Jamison_IO Posted February 28, 2016 Posted February 28, 2016 i know this has been asked before, but I couldn't find it. How can I do this with one dimmer and 2 on/offs? Thanks.
kck Posted February 28, 2016 Posted February 28, 2016 Assuming that you want to make the lights be able to dim just make sure that the dimmer is the switch that has the load attached. The on/off switches will still generate dim commands. So create a scene with the 3 switches all as controllers. Should work with no problem. The thing to remember about any Insteon switches is that they really are 2 mostly separate things - a load controller and a human accessible switch. All the human accessible switches generate the same command set on the network even if their co-packaged load controller doesn't implement some of those commands. Here the on/off load controller elements are simply not being used. This is also nice to remember when you manage to burn out a load controller like I have (overloaded the dimmer unit). That switch is still perfectly fine to use in a place where a load isn't being controlled - like as part of a multiway setup, or as in my case as a KPL with no directly attached load.
stusviews Posted February 28, 2016 Posted February 28, 2016 The main difference when using an On/Off or dimmer as a secondary device is that the On/Off switch clicks with each press, the dimmer does not.
fryfrog Posted February 29, 2016 Posted February 29, 2016 The main difference when using an On/Off or dimmer as a secondary device is that the On/Off switch clicks with each press, the dimmer does not. And I believe the on/off only has an LED for 0% and 100%. You won't see the LED climb up and indicate level like you will on a dimmer. The on/off switches are the same price as dimmers... why wouldn't you just use dimmers in the dummy locations?
Jamison_IO Posted March 13, 2016 Author Posted March 13, 2016 And I believe the on/off only has an LED for 0% and 100%. You won't see the LED climb up and indicate level like you will on a dimmer. The on/off switches are the same price as dimmers... why wouldn't you just use dimmers in the dummy locations? Because I ordered the switches on super sale.
stusviews Posted March 13, 2016 Posted March 13, 2016 If you look around your home, you may find a place or, better yet, two that are appropriate for an On/Off. When you're ready to automate those locations, order dimmers and swap
Jamison_IO Posted March 13, 2016 Author Posted March 13, 2016 (edited) If you look around your home, you may find a place or, better yet, two that are appropriate for an On/Off. When you're ready to automate those locations, order dimmers and swap Yep - already did that today. I hate removing stuff - there isn't a lot of room and once it gets set, I am not sure I want to try and cram it all back in there! I am up to 14 switches, though. Edited March 13, 2016 by Jamison_IO
Jamison_IO Posted March 13, 2016 Author Posted March 13, 2016 (edited) another question. I did a ton of switches today and they all work except one - but before I take it apart (because it was an absolute bitch to get everything back in there (4 gang box, 4 3-way switches...). IS there anything I should try on the switches or the controller first? I did delete the switches form the isy and the scene. Neither switch will turn off the light. Edited March 13, 2016 by Jamison_IO
stusviews Posted March 13, 2016 Posted March 13, 2016 A 2-gang box takes a little bit of effort, but not nearly as much as a 3-gang box. I'll get back to 4-gangers. Do you mean that the Administrative Console won't turn the light off--or worse--you can't turn them off manually?
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