I searched the forum and could not locate the answer to my problem. I have a ISY-99i (1020) v2.8.16 . I have also installed a Insteon 2466S ToggleLinc Relay v.3A (Insteon toggle switch) on a bathroom fan. My idea is to have the ISY intitate an event that would turn off the fan after a predetermined amount of time and give me the capability of turning on the fan remotely with my iPad when my daughter fails to do so. Here is the program that I wrote in the ISY

 

If

Status 'Main Floor Bath Fan' is On

Then

Wait 5 minutes

set 'Main Floor Bath Fan' Off

Else

- No Actions

 

My problem is that the ISY does not always see the status change so the timer does not start and the fan runs until I manually turn it off. There are times when it does turn off though. I thought it might be a communication weakness but I do not have any other problems in the home with 8 other modules and two access points (2443) installed. When it has failed to turn off I log into the ISY and the ISY reports the status as off (until queried). I have also tried "Control 'Main Floor Bath Fan' is On with the same results.

 

Question, is there a feasable way to ensure the ISY sees the status change without having to query every few minutes?

 

thanks

Your problem sounds typical of when the communication problem is associated with the PLM. Let's try the easy stuff first. Is your PLM plugged into a surge suppressor or UPS? Is the PLM plugged into an outlet or circuit that powers your computer system equipment, including surge suppressors or UPS?

Your problem sounds typical of when the communication problem is associated with the PLM. Let's try the easy stuff first. Is your PLM plugged into a surge suppressor or UPS? Is the PLM plugged into an outlet or circuit that powers your computer system equipment, including surge suppressors or UPS?

 

No, the PLM is on a circuit that has a router and switch but no computer or surge suppressor. What is strange is that everything else works flawless except status of some of the devices in the ISY. Perhaps the issue is the ISY receiving status for the devices, controls actions from the ISY are flawless. I will move my access points around and see if that helps. Any other ideas would be appreciated. thanks

Like computer power supplies. The power supplies for the router and switch could also be making power line noise or absorbing the power line signals.

If you move your access points, be sure to ensure they are on opposite legs of your power supply.

 

I agree with Brian H...keep checking the devices on your PLM circuit. Power supplies can be problems. You can always try the extension cord test.

Would a Dual-Band PLM and an Access Point near the breaker box provide a possible solution in the scenario described?

Would a Dual-Band PLM and an Access Point near the breaker box provide a possible solution in the scenario described?

 

they make a dual band PLM? I will investigate that option. What is really madding is that everything else works with no issues. The issue seems to be the status in the ISY, I recently noticed that when I log in there are several devices which I turned on with a remotelinc that were showing the wrong state but all commands that orginate from the ISY are being received (have several programs to turn on lights at dusk etc.) Thanks for the help... I will look into a dual band PLM.

Yes the 2413S PLM is Dual Band.

One point if you are going from a 2412S that supplies power to the ISY99i to the 2413S that does not provide power to the ISY99i. You have to add an external power supply. To the DC input jack on the ISY99i.

Yes the 2413S PLM is Dual Band.

One point if you are going from a 2412S that supplies power to the ISY99i to the 2413S that does not provide power to the ISY99i. You have to add an external power supply. To the DC input jack on the ISY99i.

 

Yep I have a 2412S now, just what I need another power supply to suck the signal! Dang that puppy is expensive $80 plus the cost of a power supply. Why did they eliminate the power option via the serial connection? Did they offer an upgrade option when the 2413 was released?

Smartlabs never explains what they do but the assumption is the added hardware capability in the 2413 Dual Band PLM to send/receive RF added additional load on the power supply such that it could no longer provide power to an outside device.

The 2413S is a completely new design from the 2412S. Including a new more efficient power supply over the old Linear Power Transformer one in the 2412S. May not be totally isolated from the power lines like the old 2412S was or maybe as LeeG thought limited extra power for external use.

It does have a faster memory for its link database also.

 

There was no upgrade option when it was released.

Would it not work more reliably if the following change is made to the program....

 

If

Control 'Main Floor Bath Fan' is Switched On

Then

Wait 5 minutes

set 'Main Floor Bath Fan' Off

Else

- No Actions

 

I personally feel that the status checks do not cause execution of a program and are more useful as secondary conditions.

That's also what I've done as well, using checks for Control rather than status.

Going further, I check both cases:

 

If Device is Switched on and

The devIce is not switched off

 

The resulting program stays using such a check seems to yield results more in line with one's expectations as well.

I will try control again, I tried control a few weeks ago with the same result. I will report back once I have had some time to test control (as opposed to Status). Thanks!

does not seem to matter if I use "control" or "status" the ISY sees neither and thus never starts the timer and the fan continues to run until I manually turn it off. I also note that other device status are wrong in the ISY until I do a query. I find in unlikely that it is communication related as all else works flawlessly. Is it possible to have flawless communicaiton FROM the ISY to responders and the ISY not see status changes intiated from the responders? Is there a way to have the ISY be a responder for a wall switch? This continues to be perplexing... thanks for any ideas / help!

AutomationNut

 

If it is not a communications problem either the devices or the ISY PLM have lost link records. For the ISY PLM (or any responder for that matter) to receive device status change messages both the device and the PLM must have the correct link records.

 

You can try doing a Restore Device on one switch and see if that restores communication for that device.

 

Lee

Lee G, thank you very much, performing a "Restore Device" that corrected the problem, working free from flaws once again! Happy New Year!

Did you try verifying communication using Admin Utility -> Tools -> Diagnostics -> Event Viewer?

 

Turn the event viewer on, set the level to "Device communications events" and then toggle the switch on and off a few times to verify that you are receiving the control and status messages from the device. You will need to know the Insteon ID of the controller, the event viewer does not provide decoded friendly names.

 

Check the Links Table (Tools -> Diagnostics -> Device Links Table), select your device and then wait as the links records are gathered. Once complete, click on "Compare" at the bottom to make sure the device and the ISY agree. If they don't, then a device restore is probably a good idea.