Lost X-10 control in my ISY994i

[nowandthen]

Installing Christmas decorations and it seems the ISY will no longer control my X-10 outlets, appliance modules etc. I used to have the ISY X-10 add-on software but sold that with my old ISY99i. The module seemed to only add X-10 names to the tree, but without it I could still control X-10, at least I could some time ago. I have a program that I use daily, it watches for an X-10 signal (from and X-10 switch) then runs a countdown timer. That still works.

 

So is X-10 defeated if you don't have the X-10 module or do I have some other problem? Clearly the program that watches for an external X-10 event is still working.

 

I have an X-10 amplifier/bridge. Since adding more dual band devices (had a lot of "normal" insteon before) I started experiencing less reliability of Insteon switches (worked fine before adding dual band). So i turned the amplifer/bridge off at the breaker panel. Insteon performance improved. HOwever, turning the amplifier/bridge back on does not fix the lack of x-10 control.

 

The x-10 devices shows "unsupported device".

[nowandthen]

Figured it out. For some reason the program line was refering to Insteon device for the X-10 line. Changed it to X-10 and also had to re-enable the amplifier/bridge. Not happy about that as it seems to cause Insteon problems.

 

Hoping Smarthome will offer their year-end sale soon. I suddenly need to replace a lot more X-10.

[IndyMike]

Hello Nowandthen,

 

To the best of my knowledge, X10 is not "defeated" if the add-on is not installed. As you indicated, the add-on allows you to ad "named" devices to the tree, and it will track the status based on communications.

 

Not sure how you are trying to control your devices, or what operation you were performing when you received the "unsupported device" response. It sounds like you were trying the add the device to the tree - can't do that without the module.

 

You can control your devices using programs, but you will need to use the X10 command with the device address.

 

Example:

Device X10 relay device at address A5

 

Program

If

Time is 5:00 PM

Then

Send X10 A5 ON

Else

Nothing

 

While the add-on installed, you were able to name the device and use the X10/Insteon program call

 

Device X10 relay at address A5 - Named "Christmas tree"

 

Program

If

Time is 5:00 PM

Then

Set "Christmas tree" on

Else

Nothing

 

Not sure if that was what you were looking for...

 

 

Edit - Glad you figured it out.

 

What brand/model X10 repeater are you using? Strange that it would play nice with your older modules but have problems with the newer dual-band. Are your newer modules the I2CS version?

[Brian H]

If the X10 device was added with the A10/X10 add on module and you then transfered to an ISY controller with out the A10/X10 module. It is possible it was thought to be an Insteon address. I believe when the add on module put X10 devices in the My Lighting tree. It gets a pseudo Insteon Address.