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

["BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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!
>>
>>
>
>
>
> ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure
> Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service
> in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server
> Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----