Re: Insteon Test Report

["BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Range shouldn't be a problem as I can have the other unit plugged in
less than 20' away in the bedroom closet where the signal is fine.
Talking with Smarthome today, they said that as long as I have one
plugged into each leg I can have additional ones plugged into either leg
to create additional wireless bridges as required. Although only one is
fried, they are advance shipping a pair so I'll have 3 good ones to play
with for awhile (assuming no more duds!).

After doing the continuous signal test and seeing it successfully pass,
I was encouraged to continue testing. With NO RF repeaters plugged in
now I am controlling one wall switch and 2 appliance modules at 3
corners of the house.  They work equally well with both the controller
and the X10 Translator. Perhaps my ACT repeater is providing sufficient
coupling even without the RF repeaters.

As for the translator, it's the size of an appliance module with a USB
port that is not to be used by the customer - for Smarthome use only.
Don't know if that'll be part of the production run or not as mine is a
beta unit. Programming is done by pressing the set button for 10
seconds, then sending an X10 address 3 times (I used a MaxiController),
and then pressing the set button on the switch or module.  Worked fine
for all three first time.  I also found that you can program a module
more than once so that it will respond to more than one code.  I
programmed the translator with X10 code C9, then linked a module to it
so it would respond to C9. I then added O2 to the translator and linked
the same module again. Now, the translator will control the module when
it receives either C9 or O2 plus a command.  I can think of some
interesting applications for that.

As for timing, the translator seems to add no perceptible delay. While
direct controller to Insteon is a bit faster, the translator makes it no
slower than a normal X10 command.  This weekend (or maybe sooner) I'll
install 8 more switches/modules and start running some sequences to see
how the translator fairs when digesting a steady stream of signals.


From:Dave Houston
nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx

> OK. Thanks. I thought it sent continuously but just wanted to confirm
> that.
>
> Your idea of solving the bathroom problem with another RF link is
> valid but you may need two since the RF range isn't great.
>
> "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> The Signal Generator is the transmitter half of this:
>> https://www.smarthome.com/4810.html and sends a continuous stream of
>> P1-PON-P1-P OFF, like a Powerflash module in alarm mode.
>>
>> It's used with a companion Leviton (or any other) signal strength
>> meter for troubleshooting. The pair have been selling for over 20
>> years - which is when I got mine.
>>
>> As for the bathroom, I have tried unplugging everything - there's not
>> that much in a bathroom - to no avail. I did however, notice
>> something strange. To install the Insteon repeaters you plug one in
>> at a convenient outlet and press the button for 10 seconds to enter
>> setup mode. You then take the the other one and plug it in somewhere
>> else. If it blinks slowly or not at all, you're on the same leg and
>> you try other locations till you find one where it blinks fast
>> indicating you're on the other leg. I tried a bathroom outlet and it
>> blinked slowly but it was a dim/bright blink rather than an on/off
>> blink. It was a solid on/off everywhere else.
>>
>> The Insteon signals do appear to be immune to X10 though!.
>>
>>
>> From:Dave Houston
>> nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>>> I'm not familiar with the Leviton Signal Generator. Is it sending
>>> continuously? If so, I think Insteon noise immunity lives up to its
>>> rep.
>>>
>>> You must have a serious signal sink in or near that bathroom.
>>>
>>> I agree 100% about the controller. It's too big, has too few
>>> features and is just plain ugly. I don't think it is nearly as well
>>> thought out or will be as well thought of as the basic Insteon
>>> technology.
>>>
>>> As for the RF link failure, I suspect you just did their burn-in.
>>>
>>> "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Of course, I was so frustrated by the other stuff that I forgot to
>>>> do that test.  Here are the results:
>>>> I plugged one Insteon Appliance Module, one Insteon Tabletop
>>>> Controller, one Leviton X10 Signal Generator and one ELK ESM1 into
>>>> a basic powerstrip.  The Insteon module responded flawlessly to
>>>> every on and off command sent from the controller and the ESM1 did
>>>> indeed report it as noise by turning off the green light about 2
>>>> seconds after the Insteon signal was sent.  I then plugged the
>>>> controller into various outlets around the house and it worked
>>>> fine (except ,of course, from the infamous bathroom).
>>>> One thing nice about the controller is that it reports on whether
>>>> the signal got through. If it doesn't get a confirmation back from
>>>> the module within a few seconds the LED on the controller flashes
>>>> rapidly. The controller is a big (to me) bulky thing that only
>>>> controls 5 Insteon modules or module groups, however; if you flip
>>>> up the faceplate, the same buttons can control all 256 X10 codes!
>>>> I hope thay make a controller that will handle more Insteon
>>>> devices.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> From:Dave Houston
>>>> nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>
>>>>> You can still run the noise test I suggested. You don't need to
>>>>> bridge the phases. Just put the tabletop controller and an Insteon
>>>>> lamp module on the same phase and see if they can communicate
>>>>> while the line is flooded with X-10.
>>>>>
>>>>> "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes, the bathroom has GFI outlets but so do other rooms with no
>>>>>> problems.  Signals sent withIN the bathroom are strong but it's
>>>>>> almost like there's a signal blocker between the bathroom and the
>>>>>> rest of the house.
>>>>>> I figured I might solve the problem by moving one of the Insteon
>>>>>> RF lincs to the bathroom thereby bridging the bath to the rest
>>>>>> of the house via RF.  However, I was foiled in my attempt to
>>>>>> test that because one of the RF lincs is now dead after about 2
>>>>>> hours of use. Smarthome is advance shipping another pair which
>>>>>> will take another week to get here. So, until the new RF linc
>>>>>> arrives, all tests are off.
>>>>>> After blocking out the day to test this stuff I am, needless to
>>>>>> say, EXTREMELY frustrated.
>>>>>> I may spend the rest of the day doing some UPB testing instead.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> From:Dave Houston
>>>>>> nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Bruce,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Any X-10 meter (e.g. ESM1) should report the Insteon signal as
>>>>>>> noise. You can use it as a measure of signal strength.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is the bathroom outlet GFI?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I've run my first test with an Insteon ICON switch and
>>>>>>>> controller with disappointing results.  I installed the
>>>>>>>> repeaters per the instructions and one ICON In Wall On/Off
>>>>>>>> (2876S) switch that controls a porch light. I linked that
>>>>>>>> switch to an Insteon Tabletop Controller and verified that it
>>>>>>>> works from several outlets. The real test was to see if it
>>>>>>>> worked from my bathroom where I could never control the X10
>>>>>>>> switch that was in place prior to the Insteon.  I plugged the
>>>>>>>> controller in, pressed the button and... No Joy.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Next step is to call them and discuss the result to see if they
>>>>>>>> have any suggestions. Stay tuned.