smarthome_newbie Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 I posted about this previously but wanted to give an update. Have an on off switch that controls a fan next to a keypad that controls four can lights. The on off switch will sometimes control the keypad. Will turn lights on off. This only happens 50% of the time. I’ve tried factory reset multiple times. Called support and was that the light load must be connected to the on off switch? I would think If that’s the case, it would happen 100% of the time. But my electrician could have done it wrong.
smarthome_newbie Posted October 10, 2019 Author Posted October 10, 2019 Now I have another issue. A switch in the bathroom causes the kitchen lights to flash when turning the bathroom light on/off. Starting to get frustrated. Ugh. I already called the electrician back to check the keypad with on/off switch issue, but now I'm questioning if it's device related or wrong install by him. I know the new issue with bathroom/kicthen light flash can't be due to electrician installation. Any thoughts?
smarthome_newbie Posted October 10, 2019 Author Posted October 10, 2019 I have the PLM and isy connected to a surge suppressor. Could that be causing this? edit again: It’s not just the bathroom lights that cause kitchen to flash. Just noticed the dining room lights do it as well.
Brian H Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 It depends on the Surge Suppressors electronics. If it is strictly a suppressor it maybe OK. If it also has some noise suppression in it. Then it would absorb some of the Insteon Power Line signals. I had some with an AC capacitor across the AC Line and had to remove them and just leave the suppression components in it. If you have the PLM on the same circuit as the computing equipment or UPS AC input. They can also effect the Insteon Power Line commands. I have my APC UPS on a FilterLinc's filtered output and the PLM on the front AC pass through output. Are the flickering light on an Insteon Module or a standard dimmer? Some lights are sensitive to the Insteon power line commands on the power lines.
smarthome_newbie Posted October 10, 2019 Author Posted October 10, 2019 Now that I think about it, the surge suppressor can’t be the issue because the issue still occurs after a factory reset. Do you think it could be that the electrician installed loads wrong? Such as connected both loads to one switch. The issue only occurs 50% of the time. Wouldn’t it be 100% if it was an installation issue. The flickering lights occur on a keypad. I just tried this morning and it didn’t flicker. Why would the issue just go away? I’m sure it will reoccur.
lilyoyo1 Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 It may be the bulbs that you are using. The only way to know how your devices are hooked up is to open the box
smarthome_newbie Posted October 10, 2019 Author Posted October 10, 2019 30 minutes ago, lilyoyo1 said: It may be the bulbs that you are using. The only way to know how your devices are hooked up is to open the box Just regular LED bulbs. They work fine throughout the house. But last night the kitchen lights were flickering when using other switches in the house. Wasn’t doing it this morning. Any thoughts? Can you answer my question about whether the other issue is due to electrician install? If it was due to wrong install, wouldn’t it be affected 100% of the time? Thanks.
lilyoyo1 Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 I answered you. We've answered all that it could be. Troubleshooting means taking steps and looking at the most likely to the least likely. I would think it would happen every time if it was the wiring so I doubt it's that. The most logical explanation is they are linked but you said you factory reset both switches which rules that out. At this point, it doesn't hurt to open up the box Just regular led bulbs is not an answer. Different brands and models act differently. Feit for example while it can dim well, doesn't dim a low as Phillips or Cree. I've seen ecosmart flash while dimming. Different bulbs act differently so just regular led bulbs doesn't help
smarthome_newbie Posted October 10, 2019 Author Posted October 10, 2019 4 hours ago, lilyoyo1 said: I answered you. We've answered all that it could be. Troubleshooting means taking steps and looking at the most likely to the least likely. I would think it would happen every time if it was the wiring so I doubt it's that. The most logical explanation is they are linked but you said you factory reset both switches which rules that out. At this point, it doesn't hurt to open up the box Just regular led bulbs is not an answer. Different brands and models act differently. Feit for example while it can dim well, doesn't dim a low as Phillips or Cree. I've seen ecosmart flash while dimming. Different bulbs act differently so just regular led bulbs doesn't help Got it. I will open the box tonight. The lights are GE Classic LED. Know anything about those? Not sure how it could be the lights though. My issue concerning the flashing was kitchen lights would flash when another switch in the house is turned on/off. Bathroom, dining room, etc. Strange.
lilyoyo1 Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 I've tried those and their reveal line of bulbs. Both worked but I wasn't satisfied with how low they could dim. Cree and Philips warm glow are my go to bulbs. Both have worked exceptionally well for me.
smarthome_newbie Posted October 11, 2019 Author Posted October 11, 2019 Gotcha. Not sure if this would help with troubleshooting, but whenever updating isy, such as saving a scene, the lights controlled by keypad flash like crazy.
