| Author |
|
groston
Newbie
Joined: November 05 2007
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: June 10 2011 at 22:44 | IP Logged
|
|
|
I am a licensed user of PowerHome and have recently been having some problems.
Our system is quite simple: From Smarthome we purchased: 1 PowerLinc Controller - INSTEON USB Interface, 2 Access Points, 2 Icon On/Off switches, and 2 LampLincs. Our house has two floors and a basement. The computer, the PowerLinc, and one of the Access Points are in the basement, with the second Access Point on the first floor. The Icon switches are both installed on the first floor. There is one LampLinc on the first floor and one on the second. All of the controlled device are lights.
I am running PowerHome V2.1b on a Windows XP SP3 machine. I installed the service as the computer is a headless server.
In terms of how PowerHome is being used, it is very simple. I wrote two macros for each device – one to turn it on and one to turn it off. The three devices on the first floor are supposed to run every day, the one on the second floor is only used when we are away. (I simply keep the lamp plugged into the always-on outlet of the LampLinc, and should we leave, I plug it into the controlled outlet.)
The LampLinc on the second floor has never worked properly. While I could manually control it from PowerHome, in actual operation, it rarely manages to turn off the module. While this is an annoyance, I never really bothered to deal with it.
What has prompted this message is that the LampLinc on the first floor is now exhibiting this same behavior. When trying to dig into this, I ran into more problems:
• If I try launching PowerHome while the service is running, I get a window saying that the data source cannot be found.
• If I stop the service then run PowerHome, I get the following: SmartHome Device Manager ISRESPONDING command failed for Insteon PLC INSTEON CTLR. Attempting to restart controller...
I have been able to get PowerHome running, but it requires some combination of disabling the service, rebooting the computer, unplugging the PowerLinc, etc. Basically, it is very painful.
I also note that the devices controlled by the Icon switches continue to function properly. (Note: Since I first mailed this message to support@power-home.com, the situation has changed. The Icon switch-controlled devices have become flaky. Over the past several days, they have failed to turn on, or off, as they should.)
Can you please offer some suggestions for resolving these problems?
Thank you.
__________________
Gerald P. Roston
gerry (at) pairofdocs (dot) net
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
grif091
Super User
Joined: March 26 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1357
|
| Posted: June 11 2011 at 00:35 | IP Logged
|
|
|
From your post it sounds as though there has never been a reliable Insteon network. Some devices work, some do not, the LampLinc on the 2nd Floor has never been reliable.
First thing to consider is whether the Access Points passed the install test to verify they communicate with each other and are on opposite 120V legs.
The 2nd thing to consider is what is around the PLC and PC that could be absorbing powerline signals. Is there a UPS involved? Are there any FilterLincs installed to isolate the PC/UPS so that they do not absorb powerline signals.
The PLC (2412S or 2412U) is old technology. A PLM (2412 or 2413) is a better choice. I do not run PH2 as a service so I have no specific guidance except to say the it sounds like the Service is not releasing the SDM3 connection to the PLC which is interfering with the normal PH2 (non service) attempt to use the SDM3 interface.
Also the number of Insteon devices is minimal. Assuming the Access Points are correctly placed on opposite 120v legs it may be necessary to add another Access Point on the 2nd floor to gain reliable operation of the lone LampLinc on the 2nd floor.
There are other things that can be looked at. Certain cell phone chargers, flat screen TVs, some CFLs, some LED low voltage lights, the list goes on, can interfere with powerline communication. The diagnostic approach is to unplug (remove power) from these devices to see if communication improves. It is not enough just to turn them Off as the power supplies are the issue which can cause problems even when the device is turned Off.
__________________
Lee G
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
Active Topics 
Memberlist 
Search 
Help
Register 
Login
PowerHome Messageboard : PowerHome General
Topic: System not functioning properly
