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

["BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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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