Mark Sanctuary

The PLM firmware "upgrade" is done by getting Smarthome to swap your PLM for one with the later firmware. Getting them to swap them is the fun part... they tend to do it only if they know there is a problem with the firmware you currently have in your aging PLM, but in many cases it is not necessary to get the new firmware unless in the case of the X10 stuff Michel mentions in that other post. Recently I upgraded my PLM to get to the new Dual Band version which is also suppose to be much more stable, a bit quicker in data transfers, and runs cooler. Since this was an upgrade and not a swap I now have another PLM. Actually I am not sure how abut I now have two old ones and the new one. {scratch scratch}

rh, ISY scenes are a part of the basic INSTEON network that links together more than one light at one time. In fact the ISY makes managing those scenes much easier than running around and tap programming everything. If you want to get technical there is many write-ups in the forum about how a ISY scene is a wrapper around the INSTEON group but really the most valuable part of that discussion is understanding a ISY scene is doing the same thing as when you tap link switches together. Programs can control many lights at a time just like a scene but this is slower than putting those same lights inside a scene and then controlling it with programs. The real use for programs is for adding functionality beyond the basic linking of devices together. So here is some ideas that programs might be used for... Basic programming ideas [*:3rmpw4lf]trigger timers [*:3rmpw4lf]shutoff timers [*:3rmpw4lf]advanced keypadlinc LED status [*:3rmpw4lf]away/vacation buttons [*:3rmpw4lf]pool/spa control [*:3rmpw4lf]theatrically dim the lights when the TV turns on Advanced programming ideas [*:3rmpw4lf]energy efficiency programming [*:3rmpw4lf]power meter reading [*:3rmpw4lf]remote access to your home automation [*:3rmpw4lf]connecting in smart display panels [*:3rmpw4lf]thermostat control, ceiling fan, whole house fan integration [*:3rmpw4lf]weather driven irrigation control [*:3rmpw4lf]security and emergency integration And the list goes on, really up to your imagination. Thanks,

That's ok, I ended up putting them on my smugmug account instead. I updated the Sanctuary Christmas Lights forum post with the latest links and info.

Nothing is overkill when it comes to home automation. Lighting control is fun... Sanctuary Christmas Lights

This is a good point aberkc about using dimmers on inductive loads, this would be better on a relay than a dimmer.

Oh I have a solution for that too...

True. Just wanted to complete the thought just in case you do dim up from time to time.

Found it, if your wanting to also capture the Fade Up or Fade Down here it is... If Control '10.A3.C6.C' is switched On Or Control '10.A3.C6.C' is switched Fast On Or Control '10.A3.C6.C' is switched Fade Up Then Set 'Hot Water Rec ApplianceLinc' On Wait 1 hour Set 'Hot Water Rec ApplianceLinc' Off If Control '10.A3.C6.C' is switched Off Or Control '10.A3.C6.C' is switched Fast Off Or Control '10.A3.C6.C' is switched Fade Down Then Set 'Hot Water Rec ApplianceLinc' Off

I will have to test when I get home but I think Control check for On is looking for if the switch has the on side of the switch tapped, but the part I can't remember is if you do the tap and hold to dim up will the Control check pick this up or not. I will test and confirm this evening. That may be a communication problem more than your program, because your program looks fine with the Status check.

The code you got there should work fine as long as the fan switch is not included in any other scenes. Another option is you could use a "Control" to isolate it from being triggered by an scenes, it would be like this... If Control '10.A3.C6.C' is switched On Or Control '10.A3.C6.C' is switched Fast On Then Set 'Hot Water Rec ApplianceLinc' On Wait 1 hour Set 'Hot Water Rec ApplianceLinc' Off If Control '10.A3.C6.C' is switched Off Or Control '10.A3.C6.C' is switched Fast Off Then Set 'Hot Water Rec ApplianceLinc' Off

The unanswered posts list is getting a bit long... I will have to review it and see if can answer some of the stuff. Also I wonder if the forum can be easily upgraded to the latest phpBB version, because they have some newer features that help with noticing new posts better.

