Newbe with questions and suggestions

[egads]

First off, I'll get to my questions.

I am just starting and went to make a scene. I click the new scene button, name it, and then nothing.

It should open a new box to allow me to add devices but no. So to open that box I just select that scene

from the tree, right? Well it does not appear in the tree. It does show on MobilLinc on my iphone.

I also ended up with two scenes named the same, but they are not on the administrative control

panel. How can I delete the extra one? How do I populate a new scene?

 

The how to manual for this thing is horrible. I understand that it is oriented to those with programming backgrounds,

but a consumer friendly UI would be helpful. It's pretty bad when the MobileLinc is easier to use than the original

program. The examples are complex when most new users want to do simple things at first. The search of this

board is no help. And finally, the 57 page users manual I printed out has no page numbers and the screen shots are unreadable.

 

I would suggest someone at Universal Devices or a WiKi volunteer make a few Youtube videos like the MobilLinc guy has

that show how to do some really simple things, like have the porch light come on a dusk and go off at dawn.

 

At the very least, this forum should have some newbie stickies.

 

Can you tell I'm frustrated? I know I will figure this out eventually, but I am trying to set up the ISY99i for a friend/customer

before she returns from vacation. My programs are turning on but not off. I thought I would put the group of devices into a scene and program that. But I can't seem to even do that. Help

[TJF1960]

Hello egads,

 

While I may not be able to help you directly it will help to know what model ISY you have and what version is loaded into it "Help>About." Also what method you are using to access the admin. console (IE8 etc.) and what address you use (http://youripaddress etc).

 

Tim

[egads]

Ok, an update.

I did the obvious thing, close the control panel, reboot my macbook and then relaunch the administrative control

and now the new scene(s) show up. I was able to delete the extra and add devices to the new scene.

 

Here is what my program looks like:

 

If:

From Sunset

To Sunrise (next day)

 

Then:

Set scene 'outside lights' On

 

Else:

No Actions.

 

I will report if they are off when I get up.

If any of you see anything wrong with this program, let me know.

 

Thanks

[TJF1960]

They won't be.

Add "Set scene 'outside lights' Off" to the Else section of that program then they should turn off at sunrise.

[egads]

Hello egads,

 

While I may not be able to help you directly it will help to know what model ISY you have and what version is loaded into it "Help>About." Also what method you are using to access the admin. console (IE8 etc.) and what address you use (http://youripaddress etc).

 

Tim

 

Yes it would! duh

 

I have a ISY-99i the simplest one. It's running 2.8.16

I access using wifi on the local network. It is connected to Airport Extreme that gave it this address: 10.0.1.2/

I have not had any difficulty connecting to it. I do not have internet access enabled, my friend is out of town and

I don't have the password to her router configuration. Well, I did find it, but it's not that readable) so that will have to wait.

As will loading the MobilLinc onto her iphone.

 

In the suggestion column:

A simple control panel needs to be developed that can run on computers all over the house. One to control the lights and activate scenes, but not allow changes and programming. It should also show current status. Having the actual administrative panel open, or opening it with double sign ins just to control a couple of lights is too much. I notice that when I leave it open, it soon fails to update device status. And also the problem I just experienced, new scenes did not show up in the device tree.

[egads]

They won't be.

Add "Set scene 'outside lights' Off" to the Else section of that program then they should turn off at sunrise.

Thanks!

You would think that after reading 20-30 pages of threads, the wiki, and the user guide that would be obvious.

But I have read threads specifically addressing Sunset/Sunrise programs and none of them had an "else" line in them.

It makes sense, if the conditions for on are not met, a command for off needs to be sent.

 

Thank you again!

[TJF1960]

No problem!

 

Addressing your original issue, it sounds like the admin console on the mac may not be updating properly. Question - when you turn a device on locally (toggle push or what ever) does the console update and show that device as turned on or off?

 

If not someone with airport extreme experience will have to chime in.

 

Tim

[egads]

The admin control panel does not update, but it does function.

I can turn a device on and off, but the current status does not show.

If I close it and resign on, it works again for awhile. I guess it is the Airport?

I will have to wait to see if anyone with Mac & Airport experience chimes in.

