Motion Sensor Status

[Kentinada]

I have 3 INSTEON motion sensors and my ISY99i. When I check the status of the motion sensors via the Admin Console, two of the three have either Off or On show up when I click on XXX Motion-Sensor. The 3rd motion sensor is blank. I just put a new battery in it thinking that it might have gone dead but it still shows blank. Any ideas why?

[LeeG]

A blank Current State means no command has been received from the Motion Sensor since the last time the ISY was rebooted. The Dusk/Dawn option would stop commands until it is dark. If that option is not in use suggest putting it into linking mode with Set button and doing a Restore Device to rebuild link database. If the database has been lost it will not send commands.

[oberkc]

I understand the following, in addition to the points made by LeeG (in case this was not obvious or intuitive):

 

a) motion sensors cannot be queried (at least not without putting them into linking mode).

motion sensor status is not necessarily accurate, since it is based only on last command recieved. If you have your motion sensor configured to not sent "off" commands, then your ISY status will never show such a status.

 

Personally, I have found little use for the ISY-understood status of a motion sensor and have never been concerned when it is blank. other than if I otherwise suspect communication problems.

[Kentinada]

Any chance cold temps can affect the transmit range of the motion sensor? Things were working fine but now it has dropped below freezing at night and I'm not able to get sensor status anymore. When I brought the sensor inside, the motion status changes showed up right away on my ISY99i admin console.

[Xathros]

Kentinada-

 

Yes. The 9V battery will be affected by low temps dropping its voltage and possibly reducing effective range.

 

While very expensive, a lithium battery will perform much better in low temps and tend to last significantly longer.

 

Here is a link: http://www.foremostequipment.com/index. ... 4AodKT4A1A

 

Not necessarily the cheapest, just the first I found with a Google. Another option would be to run 9VDC from a wall wart to the sensor location.

 

-Xathros

[Kentinada]

Would it also be a possible solution to add an Access Point close to this motion sensor? Would that pick up the signal and then transmit it across the power line?

[Xathros]

Assuming the problem is simply diminished RF range then yes that should solve the problem. That said, at some point, the MS will stop sending due to insufficient voltage and at that point, an access point wont make any difference.

 

-Xathros

[Kentinada]

One other question. If I go the access point rout, does it have to be a true access point device or is any dual band device sufficient? I ask because I have an extra dual band lamplinc I'm not using I could plug in.

[oberkc]

I recall some speculation that multi-function "dual-band" devices are not as good with RF as a dedicated access point, I don't know whether this is true. My assumptions are that they would be nearly the same. Regardless...yes, I understand dual-band devices recieve RF and retransmit via powerline.

 

But, since you have one a spare lamplinc around, what harm is there in trying to see if this solves your problems?

[Kentinada]

This is exactly what I did. I plugged the lamplinc into the outlet in my shed and walked back to my house. I watched the motion sensor status go from On to Off. Nice.

[oberkc]

Nice, indeed! I love it when a plan comes together.

[Xathros]

I believe one of the issues with the dual band devices is the possibility that they get installed into metal electrical boxes or in between other switches/outlets which limits their RF range. A plug in lamp module should be nearly as effective as an access point I would think.

 

-Xathros

[Teken]

My personal experience with these devices are as follows:

 

1. Access Point (AP) are the strongest in terms of RF output and range. This was confirmed using various RF meters used from work. The antenna configuration is different and longer than what is inside of other devices.

 

2. Dual Band Lamp Linc: This device has a smaller antenna and the RF output on the samples I have on hand were lower. They also appeared to be easily impacted by objects in their path, this includes people standing in its RF path.

 

3. Dual Band KPL / Switches: These devices have their antenna positioned in the rear of the case. They are shorter than any of the listed two even though its windings appear to be same length? Because most places in Canada must use metal JB (Junction Box's) the limited RF output is greatly reduced once the cover is placed over the device.

 

Summary: If RF range and consistency is the end goal. Then, install AP devices in key areas to ensure the proper RF reception / interception is achieved. The only down side to a AP compared to a DB Lamplinc is that it cannot serve another purpose.

 

Its simply a wall wart with out any auxiliary control over another device.

 

Teken . . .

[ELA]

My experience is the same as what Teken has outlined with respect to RF.

In addition, in the samples I have tested, the AP's have a greater power line signal strength than the lamplincs.

 

I have a (DB) PLM and an AP as my basic phase coupling near the service. I installed outlets dedicated to the purpose and those outlets are near the ceiling for the best unobstructed RF coverage.