Insteon 2414S PLC/M1XSP: Can't Go Into Linking Mode

[GraysonPeddie]

I tried holding down the SET button for 2414S, but it stays solid and doesn't blink. I also tried turning Light 256 on (Serial Expander format), but the PLC doesn't blink, and that the light in M1XSP doesn't blink 3 times for a second, and off for two seconds. So those two options rules out. I followed the instructions carefully to make sure I set the baud rate (111), mode (0011), JP3 to RS-232, and all colors matched as exactly as it should from the M1G's databus to M1XSP's databus connection, so that rules out. I don't think I have bent pins in the PLC, so that also rules out. M1XSP flashes normally and that it does blink when turning Light 1 (A1) on/off with no effect.

I tried to use Insteon Timer software (I did connect the PLC to my computer and that I'm running RC1 version of Windows Server 2008), but it froze upon "Please Wait..." So, it seems to me that SDM3 is not talking to my PLC through RS232 communication. So, I have strong bets that this will have the same effect as PowerHome, as holding the set button for 10 seconds and it stays solid will be useless to PowerHome (I will not install it right now, just to save the 30-day trial if need be).

If I have to send my PLC to SmartHome (it came with Elk M1 Gold, along with M1XSP, so I purchased it a half-week earlier), as an addition to PLC, RJ45-to-serial cable, and RJ45-to-RJ45 cable, do I really have to send the packaging to SmartHome for a replacement?

PLC firmware: 1.9 (don't know the revision number--maybe 2.13?)
M1G firmware: 4.5.4
M1G hardware: 0.11
M1G bootware: 3.3.2
M1XSP 1 firmware: 50.0.26
M1XSP 1 Hardware: 0.3
M1XSP 1 Bootware: 1.0.1

 

[aehusted]

I think I had the same problem when I got started. (documented here and here)

It turned out that even though the lights were not blinking like they were supposed to, devices were still getting linked. However, I ended up scrapping this system and just entering all the device addresses with the free tool from PowerHome. After working out some com port conflicts (stupid Palm software), this little utility worked like a charm. I also got mine in a package deal with the M1G, so perhaps there is something a little off about the batch they have in these packages?

I tried holding down the SET button for 2414S, but it stays solid and doesn't blink. I also tried turning Light 256 on (Serial Expander format), but the PLC doesn't blink, and that the light in M1XSP doesn't blink 3 times for a second, and off for two seconds. So those two options rules out. I followed the instructions carefully to make sure I set the baud rate (111), mode (0011), JP3 to RS-232, and all colors matched as exactly as it should from the M1G's databus to M1XSP's databus connection, so that rules out. I don't think I have bent pins in the PLC, so that also rules out. M1XSP flashes normally and that it does blink when turning Light 1 (A1) on/off with no effect.

 

[GraysonPeddie]

My M1XSP continues to flash normally, no matter what... It's not listening to my 2414S PLC, which is kind of like ignoring Insteon traffic...

 

[GraysonPeddie]

Okay, I'm not very happy with my 2414S PLC. In my laptop, since I have an RJ11 modem port, I connect it to my PLC and I set the port to COM3 (my modem) and SmartLabs Device Manager connects to my PLC just fine; HOWEVER, when I check for a response from PLC, I get "isResponding=false," which, even though the light shows up as solid, I got a feeling that my PLC is "dead."

So even the ones that came with the PLC (RJ11-RJ11 and serial-RJ11), do I have to return the cardboard and quick-start guide back to SmartHome when I call them about my 2414S not responding?



Note that I can try a serial port, but the same thing will happen. No response from PLC, and with PowerHome, I can't be able to download TimerCoreApp to PLC. No progress going on through my RJ11-RJ11 cable.

 

[WayneW]

In my laptop, since I have an RJ11 modem port, I connect it to my PLC and I set the port to COM3 (my modem) and SmartLabs Device Manager connects to my PLC just fine; HOWEVER, when I check for a response from PLC, I get "isResponding=false," which, even though the light shows up as solid, I got a feeling that my PLC is "dead."

