Lamplinc Dual Band suddenly unreliable

[j0dan]

I haven't made any changes in my Insteon or appliance/electronic device setup in my house for 2 weeks now, but suddenly one of my dual band LampLincs has become unreliable.

 

It occasionally doesn't turn on, or send a signal back to the ISY saying it has turned on. However I can almost always turn it on by manually telling it to from the ISY.

 

I tried factory resetting it and restoring the device, but it doesn't seem to work properly with scenes.

 

If I try to make changes to the device in a scene I get the error Request Failed. It occasionally fails in scene tests. If I choose "restore link to controller _scene_" I get Request Failed and in the event viewer I see this:

 

Sun 04/03/2011 08:52:53 PM : [White Lamp  ] Writing responder link to [TV Lighting]

Sun 04/03/2011 08:52:53 PM : [White Lamp  ] ... Could not find responder link to [TV Lighting]

Sun 04/03/2011 08:52:53 PM : [All         ] Writing 0 bytes to devices

 

What are the steps to troubleshoot this kind of problem?

[LeeG]

The fact that it worked for some time and is now unreliable probably means something has changed but not always.

 

Everything noted indicates a communication issue.

 

Will not turn On.

Turns On but does not ACK being turned On.

Scene test fails.

Does not turn On reliably from the Admin Console or Program.

Cannot read link data base.

 

Trouble shooting unreliable communication is the process of elimination. Some things to look at and do.

 

A phase coupler has been moved or unplugged.

Try a different load.

Does it fail when other appliances are running (or not running if phase coupling issue).

Can other devices control the LampLinc reliably.

Is the problem limited to communication between the ISY PLM and the LampLinc. In other words can another Controller device reliably control LampLinc from a different location.

Test LampLinc in a different circuit.

[j0dan]

I just deleted the device from all problematic scenes and re-added them.

 

It has been working fine since.

 

It looks like it was more of a scene link problem than whether or not the ISY could control it.

[LeeG]

It occasionally doesn't turn on, or send a signal back to the ISY saying it has turned on. However I can almost always turn it on by manually telling it to from the ISY.

 

Link records are essentially static data in the LampLinc. The On Level and Ramp Rate values can be altered but once changed it is static information again. Also link records play no role in manually telling it to (turn On) from the ISY. Glad it is working now but it will fail again as soon as the conditions that existed earlier are repeated.

 

Look for cell phones on charge, lap top power supply plugged in, appliances running like TVs audio equipment, etc. Normal things that come and go. Some combination will bring the problem back.

[j0dan]

Is Insteon that picky?

 

In that corner of the room we have 3 computers, 2 notebooks charging, 2 phones, an iPad, wireless keyboards and mice, a large stereo and a TV. It seemed to work for weeks without problems. Are filters a requirement for all other devices in the house?

 

It occasionally doesn't turn on, or send a signal back to the ISY saying it has turned on. However I can almost always turn it on by manually telling it to from the ISY.

 

Link records are essentially static data in the LampLinc. The On Level and Ramp Rate values can be altered but once changed it is static information again. Also link records play no role in manually telling it to (turn On) from the ISY. Glad it is working now but it will fail again as soon as the conditions that existed earlier are repeated.

 

Look for cell phones on charge, lap top power supply plugged in, appliances running like TVs audio equipment, etc. Normal things that come and go. Some combination will bring the problem back.

[LeeG]

No, Insteon is not picky. Compared to X10 it is like night and day. However, it does use the powerline and is susceptible to noise and signal attenuation.

 

With all that equipment there is probably a UPS in the mix as well. PC and UPS power supplies are very good at eliminating noise so that it does not reach the respective equipment. Unfortunately an Insteon signal can look like noise and the Insteon signal can be reduced in amplitude to the point it is not reliable. Also some cell phone charges put enough interference on the powerline to completely block an Insteon signal.

 

The good news is that the Smarthome FilterLinc is very good at resolving both problems. Depending on the total load generally one FilterLinc will be able to isolate all the equipment.

 

As far as other locations in the house, just depends on the devices/appliances. I have a flat screen LCD TV that generates some interference which I resolved with a FilterLinc. All of my PC/UPS and associated peripherals are on a single FilterLinc.

 

FilterLincs are not expensive. I keep a few in the spare parts box just in case I run into a new appliance that causes problems.

[LeeG]

Forgot this. With all the equipment in one location there are likely power strips being used most of which have surge suppression. Be sure the LampLinc is not plugged into a power strip that has any surge suppression or noise reduction.

[j0dan]

Next time it happens I'll try that. Might be difficult as there isn't enough outlets. I'll have to use a combo of splitters and extension cords!

 

Right now it's plugged into a surge protector. Could it be that it's just receiving signals wirelessly?

 

I have a dual band lamplinc on either edge of the house and a dual band PLM in the middle of the basement. I don't even know if it's bridging phases or not. Tried that phase bridge detection mode but it didn't appear to work.

[LeeG]

It is very possible the Dual Band LampLinc is only able to communicate over RF being plugged into a suppressor strip or perhaps with degraded powerline signals.

 

The Dual Band LampLincs can be a little tricky getting the phase test setup. If I remember it has to do with the speed at which the Set button is pressed. It would be good to verify they are on opposite 120V legs.

 

It is generally better to have the Dual Band devices on interior walls. Being on an exterior wall there is likely nothing that is going to send/receive over the outer 180 degree circle. Of course if there are outside wireless devices such as motion sensors exterior walls can be useful.

[j0dan]

For other users that come across this post.

 

The problem was caused by a faulty thermostat module that Insteon has just fixed in new firmware. It would cause all RF or dual band devices to lock up or respond very slowly.