Scene with 4-way where the dimmer level controls?

[ctviggen1]

I just set up a scene for a 4-way circuit.  The local controller is a keypad (on/off); there is another on/off switch and a dimmer switch in the circuit.  They're currently all linked together as controllers. 

 

Is it possible for me to use the dimmer switch to apply a level, then have the dimmer switch, keypad, and on/off switch apply this level the next time the light is on?  Say, I want 50% power normally.  Can I do this using switches only?  Or do I have to use the ISY interface?  (I would like also to be able to make the lamp brighter using the dimmer switch, without having to turn on my computer; or use Alexa I guess to modify the level.) 

 

If this is possible, is the dimmer switch the controller and the on/off switch and keypad the responders?  Or what other configuration do I need?  Is there a detriment to this configuration? 

 

Thank you.

 

 

[jtara92101]

What do you mean by "in the circuit"? You should not series-wire dimmer switches! If you have existing 3 or 4-way wiring, you should NOT make any use of the travelers. One Insteon dimmer should be connected to the load. The other controllers should only connect to hot and neutral - cap the load.

 

It is most CONVENIENT to set-up your scene using ISY. Much more convenient than bouncing around the house tapping buttons!

 

Set the on-level for each device within the scene. You then either have to duplicate the same settings within each controller, or - the easy way - check the "copy scene attributes" checkbox on the controller.

 

You can increase or decrease the brightness of the scene from any of it's controllers.

[stusviews]

Create a scene where all devices are controllers and set the level of the device wired to the load to 50%. Even the On/Off switch can dim and brighten the wired device.

[jtara92101]

I don't know just what you mean when you say "use the dimmer switch to apply a level, then have the dimmer switch, keypad, and on/off switch apply this level the next time the light is on. If you mean that literally, the answer is no. When you adjust the brightness at a controller, that brightness is not "sticky". It just modifies the current level of the scene.

 

If you want to be able to change the scene brightness from a controller, and have it be sticky, you would have to use a program. And decide what kind of tapping gymnastics you want to put the user through to do this.

[G W]

I think what he means is, he uses a dimmer to set the on level to 62%. Later the light is turned off. The next time an On command is issued the light comes in at 62%.

 

I understand this because he doesn't try to talk over anyone's head and he keeps it simple.

 

Gary Funk (Joke removed at the request of one user)

[jtara92101]

Since we are dealing with electrical circuits with potentially lethal consequences, we shouldn't guess at what was meant.

 

Better we make sure it is absolutely clear, and perhaps the solution is delayed.

[G W]

Since we are dealing with electrical circuits with potentially lethal consequences, we shouldn't guess at what was meant.

 

Better we make sure it is absolutely clear, and perhaps the solution is delayed.

Exactly. We shouldn't guess like the guy in post 2.

 

Gary Funk (Joke removed at the request of one user)

[stusviews]

The OP was quite clear. Only one device is wired to the load and all devices are linked as controllers. That's standard vernacular for a correctly wired Insteon muti-way configuration.

 

There is noting to indicate series wiring nor even a 62% On-level.

 

A scene is the simple solution

[G W]

The OP was quite clear. Only one device is wired to the load and all devices are linked as controllers. That's standard vernacular for a correctly wired Insteon muti-way configuration.

 

There is noting to indicate series wiring nor even a 62% On-level.

 

A scene is the simple solution

The 62% is an arbitrary figure to illustrate the process, but then you already knew that.

 

Gary Funk (Joke removed at the request of one user)

[G W]

Setting the on level of a scene from the last level set by the keypad MIGHT be possible with a program. I haven't tried this but from reading past posts it is certainly worth considering.

 

I'm Gary Funk and I approved this message.

[stusviews]

Yes, a program can accomplish that. But a program will introduce a delay whereas scenes are immediate.

[G W]

Yes, a program can accomplish that. But a program will introduce a delay whereas scenes are immediate.

No no no. The ISY program would set the scene level AFTER the level was set by the dimmer. The end means being that the next time the scene was set ON it would set the lights to the previous level of the dimmer, which was previously set by an ISY program.

 

I'm Gary Funk and I approved this message.

[stusviews]

So, you're back with the jokes

[larryllix]

I just set up a scene for a 4-way circuit.  The local controller is a keypad (on/off); there is another on/off switch and a dimmer switch in the circuit.  They're currently all linked together as controllers. 

 

Is it possible for me to use the dimmer switch to apply a level, then have the dimmer switch, keypad, and on/off switch apply this level the next time the light is on?  Say, I want 50% power normally.  Can I do this using switches only?  Or do I have to use the ISY interface?  (I would like also to be able to make the lamp brighter using the dimmer switch, without having to turn on my computer; or use Alexa I guess to modify the level.) 

 

If this is possible, is the dimmer switch the controller and the on/off switch and keypad the responders?  Or what other configuration do I need?  Is there a detriment to this configuration? 

 

Thank you.

A SwitchLinc can change it's own local level settings from the paddle but only it's own paddle can trigger it to the local preset level.

 

Insteon devices cannot change scene levels by operating their paddles On.

They can change their own local levels so that next time that switch is tuned on at that particular switch, it goes to that same level, but the scene levels need to be changed from a scene management device like ISY.

 

IIRC the SwitchLinc switches can send dim and brighten commands, just not control loads to levels other than on/off.