Keypad Switches/Dimmers basic question

[Jamison_IO]

I am looking to relieve some space constraints in my 4-gang boxes with Insteon switches (they get pretty packed). 

Am I right in assuming that the keypad can work as a (physical) load controller for one switch and then a remote control for any other switch in the system via the ISY? Is there anything I need to take into consideration other than the line and load placement for the switch circuits?

For example (hypothetical, it probably isn't this way), if I have a two-load switches and two non-load switches in my box, can I use the keypad as one load switch, an Insteon standard switch for another, and then tie the other two through (eliminating the switches), and use the keypad to control them remotely through the ISY?

Thanks!

 

[paulbates]

 

37 minutes ago, Jamison_IO said:

Am I right in assuming that the keypad can work as a (physical) load controller for one switch and then a remote control for any other switch in the system via the ISY? Is there anything I need to take into consideration other than the line and load placement for the switch circuits?

Yes, but the load control is set to the A button for an 8 button or the On/Off (Top / bottom) of a 6 button. You can't make the load controlled directly by the other buttons.

Another installation point to consider. While you're already potentially experiencing this, multi ganging dimmers, even keypad dimmer, reduces their load potential by almost 50%. A dimmer ganged between 2 other dimmers will have very low load potential. If you notice the switches getting  very warm or buzzing noticeably a few feet away from the box, its likely a problem. However, since it sounds like you're reducing the # switches, it likely reduces this problem. Try to gang dimmers away from other dimmers.. eg, switchlinc relay in the middle.

 

37 minutes ago, Jamison_IO said:

For example (hypothetical, it probably isn't this way), if I have a two-load switches and two non-load switches in my box, can I use the keypad as one load switch, an Insteon standard switch for another, and then tie the other two through (eliminating the switches), and use the keypad to control them remotely through the ISY?

Yes, absolutely. I'm set up that way. Create a New INSTEON Scene under Link management. Add the switch participants as controllers to the scene (assuming they can be physically controlled by the occupants). Yes, the ISY can track the status of any of them and/or control them. Create the scene, and drag each switch in with the mouse. Click Controller/Responder checkbox.

When you use the ISY to control the lights... turn the Scene on and off, not the individual lights. That will turn them on and off in unison. 

For instance I have a switchlinc at the bottom of my stairway to the second floor, and 6 button keypad at the top. The switchlinc controls the load. The on/off button of the keypad can turn the stair lights on/off too. Both are linked as controllers/responders to a scene. I have a 7 minute timer that sees that the lights were turned on, then dims them after 6 minutes, and then turns them off by using the scene. I did this because these lights are chronically left on, even though everyone is just passing through. This has worked out well.. no complaints, and the lights do not stay on all of the time.

Hope this helps

Paul

[Jamison_IO]

Hey Paul,

What a great answer. Thanks so much.

Curiously, the first part you mentioned is something I have struggled with. I have several "standard" three way and one 4 way setup that utilize dimmers on all touch points. Is there a best practice to install these to prevent the situation you describe?

They all work, but if I can do something to lessen the wear, I'd like to do that.

 

I don't understand what the switchlincs do - at the moment, I only have dimmers and on/offs in my lights switch setups.

 

[paulbates]

Hey

Yes I know the ganging thing is a bit unusual. You can read about it on page 17 of the switchlinc dimmer manual under Mounting:

• "Mounts in single or multiple-ganged wall box. Control 200W less load for each immediately adjacent SwitchLinc Dimmer installed. For example, 600 W load control becomes 400 W with another dimmer to the immediate right or left. Use a triplegang box with a mechanical switch in the center to avoid derating."

It could be that your loads are lower like LEDs, or if you area not controlling a load with the switch, it won't be affected. I think if you were going to have a problem with it you'd have notices, and you'd have hot switches and buzzing / noise. 

Switchlincs are just the product name of insteon dimmer and relay wall switches.

Paul