Solved: I need help with 2413U and Vera3

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1

I am hoping to get some help with the configuration of a 2413U PLM and a Vera3.

I have enabled the Insteon interface in Setup and no errors are reported. Once enabled, the modem appears to be detected as port “/dev/ttyUSB1” is reported in More Options. This is in USB2; when it was in USB1, “/dev/ttyUSB0” was reported.

When I try to add devices, I hear the modem beep and the instructions in the Vera3 interface appear to state that I should now go to the other devices and press their respective “set” buttons. The PLM light blinks during this time. I have tried pressing only the other device buttons, and pressing those buttons followed by the PLM button, which then beeps twice. Needless to say, when I press the set buttons on a number of lamplincs that I purchased in my varying configurations, nothing appears to happen.

Reading some other posts here, it seems that some people have started with the modem being recognized as a device first. Although the port is reported and there appears to be communication with the modem, it is not reported as a device.

The PLM itself has no user manual, just a quick start guide. The lamplinc devices have extensive manuals but no discussion of linking to a modem. In the Altsteon post, I note that the first step is to link devices to the modem, but I can locate no instruction as to how to do this. Finally, while I understand that Altsteon is the way to go, I must clearly learn to walk before getting there.

Hoping someone can help by pointing me in the right direction.

TIA

2

Ok, I am writing this as much for my own benefit as for others. After looking at some of the other posts here, I seem to have this working. Here is what I did:

  1. I initially linked each of two lamplinc modules to the PLM by (a) pressing the set button on the lamplinc for three seconds, then (b) pressing the set button on the modem for three seconds (you then hear each beep in response at the same time). There is some chance that this step is not needed, as it is late and I am not sure that I actually did this for each of the two; possibly for only one.

  2. I went to Add Devices/Insteon.

  3. I pressed the set button on the dimmable module for three seconds, it beeped twice, and I turned it on (I am not sure that turning it on is needed). Here there is an expectation that the UI will report found devices when they occur, but it does not.

  4. I pressed Reload in the UI. Upon refresh, under devices, unassigned to a room, was the dimmable module with the slider.

3

You can also download the free Houselinc software.

http://www.smarthome.com/houselinc.html

Its PC only I’m afraid- and use that to link your devices. It gives you feedback on your insteon links- not only btwn your PLM and devices, but btwn other linked devices as well. You will need to hook your PLM up to your PC after downloading the PLM device drivers from a third party site.
Then you can reconnect it to your Vera.

4

Thanks for the recommendation. I have now become proficient at adding Insteon devices to my Vera3, however. I have found that adding them from the “Add Devices” link does not work. It only seems to work (for me) when going to Setup > Insteon Settings > Add an Insteon Device. This, despite the explicit Insteon subsection in Add Devices.

5

Ds514,

Thanks for your post. Did you ever find a good system for getting Vera to talk to your Insteon devices? I am having the same problem with some Insteon light switches.

6

I find them very reliable now. I had no luck adding them from the Add Devices link in UI5. I always add through Setup > Insteon Settings. From there, you get an audible signal and a Commad Sent dialogue when the PLM is set to accept a new device. You then go to your Insteon device and press its Set button for approximately 3 seconds until it and the PLM both double-beep. A minute or two after that, the device is fully configured.

7

Thanks for your reply. I have followed the steps you listed but I am unable to get good talk between my Vera3 and my Insteon Light switched. I have an Insteon dim-able switch which I can see in my Devices but when I click on or off the light does not respond.

I can also get a normal non dim-able switch to show up in my devices and I can turn it on but I cant turn it off. I have tried reinstalling each switch. Any ideas?

Thanks again!!

8

When I first started, I had just one Insteon device. I found its operation erratic and a bit unreliable. I later, against good judgement perhaps, installed a number of additional switches and plugin modules. After doing this, the first Insteon device became rock solid as was the rest of the network. As with z-wave devices, current Insteon devices act as repeaters, but over both powerline and RF.

Also, I do not have this problem, but I understand that some houses can have multiple phases of power. An Insteon device on one phase will not necessarily speak reliably to one on the other phase, although the RF component is supposed to help account for this. In these cases, Insteon has phase couplers that help multiple phases of powerline talk to each other. A first step would be to try to confirm how many phases you have. If multiple, then you would look to get the PLM onto the same phase as the switch(es). If that solves the issue, then a phase coupler or relocation of the PLM may be needed.

9

I installed a PLM yesterday, and got it to see my insteon Keypad Linc as 3 devices.

_Dimmer + Scene Controller
_Scene Controller
the on/off switch (for overhead)

But i’m not sure what to do next.

The switch, if it works at all from within MiOS is very delayed. I’m wondering if this is because i only have one Insteon device in my house (the Keypad)? (like what you saw)

the Dimmer+ Scene Controller doesn’t seem to allow me to configure really anything. I’m guessing that this is just the way Vera sees it as an integrated device, but you don’t do anything with it? true? should i hide it?

The Scene Controller does have a ‘scenes’ tab, but i have no idea how to associate it to an actual scene, as this is all that it displays, but no choices after each:

[i]Automatically turn on/off the scene indicator lights (with a checkbox that doesn’t seem to work)

Activate the following scenes when the buttons are turned on:

Activate the following scenes when the buttons are turned off:[/i]

In the Leviton i played with, this tab had drop down boxes for each button that allowed me to attach it to a scene i had created.

The room has 4 lamplinc x10 modules that i can get VeraLite to see, even if i enter the address. I’m happy to switch those out with xwave modules, but again have no idea how to create a scene that the Insteon Keypad will see.

I’m sure i’m doing something wrong here… and know it’s a lot of questions. so i really appreciate all the help. I posted this elsewhere, but haven’t heard back and i need to get this working before my wife shoots me! :wink:

10

Please do need to double post your question. It is considered rude here on the forum and will not get you an answer any faster.

  • Garrett
11

[quote=“garrettwp, post:10, topic:175134”]Please do need to double post your question. It is considered rude here on the forum and will not get you an answer any faster.

  • Garrett[/quote]

Sorry. as a newbie, sometimes i’m not sure i’m in the right section… especially if no one responds, as usually folks are pretty quick and helpful to.