SwitchLinc(s) erratic but everything else perfect.

[forum.cshenderson]

Have ISY: Firmware 5.16b and :

Multiple LampLinc (4) and On/Off Plug in modules(3) and Outdoor On/Off module.

All the Plug-In modules have performed perfectly for years (and still do).  Just added 4 Switchlinc models; all of them have only 90% reliability.  Is there anything particular about the SwitchLic modules that cause them to have more communication issues than anything else?  I even wired switch line wires to a plug in module and switched it on/off over 40 times without an error - just to make sure there was not a phase jump issue or distance issue.  If I try that with a SwitchLinc module, I always get a error in about 10 on/off operations.

 

[TrojanHorse]

Have ISY: Firmware 5.16b and :
Multiple LampLinc (4) and On/Off Plug in modules(3) and Outdoor On/Off module.
All the Plug-In modules have performed perfectly for years (and still do).  Just added 4 Switchlinc models; all of them have only 90% reliability.  Is there anything particular about the SwitchLic modules that cause them to have more communication issues than anything else?  I even wired switch line wires to a plug in module and switched it on/off over 40 times without an error - just to make sure there was not a phase jump issue or distance issue.  If I try that with a SwitchLinc module, I always get a error in about 10 on/off operations.
 

Not sure. Did you factory reset the switches before adding them?


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[forum.cshenderson]

They were brand new.

[forum.cshenderson]

What my real issue is; is that I really want to use a motion detector with at least one of the switches.  As far as I have tested, the motion detector ALWAYS succeeds in turning on/off a LampLinc, but is only 90 %  successful in turning on the SwitchLinc - and worse, if often dosen't shut off.

Another behavior I noticed with SwitchLincs... I send a command to turn them on...the status reads "On", but it isn't actually on.  Therefore..it makes it impossible to make a follow up program to check it status compared with what it is supposed to be.

I notice that the keypad switchLincs have a "retry".  Any way to have that concept with motion?

[TomL]

Even though they were brand new, would still remove them, do a factory reset and reinstall them.

[oberkc]

5 minutes ago, TomL said:

Even though they were brand new, would still remove them, do a factory reset and reinstall them.

I do not believe it is necessary to remove  them in order to perform a factory reset.

A couple of thoughts...

- plug in modules may have better RF reception since they are not buried in walls and electrical boxes.  This might explain the better performance when paired to motion sensors.

- performance of insteon devices could be affected by the attached load.  What is plugged into the lamplinc?  What is connected to the switchlinc?

- have you confirmed communication across the legs of your electrical system?  Do you know how to do this?

- a “query” might resolve a conflict between ISY status and actual status.  Perhaps this could be used in a program if you have trouble devices.  (I would prefer to resolve communication issues, if any.)

perhaps some of these thoughts might trigger a solution in your mind.

[forum.cshenderson]

"performance of insteon devices could be affected by the attached load.  What is plugged into the lamplinc?  What is connected to the switchlinc? "

--Tested with LED, CFL and old style incandescent.  Same results with all.

"have you confirmed communication across the legs of your electrical system?  Do you know how to do this? "

-Did this by attaching the plug in module to the same wiring the switch is hooked to.  Even if the switch still had an issue, wouldn't the plug in module relay to it?  Anyway, same exact results--Except that the plug in module still worked perfectly.  I even put the switch and the plug in on the same scene to test.  There were times the module would change states but the switch didn't.  HOWEVER, the status of the switch would "say" it was in the same state as the module (but not actually).   Also, I used short extension cord and attached a switch to the plug circuit (same plug the PLM is plugged into) and wired a temporary incandescent load.  Same exact results. Do you have additional methods?

"a “query” might resolve a conflict between ISY status and actual status.  Perhaps this could be used in a program if you have trouble devices.  (I would prefer to resolve communication issues, if any.) "

--Yes.  A query does indeed work.  My walk path is 10 feet in the dark.  By the time the motion sensor sends the On signal, then a follow up query, then state change correction is activated(provided it doesn't fail as well), I already have covered that distance.  I tried this in the program and it is time consuming and awkward.

What I did notice, is that the switches work "perfectly" when triggered by a keypad that has the RETRY option set to "3".  What I need is a "Retry" option when activating the switch programmatically from the ISY.  And yes, I have tried a manual loop.  Manual looping to simulate a retry is super slow and does appear to work a bit better, but seems to generate a lot of traffic and ..like I said, is slow then loop is:  On..WAIT, QUERY, test state, if Fail..ON WAIT, QUERY, test state.....  That loop is ok to use making sure the light turns off... but .. (sigh).