wswartz Posted June 14, 2022 Posted June 14, 2022 ...the PLM???? I've had this issue for a number of years: about every 4-6 months, things that rely on a program to run will stop working. For example, a program that watches for a switch to turn on that will then turn on a bunch of other switches. When these programs would stop working, I would simply reload the PLM and everything would go back to normal. Even when this would happen, I could still see the devices in ISY and use the interface to control them. This issue happened again earlier in the week and I performed my standard PLM restore. Except this time, only about half my network was reachable. That is, some devices reported back during a query from the ISY, and others didn't. Those that didn't reply to the query were not controllable from ISY. At this point, I did a full reset of the PLM - removed power from the PLM, shutdown my ISY, did a factory reset of the PLM, and applied power to the ISY. After this, things were much better - most of the network is now visible with the exception of a few stray switches. So, at this point, you're wondering, how old is this thing? It's a 2413S v2.0 and it's been working fairly well for the last 8 years - well past it's normal life span I'd imagine! To my questions: 1. So, it sounds like the PLM is the culprit, but I'm a bit confused. While half of the network seemed unreachable, why did the other half still work? I'd imagine if the PLM was dead, it would not work for anything. While I've had to reset my PLM in the past, I've never seen half my network be unreachable when the PLM was acting up. 2. I'm investigating the various repair services available from nilachidatasystems on eBay and I've read a few comments here. Should I consider sending it in for a rebuild? 3. I'm comfortable with a soldering iron and replacing components myself. If it's just replacing caps, I can do that. If it's replacing IC chips, I'd rather have someone else do that. Could the caps alone cause communications issues like the ones I'm seeing? I would hate to replace the caps just to have to send it in later to fix something deeper. 4. I've read in the forums here that there are instructions for replacing the caps, but I've just found posts from folks saying they've done it. I'll continue to search, but If anyone has a link handy to instructions, please forward. Thanks, Bill
hart2hart Posted June 15, 2022 Posted June 15, 2022 It’s the plm. Lowest number links tend to stay. Replace the capacitor and you’ll likely be good for years. There is an entire thread on replacing them. Some guy sells the caps on eBay.
Brian H Posted June 15, 2022 Posted June 15, 2022 (edited) The PLM has a Link Database Memory in it. If it gets corrupt it can cause communications issues. Power cycling and resets can sometimes get a weak power supply going for a short while. A weak power supply may also effect the power line signal. I honestly can't see a rebuild changing the processor or RF control chip as both are programmed with firmware only Smarthome has access to. Unless salvaged from another PLM or they mistakenly didn't set the protection bit. So you could read the firmware back into a file. The PLM does have two 5 position programming connections. Main and Rf for the chips. The memory chip and RS232 chip probably could be exchanged. Long thread here on how we changed our caps and symptoms. https://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/13866-repair-of-2413s-plm-when-the-power-supply-fails/ Edited June 15, 2022 by Brian H Add and correct something
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