PCS, creators of UPB, considering offering HAI OmniPro repair service, input needed!

[bluelake321]

Thanks.

I assume you were looking for the protocol used for the RS 485 bus used with the consoles, expansion Module and wireless receivers?

 

[dwalt]

I assume you were looking for the protocol used for the RS 485 bus used with the consoles, expansion Module and wireless receivers?

Yes...

 

[bluelake321]

Me too. I asked Leviton for the info now that they were discontinued and no response (as expected).

Am I missing any other devices that used this bus? Were there any aftermarket items that used it?
-33A00 Consoles
-17A01 Remote Zone Expander
-42A00 Wireless Receivers

 

[gmiller]

So this little bombshell dropped in my mailbox today. I quickly checked with Marshall, @mlester on the forums, and he confirmed the email. I highly recommend you post in this thread if you have any investment in the HAI ecosystem, and/or have detailed knowledge about this hardware. I removed the email address and phone number for obvious privacy reasons, but Marshall says he will monitor the thread, and if needed, I can share the details in private if you didn't receive this email.

PCS has been around for a long time, and have always been impressed with both customer service and hardware quality, so I do believe this would be a huge win for the many OmniPro users out there. See below for original announcement.

Hey there, i am a long time hai dealer with likely 100 systems out there. I have lots of parts, mostly good, but would like the option to have ones repaired if you get this on the ground. Add me to your list. tks

 

[SierraTech]

So this little bombshell dropped in my mailbox today. I quickly checked with Marshall, @mlester on the forums, and he confirmed the email. I highly recommend you post in this thread if you have any investment in the HAI ecosystem, and/or have detailed knowledge about this hardware. I removed the email address and phone number for obvious privacy reasons, but Marshall says he will monitor the thread, and if needed, I can share the details in private if you didn't receive this email.

PCS has been around for a long time, and have always been impressed with both customer service and hardware quality, so I do believe this would be a huge win for the many OmniPro users out there. See below for original announcement.

I have purchased several PCS UPB Receptacle Modules (15 AMP) the last three years (unfortunately I haven't had the spare time to install and implement). I have been a fan of the application notes they have on there website geared to PCS/OMNI II Integration.

I need to address the lack of Ethernet Connection issues OMNI II Pro has been exhibiting since I added DMZ Router (to reduce IP Flooding), but that too has taken a back seat to life in general. I will watch in interest.

 

[donger88]

Hi Marshall here.
To get this off the ground please send some bad HAI OMNI products to my attn at PCS. Main boards, consoles, expansion, etc.
If you know what doesn't work put a note on the part.
I will send you some PCS switches or SPR's in return. Tell me what you want/need.
To actually help the users I think we need a stock of working parts so HAI dealers can order a replacement with no turnaround time. Not just - we will repair your board.
If anyone out there has any schematics please email them to me.

Hello Marshall,
I'm not sure where you stand on equipment and schematics ,etc. I worked a gentlemen in my area (SC) who did a lot of engineering on the HAI product lines. He did a good bit of work on the HAI UPB devices. Tony Stewart (Stewart Electronics) has been in the HAI world since the beginning. I know he's retired now but I still keep in contact. Let me know how I could be of assistance.
Bryan

 

[gmiller]

Me too, dealer for years, have 100 systems out there . Would love somewhere to get boards worked on. Have a need for a hifi 2 board at the moment if anybody has one. Have no power at the keypads at all

 

[myyaz33]

Me too, dealer for years, have 100 systems out there . Would love somewhere to get boards worked on. Have a need for a hifi 2 board at the moment if anybody has one. Have no power at the keypads at all

Common issue on HIFI-2 is power supply. Check this vide out. Fairly easy to do

 

[leeleses]

Would LOVE support for the various boards & keypads! And the Snaplink Mobile APPs!

 

[Douglas]

Does anyone know if this actually happened? Repair of Omnipro 2 main controllers? Mine went on the blink a few days ago and I've done a little troubleshooting, I'm afraid it needs real repair. I did the RAM reset, I will try the eeprom reset next. If the controller can be repaired, I am interested. Thanks!

 

[electron]

The company is still in business, but I haven't been able to get a response from @mlester after I tried following up, so it's not looking promising, sorry

 

[leeleses]

Doug, I know this isn't super helpful, but don't totally give up on your Omni if you can help it. Sometimes you can find reasonable used boards on eBay. Or maybe someone here has or knows someone with a good used board. Or maybe you can find a good tech that can repair it. Maybe someone at PCS could and would help you? What are the symptoms / issue?

 

[Douglas]

Thanks for the responses, similar problem to others, ethernet port is intermittent, serial ports don't seem to do anything or it's not running any of the programmed code. I made a crossover ethernet cable, and direct PC to Omni pings are still lost (and high jitter rate). Unplugged ethernet, completely re-powered unit, still no serial action after 48 hours.

Picked up another controller on ebay, it just arrived today. Got the old one removed tonight and the new one mounted. Started the wiring but ran out of time. More work will be done on that tomorrow.

My next question for everyone is can I clone the old programming somehow. I don't mind manual reprogramming, but the switches are going to be a pain. If I recall correctly, PC Access will default the switch programming on addition to the OP2. My problem with that is all the post-OP2 switch customization, like bedroom closet switches with the LED off or switches set to operate in tandem.

If anyone knows how I can backup the old controller and restore it into the new controller, please let me know. And I am interested in having the old controller fixed.

 

[leeleses]

Doug,

A few short answers right now, I'm at work!

Who programmed the Omni-Pro board you have now? EVERY HAI OMNI panel has a unique "security stamp." See manuals, but if you don't know and can't find out from the original programmer, there will be NO way to download the panel.

To download the panel, you MUST have a working serial or ethernet port, preferably serial, I think. Must newer computers don't have an RS232 serial port, but there's a usb to serial converter.

Do you have and/or are you familiar with the dealer / installer software "PC Access?"

One of the FEW positive things Leviton did before they abandoned their HAI line was make PC Access available online FREE to anyone that might need it.

Other board members, do the serial ports need to be set right for omni access, perhaps using a keypad, and are there flashing leds near the serial ports to indicate activity?

Do you have the Omni Pro and/or Omni Pro II install and owners manuals? If not, they're available online as PDF's.

Do NOT get rid of the old board, if it's really defective there's somebody out the who knows how to fix it.

By switches, do you mean network / ethernet / internet switches and/or router / modem, or some kind of X10/PCS etc control switch?

MANY of these type of issues turn out to be issues with network / ethernet / internet switches and/or router / modem.

Can anyone else jump in here? I work 10pm-6am EST. LOL

Lee

 

[leeleses]

** CORRECTION -- THE PROGRAMMED IN INFOMATION EVERY HAI OMNI panel has a unique "security stamp."

I'm not sure, can someone remind me please? Even with the security stamp do you still need a previously "exported" file to use with PC access to restore the new panel?