johnjces Posted September 30, 2017 Posted September 30, 2017 (edited) Sorry to be bugging you guys so much lately with 50 questions, but I am seeking anyone with experience with the above dimmable micro module and dimmable LED bulbs. I have searched the web and read the manual on these devices and clearly Insteon states that the load is "Incandescent". I have checked other sites, (Home Depot being one) and it states CFL and LED compatible. I have several dimmable Insteon SwitchLincs and they work fine on dimmable LED lamps. SO... just a double check before I dump my lousy, failed in less than a year FanLinc. Medium speed has gone away. It starts and stops. AND just an FYI, a FanLinc didn't fit in my fan's ceiling sconce or trim piece so had to improvise on it's location. I have read about that on several other forums that it is pretty large and has a high failure rate. I want to use a dimmable micro module for the ceiling fan lamps, of course, and an on-off micro module for the fan and just use the pull chain speed control. Thanks again! John Edited September 30, 2017 by johnjces
Techman Posted September 30, 2017 Posted September 30, 2017 (edited) Almost all dimmable LED bulbs contain a driver circuit. The LED bulb manufacturers are constantly changing their circuit designs so a bulb that is compatible with Insteon devices today may not be compatible tomorrow. The major differences you might notice is that when a bulb is dimmed it may flicker or buzz during the dimming process. Some bulbs will dim to a lower level than others. The bottom line is that it's a trial and error process. It's best to buy your bulbs from a source that will accept returns in the event the bulbs on't give you the results you're looking for. Even though the Insteon devices don't mention LED bulbs as being compatible most LEDs will work. Edited September 30, 2017 by Techman 1
Teken Posted September 30, 2017 Posted September 30, 2017 Sorry to be bugging you guys so much lately with 50 questions, but I am seeking anyone with experience with the above dimmable micro module and dimmable LED bulbs. I have searched the web and read the manual on these devices and clearly Insteon states that the load is "Incandescent". I have checked other sites, (Home Depot being one) and it states CFL and LED compatible. I have several dimmable Insteon SwitchLincs and they work fine on dimmable LED lamps. SO... just a double check before I dump my lousy, failed in less than a year FanLinc. Medium speed has gone away. It starts and stops. AND just an FYI, a FanLinc didn't fit in my fan's ceiling sconce or trim piece so had to improvise on it's location. I have read about that on several other forums that it is pretty large. I want to use a dimmable micro module for the ceiling fan lamps, of course, and an on-off micro module for the fan and just use the pull chain speed control. Thanks again! John Hello John, If the fan linc is truly under two years of ownership consider submitting a RMA via cross dock. Also, based on the Insteon hardware you spec'd out and describe for your use case it should work just fine. 1
Brian H Posted September 30, 2017 Posted September 30, 2017 IMHO. It is a cover where you sit down statement. That way if you used a dimmable LED and it didn't work correctly. They can say incandescent only you didn't follow instructions. As you have seen. Many of then are fine with an Insteon dimmer. 1
stusviews Posted October 1, 2017 Posted October 1, 2017 Describe your improvisational FanLinc mounting in a bit more detail. The lighting circuitry is separate from the fan speed circuitry, so one failing may not affect the other. I've been using a FanLinc with 100W equivalent LED bulbs for more than a year, usually at 80%, set to 10% nearly nightly.
johnjces Posted October 1, 2017 Author Posted October 1, 2017 (edited) @Stusviews To cover both improvised mounting/installations.... Originally, I simply installed the fanlinc into an electrical box in the attic right above the ceiling fan mount and box. Plenty of wire length to bring the wires back through the mounting/electrical box and wire it to the existing supply fan and light wires. My plan is to remove the fanlinc, (remove it from its box in the attic and unhook it), and replace it with the micro devices since medium fan speed stopped working. The fanlinc will be replaced by both the micro dimmer module for the lights and the micro on/off module for the fan and we will vary the fan speed when needed by the good ol' pull chain. I do believe that the micro modules will fit into the ceiling box and ceiling fan trim cone, for lack of a better description. I won't have to climb into the attic ever again to reset, or mess with the Fanlinc. Biggest reward; not ever having to get into that hot ol attic again! (I hope). John Edited October 1, 2017 by johnjces
Teken Posted October 1, 2017 Posted October 1, 2017 Hello John, Very few household electronic are rated to operate in a extreme environment such as the attic. Which you can personally attest is quite hot / cold during the different seasons. Every Insteon device indicates the safe operating range of the hardware. To ensure the longest service life please try to keep the new hardware within that operating range. The most common failure point on most Insteon devices is the capacitors. Extreme heat will dry out the dielectric material and thus shorten its service life. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
johnjces Posted October 1, 2017 Author Posted October 1, 2017 Thanks Teken! I knew that from the start but wanted to give it a go! About a year isn't bad in an attic. I did try and insulate it however.
Teken Posted October 1, 2017 Posted October 1, 2017 Thanks Teken! I knew that from the start but wanted to give it a go! About a year isn't bad in an attic. I did try and insulate it however. LOL . . . 1
stusviews Posted October 1, 2017 Posted October 1, 2017 Pre-Micro Module, I was able to fit two In-LineLincs into a ceiling box, so two Micro Modules shouldn't be a problem. Well, I actually did that, ttoo. Now fully controlled by a FanLinc with one KPL button for all three speeds plus off and one KPL button for dimming LED bulbs. The fan is a low cost Hunter and the bulbs are high cost Sylvania. 1
johnjces Posted October 1, 2017 Author Posted October 1, 2017 Thanks guys for the info and input! One other thing about the fanlinc... on fanlinc low speed with my fan, it was really slow; slower than direct connected. On fanlinc medium it was a bit faster than the fan's unmodified slow... somewhere between low and medium. High speed was a normal high speed. I guess another reason to go back to the old pull chain, but the ol' chain is rarely pulled and sure is super nice to lay in bed and say, "Alexa, bedroom fan on"! John
stusviews Posted October 2, 2017 Posted October 2, 2017 With multiple portal accounts, I can line in bed and say, "Alexa, the the fan on." And when I'm in the living room, the same command turns on the living room fan. Only the dining room fan turns on when I issue the same command from that room. I do use a different wake word if the Echos are within earshot of each other 1
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