bhihifi Posted February 12, 2022 Posted February 12, 2022 I want to upgrade my Insteon setup without relying on a PLM and cloud services. I would like to know if a Polisy with appropriate software and hardware would give me a clean migration path and local control. I've spent some time reading posts in these forums, but could not find a specific thread that addressed my issue. I have this hardware: A 2245-222 Hub and 25 Insteon devices including switches, keypads, and plug-in dimmers. Most are dual-band. A 2413U and 2 2513S PLMs, 1.x versions which probably will die when I least want them to. I've replaced caps in the Hub when it died, but adding a failure point and a requirement to only plug into non-surge protected power are not desirable. Several Z-wave devices as well, but they are currently controlled via my alarm system. I don't necessarily need to control them via my next controller but I suppose the capability wouldn't hurt. Aeon tech USB Z-wave dongle Insteon USB dongle (can I use this to control Insteon via Polisy instead of PLM since I have lots of dual-band devices?) I need the following capabilities: Alexa control (I believe this is enabled via the ISY portal) iOS App No PLM dependency I have not set up an ISY device before so don't need to migrate any logic. Although part of me would love to hack around with a Raspberry Pi and Home Assistant, I'd really like to devote my time to other things. Thus I see the Polisy as a potential solution. Questions: Would the Polisy need to run ISY emulation to control Insteon with the USB dongle? Does it come set up for this? Can the Hub be used instead of the PLM instead of the dongle? Hub works even plugged into a surge protector. Would I need to add each device to Polisy as if I were setting up an ISY 994i? I have all device addresses. If I add the devices by address, will existing links automatically get added? I would prefer not to re-program scenes. Can I set up the Polisy in addition to the Hub until I'm sure everything works, then just use the Hub as my PLM equivalent? Thanks in advance for any guidance. In return, if I can get this set up and working, I will write a primer for the next person on this journey.
larryllix Posted February 12, 2022 Posted February 12, 2022 Access to Insteon products requires a PLM of some kind.Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk 2
Techman Posted February 12, 2022 Posted February 12, 2022 (edited) Here's some answers to your questions: The Polisy requires a PLM or the USB Controller if you intend to use Insteon devices. It supports the serial PLM, the USB PLM and the 2448A7 USB controller. All of these devices are currently out of stock. The Polisy firmware includes the ISY, the network module, and portal intergration. If you want to use Zwave with the Polisy you would need the Zooz Zwave 700 dongle which is available. There's an app for IOS and Alexa is supported via the UDI Portal account which requires a subscription. A 2 year subscription is included when you buy the Polisy. The Hub cannot be interfaced with the Polisy. If you're moving over from the Hub you would be starting a new installation. Your Insteon devices would need to be factory reset and then added to the Polisy. The hub cannot share Insteon devices with the Polisy, .Any programs you need would have to be created in the Polisy. Hope this answers most of your questions. Edited February 12, 2022 by Techman 2
bhihifi Posted February 12, 2022 Author Posted February 12, 2022 @Techman, Thank you! You answered the questions beautifully. Looks like I'm buying a Polisy with the Zooz dongle. The only hesitation is the time needed to factory reset and re-configure every device to the Polisy. Am I correct that I would have to add a dual band device first if using the dongle, then add everything else? I bought a 2448A7 on eBay for around $40. Seller seems to have quite a few available.
