Re: Insteon Users note re: KeypadLinc setup - Installation status update

["BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

BINGO! That's exactly what I was looking for. I'll study it and play
around with the program today.


> Look for the "phinsteon.rtf" doc in the directory where you installed
> PowerHome.  This doc tells you the basics....yes, more detail is
> needed, but it is not there yet.
>
>
> "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:YVr9g.1567$9W5.425@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Maybe I'm being dense but I can't figure out how to get PowerHome to
>> discover my Insteon devices and the manual says nothing about it
>> (that I could find).  Any pointers will be much appreciated.
>>
>>
>>> Answered my own question and found Group Commander and some others.
>>> PowerHome looks like the best option so far.  Thanks again for
>>> turning me on to these.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Thanks for that info. I may have had a finicky Keypadlinc because I
>>>> tried every other way possible.  I didn't realize that PowerHome
>>>> could do the things you describe. I'm going to get a copy right
>>>> now. Sounds like it will make a huge difference! Where can I find
>>>> Group Commander?
>>>>> Bruce,
>>>>>
>>>>> I had no problems turning my KeyPadLinc to 8 button mode. Both
>>>>> methods listed in the QuickStart and the Manual worked for me
>>>>> (just tried it, too). There's no need to hold the buttons down
>>>>> until linking mode is activated.
>>>>> The fiddly part is the set button is easy to release or bounce
>>>>> while you're
>>>>> trying to pull it out or push it in. I prefer the Manual version
>>>>> (pushing
>>>>> set button to neutral position), because when the button LEDs
>>>>> power on (after about 2 seconds) you know it is done.
>>>>>
>>>>> For linking, there is multi-link mode which saves time if you're
>>>>> going to
>>>>> link stuff by hand. However, if you're halfway serious you should
>>>>> get PowerHome (free 30 day trial, enough to get all your links
>>>>> setup), although
>>>>> it does not have a particularly good interface it is BY FAR the
>>>>> best program
>>>>> for Insteon linking.
>>>>>
>>>>> There is also GroupCommander, which is a freeware linking program
>>>>> (a little
>>>>> harder to use because it can't discover existing switches and
>>>>> links). BTW, an important thing is you should factory default your
>>>>> switches
>>>>> before
>>>>> you start programming for real use. The switches sometimes come
>>>>> programmed
>>>>> with non-existent links from SmartHome during QA testing. (A cool
>>>>> feature of PowerHome is that it can also defragment the link
>>>>> databases in the
>>>>> switches).
>>>>>
>>>>> "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>>>> news:uLe9g.2421$uM4.363@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>> The Insteon KeypadLinc comes configured as a 6 button device but
>>>>>> can be converted to an 8 button device with the included
>>>>>> faceplate kit. The instructions then say to pull the setup tab
>>>>>> all the way out (airgap), wait 10 seconds then press it while
>>>>>> holding in keys A & H. That won't work so looking at the Users
>>>>>> Manual (not the included Quick Start guide) they tell you to do
>>>>>> the same thing but don't press the setup button all the way in -
>>>>>> just press it gently to the "neutral" position (my words). That
>>>>>> doesn't do it either. Through trial and error I learned that
>>>>>> there is one more step - you must keep pressing A & H for at
>>>>>> least 10 seconds till the A button starts to flash.  That little
>>>>>> tidbit would have saved me 20 minutes tonight! Another note, if
>>>>>> you're planning on doing some cross-linking it is
>>>>>> helpful to have an assistant and a pair of walkie-talkies.  To
>>>>>> crosslink you have to hit the paddle on one unit for 10 seconds,
>>>>>> go to the other unit and press that one for ten seconds. Press it
>>>>>> again for 10 seconds and go back to the first one and press that
>>>>>> one for 10 more seconds. More locations mean more running around
>>>>>> so an assistant can be REAL helpful in a larger home.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I currently have almost half of my X10 stuff replaced with
>>>>>> Insteon and expect to finish the job over the next week.  I'm at
>>>>>> the point where Insteon reliability has improved to about 95%
>>>>>> and X10 has dropped below 50%. While Insteon can handle both,
>>>>>> the two protocols do NOT play well together.  Before I started
>>>>>> the conversion X10 was at about 98% with some unsolvable
>>>>>> troublespots and getting progressively worse.   The Insteon
>>>>>> problems I'm having now are not related to the protocol as much
>>>>>> as they are to timing issues with the translator. Once RoZetta
>>>>>> replaces the translator I expect to see most of those issues
>>>>>> resolved. The biggest thing is the mental conversion of how
>>>>>> Insteon works
>>>>>> vs. X10. We are used to receivers and transmitters where any
>>>>>> device that sends the proper code will work.  With Insteon,
>>>>>> every single unit is two way and has it's own unique address
>>>>>> (think MAC address).  Only units that have been programmed to
>>>>>> pay attention to each other will work together. There are a
>>>>>> number of pluses and minuses to this approach and it certainly
>>>>>> takes some getting used to!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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