2486D KeypadLinc™ Dimmer - Connection Issues

[BigEfromDaBx]

Sometimes It works and sometimes it doesnt.  But I have a problem with 2486D KeypadLinc™ Dimmer.  I get the "Cannot Communicate...." error.  Does this mean the keypad is bad?  See snapshot.

 

[paulbates]

It could be one of a couple of problems. Things to try

• Controlled device is noisy: Is the keypad wired to a load to control? Did that load change? New LED Bulb, etc? 
• Keypad is bad... is the keypad making unexpected beeping sounds, keypad leds "flickering"?
• Keypad got confused: Factory reset the keypad, and right click the keypad in the admin console and pick "restore device"
• Communications are bad. Use Tools/Diagnostic/Event View. Set it to level three in the drop down. Exercise from the keypad and the ISY.. but write down what you did first, second, ect. Post the things your tried (Keypad turned on, A key pressed, controlled from ISY.. and then post the log.

Paul

[BigEfromDaBx]

• 10 minutes ago, paulbates said:

  It could be one of a couple of problems. Things to try

  • Controlled device is noisy: Is the keypad wired to a device to control? Did that load change? New LED Bulb, etc? 
  • Keypad got confused: Factory reset the keypad, and right click the keypad in the admin console and pick "restore device"
  • Communications are bad. Use Tools/Diagnostic/Event View. Set it to level three in the drop down. Exercise from the keypad and the ISY.. but write down what you did first, second, ect

  Paul

• Controlled device is noisy: Is the keypad wired to a device to control? Did that load change? New LED Bulb, etc? 
  • It hasnt changed.  The Keypad is actually wired to what was a switch on my wall that would control an outlet behind my bed. The outlet has two places to plug into for power.  One is controlled by that switch where i have two lamps connected to it by an extension cord.  The other outlet is always on.  The on Button on the keypad is what turns my lights on and off.  It with no issue when i hit the on button on the keypad.  It just gives me problem with the ISY.
• Keypad got confused: Factory reset the keypad, and right click the keypad in the admin console and pick "restore device"
  • How do I factory reset?
• Communications are bad. Use Tools/Diagnostic/Event View. Set it to level three in the drop down. Exercise from the keypad and the ISY.. but write down what you did first, second, ect
  • You lost me on the exercise part

Paul

Thanks for your help

[BigEfromDaBx]

When I try to run turn the device on or off I get this error.

 

Sun 04/22/2018 08:45:02 PM : [INST-TX-I1  ] 02 62 1D F9 8D 0F 14 00

Sun 04/22/2018 08:45:02 PM : [INST-ACK    ] 02 62 1D.F9.8D 0F 14 00 06          LTOFF-F(00)

Sun 04/22/2018 08:45:02 PM : [INST-SRX    ] 02 50 1D.F9.8D 40.D1.A7 A7 14 FF    LTOFF-F(FF)

Sun 04/22/2018 08:45:02 PM : [Std-Direct Nack] 1D.F9.8D-->ISY/PLM Group=0, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=1

Sun 04/22/2018 08:45:02 PM : [D2D EVENT   ] Event [1D F9 8D 1] [ERR] [1] uom=0 prec=-1

Sun 04/22/2018 08:45:02 PM : [  1D F9 8D 1]      ERR   1

[paulbates]

To factory reset:

• Carefully pull the little tab at the bottom of the keys all the way out.. a small screwdriver.
• Then using your finger, push it all the way in and hold it until it beeps and beep stops.
• Then go to the admin console, use the mouse to right-click the keypad and select restore device.. give it a minute or two to reprogram

Let's see if that does it (I have to do this to a few of my keypads every few years)

 

Paul

[BigEfromDaBx]

22 minutes ago, paulbates said:

To factory reset:

• Carefully pull the little tab at the bottom of the keys all the way out.. a small screwdriver.
• Then using your finger, push it all the way in and hold it until it beeps and beep stops.
• Then go to the admin console, use the mouse to right-click the keypad and select restore device.. give it a minute or two to reprogram

Let's see if that does it (I have to do this to a few of my keypads every few years)

 

Paul

Pulled out the pin.  Pushed it back in and held it.  Long beep.  When beep stopped i let go.  Then a few secs after that it beep two times and lights came back on.

Restored device walked away for a bit to brush my teeth came back and the problem continues.

 

BTW when i right click and query it gives me the current status all the time.  The only time I acts up is when I try to turn it on or off.

[paulbates]

It looks like there is a communication problem between the ISY/PLM and the switch. 

Have you plugged in anything new on to the powerline... a laptop, TV, phone charger, etc.. on the same circuit that the keypad is on?

