Small system at second "home" - use a Hub, or second ISY?

[MrEstateManager]

This is a variant on the "vacation house" scenario...

My primary house is controlled by an ISY w/60 or so lights, plenty of programs, etc.  Well sorted after 4 years.

We are now buying an "RV lot" a couple of states away (aka, no physical or virtual connection between them).  It is has an outdoor kitchen/seating area, with 8 light switches (don't get me started on why 400sf needs 8 different light switches!!).  I've got 8 extra dimmers from my house install that I'm going to bring down with me, but I'll need a way to control them.

Seems like the option is a 2nd ISY or an Insteon Hub, right?   The ISY is more expensive, and frankly more than I need down there since I'm only controlling 8 lights.  Also, I use Alexa for voice control, and I'm not sure how one Alexa account works with 2 ISYs.

Has anyone used both like this?  Is there a standard controller people use for small systems like this?

Any advice/direction appreciated!

 

 

[lilyoyo1]

I use the isy for everything regardless of size. I trust their programming more than I trust insteon's. Especially for a home I won't be at, reliability is Paramount

[MrEstateManager]

3 hours ago, lilyoyo1 said:

I use the isy for everything regardless of size. I trust their programming more than I trust insteon's. Especially for a home I won't be at, reliability is Paramount

Thankfully it isn't really a "home" (covered outdoor space), but I agree with your meta point.

I've searched the forums, but I can't seem to find any info on what I would wind up with:

House 1:  ISY-1
House 2:  ISY-2

... both tied to a single OrchMobiLinc and Alexa account.   Can that be done?

 

[simplextech]

1 hour ago, MrEstateManager said:

... both tied to a single OrchMobiLinc and Alexa account.   Can that be done?

I don't think so.  Not without something over both of the ISY's to encapsulate them like CQC or HomeSeer something like that and I dunno about the Mobilinc part.  I think it supports multiple ISY's so it might be possible. 

[palayman]

6 hours ago, MrEstateManager said:

This is a variant on the "vacation house" scenario...

My primary house is controlled by an ISY w/60 or so lights, plenty of programs, etc.  Well sorted after 4 years.

We are now buying an "RV lot" a couple of states away (aka, no physical or virtual connection between them).  It is has an outdoor kitchen/seating area, with 8 light switches (don't get me started on why 400sf needs 8 different light switches!!).  I've got 8 extra dimmers from my house install that I'm going to bring down with me, but I'll need a way to control them.

Seems like the option is a 2nd ISY or an Insteon Hub, right?   The ISY is more expensive, and frankly more than I need down there since I'm only controlling 8 lights.  Also, I use Alexa for voice control, and I'm not sure how one Alexa account works with 2 ISYs.

Has anyone used both like this?  Is there a standard controller people use for small systems like this?

Any advice/direction appreciated!

 

 

I've got 3 ISY's in 3 locations.  I was using mobilinc which supports  multiple accounts, but not very conveniently.  Now I just use google home and ISY portal. I have 3 google accounts, one dedicated to each home and have invited all family members to join them all, including myself, using their usual google accounts.  Very easy to switch between homes and control most of what I need.

[DennisC]

11 hours ago, MrEstateManager said:

 

... both tied to a single OrchMobiLinc and Alexa account.   Can that be done?

 

Yes, by setting up 2 profiles, one for each house. You can easily switch between profiles in the app.