The Global Cache WF2IR works

[GPG]

I finally got the WF2IR to work. I came across this earlier post that got me pointed in the right direction:

http://forum.universal-devices.com/viewtopic.php?t=4789

 

I must say that between the ISY Network Module and the Global Cache WF2IR

hardware and software, for me, there was a fairly steep learning curve. And that is just to get it all to work. Here are some items I learned that may be helpful to someone not familiar with the Network Module or the WF2IR.

 

If you want to use an IR Blaster, the WF2IR must have connection 3 set for IR Blaster. To check or change this, log into the WF2IR using its IP and the credentials you selected when you first added it the network. The Global Cache configuration screen appears where you can select Infrared from the menu, and change the setting for connection 3 to IR Blaster.

 

iLearn

Download the iLearn utility from the Global Cache site.

There is also a short iLearn turorial available.

Run the iLearn utility.

Select “iTach Learner†from the drop down list under “IR Learnerâ€

Enter the IP Address of the WF2IR

Click the Connect Button

If successful, a Disconnect Button will replace the Connect Button.

Under Capture Options, set the Connector to 3 for the IR Blaster.

I left all other Capture Options to their default values.

Hold the remote 1/4" from the hole on the back of the WF2IR.

Press the button you want to capture, just once.

In about a second the code should appear in the Edit View window.

If it does not, press the remote button again, until it does.

Once it does, Enter something in the Button Name box.

Press the Trim Button, to eliminate extra code.

Now you'll see a "Send IR" button which you can use to test the capture.

Leave the Save format to "GlobalCache".

Press the "Save Data" button and the code appears in the Results menu.

Press "New File" to save the code into a new text file to cut/paste later.

Note: the code you saved does not yet have the CR/LF.

 

Create the Network Resource:

Log into the ISY and select the Networking Module.

You only have to work with the Network Resources Tab.

Select "ADD" and enter something in the name field (like TV ON).

Click on the field to the right where the "n/a" shows up.

This opens the Resource Editor.

Change Protocol from http to TCP using the drop down.

You will get a warnng message, if the Host field is empty. Click ok..

Enter the IP of the WF2IR in the Host Box

Change the port to 4998.

Change Mode to C-Escaped.

From the text file saved above, copy the code string beginning with “sendirâ€

to the end.

Paste the string (using CTL-V, Right mouse click does not work) into the Body box.

Click on the end of the string and append: ,\r,\l

Click the Update Button. The code will now appear in the Actual box.

Click Save.

You can not test it by clicking on the "Test Button"

The code will be sent and a Resource Response window will open up, showing a completion or error code.

The Network Resource is now available to ISY programs, under Action.

 

The Network Resources Export function is also helpful. I downloaded the GC100_RELAYS.ZIP file from the ISY WIKI and compared the files to my own. Although the WIKI files are for the relays, it gave me some insight as to which choices to make in creating the IR Network Resource.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello GPG,

 

Thanks so very much for providing us with this feedback which I am sure others will find extremely useful.

 

Do you mind if we included your post in our Wiki?

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[GPG]

Michel,

 

Please, feel free to include it in the Wiki.

[ben-smith]

Thanks for the post, GPG. I was originally considering the GC-100's, but those probably have more functionality than I really need. So, I'm thinking that these iTach devices will work out just fine.

[apostolakisl]

I have been playing with this itach and couldn't get it to work. I kept gettig errors. Then I tried appending with "\r\n" (not the ,\r,\l as listed above) as the gc 100 wiki says and that worked!

 

I haven't a clue what any of this stuff means, why it is there, or anything. Just utterly clueless!

[apostolakisl]

I have discovered some finer points to this.

 

Some remotes require you to change some of those settings which earlier we glossed over.

 

In programming my dish vip 622 I have discovered that I needed to change the "gaps" setting to 3. It appears to truncate the code to essentially nothing. If you hit the "trim" button and it pretty much cuts everything out, try increasing the gaps.

 

If I figure out what the other settings do I will let you know.

 

If anyone else can explain what all of these settings do, please feel free to write a nice little description here.

 

Thanks!

[apostolakisl]

Any idea on how to get volume keys to behave like volume keys? In other words if you want to get a held key to keep sending the command to the itach until you let go?

[auger66]

Many thanks to GPG and apostolakisl for the guidance. There's no telling how many hours it saved me.

