john410

I have a 3-way switch (2 switches) that controls an outdoor flood. I was thinking of replacing them both with Insteon wall switches. Was planning on having switch A directly control the light (load connected to switch) and switch B control switch A. Shouldn't I link these directly? Noting my plan above, why do I need a group if I'm just planning on replacing a standard 3-way switch setup with two Insteon switches - one to directly switch the current to the load (primary switch) and the other to send on/off commands to the primary switch. I thought I'd just link them, no? I would program the ISY to send on and off commands to the primary switch at certain times of the day (or night). If the secondary switch turned the primary on or off, why would I need a scene or even have the ISY know about the secondary switch. I'm really not getting the group/scene thing. My needs are simple - turn a specific switch or lamp module on at time X and off at time Y, with the option to manually override (physically flip the switch).

Actually, I think you've answered all of my questions. I'm going to avoid groups/scenes because the only programs I create simply turn particular devices on and off at prescribed times of the day. Maybe two will be programmed for the same time, but not worth the trouble of creating a scene or group. Thanks for your help!

I am awaiting the arrival of my 2406H phase coupler, which I hope will solve my Insteon communication issues which I posted about before. In the meantime, I am trying to read up on Insteon to better understand the technology. I read the publication "Insteon Whitepaper: The Details" and still have many questions.... In the protocol, what is point of the Max Hops field? Seems the originator of a message could just set the initial value of the Hops Left field to something less than 3 if it wanted to limit the number of hops a message makes. What is the point of groups? If each device is to respond with an ACK message using a "group cleanup direct message", it seems the total time to transmit a direct message to each device and get acknowledgement would be the same. I'm still confused about linking and groups. For example, how does a switch (controller) tell another switch (the responder) that it wants to link as a certain group number? Can I link as a point to point (from a specific address to a specific address)? If so, how do I do that with 1 button on each device? What is a "scene" and how is it different than a group? When using the PLM and ISY994i, should I press the link button on the PLM when linking to devices? Specific question about the 994i: What is the best way to "wipe the slate clean" as far as starting over with Insteon? I want to keep my programs and assigned X10 devices but want to start from scratch with the Insteon. I have three Insteon responders (2 lamp linc and 1 on/off module) that I have tried to get working with two different PLMs. I'm thinking these devices are screwed up now and I just want to make them behave like they did out of the box. I still have much to learn on Insteon. I appreciate any help or insight anyone reading this may have. If there are more documents out there, please provide links if you have them. I'm not afraid of technical details - I have an EE degree and have spent almost 40 years designing software and firmware for embedded devices. Thanks, John

Stusviews,I really appreciate your trying to help, but you lost me here. I thought if you link, you're just getting the two devices to agree to talk to each other (exchange addresses), not what On and Off mean - which is really confusing me more.

Well this is news. The QuickStart guide for the Lamplinc specifically say to have the lamp plugged into he Lamplinc and to have it turned on when linking.

There is a junction box with single 110 volt outlet mounted directly below one of two breaker panels. Into this is plugged a simple three-way splitter. Two of the three outlets on the three-way splitter are used - one with the PLM and the to a power strip that powers my security system and the ISY. The PLM is not plugged into the power strip. One of the Insteon lamp linc modules that does not work is plugged into the same circuit that an X10 module is that works (that X10 module is at least 15 years old). The Insteon lamp linc is actually closer to the breaker box and the PLM. Yet another fact that makes me question whether Insteon is actually more reliable. I'm going to stop screwing around with this until after Christmas, when I hope to have the 2406H phase coupler. I will install that and try removing and re-linking my Insteon devices, one at a time. If it still doesn't work, I don't know what else to do other than send the Insteon stuff back to SmartHome.

No. I was actually thinking of ordering an Insteon 2406H, which supposedly helps Insteon and X10.

Both firmware and UI version are v.4.3.26. A lamp is plugged into the LampLinc. I tried the linking procedure with the lamp on and with it off. Same result - "Cannot determine Insteon engine" error message. Thanks for the info on the 2406H. I will order one - they're only $25 and I happen to have a couple of adjacent spare breakers in one of my panels. Just one question about the phase coupler: Do I need to purchase a double pole breaker or can I use two single pole breakers?

My X10 devices work just fine. Still struggling with Insteon. I replaced my PLM, following the replacement procedure. I selected Start Linking... Pressed the button on my Insteon lamp module and it beeped. ISY showed that the device was recognized. So I pressed Add. After some time, and a bunch of cryptic messages about writing memory etc., I get the message: The following devices could not be added: 35.99.CD (B2457D2) LampLinc BiPhy v. 43 - cannot determine Insteon Engine My PLM is plugged into an outlet that goes directly into one of two breaker boxes (4 inches from the box). The Insteon lamp module is plugged into an outlet that is almost directly above the breaker box - 6 feet at most. What the heck is going on? Should I invest in a 2406H phase coupler? I will only do so if someone here can tell me this coupler would help with X10 as well (SmartHome doesn't mention X10). I'm about ready to send this Insteon crap back to SmartHome and stick with X10. My X10 devices work 100% of the time - at least the devices I currently use (all Christmas candles, 4 switches and 5 lamp modules - about 15 devices in all). I will say that I had problems with certain X10 switches in the past and had to go with standalone timers. Insteon claims better reliability. Sure couldn't prove that by me.