How do I replace ALL of my switches at once?

[sorka]

Smarthome is sending me replacements for all of my v35 switches which is pretty much all of them. I'd like to do a mass replacement but there doesn't seem to be a swap option like there was for houselinc.

 

I suppose I could just add each of the new switches and then select the replace option one at a time, but that will take forever and I'll have to deal with renaming and such.

 

What would be really cool is if I could go into the database and manually replace all of the device ids with the new device ids and then do one massive restore.

[Brian H]

The replace function will rename the new replacement and change the needed link databases in every place the original one was. So you will not have to rename the replacement switches.

 

You don't have the Pro version do you?

Pro Version allows you to hold all writes until all devices are swapped the then do them all at the sametime. You can also delay RF devices being written to.

[sorka]

Um, well, I bought the most expensive ISY-99IR at the time. It was $399 from Smarthome.

 

I don't believe there was a separate pro designation at the time.

 

I see the pro with IR is $369 which is less than I paid for mine

[Brian H]

In the Help Tab.

About choice.

It will tell you if you have the Pro version.

 

Also in the tool bar would be two green icons. One is a 11010 and the other looks like a small green battery. They allow you to delay automatic writes to devices and battery devices.

[Teken]

Brian H,

 

Much thanks for that information. Now I will know this for future installs and be ready to do it this way.

[Brian H]

You are welcome.

I remember you have the Pro version so the choices should be avilable.

[sorka]

I don't have the pro version. There was no such option available when I bought. What I bought was a bit more than the pro version.

 

Did I get screwed here????

[LeeG]

sorka

 

From the UDI web site ...

 

"Standard ISY-99i is field upgradeable to ISY-99i PRO to support additional devices/scenes"

 

I already have the PRO so I don't know if this upgrade is available under Help | Purchase Modules or something that is arranged through UDI itself.

 

Lee

[LeeG]

sorka

 

The item from Smarthome is an ISY and PLM in one package. The other is for an ISY device alone (no PLM).

 

Lee

[apostolakisl]

I replaced all of my switches as well. It is probably best done one at a time anyway and it really doesn't take longer. I found that I would get things messed up one I tried doing a bunch at once.

 

If you carry your laptop around with you to each location you are changing a switch, then, as soon as you get it wired in add it to ISY without any name. Then use the "replace with" command. While it is writing the links you can be putting your swtichplate cover back on and taking the cover off of the next one. Unless the switch has tons of links, it is usually done by the time you finish putting the switchplate on the previous one and get the switchplate off of the next one.

[sorka]

I'm not going to go around wiring one at a time and then adding it to the ISY. That would involve turning the power on and off for each and every switch.

 

What I did when I had to do this before, HouseLinc had an option to do a swap. You could also hold all the writes and do them all at once in a batch later which saved a lot of time and comm traffic.

 

So the process was:

 

1) turn power off.

2) Swap every switch making note of which address was going in for each one that was going out.

4) turn power on.

5) In HouseLinc, select the swap option for each switch and type in the replacement address.

6) Batch write.

 

I'm going to be replacing 30 some odd switches.

 

I'm still confused as to why I have don't have the pro version when I paid $400 bucks for it

[LeeG]

sorka

 

On the Smarthome web site - ISY & PLM as a package

 

ISY-99i PRO - $426.98

ISY-99i/IR PRO - $466.98

 

On the Universal-Devices web site - ISY Only (no PLM included)

 

ISY99i/IR PRO - $369.00

 

Smarthome does not carry the ISY Only as an item. Always comes packaged with a PLM. The price difference is whether there is a PLM included with the package.

 

Lee

[Brian H]

If you want to purchase the Pro add on.

Use the purchase modules choice in the help tab.

After the purchase it will install by itself or at least mine did.

 

I don't remember if you needed a certain firmware revision or higher for it to be avilable.

 

This is fuzzy memory here, but I believe at one time Smarthome did sell the ISY99i alone.

[apostolakisl]

I'm not going to go around wiring one at a time and then adding it to the ISY. That would involve turning the power on and off for each and every switch.

 

What I did when I had to do this before, HouseLinc had an option to do a swap. You could also hold all the writes and do them all at once in a batch later which saved a lot of time and comm traffic.

 

So the process was:

 

1) turn power off.

2) Swap every switch making note of which address was going in for each one that was going out.

4) turn power on.

5) In HouseLinc, select the swap option for each switch and type in the replacement address.

6) Batch write.

 

I'm going to be replacing 30 some odd switches.

 

I'm still confused as to why I have don't have the pro version when I paid $400 bucks for it

 

I never turn the power off. I just pull the power disconnect tab on the Insteon device to prevent arcing which can damage the switch. If that makes you nervous then don't do it. I take no responsibility for you if you do it and get shocked so do it at your own risk if you like.

 

I have done it hundreds of times and have a standardized approach that keeps bare hot wires exposed only while I am actually uncapping/capping them. It is possible to handle hot, uninsulated wires directly if your body isn't not part of a path to ground. I rarely do this but have. You must have rubber shoes and can't be touching anything at all that is grounded. That includes the chassis for the switch. I watched an electrician once handling my hot 220 main house feeds with his bare hands. I don't do that personally. As long as your body doesn't provide a path to ground you won't get shocked.

 

The biggest trick is when you have regular switches in the same box since they have exposed lugs on the side. Again, I have a standardized approach which moves them out of harms way, but you can also do a wrap with electric tape.

 

I really hate turning the breaker off as it tends to mess with all kinds of stuff and furthermore my electricians didn't do the greatest job of labeling so there is that pain to contend with. Plus, when the breaker is off you need alternative light source.

 

Also, I have had troubles getting my v35 switches replaced. How do you get them to do it?

[Sub-Routine]

Hi sorka,

 

You should be able to find your purchase order on the Smarthome site. As LeeG stated the Pro version is a firmware upgrade and the cost is the same $30US difference as the retail versions. Help | Purchase Modules.

 

If you did buy the Pro please call or mail us and we will get it straightened out. We need the MAC address (uuid) of your ISY (Help | About).

 

As far as replacing your switches. Personally I temp wire each new device on my workbench using a hacked extension cord, factory reset, add to the ISY. You could add the Replace With... step as well.

Note: Devices in folders will have to be moved to the main node before Remove or Replace are available.

Test.

Pull the plug.

 

Disconnect. Put a sticky note on the switch, connect the next switch, hold the set button all the way in and for 10 seconds after you plug the cord in (factory reset). Wait for the LED on the switch to turn on. Add to ISY, etc.

 

Then cut the power to a set of switches and swap them out. I always pull the set buttons. After power is restored I push the set button in on one device at a time. Test again.

 

 

 

I know it's a PITA but hopefully it's a one time deal.

 

EDIT: Make a backup of your ISY before, during, and after this!

 

Rand