Yet another Lutron RA2 topic

[linuxha]

I have a bunch of HA equipment in my home and none of it works! ;-) I've got X10, I've got Insteon, I've got a lot of other stuff. The problem I've been having (most) is Insteon and it's lack of quality. So my wife has tasked me with 'just making it work!' (not exactly those words). I've taken a notice to Lutron and I think I can get my HA software to talk to the Main Repeater. My concern is programming the switches to talk to the repeater. I haven't found anything that really says 'do this ...'. It seems it should be possible to have up to 50 devices (I've got less than 50) with sneaker-net programming. I'd like to know what those steps are. Can anyone help? Or do I have to have a pro come in and do this (probably not an option).

Thanks

 

[electron]

There are a few other threads on the forums which discuss how to obtain the software. That said, have you considered the ISY-99? That device is probably the biggest improvement you can make to your INSTEON network, has saved many INSTEON installs. Do keep us updated on your Lutron progress, RA2 looks VERY nice, would love to go that route myself.

 

[linuxha]

There are a few other threads on the forums which discuss how to obtain the software. That said, have you considered the ISY-99? That device is probably the biggest improvement you can make to your INSTEON network, has saved many INSTEON installs. Do keep us updated on your Lutron progress, RA2 looks VERY nice, would love to go that route myself.

The ISY99 won't help, the problems are with the quality of the hardware/firmware like the PLM (hangs too easily), the RF bridge (works in one direction not the other) and the devices (various problems). My wife can't stand the devices any more.

My intentions are to get a couple of RA2 switches and the Main repeater and test things out. But I can't figure out how to get the device ID information so I can communicate over the Ethernet. If I can find out that I can get the devices and start to play. For now I'm not spending any money on RA2. I'm not trying to get the software that programs the RA2 devices as that wouldn't be very useful for building my code.

Thanks

 

[hult]

I have a bunch of HA equipment in my home and none of it works! ;-) I've got X10, I've got Insteon, I've got a lot of other stuff. The problem I've been having (most) is Insteon and it's lack of quality. So my wife has tasked me with 'just making it work!' (not exactly those words). I've taken a notice to Lutron and I think I can get my HA software to talk to the Main Repeater. My concern is programming the switches to talk to the repeater. I haven't found anything that really says 'do this ...'. It seems it should be possible to have up to 50 devices (I've got less than 50) with sneaker-net programming. I'd like to know what those steps are. Can anyone help? Or do I have to have a pro come in and do this (probably not an option).

Thanks

Hi Neil, Long time no talk ;-)

Neil wrote: " I've got X10, I've got Insteon" That's the first problem. Migrate to INSTEON-only on the powerline if you haven't already. X-10 RF-only can coexist OK with INSTEON but not powerline.

Also see my other post ... Marc

 

[hult]

The ISY99 won't help, the problems are with the quality of the hardware/firmware like the PLM (hangs too easily), the RF bridge (works in one direction not the other) and the devices (various problems).

Neil, In my experience the RS-232 modem used by the ISY is does not hang ever. I dunno which you modem have but I have a pile of squirrely modems too. The ISY + RS232 modem is rock solid. It has run months without a glitch of any sort that I know of. Saved my INSTEON setup.

Write Univeral Devices (ISY ) asking for one on approval to revew.

Which INSTEON bridges do you have? Mine are solid and very fast.

My wife can't stand the devices any more.

Now there's a problem I'm familiar with. You can buy different color faceplates (he says ducking ;-)

More seriously, the stuff that is shipping now seems OK. I've swapped out that which wasn't mostly with Smarthome paying to fix it. What devices do you have that are bad? Warranties were extended for bad micro-switch problems.

If you really want solid, I have an extra 24-load Centralite hardwired panel that is excess to my needs.

HTH ... Marc

 

[linuxha]

The ISY99 won't help, the problems are with the quality of the hardware/firmware like the PLM (hangs too easily), the RF bridge (works in one direction not the other) and the devices (various problems).

Neil, In my experience the RS-232 modem used by the ISY is does not hang ever. I dunno which you modem have but I have a pile of squirrely modems too. The ISY + RS232 modem is rock solid. It has run months without a glitch of any sort that I know of. Saved my INSTEON setup.

Write Univeral Devices (ISY ) asking for one on approval to revew.

Which INSTEON bridges do you have? Mine are solid and very fast.

My wife can't stand the devices any more.

