Can't Link to a 2476S Switchlinc

[gwarthur]

I have a several year old 2476S switchlinc that I had previously installed but had recently removed from service before a renovation. Afterward, the lighting plan had changed and I did not reinstall it. That was a couple of months ago. Now, after reinstalling it for another project, it refuses to link. I have repeatedly reset it and reset my 99i, but no matter how many times I run the linking process on the 99i, it does not link.

 

If it still had its address sticker, I could run the New Insteon Device routine, but the sticker has long since fallen off so I have no way to determine the address. Any ideas as to how I can get this unit linked? -George

[LeeG]

gwarthur

 

Best to not reset the ISY anymore.

 

What happens when you click on Start Linking?

 

It could be the new install location is outside communication range, or it does not have 120V on the Neutral and Line connections. The simplest way to eliminate both questions is to connect the SwitchLinc Relay to a 3-wire Appliance cord. One that has a plug on one end and bare wires on the other. All the home improvement stores and many hardware stores carry them for a few dollars. Plug the SwitchLinc Relay at the location of the ISY PLM, then do the start linking and identify the device. Does the ISY react to it now? If so continue with the device add process. Move it back to the current install location. Failure to work there indicates either a wiring problem or lack of powerline communication at the location.

 

Lee

[gwarthur]

Thanks, Lee. I'm pretty certain that it's connected properly, as it is operating normally from the paddle switch, the LEDs work, it switches its load, and it goes into linking mode in the normal fashion either by my holding down the paddle top or the set switch.

 

I don't know if this means anything, but when I put the SwitchLinc into linking mode and start the linking process from the 99i, every ten seconds or so its blinking pattern pauses for a few moments and the LED remains on, apparently communicating, before it resumes blinking.

 

Your point about it possibly being out of range is valid. I have had comms problems with devices in that area in the past. I guess I will uninstall it (I was trying to avoid that), connect it to an extension cord and attempt to link it in a location of known strong signal strength.

 

I might have tossed it out assuming it was defective if I had not recently encountered this same problem; when I reinstalled some other SwitchLincs I had removed before a recent renovation (which had been previously linked to my 99i), some linked normally while others exhibited this same behavior. My workaround then was to use the admin console's New Insteon Device feature using the device’s address. That usually worked, although I had to link and unlink a couple of devices before they responded correctly. But without an address for this SwitchLinc, that option is unavailable.

 

I also briefly considered restoring the 99i to an earlier, backed-up configuration, copying down the SwitchLinc's address (I know where it was used before), and then re-restoring it to the current configuration. But this seemed too risky; aside from this small problem, everything is working pretty well, so I'm very hesitant to monkey with the 99i in case everything doesn't "come back" exactly as it is now.

 

One lesson learned: From here on, every time I handle a permanently installed Insteon device, I'll take a Sharpie and write its address on it somewhere. Unfortunately, Insteon chooses to affix the address sticker to the heat sink. After a year or two of use, you can expect its adhesive to dry out, allowing it to fall off. -GA

 

UPDATE: I took a second 2476S V2 SwitchLinc - purchased, installed and then removed from service at the same time as the one described above - and plugged it into an extension cord as LeeG suggested. I plugged the extension cord into an outlet near the 99i and tried to link to it. Not surprisingly, that one duplicated the behavior of the first; it went into linking mode but wouldn't link. Resetting it to its factory default state did not help. (Note that if you are resetting an older Insteon device, the reset procedure may differ from that for the current model).

 

It's becoming clear that this behavior isn't caused by a defective SwitchLinc or flawed installation; this is some sort of screwy state that these early devices that were previously linked to, unlinked, uninstalled and then reinstalled wake up in.

 

It seems like after resetting the SwitchLinc to its factory defaults, it should have linked link to the 99i. Which leaves me wondering if its address isn't still isn't in some obscure table in the 99i that is telling it that it has already been linked to. -GA

PROBLEM RESOLUTION: Turns out that all you have to do is to open the 99i Admin Console, go to Tools > Diagnostics > Events > Device Communication Events, and set the device to linking mode. Presto! The unknown device's address will immediately show up in the log window. Using the address, you can then link the device using the New Insteon Device feature. Problem solved. -GA