Paul

[oberkc]

Or, something on the powerline on the same circuit that the PLM is on?

[Brian H]

One point.

Controlling an outlet with a dimmer is against the Electrical Code. Because it can have a load not compatible with a dimmer connected. With possible damage.

A relay type that only does On and Off is OK. As the original mechanical wall switch was also just On and Off.

[BigEfromDaBx]

15 hours ago, paulbates said:

It looks like there is a communication problem between the ISY/PLM and the switch. 

Have you plugged in anything new on to the powerline... a laptop, TV, phone charger, etc.. on the same circuit that the keypad is on?

Paul

No.  I even removed everything from that line or anything next to it. Before I was able to query it and today I cant.  Im just going to order another switch.  Not the keypad.

[BigEfromDaBx]

5 hours ago, Brian H said:

One point.

Controlling an outlet with a dimmer is against the Electrical Code. Because it can have a load not compatible with a dimmer connected. With possible damage.

A relay type that only does On and Off is OK. As the original mechanical wall switch was also just On and Off.

Maybe.  As i said in my previous post im just going to replace it with a switch.  Thanks for your help.

[paulbates]

12 minutes ago, BigEfromDaBx said:

No.  I even removed everything from that line or anything next to it. Before I was able to query it and today I cant.  Im just going to order another switch.  Not the keypad.

Ok. For the few keypads I have had go bad, they would flicker, and beep or make a high pitched sound. There was a bad manufacturing run around 2011 and lost several around then.

About half the time the factory reset made it happy (especially after power brown/black outs) or,  they had to be replaced.

Hopefully this works out for you.

Paul

[BigEfromDaBx]

1 hour ago, paulbates said:

Ok. For the few keypads I have had go bad, they would flicker, and beep or make a high pitched sound. There was a bad manufacturing run around 2011 and lost several around then.

About half the time the factory reset made it happy (especially after power brown/black outs) or,  they had to be replaced.

Hopefully this works out for you.

Paul

Thanks for your help Paul.  I had this one for a long time.  Probably around that time its always given me issues.  When it works im like "Oh wow" it works lol.  If i change to a switch and still having issues then i know it wasnt the keypard I will update this thread.  Again.  Thanks for your help

[BigEfromDaBx]

So when I pull out the keypad and replace it with my dimmer switch can I right click on the old device and restore it?  Or does is that option when you have an identical device?

[paulbates]

The Keypad is actually 6 devices (in this case) and can be 8 (8 key mode).. so there its not possible to restore the keypad scenes to a dimmer, which is one device

You'll need to open the scene(s) associated with that switch and add the switch to it. It can only be the controller to one.

The advantage of updating an existing scene is that the scene may already be in ISY programs and that will potentially save a lot of program maintenance.

Paul

 

[BigEfromDaBx]

1 hour ago, paulbates said:

The Keypad is actually 6 devices (in this case) and can be 8 (8 key mode).. so there its not possible to restore the keypad scenes to a dimmer, which is one device

You'll need to open the scene(s) associated with that switch and add the switch to it. It can only be the controller to one.

The advantage of updating an existing scene is that the scene may already be in ISY programs and that will potentially save a lot of program maintenance.

Paul

 

Thanks.

[BigEfromDaBx]

I replaced the Keypad with a 2477D Dual Band SwitchLinc Dimmer and everything works perfect now.  Im wondering if I should try and install the keypad somewhere else to see it it works.  Or maybe its just shot.

[paulbates]

The 2486D is single band, correct? Its hard to say its bad because a dual band switch worked in the same location.. it could still be signalling.

Its not hard to try. Why not? Another keypad is $80.  I have one of those plug ends with screw terminals from homedepot that I use to test out and configure new insteon devices before installing in their final home. If you have on of those plugs, you rig up a test harness to the hot and neutral of the keypad in a few minutes and have your answer. 

Paul

[BigEfromDaBx]

35 minutes ago, paulbates said:

The 2486D is single band, correct? Its hard to say its bad because a dual band switch worked in the same location.. it could still be signalling.

Its not hard to try. Why not? Another keypad is $80.  I have one of those plug ends with screw terminals from homedepot that I use to test out and configure new insteon devices before installing in their final home. If you have on of those plugs, you rig up a test harness to the hot and neutral of the keypad in a few minutes and have your answer. 

Paul

I was thinking the same.  Maybe its because the new switch is dual band and thats why it worked.  But I have a a few dual band devices scattered in my home so I want to say thats not the case.  But im gonna try it anyway.  I got a spot that need a switch anyways.