Now there's a problem I'm familiar with. You can buy different color faceplates (he says ducking ;-)

More seriously, the stuff that is shipping now seems OK. I've swapped out that which wasn't mostly with Smarthome paying to fix it. What devices do you have that are bad? Warranties were extended for bad micro-switch problems.

If you really want solid, I have an extra 24-load Centralite hardwired panel that is excess to my needs.

HTH ... Marc

Argh, lost my reply! Marc, it's good to hear from someone familiar! :angry:

So I'll start my post over. Basically I've had it with Insteon (and X10), the problems have been consistent, Insteon's response has not been very good (too little, too late). I'll keep what I have and replace it as necessary. I have the RF bridges without the external antenna which are only a few years old. The X10 has been relegated to holiday lights and an X10 controller near by to limit problems. Half the problems may be of my own doing as I have a pretty respectable lab (lots of network equipment) but that's not going anywhere. My friend has an ISY99 and it works well but the PLM hangs on his too (second one too). The ISY has been solid but Insteon's quality (PLC's, PLM, switches, modules, remotes) has been spotty. I'm adding a lot more IP devices (my sprinkler will be replaced by a AVR Raven (IPv6/LoPAN) set of boards. I can proudly say my network has been rock solid (IPv4 & IPv6).

I'm hoping I can better access to Lutron RA than Leviton's Z-Wave RS232 interface (basically control of devices but not monitoring with that interface). I know about the latest USB stick and the RS232 API. So that might be something to look into. But Lutron has a reputation for quality and the switches are not that expensive. The main repeater isn't cheap and I have a question of how do I access the RA2 devices without bringing in a certified installer (I want to grow this slowly).

Thanks for the offer on the Centralite, I think my wife would have issues with a hardwire remodel. Though it might be useful with my dollhouse project (http://www.ushomeautomation.com/Projects/DollHouse/DollHouse.html).

 

[hult]

Argh, lost my reply! Marc, it's good to hear from someone familiar!

So I'll start my post over. Basically I've had it with Insteon (and X10),
[snip]

... and so hijacking your 'Lutron' post probably isn't in order ;-)

I'm adding a lot more IP devices (my sprinkler will be replaced by a AVR Raven (IPv6/LoPAN) set of boards. I can proudly say my network has been rock solid (IPv4 & IPv6).

Can you tell us more about your Raven setup ( in another thread)? I searched Cocoontech for "raven" and found nothing but your reference. I can build/program AVR but have not delved into homebrew RF. The Atmel site would lead us to believe it will solve half the world's energy problems. But truly an 'easily' programmable device that might measure, compute, respond, control and communicate with any other point on earth -- all potentially using scavenged power --would indeed be a Very Good Thing.

I'm hoping I can better access to Lutron RA than Leviton's Z-Wave RS232 interface (basically control of devices but not monitoring with that interface). I know about the latest USB stick and the RS232 API. So that might be something to look into. But Lutron has a reputation for quality and the switches are not that expensive. The main repeater isn't cheap and I have a question of how do I access the RA2 devices without bringing in a certified installer (I want to grow this slowly).

No concerns about a heterogeneous ,entirely RF-based system? ( Zigbee, RA, etc)

Thanks for the offer on the Centralite, I think my wife would have issues with a hardwire remodel. Though it might be useful with my dollhouse project (http://www.ushomeautomation.com/Projects/DollHouse/DollHouse.html). B)

Yes. The panel would make a great base for the dollhouse to set on. And with up to 24 x 2400W --> 50KW lighting, it would really stand out!

 

[linuxha]

Okay so I've found out that it's not hard to program the RadioRA2 devices using Sneaker-net programming. Push a few buttons on the device and the main repeater and they are paired. So it looks like it's not too hard to talk to the main repeater through the RS232 or IP interface (straight ASCII according to the programming documents). So Lutron's RadioRA 2 looks like it might be a good protocol to look at. The initial investment of $500 for the main repeater (you must have a main repeater for this to work) is a budget problem but I'll work with the CFO (my wife) to see what we can work out.

I want to thanks all the folks that pointed me in the correct direction. Through this information I was able to find links on the Lutron site with the confirming information. I'll toss what I learn and find (public info only) here:

Lutron RadioRA 2 with Linux

Right now it's pretty much a place holder but I'll put more up there as I get it.

 

[electron]

How much are you guys paying for the switches? While 'affordable', they weren't that cheap afaik.

