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

["gymfolks" <gymfolks@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

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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