. Sorry about the length.Your thoughtsDon
Teken Posted October 1, 2017 Posted October 1, 2017 OK, after reading a number of posts I guess that I need to ask a few questions prior to purchasing the best ISY994i controller that will meet my needs now and in the future. What I HATE!!! - Depending on CLOUD based systems. ActiveHome Pro for one.) - The Insteon Hub (did not do my homework before purchasing.... - Depending on PLC as the ONLY method of remote control. (Line Noise) - Multiple App's to run my home What I have: - Since the 80's I had been using the X10 as my primary system. I have about 30 modules. - Was limping along using ActiveHome Pro and a few scripts I created for specific tasks. - PURCHASED a 2245-222 Hub (x!@#....) - Still have issues with Sun-Rise/Sun-Set - Built IOT circuits using the NodeESP8266 (Arduino) and Raspberry Pi circuits. - xBee2 circuits - Circuits using the xBee2 (monitoring water flow control (4), Weather info (Temp/Humidity...) Was in Chicago when the Hurricane hit: - We lost power for 3 days. Alarm system functioned great as I made an extended backup power module for it) - Lost Internet for 4 days. - 2245-222 went down after the UPS system ran out of power (2 days for office, working on that now, SOLAR power). Power came on Hub rebooted before my router came back on, was not connecting to the CLOUD. - Used my IOT (NANO-ESP8266) circuits to cut the power to the hub so it rebooted with the router up and running. Came back online. Purchasing: - isy994i? - Energy monitor from Bruitech - SOLAR power (have a 250 watt panel/MPPT charge controller) What I need: - The correct isy994i controller to meet my needs. With ZigBee connectivity and Brultech.. Sorry about the length. Your thoughts Don Hello Don, You need only the 994 IZ Series Controller which comes with the energy module, ZigBee radio, and external antenna. Let the Brultech sales team (Tammy) know Teken sent you their way and they can offer you a package deal. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
MWareman Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 (edited) Be careful, there are two different Zigbee ISYs, one for use with grid ‘smart’ meters (I ZS) and a different one to connect to Brultech GEM with its Zigbee radio (the IZ as @Teken stated above) Edited October 2, 2017 by MWareman 1
Teken Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 Be careful, there are two different Zigbee ISYs, one for use with grid ‘smart’ meters, and for to connect to Brultech GEM with its Zigbee radio. Correct, that would be the 994I ZS for the POCO. The Brultech unit is the 994 IZ. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
Mustang65 Posted October 2, 2017 Author Posted October 2, 2017 (edited) Thank you... all great information. I have added the items to the list. Based on what you are saying, ISY only allows ZigBee for 2 different connections (POCO and Smart Energy, correct? If I set up the ZigBee to be "Smart Energy" (0x0109) profile, will the POCO or the 994 IZ, communicate with that ZigBee? Is that a "READ ONLY" mode? Thanks again, Don Edited October 2, 2017 by Mustang65
Teken Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 Thank you... all great information. I have added the items to the list. Based on what you are saying, ISY only allows ZigBee for 2 different connections (POCO and Smart Energy, correct? If I set up the ZigBee to be "Smart Energy" (0x0109) profile, will the POCO or the 994 IZ, communicate with that ZigBee? Is that a "READ ONLY" mode? Thanks again, Don Hello Don, Not quite, there are two different product SKU's. One is set up to connect to POCO smart meters for those utilities that allow it. A list is available from UDI to ensure it can be done. The other ZigBee hardware is dedicated to work with 3rd party energy monitors like Brultech models from ECM-1220, 1240, Green Eye Monitor (GEM) etc. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
larryllix Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 (edited) ZigBee is not an exact science and there are many different protocols that are not compatible with each other. At some very low level of the protocol (very basics) Zigbee devices are compatible, but different brands cannot talk to each other. UDI has boards to support only two of them and you pick one. Edited October 2, 2017 by larryllix 1
Mustang65 Posted October 2, 2017 Author Posted October 2, 2017 OK.... the 994 ZI it is! Regarding the Brultech Energy Monitors.... are there any screens that show the UDI screen displays with the Brultech data that it received? Thanks Again, Don
stusviews Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 Just to be clear, there are two ZigBee modules. The ISY can support either one, not both. Follow Teken's advice, call Brultech first. You may or may not need an ISY Pro, but if not now, then the ISY can be easily upgraded later. Also, if you include the ZigBee module, then you cannot also add the Z-Wave module. 1
Mustang65 Posted October 2, 2017 Author Posted October 2, 2017 Thanks, I believe that the data will be available and I will have to create a program to display the Brultech data. If that is the case, no big issue Don
