Link table error when adding devices and communication errors

[swhyte]

Hi All,

I've had an Insteon Hub for the last year and it's been running flawlessly. Just trying to upgrade my setup to the ISY994izw, but running into a lot of issues already.

I'm using the 2413S PLM (made sure to plug in PLM first and isy994izw after 10 secs) and all my insteon devices are either 2477D dimmers or 2477S switches, nothing else (I have around 20 in total).

Running version 4.6.2 on both UI and firmware. 

I did a factory reset on all devices first (airgapped them and held down past the beep, waited for them to power up and turn on the light). At the moment, I've left all but the 3 I'm trying to connect airgapped also, so no other insteon device is on the line.

Currently I'm unable to add devices using the Start Linking procedure = always results in the Link table error (log attached). It will show up on the screen with device type and address (but once I click "Finish" and "remove links" option, I get the link table error. I have managed only to 2 devices using Link a ControlLink option and "auto select" on the device type (where I type in the address manually).

My linked devices do not respond consistently to basic on/off commands through the interface though. Often zero response, where I will try multiple times and occasionally it will work, or I will "query" the device and receive a communication error, or query again and it will work for a brief period.

PLM was plugged into the same power point as the Insteon Hub originally, but I've also tried plugging it into several other powerpoints around the place but all have the same issue. Also, it's worth noting that I've unplugged almost all other devices in the house (all computers, tv, microwave, everything). All that's left plugged in at the moment is 1 switch and a google wifi. Still having the same issues, however I am in an apartment complex. Strange thing thing is, the Insteon hub was flawless, always worked, never had any issues or delays with it for over a year, used it with alexa all the time and no issues.

2 sets of logs attached, one for communication issues and one when trying to add a new device.

Hopefully this is just a newbie error!

ISY-Events-Log.v4.6.2__Sun 2018.04.22 12.55.33 PM.txt

ISY-Events-Log.v4.6.2__Sun 2018.04.22 12.34.20 PM.txt

[Brian H]

By chance. Is the PLM on the same electrical circuit as the computing equipment, on a filtered surge strip or on an UPS?

They can effect the Insteon power line signals and the PLM maybe using Insteon RF.

[swhyte]

Hi Brian, PLM is plugged into the same outlet as my insteon hub was. It's next to the electrical board, no changes since the previous Insteon Hub was working fine.
Not on a filtered surge strip, not on a UPS, only networking equipment that is on at the same time is a unmanged switch and google wifi. 
Forgot to add, all the 2477D/S are within 5 meters of the isy994izw.  

[swhyte]

I've tried to add more devices in the hope that maybe that will help with communication since all my devices are dual band. All I have now, is way more error messages. Getting weird ones now also with bank screens which is odd (see 'failed commm blanks" screen shot below). Attaching a bunch of screen shots and logs in case anyone has a chance to dig through them for something obvious.
 

I'm still puzzled that the Insteon Hub worked so flawlessly, and the PLM & ISY are strugging so much.... surely there isn't that much difference between the two in terms of how they communicate to the devices through my place or how sensitive they are to noise etc...?

Multiple adds failing and errors

[swhyte]

With further fiddling I can rid of most of the ! if I try and "query" or change state of the device. But it's still hit and miss. Some devices work well, others just completely don't respond.
Eg. Kitchen Under Bench Light doesn't seem to respond at all, and neither does Entry light, however the switches that are physically next to them do (same circuit, same electrical box).

ISY-Events-Log.v4.6.2__Sun 2018.04.22 07.10.30 PM.txt

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi @swhyte,

Definitely signal noise related. Have you tried moving the PLM to a different outlet and one which is not shared with other transformers and power supplies?

With kind regards,

Michel

[swhyte]

Update:

I went around the apartment and pulled out all plugs of every device anywhere I could find (including the fridge!). The only devices that were plugged into any outlet were:
1. ISY994izw
2. PLM 2413S
3. Old router (wifi turned off) to allow DHCP and for me to access the ISY interface via my laptop (running on batteries)

I tried several outlets in various places around the house but frustratingly, I had the same issues:
Continues communication errors, regular non response from devices (probably around 20-25% success rate on any state change in the interface, UI often misrepresented state and "query" would result in more comm failures, occasional delayed reaction from some devices (turns on maybe 30-60 seconds after I gave up pressing the button in the UI several times), and zero success with any scenes (regularly failed to add devices, or just completely non responsive even with ones I finally managed to add).

 

After this failure, I reset my devices again, plugged back in my trusty old Insteon Hub and added devices back to it again... (I also plugged back in and turned on all the devices around the house I had unplugged before)
Insteon Hub was absolutely flawless and with an almost instantaneous response time on the app (iOS version). Fractions of a second to on/off devices and 100% reliability both with devices added and scenes as well.

 

So... I can only guess that there is some significant difference between the way Insteon Hub communicates and the ISY994izw + 2413S PLM. So much difference that one is perfect and one is completely unusable in my apartment. Assumptions at this stage are that my apartment block has some very high noise issues (coming from outside of my actual apartment) that affect the 2431S PLM severely, but for some reason don't affect the Insteon Hub in any way...

 Very disappointing
I guess I'll be stuck with Insteon's limitations and lack of integration options for the time being...

[swhyte]

Any other suggestions guys? Or am I at the "end of the line" so to speak, in terms of getting the ISY994izw up and running?
Is there any other way to get ISY to communicate with the Insteon devices other than with the 2413S PLM? Do the logs indicate I might have a faulty PLM/ISY device?

[larryllix]

Sounds like a bad PLM to me. Did you try a factory reset onthe PLM? Not sure how you would do that one.

[Michel Kohanim]

swhyte,

Did you also plugin the PLM to the same outlet as the INSTEON HUB? Also, was INSTEON HUB plugged in when you were doing things with ISY? 

With kind regards,
Michel

[swhyte]

Hi Michael / larryllix,

I made sure to unplug the Insteon Hub completely when I am trying to use the ISY994izw. In fact I also "airgapped" all the other Insteon devices in the house (I have over 20)  before plugging in the PLM/ISY, and then I would reset each device before first trying to add it.

Originally yes, I did try putting the PLM on the exact same outlet I've been using for the Insteon Hub but it has the same issues.

Last night, I also tried a factory reset of the PLM (following Insteon's instructions), and even bought a brand new short Cat 6 cable to use between the PLM and ISY (and used a new network cable just for kicks) - still getting constant communication issues and non response even when adding a single 2477D.

[lilyoyo1]

At this point, i would suspect a bad plm.

[swhyte]

OK, I will try RMS the PLM back to smarthome and see if I have any luck with a replacement unit