Help ! Bought a house with an ISY994i System

[Mwid]

Help. We bought a house with an ISY994i controller that controls everything.  The old owner said he doesn't remember how to access it.  There are numerous lights, timers, pumps and other utilities controlled by the ISY994i.  Is there any way to access the device?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

[paulbates]

Welcome to the UDI forums! 

Let's start with the basics, you'll need a computer with Java installed to load UDI's admin console to access the 994i.

• do you have a PC or a Mac computer ?
• Is Java installed?
• https://www.java.com/en/download/

[oberkc]

Where do you live?  You might get lucky an be close.  to someone who can help.

I am not sure whether I am remembering correctly, but the app software that you eventually must load to your computer might be dependent on the firmware version on the ISY994.  There may be someone around here that remembers how to access via a terminal window and detrmine the firmware version.

Is your ISY connected to your network via ethernet cable?  Are you able to identify the IP address associated with the ISY?  Did the previous owner provide login credentials (may be set to default)?

Ultimately, you may end up here to downlaod the launcher for your ISY994 (it claims to be for all firmware versions): https://www.universal-devices.com/resources/#isy

Edited Monday at 12:37 PM by oberkc

[Geddy]

@Mwid welcome to the UD Forums! Good luck getting into the ISY994!

In addition to what others above have given for accessing the device keep in mind that the user/password could be anything the prior owner setup. The user name should be "admin" (without quotes). Then try the default password of "admin" (again, without quotes). If that doesn't work you might be at the point of needing to reset the device and that gets very complicated. 

The good thing is you don't get locked out of the device if you try too many passwords. Maybe the prior owner might recall a random password they set and you can try those. 

To expand on what @paulbates gave you...once you have Java installed on your computer you'll need to get the IoX Launcher that should find your device on the network. You can download that from the UD site:  https://isy.universal-devices.com/start.jnlp

Running start.jnlp once should put an icon on your desktop called "IoX Launcher". Then you'll launch that and it will open a window called "IoX Finder". After a short moment it should find your ISY994 and will show a name, uuid, url, type, and version. Click anywhere on that line and then select "Admin Console (local)" and it should open the admin console for the ISY then after a few more seconds prompt for user and pass. 

Good luck! Please post how things go. And if you run into issue share a screenshot of what you're seeing.

[Brian H]

The earlier firmware did have a separate access program made for it. I don't have have exact version where the launcher did access the later firmware in an ISY994i

The latest firmware for an ISY994i is 5.3.4

[Goose66]

Here are a couple things to try right off the bat:

1. Try navigating to http://isy in a browser. If the version of IoX (the OS/firmware on the ISY994) is older, you might get lucky!

2. Login to your network's router or other device providing DHCP on your LAN and look for a device with a name such as "isy..." or a MAC address matching the MAC address on the bottom of your ISY. Try using that IP address to navigate to http://<ipaddress> or http://<ipaddress>:8080.

If either of those work, you can try to login with admin/admin credentials. If you have Java installed, you can launch the Admin Console from those webpages.

[Mwid]

Thanks for all of your information.  I have a PC, downloaded Java (Didn't have it before). The ISY is connected by ethernet. By logging into the router, I found the IP address (192.168.0.13) and the MAC address (00:21:b9:02:3d:d1). I've tried using the Ip address in my browser and get a connection refused message. I tried the UD Launcher (my.isy.io) and it comes up and shows a red X in front of the MAC address under the UUID heading. I go to tools and select ISY Web Access and get an Error message ISY is not online.   

And Iox Finder shows :Not Found

[Guy Lavoie]

In the launcher try this:

Click on "Add" and for the URL, put:      https://192.168.0.13:8443/desc

Then try that.

[paulbates]

22 minutes ago, Mwid said:

I tried the UD Launcher (my.isy.io) and it comes up and shows a red X in front of the MAC address under the UUID heading.

my.isy.io is for the portal, which is additional services and requires a small fee subscription.

You're looking to get local access to your ISY, which different, and free, it's located here:

https://isy.universal-devices.com/start.jnlp

This downloads the isy admin console software, now known as iox, and is a java application which will run on the Java you installed.

Once you do that, you should see an UDI icon on your desktop. Double click that to run iox.

Having said all that, the interface you're presented with takes a little time to get used to. There a several training references which include a wiki, and also doc called the ISY Cook Book. 

Take a look at this link for references to start navigating your new world

 

 

[Mwid]

I got it. After I added the URL In Iox Finder. I got to the login screen. admin/admin and Viola !!

 

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

 

!

[Geddy]

@Mwid excellent! Glad you were able to get in with the default information. Happy learning the system! Lots of resources found on the forums and the UD Wiki - https://wiki.universal-devices.com/Main_Page

In the wiki you'll find a link to an "old" ISY Cookbook. A lot of that information still applies so it would be the starting point for anything you might want to try for programming. 

While you're in the admin console look at the "Help" -> "About" and let us know what firmware you're on. For now don't worry about updating the system. Just want to know what you're on.

