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Can I pair my Chameleon IHD3 to my smart meter myself?

  • 8 February 2022
  • 7 replies
  • 9602 views
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HI,

I am not a customer of OVO but this the best forum I have found and felt that I could get the instructions I need.

Originally Scottish Power installed the Smart Meter SGC1311 (believed to be SMETS1), both Elec & Gas were linked.  The IHD3 worked for just a few weeks and for no reason, stopped displaying data.

I now have an account with British Gas and they confirm that they are receiving both meter reading, but have so far been unable to help me with this issue.

The IHD3 (black frame) remains idle with no data.  Notice that the WAN and HAN are alive, but it seem that it is not linked to the SM.  I would very much appreciate it if anyone can give me the steps for linking or the contact of a Technician that can.

Unit is powered OFF 

HAN (don’t know of the meaning of +R and +A)   -  WAN on the right is strong 

 

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Best answer by Jess_OVO 9 February 2022, 15:36

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Blastoise186
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Hiya @Mafome !

Looks like you’ve got a rather old setup there. I’m not quite sure if that’s actually a Chameleon IHD3, it somehow seems more like an IHD2 at first glance - but it’s definitely a Chameleon IHD, that’s for sure. However, after digging deep using my TARDIS, I think I’ve identified it. @Tim_OVO you might want to see this one, just so you know about it! :)

Based on my analysis, you appear to have either a Chameleon IHD3-MS or a Chameleon SEDv3. Given that they never did a SEDv3, I’m tempted to consider it the IHD3-MS which is actually pretty rare these days and I’ve literally never seen or heard of that variant before. You’ve clearly also got a rather early version of the Aclara SGM1311 Smart Energy Meter and Aclara SGC1311 Smart Communications Hub as well. I can tell because I know of at least one hardware revision that’s a bit newer than what you’re showing me here - not much difference though.

Your IHD should have remained paired to the meter throughout the entire time you’ve had it, so I’d be surprised if it has randomly unpaired. You didn’t seem to have it powered up during the photo though. Are you sure it hasn’t just run out of battery?

Either way, I’m happy to try and help you out as best I can. Don’t worry about being with British Gas, this forum is open to everyone regardless of supplier. :)

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way!
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@Blastoise186: Thank you for your prompt response.  To clarify further I’m enclosing two additional images, hoping that it will help in determining how to re-linked the IHD to the SMTR.

Specifically, what I need is a set of instructions in how to re-link these units or a contact to a technician to do it remotely.  Or in the worst case scenario, a confirmation that the Government pushed another scam yet again, as a money maker scheme that didn’t work. 😒

Specific details on the back of unit
​​​​​​
Unit is functional but not linked

 

Blastoise186
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Bingo! I knew I was right. I only managed to identify it because that IHD model is listed on the ZigBee Alliance databases. In fact, it’s such an early IHD3 variant that one could almost mistake it as being a Chameleon IHD2 - which they never actually released afaik.

It should be possible to get it unpaired and paired up again just like any other IHD. We’ve got the pairing instructions buried in the forum somewhere if memory serves, but not the unpairing info. Let me see if the ancient philosopher @Jess_OVO can find those as I bet you British Gas probably won’t!

If you get asked what make/model of IHD you’ve got, please tell them it’s a Chameleon IHD3-MS. It should be on some kind of database somewhere… Don’t tell them anything about Scottish Power as that’ll likely confuse the agent.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way!
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Thank you.  I hope you find the info that I need.  Very grateful for you assistance.

Blastoise186
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No worries.

Turns out Chameleon actually did do a Chameleon IHD2 as well! It’s just that it’s probably even more rare than the IHD3-MS that you had, that practically no-one has heard of it. Sorry for having to name yours by the full model name though. We get a lot of folks stopping by the forum looking for info about Chameleon IHDs, and I want to make sure everyone is aware that this thread discusses a very old variant that’s probably not the one they’re looking for.

I thought we had the instructions on hand to pair an IHD3 on the forum, but I can’t seem to find them for some reason. I did find our basic user guide though.

Future content idea comes to mind...

How about a little bonus treat though? I don’t want you to leave empty handed after all. While digging through the ZigBee Alliance archives, I found some real gems. I’d like to share them with you:

Chameleon IHD1-AB https://csa-iot.org/csa_product/ihd1-ab/ - literally pretty much the original model they ever did!

Chameleon IHD1-v2 https://csa-iot.org/csa_product/ihd1-v2-1-2/ of which I’ve only ever seen one on another forum

Chameleon IHD2-TS 1.2 https://csa-iot.org/csa_product/ihd2-ts-1-2/ - the second generation of the Chameleon IHDs. Hardly anyone has seen one in years though...

Chameleon IHD3-MS: https://csa-iot.org/csa_product/ihd3-ms/ the one you have, which is an early third gen unit

Chameleon IHD3-CAD-PPMID https://csa-iot.org/csa_product/ihd3-cad-ppmid-0008/ this one’s the most common version of the IHD3 that most people know about and is most widely recognised as the IHD3

Chameleon IHD6-CAD-PPMID https://csa-iot.org/csa_product/ihd6-ppmid-000e/ also known here as the Kecleon Brothers, which is the nickname for my two IHD6’s. This is the most common IHD6 variant which is usually SMETS2 only, but there’s also a special dual S1 and S2 compatible variant too which is the IHD6-CAD-PPMID-S1

Chameleon IHD7-CAD-PPMID https://csa-iot.org/csa_product/ihd7-cad-ppmid-0011-6/ seems to be a future upcoming model Chameleon are working on. This model has NOT been officially released yet as far as we can tell and is not currently available

ivie Bud https://csa-iot.org/csa_product/ivie-bud/ Seems to be a future model similar to the in-development IHD7 but being advertised for future general sale. It’s not available to buy yet though.

This also sparks me to consider a future IHD guide. Watch this space...

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way!
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Appreciate the info. I will be pending of the instructions on how to pair this unit again.

As prices are on the rise on everything and my pension is being cut by government, I need every tool possible to minimise the impact.

Ta!

Jess_OVO
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Userlevel 7

Updated on 05/01/23 by Emmanuelle_OVO

 

Just to step in here to clarify, the pairing and unpairing of an IHD also requires some actions to be taken behind-the-scenes of your smart meter, this is something you’ll have to raise to your current supplier (or our Support Team if you’re with OVO).

 

We’ve got more advice which you might find helpful over on our IHD trouble-shooting guide:

 

 

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