jgcharlotte Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 Has anyone used an open/close sensor as a cheap and simple alternative to an I/O Linc? Strictly for the dry contact interface, using the 'external sensor' terminal. Thinking about it for an IR Photoelectric Detector.
Teken Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 Has anyone used an open/close sensor as a cheap and simple alternative to an I/O Linc? Strictly for the dry contact interface, using the 'external sensor' terminal. Thinking about it for an IR Photoelectric Detector. Yes, in dozens of applications . . .
jgcharlotte Posted February 28, 2017 Author Posted February 28, 2017 Cool, thanks. I couldn't think of any major downside.
Teken Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 Cool, thanks. I couldn't think of any major downside. You certainly need to ensure and mindful of a strong RF Insteon mesh in the home. If you expect to see positive results using the open-close sensor. I'm using the external contact for various *Proof of concept* projects and long term cold weather Arctic testing. - Smart door bell - Voltage loss detection - Water leak detection - Tilt sensor - Humidity trip point - Position sensor - Stress / Level detection
jgcharlotte Posted February 28, 2017 Author Posted February 28, 2017 I'm using 3 of them now, front door, back door and cabinet lighting (using multiple mag switches on multiple doors). I don't think I've had a single failure. Been very happy with them.
stusviews Posted March 1, 2017 Posted March 1, 2017 Why would anyone even use the I/O Linc to control devices other than low voltage? That's not its purpose. That's akin to using an Open/Close sensor to control a line voltage relay to operate a low voltage device. It can be done, but why not use a device for its intended purpose?
oberkc Posted March 1, 2017 Posted March 1, 2017 There is one thing that favors the IOLinc: no batteries to change.
Brian H Posted March 1, 2017 Posted March 1, 2017 While the Open/Closed Sensor. Needs no AC wiring to use it. Like mounted on a door to detect when it was opened. Both modules have advantages depending on where used and what you want to do with it.
jgcharlotte Posted March 1, 2017 Author Posted March 1, 2017 Why would anyone even use the I/O Linc to control devices other than low voltage? That's not its purpose. That's akin to using an Open/Close sensor to control a line voltage relay to operate a low voltage device. It can be done, but why not use a device for its intended purpose? Hi Stusviews, not sure who was proposing that. . . it doesn't make sense. The only IO Linc I have is using the contact to bypass an LED strip dimmer module for full brightness in under cabinet lighting. Works great for that. For strictly dry contact input, seems like open/close should work well, as attested to by others. One nice thing about the IO Linc, though, is that it's dual-band.
Teken Posted March 1, 2017 Posted March 1, 2017 Hi Stusviews, not sure who was proposing that. . . it doesn't make sense. The only IO Linc I have is using the contact to bypass an LED strip dimmer module for full brightness in under cabinet lighting. Works great for that. For strictly dry contact input, seems like open/close should work well, as attested to by others. One nice thing about the IO Linc, though, is that it's dual-band. The I/O Linc in its current form is single band - many of us have been waiting for a dual band version for more than two years.
Brian H Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 (edited) Smarthome recently updated the sales page for the I/O Linc to indicate it was power line only and a range extender maybe needed in some installations. I imagine many users where not aware the I/O Linc was an older design power line only module. The box I got my Retail Boxed I/O Linc actually says on it "Wire Band". Edited March 2, 2017 by Brian H
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