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    #16
    Originally posted by mnsandler View Post


    I believe everyone's mileage varies here. I have very clean, reliable power. I've never lost a PLM in the 10+ years I've been using Insteon. My original 2412S still works (however i have upgraded to a newer 2413S to get dual-band). Dirty power will take its toll on everything. the Insteon hub is a good alternative, and seems to be very reliable.
    Interesting thanks Mark - will the Insteon hub interface with HS4? Or do I need to use the PLM?

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      #17
      you will need my plugin to use either the PLM or HUB with HS3 or HS4
      Mark

      HS3 Pro 4.2.19.5
      Hardware: Insteon Serial PLM | AD2USB for Vista Alarm | HAI Omnistat2 | 1-Wire HA7E | RFXrec433 | Dahua Cameras | LiftMaster Internet Gateway | Tuya Smart Plugs
      Plugins: Insteon (mine) | Vista Alarm (mine) | Omnistat 3 | Ultra1Wire3 | RFXCOM | HS MyQ | BLRadar | BLDenon | Tuya | Jon00 Charting | Jon00 Links
      Platform: Windows Server 2022 Standard, i5-12600K/3.7GHz/10 core, 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD

      Comment


        #18
        Originally posted by mnsandler View Post
        you will need my plugin to use either the PLM or HUB with HS3 or HS4
        This reliability issue aside, does the PLB or HUB work better with your plugin/HS4? Or same difference?

        Comment


          #19
          The code base for each controller will be the same between the hs3 and hs4 plugin. I prefer the PLM as the plugin is more responsive to inbound messages from switches and other devices. the plugin must poll the hub for inbound messages. That said, the Hub can be located anywhere in the house that has a plug and ethernet port. the PLM must be connected to the hs server. there are several threads already that discuss PLM vs Hub. Lets not start that discussion again here.
          Mark

          HS3 Pro 4.2.19.5
          Hardware: Insteon Serial PLM | AD2USB for Vista Alarm | HAI Omnistat2 | 1-Wire HA7E | RFXrec433 | Dahua Cameras | LiftMaster Internet Gateway | Tuya Smart Plugs
          Plugins: Insteon (mine) | Vista Alarm (mine) | Omnistat 3 | Ultra1Wire3 | RFXCOM | HS MyQ | BLRadar | BLDenon | Tuya | Jon00 Charting | Jon00 Links
          Platform: Windows Server 2022 Standard, i5-12600K/3.7GHz/10 core, 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD

          Comment


            #20
            THe PLM works great with a dedicated PC...... I've never been able to get the PLM USB to work with my VM on a Dell r829 XCP-ng r 8.1 something about USB port and XCP VM's ...... I shifted to the ethernet version and so far it works flawlessly with the VM. Holding my breath cause it's day 1 of testing the VM and HS4

            Super pleased with the Insteon switches, receptacle, etc. they are fast and reliable. In 7 years I've only lost one switch due to moisture ..... It was outside in an IP69 enclosure it died due to condensation WAF hosed it down a little to much ....

            I also have a switch that turns on/off a waterfall it has hit over 7000 operations without failure.

            SO I'm a huge fan of Inseton and Mark's support with this plugin.

            Z-wave is just to inconsistent form my satisfaction...


            Devoir

            Comment


              #21
              Originally posted by devoir View Post
              THe PLM works great with a dedicated PC...... I've never been able to get the PLM USB to work with my VM on a Dell r829 XCP-ng r 8.1 something about USB port and XCP VM's ...... I shifted to the ethernet version and so far it works flawlessly with the VM. Holding my breath cause it's day 1 of testing the VM and HS4

              Super pleased with the Insteon switches, receptacle, etc. they are fast and reliable. In 7 years I've only lost one switch due to moisture ..... It was outside in an IP69 enclosure it died due to condensation WAF hosed it down a little to much ....

              I also have a switch that turns on/off a waterfall it has hit over 7000 operations without failure.
              ...

              Are you in a place that gets thunderstorms and lightning? I've had half a dozen switches fail in the past couple of years, and I suspect it's due to a few big thunderstorms. But I'm not sure.