[andyf0]

The admin control panel does not update, but it does function.

I can turn a device on and off, but the current status does not show.

If I close it and resign on, it works again for awhile. I guess it is the Airport?

I will have to wait to see if anyone with Mac & Airport experience chimes in.

 

I'm using an iMac with a Time Capsule which is essentially an Extreme with a hard drive in it. Everything works great on Snow Leopard and Lion.

[Illusion]

I have a Mac running off an airport extreme. The only time I have any issue with the admin console is if the computer is allowed to sleep. Then the subscription expires and the admin console no longer works. I have to close it and re-open and re-sign it.

 

As for you other concerns. UD agrees that they need more work on their documentation. Unfortunately for novices they seem to spend almost all their resources on advancement of the platform. This makes the documentation problem even worse as the information is constantly changing.

 

You are into very advanced automation. It is going to take some patience. I had similar feelings when first working with the ISY. After understanding why things are the way they are and what capabilities this allows for I love this device.

 

I am sorry you are frustrated. I am sorry that you have to post here to understand even the simplest concepts. I agree that a 10 page intro to ISY programming would be good. I like the video idea as well. But until we get something like this do not hesitate to post even the simplest questions here when you cannot find the answer on the wiki. Even the most skillful expert programmers will answer rapidly. This is a tight community interested in helping each other and not about flaming.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello egads,

 

I am so very sorry for all the problems you've been having. First thing first: the reason you are not getting updates on the Admin Console could be related to three things:

1. When you first brought up the Admin Console, you did NOT accept the security certificate (signed by Universal Devices). This will prevent Java to communicate with the networking layer in completely random ways including not getting updates

2. You might be running an older version of Java

3. If you have a firewall software, ISY must be listed in the trusted zone

 

What I recommend is this:

1. Spotlight | Java Preferences

2. Security tab ... click on Universal Devices Certificate (if there's one) and then remove it

3. Go to http://www.universal-devices.com/99i/admin.jnlp ... this should install an icon on your desktop. Use this icon instead

 

Please do let me know if this fixes the issues. If not, please do be kind enough to call our tech support so that we can ensure you are up and running.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[egads]

Thanks for the tips folks.

I will try opening the console with the shortcut from now on.

Can I navigate to this thread and download that shortcut to all of my client's computers?

(there are 4 here now and I think she is traveling with another )

That's one of the reasons I figured the isy was going to be so good for her.

This thing not only lets you turn a light off, it also lets you know if you left it on.

 

 

Tim, thanks again, the two scenes are now doing their else and shutting off.

 

Now another question:

 

When I discovered all of the devices, I did some one by one so I could rename them based on what they did.

Several of those were existing virtual 3ways and I selected keeping the current links. Should I remove the scenes that created

and redo them through the isy? This seems to be the preferred method and this is why I think: That makes the isy

keep all controllers in the scene updated and that makes all the ramp rates and manual on presets the same?

Should I just factory reset all those Switchlinc dimmers and have the isy discover them anew? Then set up scenes for each group?

 

I have a feeling I am going to run up against the link limits of the plain ISY I have installed here. Please say there is an easy way to upgrade to the Pro. I will do some reading here. I bet it's come up.

[TJF1960]

Hi egads,

 

Personally, anytime I purchase new or used Insteon devices I factory restore the device then add it into the ISY via “Link Management>New Insteon Device†and type in the address and Name and select “Auto Discover†and “Remove Existing Links.†It’s my feeling most people here do the same. Doing it this way you know that there are no previous links left in the device that can cause problems down the road. There are a few devices you must select the actual device from the drop down list for such as rf devices and Simplehomenet devices (if I remember correctly). But for the most part using “Auto Discover†is the way to go.

 

You bet, it is very easy to upgrade to pro if you need to. You select “Help>Purchase Modules†then purchase the upgrade then UDI will take care of it via the internet!

 

Tim

[Brian H]

I would also say Factory Reset and start new.

There have been some rare cases where they shipped with some test links and X10 addresses in them.

 

Upgrading to the Pro Version is not hard at all. As Tim mentioned. Just purchase the Pro Module and UDI does their thing.

Some on line magic happens and the ISY99i reboots. You then have the Pro Version.