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

["BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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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