Teken Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 OK.... the 994 ZI it is! Regarding the Brultech Energy Monitors.... are there any screens that show the UDI screen displays with the Brultech data that it received? Thanks Again, Don Hello Don, Sure here is a image capture from my system using the Brultech GEM. The one labeled main tree is offered to show you what it looks like at a high level. You can see to the right the system updates the energy values based on the GEM's send interval you define. Because the GEM has 32 electrical channels each one is represented as a channel. I selected channel one which monitors one side of the electrical leg and you can see it tracks current wattage, accumulated KWH, voltage, and polarized power (NET Energy). Below in that same window is tab called *Options* there you can do some basic things like reset the accumulated counters for electrical, pulse, second counters, all counters, or that specific counter. The image called *Programs* shows you that any of the 32 electrical channel can be used in programs. In this screen shot my program is monitoring my fridge. It tracks when the fridge comes on, off, how many times, for how long, and when it goes into defrost mode. The system also tracks the current, lowest, highest values the fridge ever attains. The programs are crafted to also inform me via SMS, Email, Voice announcement, and Visual Aids as to normal ~ out of band conditions too. Let me know if you need more insight or clarification . . . 1
Teken Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 Thanks, I believe that the data will be available and I will have to create a program to display the Brultech data. If that is the case, no big issue Don Hello Don, Just to clarify, the Brultech GEM in itself does not offer any long term means to view the data. The ISY Series Controllers *Admin Console* is also not intended to be used as a method to view the energy readings over a long period of time. The energy data can be viewed by using middle ware like a RPi which uses free 3rd party software to do the same. Going this route will require a serious amount of *Learning & Trial* but ultimately its free. The other route is to purchase the dedicated Plug & Play Brultech Dash Box (DB) which ingests, tracks, recalls, and displays all the various channels from 32 electrical, 8 1 wire temperature sensors, 4 pulse sensors, and voltage. 1
MWareman Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 +1 on the Dashbox. Other than graphing historical data, it can also update variables on the ISY via its REST API over the lan, so no Zigbee needed at all. You can then go with the Zwave version of ISY instead... 2
Teken Posted October 3, 2017 Posted October 3, 2017 +1 on the Dashbox. Other than graphing historical data, it can also update variables on the ISY via its REST API over the lan, so no Zigbee needed at all. You can then go with the Zwave version of ISY instead... Correct, this was something I worked with the Brultech team for a long time to implement. The Dash Box has become more than a data storage server since its inception. It has incorporated many of the suggestions and ideas from me and many others to make it a *Supporting* home automation tool. Just some quick features of the DB in place now: - Energy data server to chart, graph, view live, recall historic data, compare environmental's vs energy consumtion - Integrated weather channel to track, recall, and compare what drives energy demands - IFTTT support to connect other hardware and third party cloud hosted services - Conditional alert messaging to monitor, track, and react to user settings - SEG: Supports relaying the same data to Smart Energy Groups for more charting & graphing - Forward Data: Allows the same data to be forwarded to any 3rd party software platform for charting & graphing - ISY 994: Supports sending 32 electrical channels, 8 1 wire temperature, 4 pulse, voltage, weather for reactive home automation - DNS Forwarding: Enables a user to define a friendly name to access the Dash Box - Brultech Portal: Enables large enterprise the ability to manage and access all energy monitors all from one console - IP Tracking & Naming: Allows the person to see who has been accessing the DB from outside the LAN - Data Input: Allows the user to delete / edit and modify data points for accuracy - Back Up: Ability to back up critical data to off site storage via software application - Billing: Supports fixed, tiered, and Time of Use (ToU) electrical billing - Predictive Usage: The system can predict what the daily KWH / $ will be based on current energy consumption - Analyze: The system can track and inform the user what loads were the highest consumers - Dashboards: Allows the end user the ability to create any combination of dashboards to reflect the metrics and stats of the data points There are many more under the hood features that no other energy monitor has on the market place or ever will. I can safely state 2018 will offer some interesting features that will continue to keep the Brultech Dash Box / GEM the leader in the Energy Monitoring / Energy Management space. 3
Mustang65 Posted November 14, 2017 Author Posted November 14, 2017 (edited) Let the GAMES begin!!! UPS just dropped off the ISY994i & PLC 2 minutes ago. I will be starting setting it up in a little while.... after a quick lunch of course. Don Edited November 14, 2017 by Mustang65
Teken Posted November 14, 2017 Posted November 14, 2017 Let the GAMES begin!!! UPS just dropped off the ISY994i & PLC 2 minutes ago. I will be starting setting it up in a little while.... after a quick lunch of course. Don Don, Take your time, some key things for a long term deployment is enjoyable and solid. - Decide on a naming schema that makes sense and is scale-able. - Variables: Append (I) for Integer (s) for State this will help when selecting and identifying them for programs. - Use the notes option to record Insteon ID, Hardware Specs like production, install date, firmware. - Always make a back up *before* a big change is done and afterwards. - Do not select the *Enable Internet* it has nothing to do with the Internet per say.
