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iTach works for TV but not for Denon receiver or Fujitsu Multi-split

Jerry Spallone

July 19, 2013 16:34

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Hey everyone,

 

This is my first post so I want to apologize ahead of time for anything that makes me seem like a newbie...because I am, well with iTach at least.  I run an Insteon ISY with various controllers and programs doing all sorts of fun stuff.  I've also been through frustrations with multiple Harmony remotes only to in the end get where I wanted.

 

My issue here is as follows.  I just recently purchased an iTach WF2IR to eventually give me the ability to at least turn my living room multi-split Fujitsu unit on and/or off remotely through my Insteon system.  My initial goal is to just set up one or two commands and be able to test them just to let me knoiw if i'm on the right track.  Then I will attempt to integrate with Insteon and my ISY.

 

The iTach is setup and I can connect to it with iLearn.  At first, after learning an IR code and clicking "Send IR", nothing happened.  The red light in the emitter wouldn't even light up indicating a signal was being sent.  After reseting the iTach and reconfiguring it, signals seemed to be transmitting.  I further tested this by programming my TV on/off button and testing that, which worked (I used the TV as an example because from various research, it seems as though the IR codes for the mini-split units is a bit more intricate).  So the TV ON worked (seems as though off is a different code but same button).  I took it a step further and tried to learn my Denon 1912 Reveiver On button (just an on button).  iLearn picked up the code but when transmitted, the Denon receiver does nothing.  I tried the IR blaster and an emitter in various ports, still nothing.  I also tried learning the Fujitsu ON/OFF which it seemed to successfully do but again, during the test, the AC Unit has no change indicating that it at least sees some type of message coming it's way.

 

On a side note, I was able to learn the AC ON and OFF with my Harmony One remote (which does work).  I then tried to use the Harmony One with iLearn.  iLearn picked up the IR code but again, when "Sending" the code for a test, no response from the AC unit.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions or even better, if anyone has done this before with a mini-split unit, your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Jerry 

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7 comments

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  Bob Wolcott July 20, 2013 02:49

  You might need to pay attention to which port on the iTach each emitter is connected to and either adjust the learner for it (the "Connector" setting). Or you can edit the captured code manually. I use iRule, not ISY, so I don't know how it handles the code, but iRule needs to have some of the first parameters removed, so you probably need to check the ISY support forums to see what to do. Hope that helps
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  Jerry Spallone July 22, 2013 13:06

  Bob, thank you for your response.  I am not using the ISY just yet.  I am using iLearn to both capture and test the captured code.  When I capture the AC remote code and then send it using iLearn, the AC does not respond.  I've tried the IR blaster on connector 3, I've tried IR emitters on all connectors.

  It seems as though I am going to simply have to play with the IR code until I get something.

   

  ~Jerry

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  Bob Wolcott July 22, 2013 17:19

  I usually just muddle around until I get things working too. There are, in my experience, 3 things that have to be checked once you've captured ir codes. First, if you've captured a series of button codes, take a look at the frequency. If all the codes are for a particular dvd player, then the frequency value should be the same for all. If not, you might need to re-capture the odd one. You won't generally find more than one. If every code seems to be different, you might need to fool with the gap and separation. Second, and probably the most common, is to make sure you've got the port setting right. If you play the code and your emitter isn't blinking, that's usually the problem. Third issue is the IP port. For IR codes, it's going to be 4998. For serial it will be 4999. I haven't used the test in iLearn. I typically have iTest running and do a cut and paste (I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment). Anyway, these are just the ramblings of another beginner, but maybe one of those things will get you there.
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  Josh Sherman July 22, 2013 22:53

  The problem you're probably running into is the length of AC IR codes. Many are simply too long to capture with a standard IR learner in one go, so you will need to do some tricks to get it working. Technically, you're capturing the beginning of the command, but are missing the ending. The way to get the ending of the command is to begin sending the command while out of alignment with the learner, then moving the remote into alignment. At that point, all you will need do is find a part of the code that is present in both portions and you can stitch them together for retransmission.

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  Jerry Spallone July 23, 2013 13:08

  Josh I haven't yet had a chance to test this but I think you may be on to something.  During my attempts to learn the AC IR codes, I did notice that at times, the same button press registered a different code.  Not that the code was totally different, just one would be longer/shorter then the last.   I may need to either stitch those two together or do what you said, trigger the button while not pointing at the learner but then quickly move it into position (which sounds challenging).  I will test this as soon as I have the chance.  Thankfully, turning the AC on and off while away is not super important.

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  Terence Chang December 07, 2013 06:02

  Hi Josh, I too am having the same issues when using a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Split Unit Air Conditioner.  I have tried to capture the IR code for just On/Off in iLearn.  Everytime I capture, it appears in a different length so I presume is a similar problem.  I have a newbie and have no idea how I can stich beginning and end of code.  Please provide step by step instructions.

  Thanks

  Terence

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  Mark Smith December 11, 2013 05:46

  There is a problem I've reported with iLearn that causes it to truncate the long codes used by these air conditioners. Hopefully it will get fixed in the next version. I found if I used Putty to connect to the iTach and issued the learn command from the API I was able to capture the full commands.  Putty is a SSH, Telnet, etc program.  I connect to the ip address of the iTach setting the port to 4998 and the connection type to RAW (telnet would probably also work as long as you select 4998 for the port).  When putty connects hit enter a couple times you should get an error response since your not giving it a valid command.  Then type get_IRL followed by <enter>  you should get a message that it has entered learn mode.  Now try to learn from your air conditioner remote.  It should get the full command.  If you highlight the full response and then press the right mouse button it should past it back into the window and the iTach should transmit it.  You might have to past it into a temp text document and edit the beginning of the command if you need to set a different module or connector.  The command format is:

  sendir,<mod-addr>:<conn-addr>,1,38000,<repeatcount>,

  Copy full command you have edited and past (left mouse button) the command to the putty window.  You might need to hit enter for the command to be sent.  You will see a response something like "completeir,1:1,????" if it is sent correctly.

  Repeat to learn more commands.  I found it helps to hit <enter> a couple times between each learned command because the next learned one would write over the end of the previous one.  When your done type stop_IRL to exit the learning process and close putty.

  Another telnet program other than putty could probably be used.  Just make sure your connecting to port 4998.

   

  Mark