Techman Posted February 12, 2022 Posted February 12, 2022 1 minute ago, bhihifi said: @Techman, Thank you! You answered the questions beautifully. Looks like I'm buying a Polisy with the Zooz dongle. The only hesitation is the time needed to factory reset and re-configure every device to the Polisy. Am I correct that I would have to add a dual band device first if using the dongle, then add everything else? I bought a 2448A7 on eBay for around $40. Seller seems to have quite a few available. I haven't had any experience with the 2448A7 but some members on the forum are using it. Yes, you would need to add a dual band device after you install the 2448A7. Ideally an Insteon plug in device would be ideal as its antenna is external and would provide the best coverage. If you don't have one then try to install your dual band device close to the Polisy to insure good RF communication. 1
bhihifi Posted February 12, 2022 Author Posted February 12, 2022 (edited) @Techman, thanks for the suggestion. I’ll use a 2457D2. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited February 12, 2022 by bhihifi Correction on user name
Geddy Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 5 hours ago, bhihifi said: The only hesitation is the time needed to factory reset and re-configure every device to the Polisy @bhihifi welcome to the forums and the world of Polisy (ISY on Polisy and Polyglot)! Be sure you don't skip the factory reset step . There has been some debate as to the purpose for this, but the ideal situation is to factory reset the devices when going from one system to another so that anything in the hard coding of the device is not kept when linked to the ISY on Polisy (IoP). Since you are coming from the Insteon Hub to the Polisy if you need help in the future and mentioned that you transitioned from one to another typically the first question or first step in troubleshooting will be asking if you factory reset before adding to the IoP. So take the time now and knock that off your list as you move things over. The Polisy User Guide on the Wiki has been updated recently to try to help with the general process. As for the app look for the UD Mobile app. This is the official release from Universal Devices. It is still being developed and updated regularly. It is working great for most people that have started using it. Probably the biggest hurdle you will need to overcome will be the Admin Console. It's fairly simple once you get the hang of it, but it's not your typical web access to a system. The IoP and Polyglot are very complex systems that allow virtually unending programming options so it's not going to be a simple "point and click" system. But it will be leaps and bounds better (in the sense of variability) than the Insteon Hub you've been using. Make sure you follow the steps to get the Admin Console on your computer found in the wiki (quick start guide). Again, welcome. Good luck setting things up! 1
lilyoyo1 Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 17 hours ago, bhihifi said: @Techman, Thank you! You answered the questions beautifully. Looks like I'm buying a Polisy with the Zooz dongle. The only hesitation is the time needed to factory reset and re-configure every device to the Polisy. Am I correct that I would have to add a dual band device first if using the dongle, then add everything else? I bought a 2448A7 on eBay for around $40. Seller seems to have quite a few available. Do not take shortcuts when setting up Isy/polisy. There is not a single person that has, who has come out with a great experience. You will have issues at some point. When you bring in your devices, so you are bringing in is Id numbers. This can mean spending more time running around trying to figure out what they go to. I use the 2448a7 on 1 Polisy, and the 2413s on another. I feel like I get better performance from the actual PLM but there's no definitive numbers to say different. 1
kevincol Posted April 12, 2022 Posted April 12, 2022 On 2/12/2022 at 11:10 AM, Techman said: Here's some answers to your questions: The Polisy requires a PLM or the USB Controller if you intend to use Insteon devices. It supports the serial PLM, the USB PLM and the 2448A7 USB controller. All of these devices are currently out of stock. The Polisy firmware includes the ISY, the network module, and portal intergration. If you want to use Zwave with the Polisy you would need the Zooz Zwave 700 dongle which is available. There's an app for IOS and Alexa is supported via the UDI Portal account which requires a subscription. A 2 year subscription is included when you buy the Polisy. The Hub cannot be interfaced with the Polisy. If you're moving over from the Hub you would be starting a new installation. Your Insteon devices would need to be factory reset and then added to the Polisy. The hub cannot share Insteon devices with the Polisy, .Any programs you need would have to be created in the Polisy. Hope this answers most of your questions. I have the ISY994i and a failing 2413s with over a 100 Insteon devices. I also have 2413u's. It sounds like I can upgrade to the Polisy and use my 2413u's and transfer all my existing programming from the ISY994i to the Polisy
kevincol Posted April 12, 2022 Posted April 12, 2022 7 minutes ago, kevincol said: I have the ISY994i and a failing 2413s with over a 100 Insteon devices. I also have 2413u's. It sounds like I can upgrade to the Polisy and use my 2413u's and transfer all my existing programming from the ISY994i to the Polisy I looked at the Wiki and it says the Polisy does support the 2413u's (which I have two of). So it appears I can get out of the 2413s debacle by going with Polisy and my two existing 2413u's.
bhihifi Posted April 13, 2022 Author Posted April 13, 2022 The 2413s can be repaired by replacing some capacitors. Deploy the U and fix the S. If you don’t want it, I will gladly take it off your hands.
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