              Comment


                #22
                Originally posted by upstatemike View Post

                Not much in the way of new products have come out for Insteon in a long time.
                In fact, Insteon has seen fit to discontinue several devices, along with some useful appurtenances. The Insteon Thermostat is an example, I believe. They've also discontinued the Ivory color series. I know, big whoop, but most of my switches are ivory, and if I have to replace one (which I have had to several times(!)), I have to get it in Light Almond, which means I have to get a new switchplate as well. There are paddle color change kits, but those are being phased out as well, I understand. So be sure and choose a color scheme that isn't likely to go away!


                Jim Speiser
                38-year veteran of Home Automation
                Still don't know squat

                Comment


                  #23
                  Originally posted by JimSpy View Post

                  In fact, Insteon has seen fit to discontinue several devices, along with some useful appurtenances. The Insteon Thermostat is an example, I believe. They've also discontinued the Ivory color series. I know, big whoop, but most of my switches are ivory, and if I have to replace one (which I have had to several times(!)), I have to get it in Light Almond, which means I have to get a new switchplate as well. There are paddle color change kits, but those are being phased out as well, I understand. So be sure and choose a color scheme that isn't likely to go away!
                  Unless the paddle is what broke you should be able to move the old ivory paddle to the new switch. Pretty sure I have some old ivory paddles if you get desperate.

                  Comment


                    #24
                    Originally posted by JimSpy View Post

                    In fact, Insteon has seen fit to discontinue several devices, along with some useful appurtenances. The Insteon Thermostat is an example, I believe. They've also discontinued the Ivory color series. I know, big whoop, but most of my switches are ivory, and if I have to replace one (which I have had to several times(!)), I have to get it in Light Almond, which means I have to get a new switchplate as well. There are paddle color change kits, but those are being phased out as well, I understand. So be sure and choose a color scheme that isn't likely to go away!
                    I recently did some reading. There are some posts and articles on the interwebs that are relatively recent which that talk about the changes at Smarthome and Insteon. I won't try to paraphrase here. The good news is they aren't going away yet, hopefully never. I guess they've been focusing on their mobile app recently. I just wish they'd let other people make Insteon-enabled hardware.

                    "Unless the paddle is what broke you should be able to move the old ivory paddle to the new switch."

                    Agreed, just swap the paddles. I even put one of the new on/off paddles with just 2 light pipes on a super old SwitchLinc On/Off switch. Any paddles should fit on any model, except the discontinued Icon line.

                    I use the PLM (serial version) for the extra responsiveness that Mark talked about. I have it connected to a LAN cable extension and plugged into an outlet I had installed right next to the breaker panel which is on the other side of the house from my Windows 10 PC running HS3. Anxiously awaiting Mark's HS4 plugin before I make the jump.

                    As someone else also mentioned, the KeypadLinc is a very important part of my home. I have at least 6 scattered about, including bedside in a tabletop enclosure. I've heard some Z-wave users will adopt Insteon as well just to use the KeypadLincs. I also love and make heavy use of Insteon groups/scenes where any number of devices will react simultaneously to a single message. I think some Z-wave devices support that now.

                    I use Z-wave for my thermostat, locks, fire/CO2 detectors, and some multi-sensors. All of my lighting is Insteon, plus some motion and door sensors and the siren. I've never tried to use Z-wave for lighting, but I feel like I'd be disappointed since my experience with Insteon, and this plugin, have been so positive. Changing individual device settings and managing groups is easy. Even if you have to replace a device, this plugin makes it a breeze. If the PLM or Hub dies, no worries. This plugin makes replacing those easy too. I've read nightmare stories about replacing z-wave controllers. Perhaps those hassles are fixed these days.
                    HS4, Insteon, Z-wave, USB-UIRT, Harmony Hubs, Google Hub/Chromecasts/Speakers, Foscam & Amcrest cameras, EZVIZ DB1 doorbell
                    Plugins: BLLAN, BLOccupied, BLUSBUIRT, Chromecast, Harmony Hub, Insteon, Jon00 Homeseer/Echo Skill Helper, Harmony Hub, Jon00 DB Charting, MediaController, NetCAM, PHLocation2, Pushover 3P, weatherXML, Z-wave

                    Comment


                      #25
                      baudi, If you suspect lightning..... I thought about our question and wanted to share


                      I lived in an area where the trees and house was struck once a year. I didn't lose equipment, when I bought the house I invested in several levels of surge protection. Surge protection isn't something your go to Walmart to buy a fancy strip to fix things it's much more inclusive than that...

