andrew77 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 I’ve searched for Insteon module with no switch and I seem to keep finding a plug in lamplinc my scenario is this i want to install a floodlight at the peak of my house. The other side of the wall at this peak would be an empty crawl space attic. I don’t really want to put a switch up there. I once saw a module that you could just wire inline and control it from any other device. Does anyone know this device and is it good? Is it easier to just abandon a switch in the attic?
keepersg Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 There are several modules that will do what you want. You can find them here on the Smarthome website. 1
MrBill Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 49 minutes ago, andrew77 said: I’ve searched for Insteon module with no switch and I seem to keep finding a plug in lamplinc my scenario is this i want to install a floodlight at the peak of my house. The other side of the wall at this peak would be an empty crawl space attic. I don’t really want to put a switch up there. I once saw a module that you could just wire inline and control it from any other device. Does anyone know this device and is it good? Is it easier to just abandon a switch in the attic? https://www.smarthome.com/products/in-linelinc-relay-insteon-2475sdb-remote-control-in-line-on-off-switch-dual-band https://www.smarthome.com/products/in-linelinc-dimmer-insteon-2475da1-remote-control-in-line-dimmer-dual-band Those are probably what you were remembering. They are effectively a 2477 without the box mounting yolk, they even have to on/off button of a 2477, just no plastic faceplate. I would get a deep weatherproof box for the floodlight and mount the module in the weatherproof box outside, not in a junction box in the empty attic crawl space. Even better if you can do it, cut a switch into a closet or laundry room of the conditioned space of the house. Since you won't use it often and don't want people randomly turning it on/off mount it high on the wall near the ceiling. This comes in handy when you want to test-- access to the physical device is easy. I've added one in the laundry room near the ceiling and one in one of the bedroom closets also near the ceiling. You're absolutely correct the attic is no place for a module, and the back box behind the fixture is really not much better, and certainly alot harder to access. 1
andrew77 Posted August 31, 2020 Author Posted August 31, 2020 24 minutes ago, MrBill said: Even better if you can do it, cut a switch into a closet or laundry room of the conditioned space of the house. This was another thought. I have a 2477S. I just have to Find an out of the way spot for it. I figured with the attic hot in summer and cold in winter I'd have problems at some point. Thanks for the advice guys, Drew 1
shunsader Posted September 13, 2020 Posted September 13, 2020 Drew, I've been down this road, and decided to put a 'real' switch in, after having to deal with failed components or having the inability to test when something doesn't work as expected. If you're running power to 'something', and you have access on the other side of a wall to crawl space, pull the wire to a more convenient space and install the switch. It sounds like more work, but will pay off in future years when things start failing. I STILL have 3 switch boxes that I had older 2476D's installed, and have installed MANY of the similar motion sensor remote switches inside those round cans behind the motion sensor cans. As for the motion sensor cans, I've pulled them all out, and installed physical switches because they're impossible to test once installed inside a can. I realize that you've probably already done the work, but felt that you should at least hear it from someone who now has over 200 switches/devices in my home.....and 5-8% seem to fail EACH YEAR, or at least need upgrades. KISS. - Steve 1
andrew77 Posted September 14, 2020 Author Posted September 14, 2020 On 9/13/2020 at 12:43 AM, shunsader said: Drew, I've been down this road, and decided to put a 'real' switch in, after having to deal with failed components or having the inability to test when something doesn't work as expected. If you're running power to 'something', and you have access on the other side of a wall to crawl space, pull the wire to a more convenient space and install the switch. It sounds like more work, but will pay off in future years when things start failing. I STILL have 3 switch boxes that I had older 2476D's installed, and have installed MANY of the similar motion sensor remote switches inside those round cans behind the motion sensor cans. As for the motion sensor cans, I've pulled them all out, and installed physical switches because they're impossible to test once installed inside a can. I realize that you've probably already done the work, but felt that you should at least hear it from someone who now has over 200 switches/devices in my home.....and 5-8% seem to fail EACH YEAR, or at least need upgrades. KISS. - Steve Hi Steve, I haven't done the work yet as I was still humming and hawing over what the better solution was. So I greatly appreciate you chiming in on this. I was leaning toward using an actual switch. I'll now hum and haw over where I want to put the switch itself. Again, thank you for posting Drew
Goose66 Posted September 14, 2020 Posted September 14, 2020 (edited) If you are going to use LED bulbs (which I hope you are), you can also use this: https://www.smarthome.com/collections/insteon-switches/products/insteon-2442-222-micro-dimmer-module Fits in any box. I agree with keeping the module in the box at the fixture since you should always have access to that. It's not Insteon, but you could also just put some Wi-Fi bulbs in a regular fixture. In either of these situations, you are going to want the fixture/module to be on a line with its own breaker, or you are going to want a conventional switch somewhere upstream. Edited September 14, 2020 by Goose66
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