Thinking about buying...a few questions

[belias]

Hello,

 

I have an Insteon system that I've built up over the past few years, and currently I'm using HouseLinc 2 to program/control the system. Recently, I've really outgrown its capabilities and I'm looking into the ISY. Before I invest the money (and time I know I'm going to spend playing around with it), I have a few questions for those more knowledgeable. If anyone has a moment to give a few quick answers, I'd really appreciate it. Here goes:

 

1. How do I interpret the "max devices/scenes" in the model comparison? I have 4 KPL's, 3 I/O Lincs and about 15 SL's. At the moment in HL2, I have about 10 scenes. Does this correlate to 4+3+15+10 = 32 (i.e. well below the need to go to PRO)?

 

2. One of the most annoying things about HL2 is how it handles the situation where a PLM scene turns a switch on. HL2 registers this as an "OnPressed" and triggers any event (program) with an "OnPressed" initiating action. In other words, it's impossible to differentiate between someone pressing "ON" and the device turning on because it was called from a PLM scene. I realize this may sound a bit crazy - but it's been driving me insane and I wanted to make sure that is indeed an HL2 issue and not something common to the Insteon protocol. (In other words, I won't have this issue with the ISY, right?)

 

3. I have a 2413SH PLM (dual-band serial, HL2 enabled). I realize the 2412 is recommended, however as an interim solution can I use this PLM with an AC adapter for power? SmartHome appears to be out of stock on the 2412 until April 30 (!!) - if the 2413SH won't work, any ideas where I can pick up a 2412?

 

4. I'm not sure I understand the purpose of the network module. Is it only to initiate TCP actions from the ISY? Is it required to use MobiLinc?

 

5. When I transition to the ISY, I'll likely add my devices by using the "enter address" and "remove existing links" method to give as clean a start as possible. Will this also remove my device properties (i.e. KPL button modes, I/O Linc settings, ramp rate, etc.)? I've spent a decent amount of time setting these up and to lose them would be really annoying.

 

 

 

Thanks again for any help!

 

 

-Brian

[Sub-Routine]

Hello Brian,

 

Please see my comments below.

 

Rand

 

Hello,

 

I have an Insteon system that I've built up over the past few years, and currently I'm using HouseLinc 2 to program/control the system. Recently, I've really outgrown its capabilities and I'm looking into the ISY. Before I invest the money (and time I know I'm going to spend playing around with it), I have a few questions for those more knowledgeable. If anyone has a moment to give a few quick answers, I'd really appreciate it. Here goes:

 

1. How do I interpret the "max devices/scenes" in the model comparison? I have 4 KPL's, 3 I/O Lincs and about 15 SL's. At the moment in HL2, I have about 10 scenes. Does this correlate to 4+3+15+10 = 32 (i.e. well below the need to go to PRO)?

 

KPLs are 5 or 8 nodes, IOLincs are 2 nodes, switches 1 node. You will be fine with the standard ISY. The ISY Pro is a firmware upgrade if you ever need it.

 

2. One of the most annoying things about HL2 is how it handles the situation where a PLM scene turns a switch on. HL2 registers this as an "OnPressed" and triggers any event (program) with an "OnPressed" initiating action. In other words, it's impossible to differentiate between someone pressing "ON" and the device turning on because it was called from a PLM scene. I realize this may sound a bit crazy - but it's been driving me insane and I wanted to make sure that is indeed an HL2 issue and not something common to the Insteon protocol. (In other words, I won't have this issue with the ISY, right?)

 

The Control condition in the ISY only watches for device controls, Status is used to monitor changes initiated by other means. So you won't have this issue with the ISY.

 

3. I have a 2413SH PLM (dual-band serial, HL2 enabled). I realize the 2412 is recommended, however as an interim solution can I use this PLM with an AC adapter for power? SmartHome appears to be out of stock on the 2412 until April 30 (!!) - if the 2413SH won't work, any ideas where I can pick up a 2412?

 

I'm not sure how the HL PLM will work with the ISY, I haven't heard from anyone who has tried the 2413SH. The only problems we see with the 2413S concern the V1 thermostat adapters.

 

4. I'm not sure I understand the purpose of the network module. Is it only to initiate TCP actions from the ISY? Is it required to use MobiLinc?

 

You do not need the Network module for MobiLinc. The Network module is described on this Wiki page: ISY-99i_Series_INSTEON:Networking

 

5. When I transition to the ISY, I'll likely add my devices by using the "enter address" and "remove existing links" method to give as clean a start as possible. Will this also remove my device properties (i.e. KPL button modes, I/O Linc settings, ramp rate, etc.)? I've spent a decent amount of time setting these up and to lose them would be really annoying.

 

KPL button modes may be lost. IOLinc and local settings should be read by the ISY. IF you want to enter by address leave the device type on auto detect for most devices. The ISY will then query the device for it's firmware revision.

 

Thanks again for any help!

 

 

-Brian

 

You may wish to load the latest beta firmware to the ISY before you add your devices, the firmware that ships with the ISY does not recognize the latest Insteon devices. Firmware 2.7.13 BETA is Now Available

 

Please see our Wiki for the most up-to-date ISY documentation: Main_Page

 

Thank you,

Rand

[belias]

Thanks for the quick response and the excellent forum! My unit should be arriving this weekend, and I'll try loading the 2.7.13 FW before adding devices.

 

The only thing I'm not sure on is the 2413SH PLM... I had read a while back that ISY had some concerns with the dual-band PLM (slower to issue commands, NAK's etc.) - has this been resolved? In other words, is the 2412 the "preferred" PLM?

 

 

Thanks again,

 

 

-Brian

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Brian,

 

Excellent.

 

The only issues we have with 2413S are related to older versions of the thermostat dongle which do cause network communication issues. The other issue is the number of links supported by 2413S which is less than 2412S. For your installation, I would not worry about it.

 

With kind regards,

Michel