Omnistat2 to HAI OPII (current FW)

[pete_c]

Its been a bit since I switched over to utilizing the Omnistat2. I haven't really had any major issues with the switchover from the RC-80.

Today I noticed something which I cannot figure out. I never saw this happening with the RC-80.

If I raise or lower the temperature of the thermostat via either a key panel or touch screen the temperature always bounces back to the original setting. If I raise the temperature and "hold" it then it stays. I tried the same on the thermostat and up the thermostat temperature and it stays. Checking the touchscreens after I did this shows the new temperature setting.

I'm guessing that the remote jumper is correctly in place cuz I can do "other" stuff to the thermostats via the keypads or touchscreens.

I looked at the configuration and noticed the communications to the HAI Panel is set for 9600 baud. I can go on PC access and see the thermostat just fine along with the thermostat functions.

As a test I went to PC Access and set the heat setpoint from the existing 68 degrees to 72 degrees. I waited a few seconds and watched it go back to 68 degrees. I also tried the increasing the temperature and using hold and it worked just fine remaining at the "hold" temperature.

Wondering what I am doing wrong or what is up with my configuration?

 

[pete_c]

Today my wife was complaining about setting the Omnistat2 thermostat via one of the Omnitouch screens and watching the temperature reset itself 5-10 degrees higher that what she set it for.

I kind of told her in around about way it was her fault and started to do some debugging as my wife set the thermostat to 65 and by itself it decided that 75 was a better temperature.

Note I purchased said thermostat way before I decided to install it...IE: think it sat for two years or so....and I installed it last year sometime.

This is what I did.

1 - disconnected the serial interface from Homeseer to just take Homeseer out of the picture.
2 - I went to any (5.7" or 3.5") Omnitouch and set the temperature to 65. I watched a bit and it reset itself to 75 degrees.
3 - I went to the thermostat and set it to 65. It stayed. I then went to just look at the Omnistat Thermostat piece and watched it go back to 75 degrees.

I then decided to pull the thermostat and look at it; looking to remove the "remote jumper". I found no remote com jumper labeled J8 on the board. I only see one jumper on the other side of the board below one of the relays. (I attached a picture).

My choices now though are to downgrade back to the legacy RC-80 thermostat or disconnect the Omnistat from the OPII panel; now due to WAF. Easier now just to disconnect it from the OPII panel.

The Omnistat2 is labeled:

Model RC-1000
Version 1.02C

Here is a picture of it.

Can I send it in for repairs or replacement? It's not working correctly.

Why isn't there a remote com jumper on it?

 

[pete_c]

Plugged the Omnistat2 back in.

Keypads, Omnitouch screens and PCAccess screens show the thermostat set to 68.

The thermostat itself indicates a setting of 62.

Which is right?

 

[edselrt]

Plugged the Omnistat2 back in.

Keypads, Omnitouch screens and PCAccess screens show the thermostat set to 68.

The thermostat itself indicates a setting of 62.

Which is right?

My firmware is 1.03D. Maybe that's a firmware issue. Try calling HAI tech support maybe they will replace it.

 

[js19707]

My firmware is 1.03D. Maybe that's a firmware issue. Try calling HAI tech support maybe they will replace it.

I called HAI tech support last week w/ a thermostat issue (RC-2000) and because I was on firmware 1.01C they gave me an RA # to send it in and get the firmware updated. They were very nice about it, I'd suggest giving them a call. Unfortunately, I don't have an extra thermostat lying around and they don't do advance replacements so I'll need to work out an interim thermostat solution while my omnistat2 is out getting updated

come to think of it, I've been seeing a lot of posts about omnistat2 issues lately; don't remember seeing this with the earlier omnistat line or other (e.g. aprilaire, RCS) brands.

 

[pete_c]

Thank you for the suggestions. Will give them a call tomorrow.

Its odd that I didn't notice any issues with it this past winter (no WAF). The only changes have been the latest FW upgrade to the OPII panel. I didn't have any issues with the RC-80 for about 5-6 years. Early in the installation installed an autonomous RC-80 power supply.

 

[pete_c]

Did some testing today of the Omnistat2 over the phone and validated disfunction. Sending it in for repairs. Wiring up RC-80 temporarily.

 

[pete_c]

Taking my time (60 minutes)rewiring for reconnecting the RC-80. It is working fine with my keypads and touchscreens now.