 

[linuxha]

Argh, lost my reply! Marc, it's good to hear from someone familiar! B)

So I'll start my post over. Basically I've had it with Insteon (and X10),
[snip]

... and so hijacking your 'Lutron' post probably isn't in order ;-)

Well not here ...

I'm adding a lot more IP devices (my sprinkler will be replaced by a AVR Raven (IPv6/LoPAN) set of boards. I can proudly say my network has been rock solid (IPv4 & IPv6).

Can you tell us more about your Raven setup ( in another thread)? I searched Cocoontech for "raven" and found nothing but your reference. I can build/program AVR but have not delved into homebrew RF. The Atmel site would lead us to believe it will solve half the world's energy problems. But truly an 'easily' programmable device that might measure, compute, respond, control and communicate with any other point on earth -- all potentially using scavenged power --would indeed be a Very Good Thing.

Really close here but I'll move the AVR discussion over to the Wire Closet and this new post.

I'm hoping I can better access to Lutron RA than Leviton's Z-Wave RS232 interface (basically control of devices but not monitoring with that interface). I know about the latest USB stick and the RS232 API. So that might be something to look into. But Lutron has a reputation for quality and the switches are not that expensive. The main repeater isn't cheap and I have a question of how do I access the RA2 devices without bringing in a certified installer (I want to grow this slowly).

No concerns about a heterogeneous ,entirely RF-based system? ( Zigbee, RA, etc)

Thanks for the offer on the Centralite, I think my wife would have issues with a hardwire remodel. Though it might be useful with my dollhouse project (http://www.ushomeautomation.com/Projects/DollHouse/DollHouse.html). B)

Yes. The panel would make a great base for the dollhouse to set on. And with up to 24 x 2400W --> 50KW lighting, it would really stand out!

Bingo! We have a winner!

Hmm, might be an air conditioning load problem but it would be real easy to see from the street (so the fire dept. won't have trouble finding it).

I wouldn't mind having a more heterogeneous system ... but that's not likely to happen! Let's face it I'm a home automation geek, I've got to play with the various systems. I'm hoping that RA2 becomes the stable protocol in the house to keep my wife happy but I'll still have one or two things that need software bubblegum and bailing wire (for now MisterHouse).

 

[linuxha]

How much are you guys paying for the switches? While 'affordable', they weren't that cheap afaik.

Dan I've seen around $50 while the module type were $100. I still need to double check that the $50 switches are indeed RadioRA2 switches (I'm pretty sure they are). And i they are half as reliable as they say Lutron normally are then they're still much better with the short span stuff I have been using.

 

[Fiasco]

How much are you guys paying for the switches? While 'affordable', they weren't that cheap afaik.

Dan I've seen around $50 while the module type were $100. I still need to double check that the $50 switches are indeed RadioRA2 switches (I'm pretty sure they are). And i they are half as reliable as they say Lutron normally are then they're still much better with the short span stuff I have been using.

Ra is very reliable. I have never had a service call on Lutron.

Ra switches are > 50

You can go to the ra main repeaters web server and get your integration id's for automation

 

[Herdfan]

It seems it should be possible to have up to 50 devices (I've got less than 50) with sneaker-net programming. I'd like to know what those steps are. Can anyone help? Or do I have to have a pro come in and do this (probably not an option).

Take a look here: http://www.radiora2.com/training.html Specifically the Setup Guide at the bottom of the page. It will walk you through sneaker-net programming.

There are a few other threads on the forums which discuss how to obtain the software.

Ooooh! Please tell.

 

[linuxha]

There are a few other threads on the forums which discuss how to obtain the software.

Ooooh! Please tell.

Just do a search on Lutron, basically, work with the installer and they'll give you the software (at least as far as I can recall).

Plus let me say that the search on this site is very good. I've worked with other sites where I'd enter a single search term and they'd fail to return recent posts I'd made that used the very same search term in the title.

 

[Herdfan]

Just do a search on Lutron, basically, work with the installer and they'll give you the software (at least as far as I can recall).

That wont work for me. I am trying to help out a business associate/friend. He has seen my HW Wireless system, wanted it in his new house, call the local Lutron Rep in this area and was talked into RA2. Turns out the guy that sold it to him has never really done a project of this size and is over his skis.

And he won't give my friend the software. So I told him I would try and get the software and help him fix his system. But by now all the devices (45 ish plus keypads and a Grafik QS) have been purchased.