First Setup Ideas and Recommendations

[yaplej]

Hello,

 

I just got an ISY994iZw/IR PRO and am so itching to start getting it setup.  I got a FanLinc for my master bedroom fan that is wired to two switches (one for the fan and one for the light).  I have been going over how to control the FanLinc and think that the best solution would just be two dimmable switches (neither wired to any load) and the FanLinc to control light dimming and fan speed.  I know that the 6-button keypad is also popular for controlling the FanLinc.  I supose that I could use a 6 button KeyPad (KPL?) for programed scenes like "movie time", "bedtime" or whatever.  Thought that "movie time could dim the lights or turn certain ones off that cause glare on the TV while bedtime could turn off the lights in the rest of the house and make sure the garage door is closed ect.

 

Thought I would ask here and just get some direction on switches.  Maybe it wont matter if this turns out to be as big of an addition as I think its going to be.  Im already debating using an ELK alarm to detect my garage door being opened vs the Insteon Garage Door Kit.   Looks as if my idea of using an ELK M1 panel for door, windows and motion sensors are just business as usual for the ISY.  So thats pretty exciting.  I need to get some new fire alarms but for now I think Ill just get some cheap ones until I can finally get an ELK panel installed and have everything monitored.

 

Here we go I guess

 

[stusviews]

The FanLinc should not be wired to any switches at all. You can use any Insteon controller to operate the fan and turn the light on or off. A dimmer (not wire to the FanLinc) can control brightness of the light. A separate controller is needed for each fan speed and off (also not wired to the FanLinc). A 6-button KeypadLinc fulfills all those functions. So does a 4-button Mini Remote. There are many other choices.

 

IMO, there are many places where the least expensive device makes sense. Safety is not one of them.

[yaplej]

Thanks for the reply! 

 

I think I mentioned not having the switches wired to any load.  I guess some of my confusion is if the switch needs to be dimmable or just on/off.  Because the dimmable vs on/off appears to be just about the switch actually wired to a load and not if its being used to control another device.  Unless the dimmable ones are the only ones with the progressive 25% - 50% - 75% - 100% indicator on the faceplate?  Actually I just now found a review on Amazon that states what I thought about the on/off switches "The LED "gauge" indicator is present on this on/off switch but only lights up the bottom (off) or top (on) LED."

 

As for the Smoke Alarms all of them are UL tested to perform their required function and by "cheap" I mean "fewer features" or "basic" even.  I ended up ordering the same ones I was looking at to being with First Alert SA521CN-3ST.  Just something to replace the 10 year old ones I currently have.  I would love to have something tied to an Elk alarm panel so it could be monitored but want to make sure its all to local code and I'm not ready to do all that yet.

[stusviews]

You can use either a dimmer or an On/Off device to control the light part of the FanLinc since the controller is not actually wired to the FanLinc. The advantages of the dimmer, other than dimming, is that it's silent (the On/Off device clicks), the dimmer uses thinner wires (14AWG as opposed to 12AWG) and the dimmer is less deep making it easier to install.

 

Virtually all brand named electrical and electronic devices are NEC approved.

[Teken]

Just to add to Stu's information unless there is a very specific reason for a On/Off Relay Switch. You should purchase a dimmer style as it allows so many options in terms of scene (mood) lighting. It goes with out saying it also directly translates to energy savings in your home.

 

Matched to proven and quality LED lights your home can have all the benefits of ambient to task lighting when and if required. All the while saving energy and reduction in monthly electrical costs.