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Everything posted by Teken
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This would be easily handled by a KPL Dimmer. Keeping in mind the fanlinc actually controls the light fixture. So at the light switch the load wire would be capped off. To finish off the look and feel purchase the custom fan linc keys. NOTE: If you're on a limited budget you can also install a switch linc dimmer. Using one of the several functions of the Insteon protocol and the 994 Series Controller would allow you to activate the light and various fan modes. Which are on, fast on, off, fast off, dim. Using the power of the 994 Series Controller would enable you to create programs that monitor multiple taps to enable low, medium, high fan modes. The above is a novel way to do the same thing but isn't very intuitive to a lay person or to a stranger.
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Hello Mark, It really comes down to the wiring and the controller that has command and control of the light fixture. You may find inside of the vent hood the wiring does not have all different modes because its being controlled by a IC. If you don't mind losing out on the various functions (assuming) the bulk of the controls isn't handled by a computer IC. Your next step is to gain access to the wiring harness for the lights. I've used the Micro On/Off module in mine to control the 3 speeds in my over head range. I didn't bother with the lights because they are rarely ever used in our environment. NOTE: The Micro Dimmer can only support 5-100 watts at 120 VAC / 5-200 at 240 VAC. If dimming is required you may have to use the ILL.
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Marcin, Once again thank you so very much for taking the time to explain and illustrate the steps for a successful custom laser cut.
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My comment was more from a standby consumption stand point vs load control and usage. Depending upon the type and model of Insteon device they consume from 0.45 watts upwards to 1.55 watts. Most of the newer Insteon switches consume less than 1 watt and hover around 0.45 - 0.65 watts. The plugin devices like the lamp linc / on-off module consume from 0.53 - 0.83 watts. The worst case scenario is to plan on 1 watt consumption . . .
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Are sellers really asking more for the RPi 3 considering its supposed to be $35.00 for either one?!?
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Yes, place them where they make sense and blend into the decor. Its easy to get caught up using lots of KPL's but sometimes it looks really busy and kinda ghetto. Since you have nine switches that need replacing due to the obvious Insteon linking requirement. Stand in the room and where each switch is and consider what you would like to control in the future. Taking the time now to plan ahead and understanding the small investment now will reap huge rewards down the road for you. Again, if finances are tight just do one room at a time until these nice to haves are finally completed. Very few people have gone balls out and replaced their entire home of every dumb switch / outlet. It took me three passes over the years even though I could have replaced everything in my home at once. But, the reality was I knew with 100% some areas simply did not require that kind of investment or costs. Rarely used if ever outlets made no sense in replacing with a smart outlet that was going to sit there and be wasted. Also back in the day the energy consumption of the Insteon devices were pretty high. Imagine a steady 100 watts which you have no control over sucking down the power in your home 24.7.365. For me I simply couldn't allow or accept 150 plus watts stuck to my home I had no control over which cost me money. Given the advancement in better power supplies and components most of the Insteon line up has done better in this area. But its still an area people need to consider along with liabilities . . . Do not replace any room, floor, zone, with a smart switch or outlet that is mission critical. As the results could be extremely costly and deadly if life and safety devices are attached. A perfect example is don't place a smart outlet on a fridge, sump, HVAC system . . .
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Trust me most of us know this pain of *What the hell - I need to buy more switches* ?!?! LOL . . . Keep in mind this may not sound financially sound or even make sense when I say this. But, before you drop any money on the single switch linc relay / dimmers. I want you to consider how you can extend the control and function of your beautiful home now and into the future. Consider investing some extra money into KPL dimmers - The reason for this is it will allow you to control 5 to 8 different loads or devices virtually. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've thanked Smartlabs for coming out in solving the ability to control another remote load in the home! Keeping in mind the KPL can be assigned to do other things besides turn on a load / device. It can be used to control Sonos, Shades, Fans, GDO etc. NOTE: Best practices before you move forward is to do the following. Take photo's of all the new gear so you know the MAC code, production date, hardware revision. Hard reset all devices to ensure they are in a OEM state which will ensure no ghost links and programming are present. Go find a old lamp cord and cut off the end so you can add, test, link, at the kitchen table. This will save lots of standing and back ache when you have trouble shooting or lots of programming to do. It will also save you tons of time when you need to do a *Replace With* because a device failed.
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I agree once you purchase five custom KPL kits the entire parts list for the laser unit is so over paid for its not even funny. Even if you bought three custom KPL's kits from SH that's $150.00 before shipping and exchange rate for people like me. So if you break it down using the three KPL kits it comes out to be something really stupid like $241.36 CDN! Yeah, pretty sure investing under $125.00 USD is the future moving forward for this guy!