asbril Posted November 14, 2017 Posted November 14, 2017 OK, after reading a number of posts I guess that I need to ask a few questions prior to purchasing the best ISY994i controller that will meet my needs now and in the future. What I HATE!!!- Depending on CLOUD based systems. ActiveHome Pro for one.) - The Insteon Hub (did not do my homework before purchasing.... - Depending on PLC as the ONLY method of remote control. (Line Noise) - Multiple App's to run my home What I have:- Since the 80's I had been using the X10 as my primary system. I have about 30 modules. - Was limping along using ActiveHome Pro and a few scripts I created for specific tasks. - PURCHASED a 2245-222 Hub (x!@#....) - Still have issues with Sun-Rise/Sun-Set - Built IOT circuits using the NodeESP8266 (Arduino) and Raspberry Pi circuits. - xBee2 circuits - Circuits using the xBee2 (monitoring water flow control (4), Weather info (Temp/Humidity...) Was in Chicago when the Hurricane hit:- We lost power for 3 days. Alarm system functioned great as I made an extended backup power module for it) - Lost Internet for 4 days. - 2245-222 went down after the UPS system ran out of power (2 days for office, working on that now, SOLAR power). Power came on Hub rebooted before my router came back on, was not connecting to the CLOUD. - Used my IOT (NANO-ESP8266) circuits to cut the power to the hub so it rebooted with the router up and running. Came back online. Purchasing:- isy994i? - Energy monitor from Bruitech - SOLAR power (have a 250 watt panel/MPPT charge controller) What I need:- The correct isy994i controller to meet my needs. With ZigBee connectivity and Brultech.. Sorry about the length.Your thoughts Don Just curious...... Why Zigbee and not ZWave ???
Mustang65 Posted November 15, 2017 Author Posted November 15, 2017 (edited) I have 6 ZigBees (not the pro model) up and running now with my Arduino and I figured that I could interface them with the ISY994i. Since I now have the Energy Monitor project that I am working on, the DS18B20 sensors, and now the ISY... the ZigBees are on the back burner for awhile. Why fix something that is not broken. ZigBee modules are so much cheaper than the ZWave kits. I also have circuits working on the NODEMCU -ESP8266 (16 relays) And I am now working on a circuit that utilizes the NFR24l01/Arduino Nano for some remote sensors that need come computing power. I will probably, one at a time, replace the ZigBee's with the NFR24L01 modules as they are less expensive than the ZigBee, not sure about this project yet. Don Edited November 15, 2017 by Mustang65
Teken Posted November 15, 2017 Posted November 15, 2017 I have 6 ZigBees (not the pro model) up and running now with my Arduino and I figured that I could interface them with the ISY994i. Since I now have the Energy Monitor project that I am working on, the DS18B20 sensors, and now the ISY... the ZigBees are on the back burner for awhile. Why fix something that is not broken. ZigBee modules are so much cheaper than the ZWave kits. I also have circuits working on the NODEMCU -ESP8266 (16 relays) And I am now working on a circuit that utilizes the NFR24l01/Arduino Nano for some remote sensors that need come computing power. I will probably, one at a time, replace the ZigBee's with the NFR24L01 modules as they are less expensive than the ZigBee, not sure about this project yet. Don Hello Don, Just to offer some clarification for you the ISY Series Controller only supports the energy profile. It does not support any other such as the ZigBee home automation profile. So unless these devices are using the same ZigBee energy profile you can not enroll or connect to them.
Mustang65 Posted November 15, 2017 Author Posted November 15, 2017 (edited) Thanks Teken, I can always program the Energy type into each of the Xbee modules. I have a full list of the options here somewhere. Don Edited November 15, 2017 by Mustang65
Recommended Posts