                      0- Soil conditions greatly affect grounding and the ability to disperse lightning into the earth. If a home is older the integrity of the ground rod needs to be checked . Some parts of the country use different methods than a ground rod to establish an effective ground

                      1- starting outside enhance the ground grid. The single ground rod at your utility meter will not suffice it's there to meet code and establish an electrical reference plane. It does a pitiful job at sinking the surge energy to ground. Most direct strikes are 30,000 amps . Lightning needs to deplete the charge into the ground. A single ground rod will not disperse the energy as effectively. Improve the grounding system with a triad grounding system.

                      2- Surge suppression: This must include every single wire or cable coming into your house. Until you handle each of these you leave holes in your protection.
                      a- sprinklers: lightning hit a valve and runs in the wire to the control box in the garage then jumps into the ac, which runs to your ac panel then killing any 120vAC device it can punch holes in it's insulation, ie your light switch
                      b- cable coax
                      c- Phone
                      d- Power from utility
                      e- Ethernet cable to and from your barn/shed/remote outbuilding

                      3- Surge protecitve devices are like a cube of sugar they melt... in the case of over voltage lightning strikes the surge arrester slowly degrades its useful life every time it handles a surge.
                      install surge protection at the Service entrance minimum 240 ka device
                      install surge protection in every panel 100ka device
                      install surge protection strips on all sensitive equipment or the crap that cost you a lot to replace. 50ka rated device
                      intall surge protection on items 2 a- 2e above


                      I can tell you this because I worked at an industrial location that was struck 20 times a year. It forced us to learn how to harden a facility to take a direct strike and continue to operate.


                      Most people will not do what I shared they will let nature run it's course and deal with it when it happens..... what's a $50 light switch when I spent $1500 for the lighting protection above.


                      PS I now live in Texas we just don't have power when you need it the most....

                      Devoir

                      Comment


                        #26
                        Originally posted by devoir View Post
                        baudi, If you suspect lightning..... I thought about our question and wanted to share
                        ...
                        Devoir
                        Wow! Thank you very much. My to-do list has just grown by a lot.

                        Comment


                          #27
                          Originally posted by devoir View Post

                          PS I now live in Texas we just don't have power when you need it the most....

                          Devoir
                          And when you do have it, it's $9000 per kWh!


                          Jim Speiser
                          38-year veteran of Home Automation
                          Still don't know squat

                          Comment


                            #28
                            Originally posted by JimSpy View Post

                            And when you do have it, it's $9000 per kWh!
                            Lol .... ONLY if you are on a variable plan (dumb) and ONLY IF you picked a cut-rate energy provider who didn't bother to hedge themselves in any type of way.

                            There's a little personal responsibility needed here as well ...

                            Comment


                              #29
                              Not really feasible for wall switches but for plug in equipment like expensive stereo gear it is a good idea to use something more reliable than MOV surge protectors. I supplement with inductor based protectors like "Brick Wall" and similiar. For incoming phone line protectors I prefer gas tube over the carbon protectors the phone company provides.

                              Comment


                                #30
                                Originally posted by nyc2pit View Post

                                Lol .... ONLY if you are on a variable plan (dumb) and ONLY IF you picked a cut-rate energy provider who didn't bother to hedge themselves in any type of way.

                                There's a little personal responsibility needed here as well ...
                                Yes, I agree. We are each personally responsible for voting the right people into office, who can develop and manage our power infrastructure competently! 🤪🏭⚛

                                (I know, off topic, I'll stop now.)


                                Jim Speiser
                                38-year veteran of Home Automation
                                Still don't know squat

                                Comment

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