2476D paddle (hw) failures

[ELA]

I have a few older devices that have begun to fail recently.  For the most part I had escaped the original devices "infamous Paddle Failures" but now some older devices are starting to fail in similar ways.

     I had just replaced two 2476D's that started requiring multiple taps to turn on.  I did not mind that so much as the older units (R5.15) were not dual band and I liked the idea of improving my RF coverage with more dual band devices.

Right after replacing the second unit, in a two gang box, another 2476D next to it failed in the ON position.  I could not turn it off manually, but could turn it off via the ISY.   The paddle felt very stiff when trying to push the bottom section ( off).

I was hopeful that I could simply replace the Paddle section only with some color replacements I had.   After changing out the paddle the 2476D worked once again.     What was strange to me is that after removal of the original paddle, that paddle itself seemed to work just fine when no longer mounted.

Being curious I cut open the paddle to see what was going on.  As you can see in the picture one of the two "D-shaped rockers" had broken off and lodged itself in the bottom section of the switch.  This prevented the paddle from being able to depress in the down position(off).

Once the paddle was removed the D-shaped piece had migrated again and thus freed up the down position operation once again.

 

[Brian H]

Good find. Thank you for the information.

I too was part of the bad tact switch era but didn't have the date code units. In the recall by the Joe Dada era Smarthome. I do remember someone doing a tact switch repair fix it video. Mine would click just fine but nothing changed. As the switch did not make electrical contact. I vaguely remember an Icon version also had switch issues.

[ELA]

Thanks Brian,

With prices as they are now it might be tempting to replace the pushbutton switches but enforcing Dual Band coverage I felt was worth the cost.    Unfortunately I have also just had an older In-Linelinc go bad.  I have ordered a Micro Module for it as a replacement.  $60 each fail is not been very kind to my retirement fund  

Edited October 3 by ELA

[Brian H]

I had some Revision 1.3 2456S3 ApplinceLinc modules fail. 120VAC coil relay in all. Started pulsing On and Off at about a 30 cycle rate. I replaced the main filter cap and they again where OK. Had a few with the snubber across the relay contacts go bad and try and keep the load on when the relay was off. Smoke and all.

The 30 Volt Zener diode in the supply was famous for shorting or getting too hot and melting the solder or burning the PCB kind of black.

[IndyMike]

@ELA,

Nice Photo.  That's a failure that I have yet to encounter.  I am worried that you may have voided your warranty 😉.

Like you, I am on the fixed income plan.  When Smartlabs closed their doors I began playing with Z-Wave devices.  When Insteon restarted. it was their prices that kept me away.

For future planning, you may want to visit the Zooz site (Zen51 Dry contact).  They have a number of innovative products that make some financial sense.  Unfortunately, if you are still using a ISY994, you will need to upgrade to take advantage of the 700/800 series Zwave features.

Zooz plusses:

1. Inexpensive relays, dimmers, and embedded (typically 50% less)
2. Select relay and dimmer devices can be used in N-way configurations with standard mechanical switches (additional cost savings).  EX - I had a 5 way insteon setup (4 insteon switches) that I replaced with 1 Zen77 and 3 mechanical switches.    
3. Very nice rocker feel.  As good or better than Insteon.
4. Smooth dimming performance.  I replaced some 2477D's I had controlling 2 chandeliers.  The 2477D's produced "herky jerky" dimming with the 45W candelabra LED bulbs.  The Zen77's were very smooth even with a slow ramp rate.
5. Responsive customer support - reported an issue with what I termed "excessive communication" using a power monitoring plug-in.  Customer service responded, we conversed, and 3 months later they informed me of a firmware update that they had developed to address the issue.
6. OTA firmware updates of devices.
7. No issues with all-on (Insteon issue that still plagues some devices).

Full disclosure - I really like these guys.  I want to make sure they stay afloat.

 

[ELA]

Thanks for the Zooz information IndyMike,

My wife had bought me a T-shirt years ago that says "I Void Warranties"

I find my enthusiasm for changing/adding new automation types is waning.  Will stay with the ISY994 as long as it allows me to.