Re: INSTEON: Let the recalls begin ...

[Marc_F_Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, 17 Jul 2006 06:37:14 GMT, Frank Olson
<Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
<ueGug.195494$Mn5.31135@pd7tw3no>:

>Marc_F_Hult wrote:
>> See recall notice appended below from SmartLabs for appliance modules
>> that get stuck ON and overheat. They provide for cross shipment of the
>> replacements. I have several that qualify for the replacement but have
>> not shown any signs of failure that I will exchange.
>>
>> On the one hand, it is good that Smarthome / SmartLabs have an
>> appropriate replacement policy. On the other hand, this is yet another
>> failure that is costly in time and confidence to INSTEON users.
>
>While I share your sentiment that it's a "pain", at least you have a
>company that's willing to stand behind the products it sells and is
>being pro-active in determining a solution that's both appropriate and
>timely.

I agree in general. But with respect to this particular recall, which
involves a malfunction that according to SmartLabs causes a component to
get hot enough to melt plastic, it seems to me that they had no
responsible alternative.

So as I understand it, in the recall/replacement pipeline are/will be:

1) Appliance modules as discussed above

2) the SmartHome Device Manager (SDM). This is the vital link software
between the hardware and third-party software. At present, the SDM is so
'feature'-laden that some developers (eg HomeSeer) stopped further work in
anticipation of a yet another new release.

3) the Powerline Controller (USB and RS-232 interfaces ) partly because
the firmware  is not sufficiently field upgradable to accommodate changes
needed for the new SDM.

4) Wall dimmers. the "flicker" problem has been discussed in this
newsgroup. As I understand it, SmartHome has found neither an internal nor
external fix that they feel ought/can be applied by the customers, so the
solution may very well be another opportunity to remove and replace and
ship the hardware and reprogram the hardware, scenes and system.
Reprogramming  is easier said than done because at present, removing and
modifying device configuration can be awkward/problematic.

Even with these issues, I prefer the INSTEON products to X10 for several
reasons. And hey! waddya expect for $19.95 (price of ICON dimmer)? As
defenders of x10 dysfunction seem/ed to say, our time has no value --
right?  ;-)

( Hardwired remains the method of choice for high-reliability dimmed
lighting in my opinion and experience.)

... Marc
Marc_F_Hult
www.ECOntrol.org