I’m replacing my EzFlora Insteon Sprinkler Control device With a Rainbee8.

Been sitting in my office for years brand new.

It’s been many years since I have configured a new EzFlora. I think I’m in my 3rd now.

If I remember correct there was a utility you had to run to assign the master solenoid.

I don’t remember what this utility was called.

SimpleHomeNet Utility Suite

This is a wayback machine topic for me. There's a harder way and an easier ways.

The hard way, IMO, is downloading the utility (which remains on sourceforge as a win32 app) AND wiring up a special serial cable to a pc with a serial port (who has that today??) to your PLM to make the change with the smartenit app.

OR.... Easier way (IMO) - X10 can be used 1 time to push the setting in to the ezflora

Do these 2 throw away X10 program steps:

Step 1- Set the X10 House code for the ezflora so the command can be sent in step 2:

• Go into iox programs

• Create a new progam

  • No If statement, leave it blank

  • 5 Then statements:

    • X10 send X10 A1

    • Wait 5 seconds

    • X10 send X10 A1

    • Wait 5 seconds

    • X10 send X10 A1

• Press and hold the EZFlora's set button for ~4 seconds — the LED starts blinking steadily, waiting for an X10 code.

• Right click on the program you just created in iox and pick "Run then".. This sets the X10 house code for step 2

• The LED stops blinking — the EZFlora is now listening on that house code

• Delete the iox program, it's done its job and no longer has a purpose.

Step 2- Use X10 house code just set to make Ezflora Zone 8 terminal the master valve zone:

• Go in to programs

• Create a new progam

• No If statement, leave it blank

• Have one Then statement

  • Send X10 A16 ON

• Right Click that program, pick "Run then"

• Delete the iox program, it's done its job and no longer has a purpose.

Now the ezflora is a 7 zone controller zones 1 - 7, and zone 8 terminal is wired to the master valve. I used 2 ezfloras this way for a number of years.

>Repeat for additional ezfloras

>X10 has no role in the final solution, it was the simplest way (IMO) to get the master valve setting in the ezflora.

(>NOTE: If you use x10 for other things and use housecode A, pick one you're not using, as long as you're consistent, it does not matter.)

Edited September 4Sep 4 by paulbates

1 hour ago, paulbates said:

This is a wayback machine topic for me. There's a harder way and an easier ways.

The hard way, IMO, is downloading the utility (which remains on sourceforge as a win32 app) AND wiring up a special serial cable to a pc with a serial port (who has that today??) to your PLM to make the change with the smartenit app.

OR.... Easier way (IMO) - X10 can be used 1 time to push the setting in to the ezflora

Do these 2 throw away X10 program steps:

Step 1- Set the X10 House code for the ezflora so the command can be sent in step 2:

• Go into iox programs

• Create a new progam

  • No If statement, leave it blank

  • 5 Then statements:

    • X10 send X10 A1

    • Wait 5 seconds

    • X10 send X10 A1

    • Wait 5 seconds

    • X10 send X10 A1

• Press and hold the EZFlora's set button for ~4 seconds — the LED starts blinking steadily, waiting for an X10 code.

• Right click on the program you just created in iox and pick "Run then".. This sets the X10 house code for step 2

• The LED stops blinking — the EZFlora is now listening on that house code

• Delete the iox program, it's done its job and no longer has a purpose.

Step 2- Use X10 house code just set to make Ezflora Zone 8 terminal the master valve zone:

• Go in to programs

• Create a new progam

• No If statement, leave it blank

• Have one Then statement

  • Send X10 A16 ON

• Right Click that program, pick "Run then"

• Delete the iox program, it's done its job and no longer has a purpose.

Now the ezflora is a 7 zone controller zones 1 - 7, and zone 8 terminal is wired to the master valve. I used 2 ezfloras this way for a number of years.

>Repeat for additional ezfloras

>X10 has no role in the final solution, it was the simplest way (IMO) to get the master valve setting in the ezflora.

(>NOTE: If you use x10 for other things and use housecode A, pick one you're not using, as long as you're consistent, it does not matter.)

Thanks. This is very helpful.

Programming EZFLORA / Using EZFLORA with ISY99 or ISY994

EZFLORA can be controlled by an automation controller like the ISY99 or ISY994 series. The controller would dictate schedules to turn the zones off and on, and normally no additional configuration of the EZFLORA is required.   In some unique circumstances such as when zone 8 needs to be delegated as a pump control zone, additional programming of EZFLORA is required.  In this case one can use an Insteon PLM like 2413U or 2413S and Simplehomenet's Windows configuration utility.  If the ISY99/4 is being used, it will be purchased with a 2413S so that same PLM could be 'borrowed' to program EZFLORA.  It's a serial connection so if no serial port is present on the Windows PC, a USB to Serial adapter will also be required.  Or you can purchase 2413U which is a USB PLM for the programming.

According to Amazon i have a StarTech 3ft 1-Port USB to Serial Cable, Prolific (ICUSB232DB25) somewhere.

And i have the serial cable that came with the PLM.

Edited September 4Sep 4 by Vanhalo

I dont remember PLC how to connect to the PLM/PLC 2413S

I dont see a COM port assignment in the SHN Utlity.

I didnt have to do any of this.

I simply had to designate a zone, in my case zone 8 as a pump.

in the ISY....dont remember doing it this way last time.

Edited Saturday at 02:29 PM5 days by Vanhalo

Great. My easyfloras were set as master valve zones when I moved to ISY994, so I never had to do this part.

10 hours ago, paulbates said:

Great. My easyfloras were set as master valve zones when I moved to ISY994, so I never had to do this part.

Had it working but now my PLM has lost its mind and it cant communicate with it.

I am starting to remember how klugey this was.

The easflora is a power line only device.

Could be a new noise maker or signal sucker is now effecting the communicating to it, the device has started to fail or your PLM is starting to go bad. There are some tests you can do if you care too.

3 hours ago, Brian H said:

The easflora is a power line only device.

Could be a new noise maker or signal sucker is now effecting the communicating to it, the device has started to fail or your PLM is starting to go bad. There are some tests you can do if you care too.

I moved the PLM/ISY to a different room and readded the Rainbee8(EzFlora)

I can see it again after re-adding it.

Although apparently its called a Spinkler now.

My location is not suitable for the RainBee8/EzFlora.

Works fine if have it right next to the PLM on the same outlet.

Apparently where it has to be in my garage is not sending a good broadcast signal.

I gave up on it and installed a Rainbird.

17 hours ago, Vanhalo said:

My location is not suitable for the RainBee8/EzFlora.

Works fine if have it right next to the PLM on the same outlet.

Apparently where it has to be in my garage is not sending a good broadcast signal.

I gave up on it and installed a Rainbird.

@Vanhalo OpenSprinkler just needs power and either an ethernet connection or good wifi. I've had it running for about 3 years and the plugin works well.

I have it turn off if rain is forecast and the duration is controlled by what the temperature was the previous day.

Ross