Once you get to the point that you might want/need to update the device I would caution you if you're on 4.x currently the most you'd want to update to first would be 4.9.  If the firmware happens to be a 5.x version then you'll need to know if you have a z-wave card or not and that will determine which version you might go to in the 5.x branch. 

But for now...don't worry about updating. Just tinker and see if there are programs that you need to adjust to fit your lifestyle. Welcome to the UD family of home automation!

[gregkinney]

Why has this post made me so happy? I followed it so I could see what was happening. I feel like for this new user it's like the scene in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy opens the door and it goes from black and white to color.

[Mwid]

Okay I found the problem. One of the Insteon switches is no longer communicating.  It's a 2476ST, a switch with the timer.  I tried looking for a replacement, but they are discontinued.  Is there another Insteon switch I can use in its place or better yet a newer version of with a timer function?

[gregkinney]

The updated version would be a plain on/off switch 2477S:

https://shop.insteon.com/products/on-off-switch.

You can create the timer function in an ISY program.

[Mwid]

Firmware

Insteon_UD994 v.4.9.0 (2020-12-22-11:51:19)

ISY 994i (1120)

OpenADR (21010)

 

Do I need to upgrade to a newer version ?

[Mwid]

Okay bought a 2477S switch.  

Now going through all of the programming.  Wow, there's a lot to learn.

[Guy Lavoie]

Now, you need to reverse engineer your own house!

[Guy Lavoie]

1 hour ago, Mwid said:

Okay I found the problem. One of the Insteon switches is no longer communicating.  It's a 2476ST, a switch with the timer.  I tried looking for a replacement, but they are discontinued.  Is there another Insteon switch I can use in its place or better yet a newer version of with a timer function?

Try right clicking on it and do a restore. Sometimes it's just a link that gets corrupted.

[Brian H]

2476ST is a power line only module. A restore as mentioned may do it for you. 

Locally does the LED bar graph move up and down when the paddle is uses?

A factory reset and restore sometimes helps, but depending on its revision. May not have an Air Gap switch used in a factory reset. There is a method for the old ones. I have it if you need it. The information is on the sticker on the front of it.

You asked about last firmware version for the 2476ST. It is 5.3.4. Though if everything is OK now you may want to hold off on the upgrade for now.

[Geddy]

5 hours ago, Mwid said:

Insteon_UD994 v.4.9.0

5 hours ago, Mwid said:

Do I need to upgrade to a newer version ?

Honestly, no. It will run simple stuff enough. Once you get it working for your lifestyle you might be ready to update systems to the latest device (eisy). But get things working….as they say crawl before you walk. Sounds like you’re well on your way. Strong community here to help you along. 

The main reason I don’t suggest upgrading is because there were big changes from 4.x to 5.x and right now it’s best to get the system working with the current firmware. If you start replacing switches just don’t get the new i3 line as the do not work 100% with the ISY994. But all the legacy Insteon products still being sold should work just fine with 4.9. 

Key thing….make BACKUPS after every few changes! Never know when something might goof up and it would be easier to restore a backup than figure out what (you) changed. 

[Mwid]

The LED bar graph on the switch stopped working and the tactile feeling of the switch is different - less range of motion and no definitive detent felt. And the other 2476ST that's connected to this circuit flashes a red light in the middle of the bar graph when I try and use it to actuate the circuit. 

[Mwid]

Hey Guys, I really appreciate the guidance, information and suggestions.

 

[Brian H]

6 hours ago, Mwid said:

The LED bar graph on the switch stopped working and the tactile feeling of the switch is different - less range of motion and no definitive detent felt. And the other 2476ST that's connected to this circuit flashes a red light in the middle of the bar graph when I try and use it to actuate the circuit. 

Sounds like the switch is locked up or failed. Flashing red led usually indicates a communication issue to another module. You can try a power cycle reset by turning the power to  it off and back on. Depending on its revision. Pulling the set button out should kill the power to it and then pushing the set button into its normal position. Will restore power to it. Do NOT push it all the way in as that may cause a factory reset. The tact switches under the paddles have been known to fail. Long time ago Smarthome extended the warranty on them in the known production problem time period.

[apostolakisl]

You would have to have a pretty old device to have the bad tact switches in them.  Smarthome replaced every switch in my house under warranty for that like 15 years ago.  I haven't had any of the replacements do that.  The switches have a date code on them on a sticker that is visible if you take the switchplate cover off.  It will be a year and week.  I forget what order, but it would be something like 3422 meaning the 34th week of 2022.  Ot maybe it would be 2234.  

As you know, the 2476ST isn't made anymore, but it isn't necessary.  Use programs in ISY to do your timing rather than having the switch natively do it.  A 2477S is a relay switch (on/off only, no dimming) designed for controlling things that shouldn't have dimming at all (motors/fluorescent lights).  2477S is also a dual band, so it uses radio and power line communication which makes it much more reliable.

[Mwid]

I've waiting for delivery of a new 2477S switch.

Is this something I can replace myself or is it complicated ? I have basic skills but usually leave electrical stuff to the qualified.