Re: Insteon - WOW

Regarding the light that will turn on, but not off. This could be powerline
interference from the light itself and it might need a filter.

Despite some of the great things about Insteon, it can still suceptible to
powerline interference like X10. I have one device in my house (Tilia
Foodsaver) that when plugged in will almost completely kill Insteon
throughout the entire house (just has to be plugged in, not even running)..

Secondly, you mention two SignalLincs, but you didn't say if they were on
separate power phases (fast blink vs. slow blink on the test mode as
described in the instructions) (something to check, the panel they are on
doesn't matter, it is the power phase that matters). As someone else
mentioned, additional SignaLincs are great because you can add them
anywhere.

Also, it has been reported that Insteon needs a certain number of devices to
reach critical mass. I found that in my house, with a few devices it was
100% reliable, then as I added more devices it got less reliable (probably
the powerline two way signal sucking problem), but as I added even more
devices it got reliable again.

Also, on the software side, most of the software I've seen is only beta
quality. Even the best (PowerHome) has problems (many due to SmartHome's
Device Manager software). But, it's getting better. :)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mitch" <sumcoolgai@xxxxxxxxx>
Newsgroups: comp.home.automation
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 4:08 PM
Subject: Re: Insteon - WOW


OK...We've bumped into two reliability problems:

1. A light far from the powerlinc interface won't turn off on a
consistent basis
2. None of the lights went off on Friday night as they were
programmed.

The front door light is the furthest geographically and probably
electrically from the Mac controlling the lights. Interestingly, it
reliably goes on when programmed, but not always off. Other lights
don't have this problem.

Also, Friday night, none of the lights went off as programmed.

So, my hypotheses are:

1. The front door issue is a signal strength problem.

The Signalinc's were both on circuits that are off of the same subpanel
as the Powerlinc. I moved the signalincs to circuits that are off the
main electrical panel and physically closer to the front door light
switch.

2. The Friday night issue was a "software glitch". I am having my
friend reboot the mac every now and then to see if the software just
lost its mind.

We'll see what happens.

If anyone else has some good ideas, please let me know.

Thanks,

Mitch

Other background: about 20 icon and insteon switches plus 2 signalincs,
1 powerlinc and 1 insteon tabletop controller with Indigo software on a
Mac. No X10 devices in the house. 2.4 GHz devices include phones and
wireless LAN. No other RF or powerline stuff I'm aware of.




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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Insteon - WOW
    ... interference from the light itself and it might need a filter. ... powerline interference like X10. ... Foodsaver) that when plugged in will almost completely kill Insteon ... (and to BruceR for his input re: using multiple Signalincs -- both great inputs) ...
    (comp.home.automation)
  • Re: Why cling to old X10?
    ... The second paper has a section titled "INSTEON Is a Dual Mesh Network" ... each other using the INSTEON Powerline protocol. ... Each device repeats the powerline signal but not as "through the air" RF, ... later just to get some RF action going with the SignalLinc ...
    (comp.home.automation)
  • Re: Insteon Compatability with X-10
    ... is in Australia, and if the guy really is in Australia he's probably ... Ademco/Honeywell and INSTEON, and here I am;) ... translator, sending an Insteon signal in response to an X-10 input - you'll ... on the powerline so the best method of translation is to do it at a higher ...
    (comp.home.automation)
  • Re: Why cling to old X10?
    ... I have no filters in the house and no SignalLinc in ... The second paper has a section titled "INSTEON Is a Dual Mesh Network" ... each other using the INSTEON Powerline protocol. ... Each device repeats the powerline signal but not as "through the air" RF, ...
    (comp.home.automation)
  • Re: Why cling to old X10?
    ... I have no filters in the house and no SignalLinc in ... The second paper has a section titled "INSTEON Is a Dual Mesh Network" ... each other using the INSTEON Powerline protocol. ... Each device repeats the powerline signal but not as "through the air" RF, ...
    (comp.home.automation)
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