Insteon Developments

[wuench]

I had hoped to see extended messages working by now. But no dice. The conformance doc seems to require it. But the signallincs and switches need new firmware for it to work. I almost wonder if SH slipped it into the 2.7 firmware and are planning on replacing the signallincs with the new receiver used for the remote shown at CES.

As far as software, the CQC plugin is working great for me. Jonathan wrapped the SDM in a socket service and has avoided a lot of the complications by focusing on control instead of link management. I think it's a great strategy.

There is no need to keep recreating the link management wheel in HS, CQC, Powerhome, Group Commander, Houselinc, etc. IMHO. It is really difficult given the tools and (lack of) support from SH. And all we hear is crickets on the developer's forum these days...

 

[SmarthomeJohn]

Despite what you may have heard, the PLM is unfortunately not any faster than the PLC. It's every bit as slow. I know, because I have worked with 2 different revisions of the PLM. You actually have to add a 10 ms delay between each byte you send the PLM, or transmission will fail. It's really annoying as a software developer to have to implement software flow control to only send 1 byte of data every 10 ms, but that's the limitation we are given with the PLM.

The requirement of a 10ms delay between bytes has been eliminated for the released product.

While some may find it hard to believe, we listened to the feedback of our development partners and adapted the code to accept an entire standard and extended message via the serial port.

SJ

 

[SmarthomeJohn]

I was told in the SDK Forums. That the PLM was not going to be sold to the general public only developers and if I want one call my Salesman.

The PLM with a serial interface should be shipping in the next week or two.

Part #2412S will be available to everyone. We do have a version of the PLM without a daughter card that is reserved for partners who will be adding their own boards. SimpleHomeNet's products are an example.

SJ

 

[SmarthomeJohn]

I had hoped to see extended messages working by now.

Yes dice. Extended messages are enabled in the PLM's firmware. For development partners here who received samples of the PLM, this feature was enabled beginning with Firm 2.5

Contact me (at SmartLabs) or your SmartLabs business development contact on Monday if you need an update to continue your development efforts.

SJ

 

[Digger]

Part #2412S will be available to everyone

Cool........ and Finally we are hearing what is going on.

Thanks for the info!!!!!!!

 

[BLH]

Well that is good news. I was told in the SDK [maybe a week ago] that it was not going to be sold to end users. Also that means my Simplehomenet unit is most likely NOT a PLM but is a 2414S with some replacement coreapp

 

[wuench]

Thanks for the news John, we really appreciate you taking the time to give us an update. That truly is great news.

 

[RandyKnight]

Thanks to all for your input. I'll put all my responses to questions in this post so I don't litter the thread.


ChrisWalker: What I didn't like about ZWave was the interoperability issues that were very apparent between vendors. They tout it as interoperable / multi-vendor but everyone you talk to has their own command set that doesn't work with the others, etc. Also, the presentations at EHX were marketing heavy and engineering light. Not a confidence builder. Lastly, I didn't see any devices I liked. The Vizia stuff was the closest but I dislike the rockers. I like the real rocker motion of switches like Insteon and UPB.

KenM:
Hadn't heard that particular Insteon issue. Not too worried about it for a few reasons. First, as you said, I live here so it's not like I'd be leaving lights on if that did indeed occur. Second, I have whole house surge suppression installed. Third, this will be a true automated home, with the Insteon tied to an Elk M1, motion sensors controlling lighting everywhere (with accompanying timeouts based on time of day with lack of motion, etc.) So even if that did happen while on vacation, etc. the Elk should fix it for me.

az1234: I'll check out the CES thread. Thanks.


MadCodger: I got v3.1 of the dimmers and v2.2 of the relays which I believe are the latest revs.

The PLM sounds very interesting. Any word from Elk regarding using the PLM with the M1 instead of the PLC? Seems like it would make sense, at least for their next iteration of Insteon support.

Anyway, I picked up the devices at AO yesterday. 105 dimmers, 30 relays, and 10 KPL's. So I guess you could say I'm "all in" with Insteon now. As I said, I have about 40 devices in my current home and have not had any issues after about a year. The bottom line for us was that while Insteon may be a little harder to work with from an HA standpoint (link managment, etc.), we like the user experience much better, which is the bottom line. And with PowerHome, link management is pretty easy now (and I haven't fired it up in about 3 months so for all I know there is a new rev.)

No I just need to get the wife to decide if the white paddles are okay or if she wants ivory or almond color change kits. Not looking forward to switching out 135 paddles so hopefully the white are okay.

Next up after the electrician gets those suckers in is the M1 install. Which will be another trip to AO for more Elk parts I'm sure.

 

[Digger]

In my opinion the larger the installation the better the Insteon will work (in theroy at least). With that many devices I doubt you will have to many problems with signal strength etc.

You also look like you will be using very few CFL's which seem to be a problem for Insteon in my experience.

 

[RandyKnight]

In my opinion the larger the installation the better the Insteon will work (in theroy at least). With that many devices I doubt you will have to many problems with signal strength etc.

You also look like you will be using very few CFL's which seem to be a problem for Insteon in my experience.

Correct on the CFL's. In fact, most of the relays are for Ceiling Fans.

 

[KenM]

Randy,

It sounds like you are on your way. I had a 22 switch INSTEON system installed for over six months and it worked well for me, with the exception of the V2 appliancelinc. I just wanted to make you aware of things that could happen.

Keep tabs on the message boards in case something needs a firmware upgrade. I have been through several iterations of that. Smarthome will not notify you of a firmware upgrade for your devices, you need to find that out for yourself. Part of the reason I am now Z-Wave.

ken

 

[gregoryx]

Randy, it's a little thing, but something might be worth mentioning to the electrician: though I'm very happy with the functional aspects of my 50+ Insteon bits, the failure rates are very high. I always keep spares and swap them in the walls immediately on failure, then with SH when I get a chance. They seem to fail more at first install but also fail later - and fail more when electricity is being turned off and on (as during other installs). I only point it out so that if you see it you (and the electrician) take it in stride and perhaps plan appropriately WRT extras and any shipping time required.

 

[RandyKnight]

Randy, it's a little thing, but something might be worth mentioning to the electrician: though I'm very happy with the functional aspects of my 50+ Insteon bits, the failure rates are very high. I always keep spares and swap them in the walls immediately on failure, then with SH when I get a chance. They seem to fail more at first install but also fail later - and fail more when electricity is being turned off and on (as during other installs). I only point it out so that if you see it you (and the electrician) take it in stride and perhaps plan appropriately WRT extras and any shipping time required.

I've heard this from serveral people, but in my current hous I've had about 40 switches in place for about a year and haven't lost one yet. Maybe I've just been lucky?

 

[gregoryx]

Maybe I just have bad power. Maybe I just need some of your luck. Hope all goes well!

 

[Waynedb]

Randy, it's a little thing, but something might be worth mentioning to the electrician: though I'm very happy with the functional aspects of my 50+ Insteon bits, the failure rates are very high. I always keep spares and swap them in the walls immediately on failure, then with SH when I get a chance. They seem to fail more at first install but also fail later - and fail more when electricity is being turned off and on (as during other installs). I only point it out so that if you see it you (and the electrician) take it in stride and perhaps plan appropriately WRT extras and any shipping time required.

I've heard this from serveral people, but in my current hous I've had about 40 switches in place for about a year and haven't lost one yet. Maybe I've just been lucky?

I have not lost any Insteon switchess in over a year either.