New Venstar 2491T1E Thermostat issues

[BeachISY]

Hi,

 

I am new to ISY and a DIY'r, so apologies if this is already posted. I researched long and hard and found lots of Vestar Thermo issues, but not this specific issue...

 

I've got an ISY set-up with about 15 Insteon devices, including a few smartlinc controllers and motion sensors. Everything has been fantastic for the past 4-5 months, until I tried to install 2 new Venstar Thermostats today. They are new 2491T1E units with the Insteon transmitter built-in, instead of the old plug-in style.

 

They linked up OK, but they are really flakey and I constantly lose connection with both of them. The connections are both unreliable.

 

I am running 2.8.16 on my ISY-99i. They show up as "unsupported device: 5.14", but they appear as Thermostats and work some of the time.

 

The new IC board inside the devices says "4010 Rev 2.0" and the etching on the board says "200-24410-00x4 Smartlabs 080324". I am not sure if this is any different than the older plug-in style. It looks like they just did a hardwire hack into the RJ45 jack.

 

I deleted the devices and then tried to re-add them and I got stuck with a "highwater mark" error for a long time. I can't figure out how to do a factory reset on the Thermostats, as the instructions to use the set button don't work anymore. I pulled them from the wall to kill power for 5 minutes, but they retain all of their settings and clock. I finally got them to link back up after I did a restore on the PLM Modem.

 

After they re-linked they were the same unreliable thermostats. I get "cannot communicate with the Downstairs Thermostat. Please check connections" when I do a query all (same message for both).

 

I have numerous switch relays and a smartlinc controller within feet of one of the thermos. Also, no issues communicating with motion sensors that are 50 feet away. Also, the thermostats work just fine as stand-alone wall thermostats.

 

Is there a known reason why these are so unreliable?

 

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[LeeG]

BeachISY

 

The high water mark error is normally a problem communicating with the device. That seems consistent with difficulty adding the tstat to the ISY. The proximity to a SmartLinc does not matter as it is not a Dual Band device. I did not think the SwitchLinc Relay was available in a Dual Band model as yet so that probably does not matter either. Suggest moving an Access Point closer to the tstat to see if that improves RF comm. Have to be careful phase coupling is not lost.

 

Note that the 3.1.10 beta has a definition for that device although I don't think what you are experiencing has anything to do with what image is installed.

 

Lee

[slpelts]

I am have exact same problem and have moved to every outlet possible.

 

this has been come very aggravating..

[LeeG]

slpelts

 

What has been moved to every outlet?

 

If it was an Access Point was correct phase coupling confirmed at each location?

 

Moving an Access Point closer to the tstat could establish RF communication with the tstat but lose phase coupling preventing the powerline message from reaching the ISY PLM.

 

Lee

[BeachISY]

I have an Access Point about 6 feet from the thermostat, so I don't think that is an issue. My two access points appear to function great with RF motion sensors that are up to 50 feet away. I've ordered a few more access points to see if that will help. I don't have many other sources of RF interference in the house, but I do have 2 refrigerators near the downstairs Access Point and tstat. That could be causing some interference.

 

You are correct. The SwitchLinc's are not dual band, so they don't help with RF.

 

If the additional access points don't help, I'll bench test the tstat with 24v sitting on top of a known good access point.

 

stay tuned... thanks!

[BeachISY]

I got 2 more access points and it solved my issues. Even though the original access point was 6 feet away it was block by a refrigerator. They are now rock solid reliable. The new thermostats look great without the clip on radios. Thanks!