Trouble Adding Some Devices. Please help

[mikerenna]

I've been scouring the forum for some time desperately trying to find a fix for why several of my insteon devices can not be added. I've moved the isy/plm around the house to no avail (interference suggestion). I have a number of devices that add fine and some that always return the failed to add the highwater mark error. For example a 2476S v2.5 adds fine but several brand new 2476S v5.6 will not add.

 

I've tried resetting the devices by pulling out the bottom tab on the device for 5 seconds. (I used to use some X10 so trying to wipe any of that out if possible)

 

i've tried putting them in programming mode before adding.

 

I've tried removing and readding everything. The same devices add the added before and the same devices fail that failed before.

 

I've ugraded isy to latest beta firmware

 

 

 

I'm not sure where go in troubleshooting at this point. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Mike Renna

[LeeG]

Have you tried the Link Management | Start Linking method.

[mikerenna]

The linking process, where i put it in linking mode and then go around hitting each device worked fine for the devices that i could add via the other method and failed for the ones that failed. Sure seems to point to some kind of communciation error perhaps. Not very familiar with how to read the logs. Will they tell me anything that would confirm where the breakdown is?

 

Thanks for the fast reply btw.

[LeeG]

If adding the device failed using the Start Linking method you can try adding it using New INSTEON Device option.

 

If you bring up the Event Viewer and set Change level to 3, then do the device add, I can interpret the trace. It will show if there is a general communication problem with the device or something specific to that firmware/PLM level. Be sure to set Change level to 3.

[mikerenna]

Fri 09/03/2010 03:27:00 PM : ---- Initializing the linked devices ----

 

Fri 09/03/2010 03:27:00 PM : ---- All Linked Devices are now initialized ----

 

Fri 09/03/2010 03:27:00 PM : ---- Add remaining devices ----

 

Fri 09/03/2010 03:27:00 PM : [ 8 28 75 1] Reading all links

 

Fri 09/03/2010 03:27:22 PM : [8 28 75 1 ] Failed getting engine version. Reverting to i1.

 

Fri 09/03/2010 03:27:44 PM : [ 8 28 75 1] ** Not added ** Read device links failed

 

Fri 09/03/2010 03:27:44 PM : ---- All Remaining Device Added ----

 

Fri 09/03/2010 03:27:44 PM : ---- Start: Generate Scenes from links ----

 

Fri 09/03/2010 03:27:44 PM : ---- End: Generate Scenes from links ----

[LeeG]

You need to click on the Change level button on the bottom of the Event Viewer window and select level 3 in the popup that is displayed. The Event Viewer results posted do not show the level 3 detail necessary to analyze the problem.

[mikerenna]

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:28 PM : ---- Initializing the linked devices ----

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:28 PM : ---- All Linked Devices are now initialized ----

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:28 PM : ---- Add remaining devices ----

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:28 PM : [ 8 28 75 1] Removing all links

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:28 PM : [8 28 75 1 ] Querying engine version

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:28 PM : [iNST-ACK ] 02 62 08.28.75 0F 0D 00 06 (00)

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:37 PM : [iNST-ACK ] 02 62 08.28.75 0F 0D 00 06 (00)

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:46 PM : [iNST-ACK ] 02 62 08.28.75 0F 0D 00 06 (00)

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:50 PM : [8 28 75 1 ] Failed getting engine version. Reverting to i1.

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:50 PM : [8 28 75 1 ] Using engine version i1

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:50 PM : [iNST-ACK ] 02 62 08.28.75 0F 28 0F 06 SET-MSB(0F)

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:35:59 PM : [iNST-ACK ] 02 62 08.28.75 0F 28 0F 06 SET-MSB(0F)

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:36:08 PM : [iNST-ACK ] 02 62 08.28.75 0F 28 0F 06 SET-MSB(0F)

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:36:12 PM : [ 8 28 75 1] ** Not added ** Remove Device Links failed

 

Fri 09/03/2010 06:36:12 PM : ---- All Remaining Device Added ----

[LeeG]

There is NO communication with that device address. All Insteon commands attempted failed to generate any response from device.

[mikerenna]

Any thoughts what that means? There are a number of devices with the same issue. Several are brand new. Doesn't the PLM use both power line and RF? Several of these devices worked fine with X10 so it would seem the installation is correct.

 

Any ideas are appreciated on where to go from here.

[LeeG]

I would factory reset this device. Connect it to a 3-wire appliance cord from any home improvement store. They have a plug on one end and bare wires on the other. Connect the black Line and white Neutral wires. Cap the red load wire, it is not necessary for this test. Plug the appliance cord into the same circuit as the PLM.

 

The device address has an 8 in it. Make sure the label does not specify a B. The device could be a DOA but that is very very rare. Using the appliance cord, powering the device from the same circuit as the PLM eliminates many of the possibilities. Since nothing came back from the device address the ISY has no information about the devices firmware level, etc so there is no possibility the ISY/PLM is at fault (assuming you do have communication with other devices).

 

If the device works on the appliance cord then how it is/was wired at the current install location, how well the 120V legs are coupled, lot of questions at that point. If the device fails to respond plugged into the same circuit as the PLM, after a factory reset, and the correct device address is being used, contact Smarthome support and report a DOA.

[LeeG]

Mike,

 

If the device does not work when plugged into the PLM circuit that does not necessarily mean it is DOA. Another Event Viewer with level 3 will show if the device address is responding in any way. It might not add due to the later firmware/PLM level which would be different than not responding at all in the previous Event trace.

 

Lee

[Sub-Routine]

If half of your devices won't link it points to an issue with the AccessPoints. If you have the 2413S PLM do you have another RF device which tests correctly as being on the other leg of your power?

 

Sometimes it's as simple as finding someone unplugged an AP.

 

Rand