Basic Insteon Switch - ISY 99i Question

[birdman]

I am currently using an isy 99i to control about 50 insteon wall switches in my home, which I installed when I built the house (about 6 years ago).

 

I recently put up a Cabana in my backyard and I have been able to extend my wifi signal out to the backyard. I would like to add the lights in my cabana to my home network so I need to go out and purchase some new insteon wall switches to control the lights so I can add them to MyLighting.

 

Here is the question. When I look online (Amazon, HomeDepot etc) for insteon switches they all talk about compatibility with the Hub but none of them (or at least I have not seen it) say anything about compatibility with the isy99i.  It may be a stupid question but are there any particular insteon switches I need to look for (or avoid) to buy and install so I can then connect them to MyLighting? 

 

Thanx in advance. 

 

 

[oberkc]

To clarify...are you using the ISY-99, or the -994? I believe many of the newer insteon devices may not be compatble with the -99 since it was replaced by the -994 and is no longer supported.

[birdman]

Thx for the reply. I am using ISY 994i (firmware 4.5.1 and UI 4.2.18 - although I doubt the firmware makes a difference) 

I was also thinking about replacing the cabana light bulbs with the Phillips Hue system but the bridge and 3 bulbs is almost $200 and I would prefer to replace 1 wall switch (which controls the exterior lights) and can then integrate into MyLighting. 

[Brian H]

I suspect Home Depot and Amazon stress HUB compatibility as that is what they carry and not the ISY994i line of controllers.

 

Your firmware version and UI should match in version number. You can get the proper UI on the firmware 4.5.1 announcement or get 4.5.3 (RC2) the latest released version.

 

The latest firmware should support all the Insteon devices except a few odd ones. Like the Alert Module.

[larryllix]

With the ISY994 you can interface almost any type of light into your HA system.

 

I would install silicone sleeved IP68? RGBWW LED strips, with a 12v powers upply and controller and control it from Network resources or NodeLink, depending on controller and RPi availability and controller you use.

 

Now you can light it up with white, bright, dim, Red, Green, Blue or any combination (some controllers can't mix white and RGB).

 

LED strip 5m = $18

Controller = $16, Milight requires a Bridge/Hub = $12

Power supply $10

Connectors $1-3

Network Module = $49?

 

YMMV

[stusviews]

Thx for the reply. I am using ISY 994i (firmware 4.5.1 and UI 4.2.18 - although I doubt the firmware makes a difference)

 

Having different versions of the firmware and UI can give unexpected results. It makes a major difference if the firmware and UI are not identical.

[oberkc]

 It may be a stupid question but are there any particular insteon switches I need to look for (or avoid) to buy and install so I can then connect them to MyLighting? 

 

To emphasize and repeat the others, I believe you will find the ISY-994 compatible with ANY insteon switch.  I might watch out for very early versions of a few switches, but more for hardware reliability concerns rather than compatibility.  At this point, I doubt that anyone would be selling as new any devices this old, however.

[Teken]

The only Insteon hardware device that needs to be called out is the *Toggle Linc*. This is probably the only single band lighting switch Smartlabs hasn't updated since product launch. I call this out because there are many folks that have an affinity to that old school look and feel.

 

I personally have never liked the look or feel of the mechanical toggle switch since its inception. Having said this if you have existing toggle switches you can easily integrate Insteon micro modules to make them *Smart Switches*. This assumes box fill and room isn't an issue in your home.

 

As older homes from 1990 and before had some really shallow box's . . .

[stusviews]

My wife had an affinity for the old toggle switches and moaned the demise of the last one. These are not of an era that created push button switches which are really unusual and add to the decor if that's the home.

 

Toggle switches are a cheap solution. There's really no nostalgia unless you like the mass production of look alike homes.

[G W]

My wife likes these.

 

 

Or you can go high tech.

Short and to the point.

Best regards,

Gary Funk

[Teken]

That is so awesome haven't seen those in ages! They were very common in Asia when I traveled for work back in the day.

 

 

=========================

 

The highest calling in life is to serve ones country faithfully - Teach others what can be. Do what is right and not what is popular.

[G W]

That is so awesome haven't seen those in ages! They were very common in Asia when I traveled for work back in the day.

 

 

=========================

 

The highest calling in life is to serve ones country faithfully - Teach others what can be. Do what is right and not what is popular.

And they are still very common in Asia. I'm on the beach in Pho Quoc and.... well it's not the worst I have seen but close.

 

Short and to the point.

Best regards,

Gary Funk

[Teken]

No, you want to see bad just go to about anywhere in India. I honestly thought all of those funny images I would see in emails were Photoshop or jokes.

 

But a few friends that live in different parts of India have sent me photo's of the electrical, telephone, wiring is unbelievable. Never mind the packing of humans on trains, cars, buses . . . It makes those past circus acts I saw way back in the day where the clowns stuffed in 8-10 guys into a VW bug look like nothing.

 

Seeing hundreds of Indians hanging off a fast moving train on the outside of the roof, foot bars, and door hangs is just insane!

[G W]

How about the Philippines, where I've seen workers using metal coat hangers to feed electric through a house.

 

India has nothing over Vietnam. In Saigon it's common to see 7 or 8 on a motorcycle along with a dog or two. And they aren't satisfied with that. They be driving down the road and pull out in front of a moving semi to make a turn.

 

Short and to the point.

Best regards,

Gary Funk