A quick step by step if you need to do this:

1 - Shut off HVAC (breakers or switch)
2 - Disconnect or unplug secondary power supply (if you are using one)
3 - Disconnect ouput connection on the OPII (pin 8 or green wire on com to thermostat).
4 - Wire up thermostat as in RC-80 installation document.

 

[pete_c]

Received the replacement thermostat. This one acted differently in that the ambient temperature did not show up on the Keypads or HAI Omnitouch screens initially. Watching it a while and after an hour the temperature would show up intermittently; than after about 24 hours the temperature would remain more in the display. None the less testing this one again with HAI telephone support proved that I had a second one with problems.

The next Omnistat2 was shipped immediately by HAI. Upon recieving it I plugged it in and all was well. The new firmware on this one shows Zigbee configurations; although I don't believe it has the hardware for Zigbee. It is now working fine with the HAI OPII / Keypads / Touchscreens.

I requested that a return shipping label be provided for the return of the second one. It was not. I called regarding said return label; initially response was that HAI RA policy doesn't include supplying a return label. I said I understood and it wasn't an issue with the first RA but it was with the second RA. I was told to speak to a "salesperson"; said salesperson did not return my call regarding RA return label.

I didn't wait and shipped the second defective thermostat back at my cost. I am pleased now that I have a working Omnistat; but not pleased with the customer service relating to not providing a return label with the second defective Omnistat.

Thinking though of giving Zigbee a try anyways; I still have two serial ports free on my OPII; so may be purchasing a Zigbee interface; most likely this would work better in FL than the Omnistat2 that I purchased for there.

 

[pete_c]

Looks like the newest thermostat is acting up again. Appears to be some weird communications issue. I can look at touch screen and it'll show the thermostat temperature for 15 minutes just fine. I then look at it again and it shows zero. It continues to flick back and forth as if its having some comm issue. None of the other features show signs of comm problems though. If I turn on the fan or the the heat or change the temperature all appears just fine to the TS.

I'm puzzled considering the previous Omnistat never showed any signs of any issues until recently and now I am on my third one with problems.

 

[pete_c]

Today the thermostat is acting normal and I see the ambient temperature updating fine on the Touchscreens. I can only think that I had the heat off and turned it on again yesterday being the only difference. I noticed a similiar "thing" with the Omnistat2 that I returned before I got this one. It seemed to take hours for PCA/TS's to get a stable ambient temperature reading from the thermostat and initial power on. I've never seen these type of issues with the RC80 thermostats.

Its odd; like as if the base thermostat CPU cannot keep up with a change and appears that it does something to the serial communication port?

Looking for a suggestion now...

I used Cat5e for the serial communications for the thermostat (50 feet or so). I have the RX, TX and Ground running on separate pairs. (3 pairs). Should I split the pairs? (I don't even know why I'm bringing this up considering the RC80 worked fine for 6 years with the same Cat5e cable)

 

[pete_c]

Had a power failure today and the thermostat reset itself to defaults.

 

[pete_c]

Today the temperature went up in the home to the upper 70's. I did not turn on the air yet. The outside temp for the HAI sensor went to the 90's.

The Omnistat2 display looks fine. All the keypads, Omnitouch screens and PCA show the thermostat ambient temperature at 0 (zero degrees).

This is kind of making me want to re-install the RC-80.

 

[pete_c]

Turned the AC on and the ambient temperature fluctuated from 0 to actual temperature for a day. The AC has been on now for two days and the thermostat remote ambient temperature view is normal again.

Another issue cropped up. This seems to have happened concurrently with the thermostat thing.

The same day I turned on the AC I noticed that my outdoor lights didn't come on.

I looked at the panel with PCA and the time was off by approximately one hour. I reset the time.

Today; two days later I noticed that my lights again didn't go on. I looked at the panel with PCA and noticed that the time is off by about 45 minutes.

 

[RArbour]

Pete_C,
I am sorry to hear about your troubles with your new thermostats. After reviewing the topic it would seem that you may have either a communication or a power problem.

Please confirm the following (I know some of these you have already checked, but still want to go through the list):
1) If you have multiple thermostats, verify none are setup with the same address.
2) The Omnistat2 requires more power than the RC80. Do you have a common connected to the thermostat? Verify this is indeed a true common or install a thermostat Power supply module if a true common is too cumbersome.
3) You mentioned that you did not see a jumper on the thermostat for communication (only on some models). Please verify there is a jumper on the back plate that goes from N/C to Black.
4) Verify all connections to the back plate are connected well. Look at the jumper on the back plate that goes from N/C to Black. Sometimes the way the jumper and wire fits, they are not making good contact.


Ryan