wArch Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 A while ago I received, from Smarthome, a replacement Insteon adapter for my Venstar T1800 thermostat. I was having no issues at all with the existing adapter but attempted to follow the directions I was sent and install the replacement. I tried following the scant directions but it didn't work. Since I had no problems I reinstalled the original adapter and all was good, until recently that is. Last night I removed the old adapter from my network and attempted to link the new adapter. I tried adding a "New Insteon Device" by inputting the address and that shows the ISY trying to connect then, nothing. I have tried linking the adapter using the "Start Linking" button and after a while I get this notification box: Failed Communicating With Cannot Communicate With 14.23.E4 - Main (14 23 E4 1). Please check connections. Fortunately the thermostat is working fine, it was 14 degrees outside this morning, and all other aspects of the ISY work perfectly. I looked all through the forum but didn't see a situation similar to mine so I'm writing in for help. Since the ISY picked up the address some communication is occurring, just not enough to work. I read somewhere about unplugging "baby cams" and I have those and tried that also, to no avail. Recently I installed a new dual band wireless router and I wonder if that might be some of the issue; some type of interference? Also, I do not own any other RF devices and therefore cannot test that the location still works for RF connections. However, the thermostat has worked at that location with the Dual Band PLM in it's location for over 2 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
LeeG Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 It is likely the RF reception pattern over two years has changed. The old adaptor probably stopped working for the same reason the new one cannot be added. The wireless router should not be on the same RF frequency. No way to determine how well RF is working when the PLM is the only Dual Band device. If you run Tools | Diagnostics | Event Viewer with LEVEL 3, use New INSTEON Device entering Insteon Address, Name of choice, with Device Type set to default Auto Discover, post the trace. It will show what commands are having difficulty. Be sure the thermostat is Off when adding it to the ISY.
oberkc Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 Also, I do not own any other RF devices and therefore cannot test that the location still works for RF connections. However, the thermostat has worked at that location with the Dual Band PLM in it's location for over 2 years. I am a little confused when you say that you don't own any other RF devices, yet you state you own a dual-band PLM. I have sometimes experienced cases where I could bring RF devices closer together when I need to add (link) them to the ISY, then find that they work fine when farther apart. I don't own the venstar thermostat, but is there any chance you can temporarily move this and the PLM in closer proximity to each other when adding the adapter to the ISY, then see how they work when in their permanent locations? Regarding the lack of dual band devices...are you not concerned about communication between the legs of your electrical system? If not via RF, how do you accomplish this? Do you have a hardwired coupler?
wArch Posted January 31, 2013 Author Posted January 31, 2013 For a short time my communication problem seemed to be solved. I bought and installed a dual band access point very near my thermostat and got it up and running fine. When I purchased the access point I also purchased a few new Insteon SwitchLinc Dimmers. While trying to link these to my ISY I was successful with one and had a communication failure with the other. Then I had a complete communication failure where the ISY would not recognize the PLM at all. Apparently the PLM was dead so I ordered a new one from SmartHome on Jan 21st. I was told they were backordered until Jan 31st, today. Having not heard anything from SmartHome about their shipping of my PLM I checked the order online. They are now backordered until Feb 28th and Smarthome, so far, has been unable to say what the holdup is. I really like my ISY controller, when all is working, and am now looking into what other equipment I could acquire to connect to my power line. Does anyone have any ideas? What I have is a dead Serial PowerLinc Modem #2413S and I have the exact same thing on backorder. It should also be noted that after searching the web, these PLM's are backordered everywhere and not even available used on ebay.
Michel Kohanim Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 Hello wArch, I wished we could help alas this is totally out of our hands. With kind regards, Michel
Brian H Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 I have seen Smarthome give real long lead times when devices are out of stock. Maybe a CYA thing. Anyway this morning it is showing the 2413S PLM in stock. http://www.smarthome.com/2413S/PowerLin ... and/p.aspx If the 2413S that died is less than two years old. You should have been able to get a warranty exchange for the defective one.
wArch Posted February 1, 2013 Author Posted February 1, 2013 Brian, SmartHome always shows this PLM "In Stock". So do MobiLinc and Amazon. It isn't until you order the item from SmartHome, get an order confirmation and finally get a shipping confirmation that they show it backordered. Really poor business practice on their part if you ask me. They also say they'll notify you of a delay but they don't. My old PLM died a couple months past warranty. Isn't that the way things usually die. Since I'm stuck using a SmartHome PLM I'll get a backup unit once I get the one I've already ordered. Way to much money in the Insteon system and ISY to drop it now. I'll just wait this out. Nothing else I can do anyway. "Smart" is not looking so smart now.
Michel Kohanim Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 Hi wArch, If you don't mind, would you please forward me the email with back order information? I am going to contact our SH rep and see what's going on. My email: tech@universal-devices.com ... you can wipe out your personal information if you wish. Thanks in advance and with kind regards, Michel
Brian H Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 Well then it sounds like Smarthome has changed things. In the past if an item was out of stock. They told you and gave an estimated ship date on the web sales page. If they in fact show in stock on the web sales page and then send a back order notice. They are sinking in to the land of X10 Inc. BS.
LeeG Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 I checked the sales page when the OP originally did the post about the PLM being Out of Stock. It did show the Serial PLM version as Out of Stock, with an estimated availability of late Feb. I also checked again when BLH noted it was now showing In Stock.
johnnyt Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 I would suggest adding a 2nd PLM to your order so you have a spare on hand. It's such an important part of the equation. Also just before the 2 yr warranty expires, call and tell them you need the latest firmware to work with the latest devices coming out. I got both of them replaced last fall for the cost of shipping the old ones back. Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
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