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[DIYguy]

Interesting to get another opinion on the BoosterLinc.  There have been a few occasions when I noticed the status lights on the InsteOn devices flickering rapidly.  When this happens I end up unplugging all the InsteOn devices and then reinstalling them (AccessPoints and LampLincs).  I had the BoosterLinc plugged in during these times, got suspicious and finally left it unplugged.  $100 booster currently in the parts pile.  Has anyone else had conflicts between InsteOn and X10?  They claim completely compatible living in harmony, allegedly complementing each other.  I'm still experimenting with the stuff.  Four InsteOn ToggleLincs v2, Access points, LampLincs and remote.  So far the only thing the InsteOn remote will talk to are the two LampLincs. I can NOT get the remote to link with the ToggleLincs which is frustrating as that was part of the idea for remote light switches.
JJ

[Boiler]

Interesting to get another opinion on the BoosterLinc.  There have been a few occasions when I noticed the status lights on the InsteOn devices flickering rapidly.  When this happens I end up unplugging all the InsteOn devices and then reinstalling them (AccessPoints and LampLincs).  I had the BoosterLinc plugged in during these times, got suspicious and finally left it unplugged.  $100 booster currently in the parts pile.  Has anyone else had conflicts between InsteOn and X10?  They claim completely compatible living in harmony, allegedly complementing each other.  I'm still experimenting with the stuff.  Four InsteOn ToggleLincs v2, Access points, LampLincs and remote.  So far the only thing the InsteOn remote will talk to are the two LampLincs. I can NOT get the remote to link with the ToggleLincs which is frustrating as that was part of the idea for remote light switches.
JJ

DIYguy,

Just to be clear, I have not had problems with compatibility between X10 and Insteon other than the additional loading that the Insteon devices present on the powerline.  I've been running a mixed system since Insteon first came out. 

My problems have been specific to the Boosterlinc which is strange since the device is made by Smarthome.  Smarthome has replaced one of my boosterlincs multiple times in an effort to "correct" the problem.  Each device would, after a time, begin stepping on Insteon communications. 



It's interesting that you're having problems linking your RemoteLinc to the ToggleLincs.  The procedure should be the same as the LampLincs.  I have to admit that I haven't manually linked with the Remotelinc in 2 years since I purchased a Universal Devices ISY-26 (it's a dream). 

If your ToggleLincs are very new ('09) it's possible that they use Extended Messaging during linking.  If that's the case, you might try moving a Accesspoint to the same circuit to improve communication during the linking process.  Once the linking is successful, you can move the AP back to it's original location (Extended messaging is only used during Linking).

Boiler

[DIYguy]

More ingredients to toss into the automation stew.
Boiler, you mentioned InsteOn signals will produce BSC and BCY reports on the tester.  I have been getting a mix of these reports but still getting module activation (compliments of Jeff's XTB-IIR maybe?)  These reports usually accompany a RF command showing up on the meter.  Another interesting challenge is the latest lighting.  Sunday I added a series of incandescent 45 watt flood lights under the deck area.  These floods are tied into signals from the motion detecting floods which send a signal to the indoor chimes.  The floods are set to the same address as the chimes so when the outdoor floods activate, the under deck floods come on and the chimes sound.  Works as intended.  I installed a ToggleLinc wall switch (#23893) to control the flood lights and respond to X10 commands.  Works as intended.  Also installed a Hawkeye  motion sensor (#MS14A) under the deck to activate the floods.  So far not working as intended.  The point of interest is the ToggleLinc switch is X10 only, not the new InsteOn series but this model includes BoosterLinc.  This evening I was doing some diagnostics and plugged the signal analyzer into the same circuit as several devices being tested (garden room circuit).  This circuit has a couple low voltage outdoor light transformers installed controlled with SR227 receptacles.  Using the Palm remote I went through seven different lighting options and all worked fine.  Analyzer was going nuts with BSC readings and I thought it was the low voltage transforms but it wasn't.  Isolated it to the incandescent floods connected to the ToggleLinc.  Since this ToggleLinc includes BoosterLinc, could the signal boosting be causing a BSC noise reading when the lights are on?  Never had an incandescent bulb, even floods cause interference so the only know variable is the the BoosterLinc option.  During X10 addressing I did use the address/on function which enables the BoosterLinc option.  Haven't tried reprogramming the switch while disableling the BoosterLinc yet.  Haven't made it that far...
X10 BoosterLinc causing BSC readings?
JJ

[JeffVolp]

Many of you know that X10 data is sent as 1mS long bursts of 120KHz immediately following each zero crossing of the powerline.  Presence of a burst is decoded as a logic "1", absence as a logic "0".  The X10 start code is "1-1-1-0", which is sent a sequence of 3 bursts on successive half cycles, followed by a half cycle gap.  Data is sent as complimentary bit pairs following the start pattern.

Insteon commands are sent as a series of modulated bursts of 131KHz that straddle successive half cycles.  A X10 device would decode that as an extended series of "1"'s, which would  be indicated as a bad start code by a X10 meter.

Jeff

[Brian H]

Yes as Jeff said. Insteon signals start Before the Zero Crossing and continue after it passes. Both my ESM1 and TesterLincs show errors with Insteon signals. My ACT CR134 X10 signal repeater flashes its ERROR LED also.

Blessed BoosterLincs have also been reported as still being a problem.

[Boiler]

DIYguy,

Jeff has pretty much nailed the X10 response to Insteon commands so I'll focus on the CM15a.  My Testerlinc does regularly produce BCY and BSC codes during CM15a Extended Code transmissions.  I get an occasional BCY code during standard X10 transmissions.  The CM15a transmits extended code messages for LM14a 2-way lamp modules.  If you are using newer X10 switches and lamp modules with the soft start feature, you should be using the LM14a module interface within AHP to alleviate possible problems.  The problem here is that your Insteon units will not understand the Extended code transmissions.  Smarthome never implemented the revised X10 protocol which includes the Extended code direct dim commands.

I have seen a number of people report the BCY/BSC codes with the CM15a over the years and have never seen a satisfactory explanation.  The CM15a may be shorting the 3-cycle gap that is specified by the X10 protocol.  During extended code transmissions, the testerlinc may be getting confused by a protocol that really isn't in it's repertoire.  Regardless, all of my X10 units respond correctly and both my ELK-ESM1 and the Testerlinc show 0 line noise.

My point in all of this was that the BCY/BSC codes may be normal depending on the type of communication you are using with the CM15a.  If the codes are present only during valid X10 transmissions, and all of your units function, I would write them off as an anomaly.  If the BCY/BSC codes are continuous you either have a looping X10 command (stuck repeater loop) or noise that is being interpreted as BCY/BSC codes.  Your Monterey has a noise mode that presents a measurment 120Khz noise present around the zero crossing of the AC line.  What is it telling you?

Regarding your Boosterlinc enabled Toggleinc, I would certainly try disabling the Boost feature in the switch.  I do not have direct experience with these devices since I replaced all of my older boosterlinc devices with Insteon some years ago (didn't use Insteon with the Boosterlinc switches).

Boiler

[Brian H]

I believe I also got some of those when my ACT CR134 was set to repeat known repeated signals.