 

I got two iTach units (WF and IP) today after giving up on a working Insteon IR solution. They both work great, and I was able to get rid of my last two X-10 devices. The Hunter Douglas Powerrise 1.0 blinds in my bedroom work consistently for the first time ever.

 

The IR blaster is a little weak, though. I had to aim it precisely.

 

Now that I have an iTach, I think I'll give iRule a shot at replacing my Harmony remote when the new iPod Touch comes out.

[trumpet]

Hi,

 

New to the forum.The information available on this forum is very helpful - especially the real-world examples that have been updated with issue resolutions. I have been using ISY 99i for past couple of years for simple lighting/scenes/etc.

 

Exploring A/V controls through iRule/iTach IP2IR.

And, then came across the ability to control iTach through ISY and am confused.

Pros: greater control with IF-THEN-ELSE programming control

Cons: Complexity ... iRule -> ISY -> iTach -> component

 

Q. Does it make more sense to have the Macro's in iRule do the command sequencing and execution or let ISY do the heavy lifting ? Any pros/cons ?

 

Thanks.

[apostolakisl]

I don't know that much about irule, but I do have an itach and an ISY.

 

I would think you would be better off skipping ISY for commands originating from irule.

 

The only caveat would be if you want ISY to track the status of your components. If for example you were going to have ISY controlling the same components as irule independently, then you would want a single gate keeper to keep it all straight.

[guedesluz]

Guys plz help me....

 

I successfully connected the Global Cache into my Lan and was able to read a IR code using the iLearn. Also using iLearn, I tested the IR using the button SEND IR and it worked. Great until now...

 

Back to the ISY Console, Networking and Network Resources, I add it as shown in the first post. TCP protocol, insert the iTach IP, and port 4998, copied all the string and inser \r,\n. I was something like "sendir,1:1,1........,21,4848,\r,\l" but when I clicked update, the string was different on the ACTUAL BOX. The \r just disappeared and the string was "sendir....,21,4848,\l". Is that ok?

 

To test it, I created a Program named TVON and add an Action on THEN. The action was NETWORKING, RESOURCE, TVON. Save all, but when I click it to run, nothing happens.

 

I don't know where to look to search the problem. Anyone could help me?

[doogledb]

Guys plz help me....

 

I successfully connected the Global Cache into my Lan and was able to read a IR code using the iLearn. Also using iLearn, I tested the IR using the button SEND IR and it worked. Great until now...

 

Back to the ISY Console, Networking and Network Resources, I add it as shown in the first post. TCP protocol, insert the iTach IP, and port 4998, copied all the string and inser \r,\n. I was something like "sendir,1:1,1........,21,4848,\r,\l" but when I clicked update, the string was different on the ACTUAL BOX. The \r just disappeared and the string was "sendir....,21,4848,\l". Is that ok?

 

To test it, I created a Program named TVON and add an Action on THEN. The action was NETWORKING, RESOURCE, TVON. Save all, but when I click it to run, nothing happens.

 

I don't know where to look to search the problem. Anyone could help me?

 

I am new to using ISY to send IR commands through the iTach. After playing with this, I finally got my Samsung TV to power on / power off. Here is what I did differently based on the instructions in this thread...

- In iLearn set repeat to 3.

- Append \r\n do not include any commas..

 

After this, it works 100% of the time

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi doogledb,

 

Thanks so very much for the update. Appreciate it very much.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[mapeter]

Hi Everyone - Using the Network Module, I have been successful in having the ISY send sendir commands to my iTach device. Now I want the ISY to be able to read the status of a sensor attached to the iTach device. I created the resource entry to send a "getstate,1:3" to the iTach. When I use the Test function in the ISY, I can see that the ISY successfully sends the getstate command as well as receives the "state,1:3,1" response, which would indicate that the sensor is on. How do I parse this response in an ISY program so I can have the ISY react to the status?

[apostolakisl]

Hi Everyone - Using the Network Module, I have been successful in having the ISY send sendir commands to my iTach device. Now I want the ISY to be able to read the status of a sensor attached to the iTach device. I created the resource entry to send a "getstate,1:3" to the iTach. When I use the Test function in the ISY, I can see that the ISY successfully sends the getstate command as well as receives the "state,1:3,1" response, which would indicate that the sensor is on. How do I parse this response in an ISY program so I can have the ISY react to the status?

 

ISY can't respond to response messages like that as far as I know.

 

You would need to use REST commands, and I don't know that it is possible to get the itach to do that. You would probably have to use an intermediary, like a PC.

