PLM died. Can I run "Program Replaced/Swapped Interface" more than once?

[mrceolla]

Hi,

My PLM has died, again. My 4th one will be here soon. After it died, I tried to re-install my previous one, which was replaced because it would occasionally stop working, but could usually be brought back up. The "Program Replaced/Swapped Interface" procedure with my 'backup' PLM completed but 5 devices did not get completely updated. When trying to resolve those 5 devices, my 'backup' PLM bit the dust for good.

So, I now have most of my Insteon devices assigned to my 'backup' PLM, and 5 devices still assigned to my 'previous' PLM.

When I get my replacement PLM today, can I run the "Program Replaced/Swapped Interface" procedure once by entering my 'backup' PLM ID, and then a 2nd time by entering my 'previous' PLM id?

Also, if an initial pass of the replace procedure doesn't update all devices correctly, can I simply run it again with the same 'old id'?

I believe I read somewhere that it is safe to run this procedure more than once as it will only replace links that it finds which have the supplied 'old id'. Is that correct? I wanted to make sure I don't really screw something up.

Thanks!

[mnsandler]

I believe I read somewhere that it is safe to run this procedure more than once as it will only replace links that it finds which have the supplied 'old id'. Is that correct? I wanted to make sure I don't really screw something up.

Thanks!

this is correct. Good Luck.

[BillBurn]

I think that should work. I have replaced my PLM 4 times as well and it seems like if you can run the swapped interface routine multiple times if you have any stragglers.

Not to rant, but it is shocking to me that Smarthome hasn't redesigned its PLMs to be more reliable. They have to realize that the failure rates are incredibly high. Perhaps they regard the regular failure of the PLMs as an annuity.

Whatever the case, after my last failure I resolved to replace all my Insteon devices with Z-Wave where ever possible. I am almost done with that project and can say that I will be quite happy when I can I just remove the PLM permanently.

[mnsandler]

I think that should work. I have replaced my PLM 4 times as well and it seems like if you can run the swapped interface routine multiple times if you have any stragglers.

Not to rant, but it is shocking to me that Smarthome hasn't redesigned its PLMs to be more reliable. They have to realize that the failure rates are incredibly high. Perhaps they regard the regular failure of the PLMs as an annuity.

Whatever the case, after my last failure I resolved to replace all my Insteon devices with Z-Wave where ever possible. I am almost done with that project and can say that I will be quite happy when I can I just remove the PLM permanently.

I think everyone's mileage will vary based on their environment. I've never had a PLM fail. I upgraded to a 2413S (a v1.x) 3 years ago, but I still have my original working 2412S which I used for years before the upgrade.

The v2.x PLM is supposed to be more reliable. But I don't have any data on it.

[mrceolla]

Thanks guys!

The Smarthome guy I spoke with said they have identified the component that fails when the PLM experiences too many power fluctuations. Apparently there was a capacitor that couldn't handle it. In January 2017 they started shipping PLMs with a better capacitor...apparently.

Mark must have very clean power to his PLM.

If this PLM dies in a few years I am going to be very unhappy.

My first reprogramming pass worked well. I only have those 5 stragglers assigned to my 'previous' PLM. I'm going to run the procedure again with that PLMs ID as the 'old id'.

[mrceolla]

I just wanted to report back that my 2nd run of "Program Replacement/Swapped Interface" completed successfully and all is well again. Thanks Mark for your improvements to this plugin over the years!

[mnsandler]

Glad your back online. thanks for reporting back.

PS I guess I do have clean power