lilyoyo1 Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 You're having way too many issues for forum help. At this point, you're better off getting a local installer to take a look at your system
smarthome_newbie Posted October 11, 2019 Author Posted October 11, 2019 29 minutes ago, lilyoyo1 said: You're having way too many issues for forum help. At this point, you're better off getting a local installer to take a look at your system Ugh. You think it’s that serious? Problem is there are no local installers familiar with Insteon. Are the lights flashing when updating what makes you think I need a professional to come? By the way, thanks for all the help. I’ve learned a lot! kitchen lights are now flashing again when turning bathroom on off or dining room. I’m honestly starting to regret getting these switches. These issues shouldn’t be occurring. I can understand a learning curve with programming but that is not what I'm having an issue with right now. I spent thousands for whole house to have all Insteon.
lilyoyo1 Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 There is nothing wrong with your switches. You are literally having every issue that could possibly happen happen. Not only that you are having stuff that doesn't happen happen, and new issues pop up after anything is done. It's either being made up or the worst install ever done. Individually 1 or 2 issues can be fixed and simply something that happened. The amount that you have, the way they are happening, just isn't possible unless a person tried to mess it up. (no offense). Either the install itself was done wrong or your house wiring is FUBAR
smarthome_newbie Posted October 11, 2019 Author Posted October 11, 2019 1 minute ago, lilyoyo1 said: There is nothing wrong with your switches. You are literally having every issue that could possibly happen happen. Not only that you are having stuff that doesn't happen happen, and new issues pop up after anything is done. It's either being made up or the worst install ever done. Individually 1 or 2 issues can be fixed and simply something that happened. The amount that you have, the way they are happening, just isn't possible unless a person tried to mess it up. (no offense). Either the install itself was done wrong or your house wiring is FUBAR I'm not making it up.
larryllix Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 12 minutes ago, smarthome_newbie said: I'm not making it up. Ask around about finding a smart electrician that can check your service, particularly your neutral connections and grounding.
smarthome_newbie Posted October 11, 2019 Author Posted October 11, 2019 Just now, larryllix said: Ask around about finding a smart electrician that can check your service, particularly your neutral connections and grounding. OK. I'll give that a try, but it's a new house built by a very reputable builder. I can't imagine it being FUBAR. Have you ever heard of these issues before?
larryllix Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 5 minutes ago, smarthome_newbie said: OK. I'll give that a try, but it's a new house built by a very reputable builder. I can't imagine it being FUBAR. Have you ever heard of these issues before? Not with Insteon devices. I had some flash the LEDs on the SwitchLincs and a few other minor problems that I could fix. I worked for an electrical utility and if the neighbourhood is new, suspect anything. Our business slowly changed to contracting out to electrical contractors and things became very unreliable with so many unknowledgeable installers. Ask close neighbours if their lights flicker. neighbourhood transformers usually feed 2-6 house as the feed wires can get too long for the voltage drop specs. It may not be the answer but it's a start. The local electrical utility may be able to help, no charge, with measurements to find their own problems.
lilyoyo1 Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 I have. Each 1 individually and easily fixed. You literally have every issue out there 1 after another
lilyoyo1 Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 22 minutes ago, smarthome_newbie said: I'm not making it up. I'm not saying that you are. I'm simply saying the likelihood of you having each and every issue that can happen is unlikely. Not only that, the way you are having them can only be a couple of things.
smarthome_newbie Posted October 11, 2019 Author Posted October 11, 2019 3 minutes ago, lilyoyo1 said: I'm not saying that you are. I'm simply saying the likelihood of you having each and every issue that can happen is unlikely. Not only that, the way you are having them can only be a couple of things. So you think just call a regular electrician to check grounding and neutral connections?
smarthome_newbie Posted October 11, 2019 Author Posted October 11, 2019 2 minutes ago, lilyoyo1 said: I'd call someone who understands automation OK I know someone that installs home automation, just not familiar with Insteon. He installed my TVs and was familiar with the use of powerline. Please tell me this can be fixed. I shouldn't have to pay if electric is truly FUBAR since a new house, right? My SO is going to kill me!
lilyoyo1 Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 I can't tell you how to fix it. What you are experiencing is not a forum fixable issue. You literally have a new problem that arises after every fix. I'm not saying you have electrical issues. No one can know what's happening without troubleshooting. As I constantly repeat, you are having every issue under the sun when it comes to installations. Most people will see 1 or 2. You have every
smarthome_newbie Posted October 11, 2019 Author Posted October 11, 2019 Just now, lilyoyo1 said: I can't tell you how to fix it. What you are experiencing is not a forum fixable issue. You literally have a new problem that arises after every fix. I'm not saying you have electrical issues. No one can know what's happening without troubleshooting. As I constantly repeat, you are having every issue under the sun when it comes to installations. Most people will see 1 or 2. You have every Ugh. I’m screwed.
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