[guedesluz]

Hi Everyone - Using the Network Module, I have been successful in having the ISY send sendir commands to my iTach device. Now I want the ISY to be able to read the status of a sensor attached to the iTach device. I created the resource entry to send a "getstate,1:3" to the iTach. When I use the Test function in the ISY, I can see that the ISY successfully sends the getstate command as well as receives the "state,1:3,1" response, which would indicate that the sensor is on. How do I parse this response in an ISY program so I can have the ISY react to the status?

 

Just to know, which sensor is? Used to check if the controlled equipment was turn on already? In last case you can think about using a wireless insteon sensor.

[Xathros]

Hi Everyone - Using the Network Module, I have been successful in having the ISY send sendir commands to my iTach device. Now I want the ISY to be able to read the status of a sensor attached to the iTach device. I created the resource entry to send a "getstate,1:3" to the iTach. When I use the Test function in the ISY, I can see that the ISY successfully sends the getstate command as well as receives the "state,1:3,1" response, which would indicate that the sensor is on. How do I parse this response in an ISY program so I can have the ISY react to the status?

 

ISY can't respond to response messages like that as far as I know.

 

You would need to use REST commands, and I don't know that it is possible to get the itach to do that. You would probably have to use an intermediary, like a PC.

 

ISY can't parse responses YET. That ability is coming in a future firmware update. I'm not sure how far off this is at this point but I'm hopeful that we will see this in the next few months.

 

-Xathros

[mapeter]

Hi Everyone - Using the Network Module, I have been successful in having the ISY send sendir commands to my iTach device. Now I want the ISY to be able to read the status of a sensor attached to the iTach device. I created the resource entry to send a "getstate,1:3" to the iTach. When I use the Test function in the ISY, I can see that the ISY successfully sends the getstate command as well as receives the "state,1:3,1" response, which would indicate that the sensor is on. How do I parse this response in an ISY program so I can have the ISY react to the status?

 

ISY can't respond to response messages like that as far as I know.

 

You would need to use REST commands, and I don't know that it is possible to get the itach to do that. You would probably have to use an intermediary, like a PC.

 

ISY can't parse responses YET. That ability is coming in a future firmware update. I'm not sure how far off this is at this point but I'm hopeful that we will see this in the next few months.

 

-Xathros

 

Thanks for the responses. I hope that this ability come soon to the ISY. I had thought about having a program on PC do the polling and then fire a REST command to the ISY, but I really don't want to have to add another piece to the solution. To answer guedesluz's question, I am using a voltage sensor to determine when a receiver is on and off. I am doing this with another receiver using a voltage sensor and an IO Linc. Since my IP2IR has a free connector, it would be great to utilize it rather than purchase another IO Linc for the second receiver.

[jmac]

Can anyone enlighten me on the appended letters added to the IR string? I can't seem to get my gear to respond to IR codes sent by the WF2IR. Also, does the "Send IR' button actually work in your system?

[mfranzel]

Hi everyone,

I got everything set up and commands learned, but neither iLearn or the ISY will actually turn on the TV. I dont even get any errors! HELP!

[jmac]

It seems we have similar problems. I know that the signal reaches the WF2IR as the green light above the connector flashes, but no action with the TV. Since others have had problems with the appended "\r\n" and/or "r\l", with and without commas, I thought that might have something to do with the problem. We need a little more guidance here.

[guedesluz]

Guys.. the iLearn is on 2.6 version. I had similar problems and resolve just using an old version of iLearn. I thought it was 2.3 or 2.4. Please take a look at the link and you'll see the discussion on Global Cache Forum.

https://globalcache.zendesk.com/entries ... rn-issues-

[jmac]

Thanks, guedesluz! iLearn2.4 solved my problem. Left the Capture Options as is and captured the On/Off for my TV, trimmed, named, and tested the SendIR button. Success the first time - the TV could be turned On/Off with this button.

Then to the ISY Resource Editor where I pasted the TVON code, along with ",\r,\n". I then tested with the Test button at the bottom of the Configuration page and got "CompleteIR,1:1,1" along with an Off for the TV.

I truly appreciate the help!

[guedesluz]

GREAT! Good to know...

 

I just hope someone could explain the function of "\r" and "\n" at the end of the string.

[Xathros]

/r/n is Carriage Return, Line Feed (n = newline). It terminates the string.

 

-Xathros