Out of curiosity, is there anyone offering a service for repairing failed Insteon modules?

Insteon initially had a wide range of module offerings, some of the modules were very useful, but maybe a little esoteric for the general audience. The new Insteon company has understandably pared down their module offerings. The Synchrolinc is one of the modules I like because of its load sensing capabilities.

It would be great to keep some of these older modules going and not have to use a device with a different protocol like Z-Wave or Zigbee to use the same functionality. At least this is my initial preference.

The older and discontinued modules have older firmware and hardware. Some modules have power supplies that can be repaired but in the long run you're better off using the newer insteon modules or zwave.

Zwave has numeous options that replace the Synchrolinc and most have firmware that can be updated by the end user.

Here's a zwave replacement for the Synchrolinc: Zooz ZEN04 Smart Plug – ZOOZ

 

@matapan one of the forum members (@NDSSM) has a store on ebay that offered to repair PLM. You might contact through ebay if they're able to repair other devices. Just a shot in the dark. 

 

The Zooz Smart Plug is a ZWave 800 device. Will this device work with the ISY994i ZWave 500 board?

I don't know if you have yolink, but it's a great compliment for an Insteon system for this kind of thing. They have a range of wireless sensors, and also plugin load sensing devices. I use one to detect when my dryer stops and starts. I use that to turn on an i3 Insteon switch to control the laundry room's vent fan... similar to a syncro linc in terms of functionality. There is a very well supported Yolink plugin here.

I bring it up because it's not super expensive to get into it, the hub is like $25 and and the plugin module with power sense is about the same. Then sensors can be added to do other things which are all equally inexpensive.

Edited October 8Oct 8 by paulbates

Yes, it's backwards compatible with Zwave 700 and the ISY994  500

I'm using the Synchronics to change the state of devices linked to the Synchronic in a scene. How does one perform the same task with the Zooz smart plug? I read the manual for the plug and to me it didn't seem there was an equivalent function in the smart plug. 

The smart plug displays  current power, etc. You can use one of those parameters to trigger a program.  The only downside is it can only report every minute so there could be a delay 

 

Watt Report Threshold

Parameter 5: Choose how you want your Smart Plug to report power consumption to your hub. The number entered as value corresponds to the number of Watts the appliance needs to go over for the change to be reported. So if 5 Watts are entered by default, the Smart Plug will report any change in power usage over 5 Watts (whether it’s at least 5 Watts more or 5 Watts less compared to the previous report).

Values for 700 series: 5 – 50. Default: 5.

Values for 800 series: 0 - disabled; 1-100. Default: 5. 

Size: 1 byte dec

Watt Report Frequency

Parameter 6: The number entered as value corresponds to the number of minutes. So if 5 is entered by default, the Smart Plug will report power consumption (Wattage) every 5 minutes.

Values: 1 – 65535. Default: 5 (minutes).

Size: 4 bytes dec

@matapan

Another option is the ZOOZ ZEN15 which has more flexible reporting options

How are ZWave parameters exposed on the ISY? Especially in a script. Thanks!

You would use a program to trigger whatever you're trying to turn on or off, i.e.

IF

    Status Switch energy current > .1 amp

Then

    Do whatever

Else

 

 

 

 

@matapan

I just created a test program using the Zooz ZEN04. It triggered a program when the current draw exceeded .1 amp.

So it should be an easy replacement for the Synchronic.

 

• Maximum Loads: a single device with no more than 960W incandescent, 150W LED bulbs, 15A resistive, or 1/3 HP fan motors

If your current draw is highrer than the above specs then you should use the ZEN15

• Maximum Load: a single device under 15 A (1800 W)