Is it a serial RJ11 port or a modem RJ11 port? Modem ports are usually RJ and serial ports are usually DB9 or DB25. They are NOT interchangeable. If it is a modem port, it is meant to connect to a phone line directly and will NOT work with any serial devices such as a PLC.

 

[GraysonPeddie]

Yeah, serial is DB9 (I know that...).

However, I am able to use my modem to connect to my PLC. It doesn't need a dial tone to connect to my PLC; it just acts as a "serial port" even though it's not.

Like I said before, I am able to connect through my modem via SmartLabs Device Manager (and application, such as PowerHome) as COM3.

 

[BLH]

It is still a phone signal type connection even if Dial Tone is not needed. It does not have the needed serial signals on it. That connector will not work to connect to the 2414S. Unless your connector is very different and also has serial type signals on it and that I doubt tremendously.
Also remember SDM3 defaults to USB4 and the first time used for serial. The port has to be changed to the COMM Port you have. I use Ken Miller's SetSHPort program to do mine though you can directly through SDM3.
http://www.kenmill.net/PublicInsteon/index.html

Also if you are using the RJ45 [8 pin] to RJ25 [6] pin cable in the 2414S box. It is useless and I do not know why Smarthome added it to the box. Pins 1 and 8 are the serial signals on the RJ45 side and are not even in the RJ25 side at all and the ones in the center are No Connection for a 2414S . It looks like the one for the older 1132B cables; that also could double as an X10 TW523. Be careful with that cable the +12 volts is on one of the pins and can damage things like a telephone type connector like on your modem connector.

 

[WayneW]

Yeah, serial is DB9 (I know that...).

However, I am able to use my modem to connect to my PLC. It doesn't need a dial tone to connect to my PLC; it just acts as a "serial port" even though it's not.

Like I said before, I am able to connect through my modem via SmartLabs Device Manager (and application, such as PowerHome) as COM3.

I seriously doubt that you are "connecting" as the signals are radially different. You are lucky that you didn't damage anything. All you are avoiding is a serial-port-in-use error. What makes you think it is "connecting" since you don't see bi-directional data flow?

Use the other cable with the RJ end into the PLC and the DB9 into a true serial port.

 

[WayneW]

Also if you are using the RJ45 [8 pin] to RJ25 [6] pin cable in the 2414S box. It is useless and I do not know why Smarthome added it to the box.

I assume that SmartHome included the RJ cable for future use with hardware panels, not with PCs. Of course, I don't know of any hardware panels that support a direct connection to the PLC, so it appears to be useless. Elk uses an XSP to convert to serial DB9, so Elk doesn't use the RJ cable. Are there any other hardware panels that support Insteon? I don't think JDS or HAI or any of the DSC/Caddx panels do.

 

[GraysonPeddie]

Okay... My laptop doesn't have a serial port... Never mind!!

I'm going to order another 2414S PLC, as my M1XSP didn't seem to communicate with my PLC. Even if connected and followed instructions just as my M1XSP manual tells me to do, as the LED in M1XSP is not flashing 3 times and off for two seconds.

Update: I tried to get SDM3 to communicate with my 2414S PLC (using Windows Server 2008) and it worked, so I'm going to try PowerHome to see if I can download TimerCoreApp to PLC. You're right about the RJ11-RJ11 not communicating to my PLC from my laptop even though SDM3 found my PLC but then the response is false.

Update2:
OK, even with my DB9->RJ11 cable is connected and that SDM3 reported that it's getting response from my PLM, I used PowerHome to download TimerCoreApp to PLC. No progress! Then, I tried to do an auto-discover. I linked a LampLinc and it's not working either. I tried manually set the PLC into linking mode by holding the set buton for 10 seconds. No effect!