So the switchover is complete and here is what I have noticed so far... The new switches (ICON dimmers, ICON relays) are performing well, they have a much more firm tactile feel than the old ones which felt more like a squish than a solid click. I have not seen any tap issues, none of the switches have died, nor am I having any noise issues so far. The new setup is working very well and I am a happy boy, better yet Amy is a happy wife. The new PLM Dual Band is working great, it moved all the links over and did not lock up one time like my old one used to do, the ISY seems happier too with the new PLM. Over all we are happy now in the Sanctuary home. Now on to adding new things to the system (ie. EZFlora, thermostat, outdoor lighting control, etc) because all this good performance is making me want to add more devices!

Ok I have my new PLM installed and all the devices linked up to it. Looking good so far, now to test and check things just in case something did not link up right.

Great then I am all set Rand. Thanks!

Is the old ISY-26 power supply compatible with the ISY-99? If not I will need to order one for the ISY when using dual band PLM.

Will do, the new PLM is ordered and on its way. Thanks Michel!

Also had another question... I have the original PLM I got back with my ISY-26 and have been thinking of swapping it out for the new Dual Band. Should I first get all the new switches linked in to this guy or should I just order the new PLM and then do all the relinking?

Disable devices! That's a great idea!

Rand, After spending about 3 evenings reinstalling all my switches in the house I am now well into the reprogramming phase. Last night I started with the replace option and was able to only replace 2 out of the 26 total switches which took about 2 hours so I am going to have to brainstorm how to shorten the process. Unfortunately I could not afford the option of purchasing all the switches first and keep the old ones connected on my bench which would have helped with the speed. So I am thinking of some temp ideas to speed up the process... deleting my "All Lights" scene, removing my remotelinc, removing my irlinc, etc. Any other suggestions?

The wild thing I noticed is when I pulled up all the old email receipts I only paid $20 for each ICON dimmer/switch and now they are sold for $35.

I added the links to the first post.

I am on an adventure with my INSTEON setup. So a little background I was one of the early adopters of the INSTEON products and filled my house back in mid 2006 with the dimmers and relays. It's is great to have all of it automated...when there was no mechanical issues, but alas over the last four years the switches one after another have worked their way into not responding to the human tap, some it was just either the on or off press and some it was both on and off presses. So I started the identification process; for the last few months I red stickered each one when I noticed that they would not respond to a tap, in the end I basically had little red star stickers on over 80% of the switches. And the last few where intermittently showing the same issue so it pretty much totaled up to every switch I had. Let me tell you having issues with this many switches has not fared well on the "Wife Acceptance Factor" because I got the, "either get the switches replaced or please put in normal switches in our house honey". Well normal switches are not an option as far as I am concerned so I had to get them replaced. I pulled all my switched out of the walls and got ready to make the call. Back when I started the stickering process I did some research to confirm I was not alone and that Smarthome would most likely replace my switches. I was able to locate the email notice that they sent me a few years back and confirmed that Smarthome extended the warranty on all Decora-style switches that where purchased before January 1, 2008. I have been putting this exchange off for a while because I really don't like confrontation and was unsure how they would handle it because I thought I might have to press them to exchange them...boy I was wrong, they handled the whole process wonderfully! And when it came down to it the only questions they asked me was; did you get them from us, what are the order numbers, and how many are you exchanging. So now all the switches are here and I am working to install them back in the house. I am wondering what I am going to do to bring them back into the ISY. What is the process to link them back in the ISY and not loose my existing programs? Replace a device is for single devices, will it work to use it when all the devices are new? Smarthome forum announcement: http://www.smarthome.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2009 INSTEON switch warranty extension notice: http://www.smarthome.com/080626S_L_S_K.html

What I dislike is that I have two fans that do not have the speed control selector chains on the fan. If I did not use some kind of speed control I would be stuck with turbo speed only. So right now my fans NOT on my home automaton network, bummer I was shooting for 100% automation.

FYI: I have done some organization cleanup and added a couple section descriptions on the Remotely Connect to Your ISY Wiki page. Thanks,

The wiki also has it, maybe a bit better at explaining it than my example I gave. Control vs Status Hope this is helpful.