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Jon, The tape is only used for masking to protect the surface. The fill in is by the paint you can purchase from pretty much any hobby shop.
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Yes, the rooms that have the 3/4 ways switches will be *virtually* linked together via Insteon. You will cap off the traveler wires in those existing walls. Best practice is to also take lots of photos and mark the wires for future use and trouble shooting. Also, always measure twice all wires to ensure the breaker you turned off is indeed the correct one. 120 VAC can kill a person given the right conditions . . . Ideally you should follow the two man rule having your GF / Wife at the ready to assist.
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Marcin, Looking forward to the step by step guide and photo's. I don't think you fully realize the fire storm you have created with this project you started! LOL . . . I fully realize there may be a larger investment in the tools and supplies for the privilege of making ones own custom KPL keys. But given the massive amount of money Smarthome wants for just 6-8 keys at $50.00 a set. The initial cost will be paid back in short order over time. This may also push Smarthome to rethink the custom KPL keys too once the news comes out and the orders stop coming in! Ha . . . On Point: Is there a cheaper material available for the laser tape? It seems like a lot of money for such a product.
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Hello Marcin, Can you provide some pictures of the card stock and how it was positioned to hold the KPL keys. Also, does the tray have any kind of center (home) position? Does the laser have any kind of very low setting like a flash light mode to show where the pointer is? Lastly, can the power output be adjusted from 0-500 mW?
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I believe the how to section would be perfect! Also could you offer a little more detail and photos about positioning of the keys and how it was held down? Did it simply just sit there? Also was there any reason you purchased the open cage style laser vs the closed four corner style? ========================= The highest calling in life is to serve ones country faithfully - Teach others what can be.
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Marcin, First you're an inspiration for an alternative and professional looking KPL keys! Next, may I humbly ask you create a dedicated thread and link this one so others can follow your project. It will ensure the topic is on point and offers the most useful information for all. Please ensure you use the search terms so others can find it in the future like: Custom KPL, etc Thank You!
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Pretty sure you have 64 other things in your home consuming more electricity than that 300-500 mW laser ever will. Ha . . .
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It uses a laser so nothing to run out besides the money in your wallet to pay for the electricity.
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I don't know if anyone has referenced this thread or others but it should be relayed to the Amazon Echo development team. I know even (IF) they were simply lurking they would glean so much information from active users who only wish to see their product grow. Doing so will not only speed up their development but also ensure their market lead and dominance in the voice command sector. So far, Amazon has shown many of us they are listening and wanting to develop a leading edge voice platform.
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LOL, I have no words . . . For the record my Echo is not in an ideal location on my communications desk. As it sits in the corner and the other side of the wall is my refrigerator and when the compressor kicks in its like listening to a freaking bulldozer! Regardless, Alexa pretty much hears me 90% of the time even with the huge ambient noise . . . I believe with the addition of a few Dots it won't really matter when they are in the living room, basement, and in the master bedroom.
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- Amazon Echo
- Echo Mount
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Accd, That's great to know but will set my expectations lower (IF) and when I can purchase a Dot. For me its setting proper expectations in those things I use. When the Echo arrived a few months back I wasn't really expecting the volume and sound to be anything too stellar. But given its price and size it was very decent for its intended back ground music.
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I've read of several people doing exactly what you asked vs others made the ISY a primary instead of a secondary controller. The obvious power comes from the 994 Series Controllers conditional logic which very few systems offer. What does the alarm panel offer in terms of lighting control now? Also, does it support all Z-Wave devices from all the major vendors? I ask because reading some of the other forums it seems some of these companies restrict the Z-Wave hardware to only their specific brand. Which goes against the Z-Wave alliance guidelines . . .
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I'm going to offer my feed back from a security and compliance stand point and you will have to decide what suites your lifestyle, and current risk(s). 1. Security Alarm System: Should always operate in a stand alone mode that does not allow none UL / cUL compliant devices to have command and control of the system. Since most users here are consumers and often put convenience over compliance this is up to you. 2. You can make either device a primary vs secondary and depends upon your use case and which hardware device offers the most features and options to suite your needs.
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OK, OK, maybe a Ugo? [emoji23][emoji16]
- 17 replies
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- Amazon Echo
- Echo Mount
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Junky and others that have the Dot now plugged into a sound system. Some reviews indicated that the device outputs a slight noise from a hiss to random back ground hum. Can anyone who has one comment on this?
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Oh yeah I'm the guy selling it - Here comes that new Lamborghini!
- 17 replies
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- Amazon Echo
- Echo Mount
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You bunch of nagative Nancies! [emoji38][emoji41][emoji4]
- 17 replies
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- Amazon Echo
- Echo Mount
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