should I keep extra devices on hand?

[johnnyt]

Just thinking about the longer term and wondering if I should stock some extra "current" hardware to make my life easier if/when something fails.

 

I know there's a tool (and I have used it once) that allows me to replace a device relatively easily. It's my understanding, though, that the replacement device must have the same firmware for this to work. In 2 years (or whatever) I'm thinking that isn't likely to be true in most cases.

 

To be sure I am able to easily replace a device in the future, should I be stocking a current-to-me spare? Am particularly concerned about my keypadlincs, which have many scenes and programs associated.

 

Is this really a concern? What are people's recommendations for this issue?

[LeeG]

johnnyt

 

I keep a few devices for expanding the system and backup. Does eliminate waiting for a new device to arrive or paying a premium in shipping cost. Down side is Smartlabs is constantly improving devices and adding new features so new devices could be better. A newer device could work against you. Although the ICON devices are speced to support 30 link records many of them actually contained enough memory to support 417 which is the norm for most devices. The latest ICONs I have received have gone back to supporting only 30 link records.

 

The firmware level does not have to match.

 

Interesting question. I’ll be interested to see what others do as well.

 

Lee

[Brian H]

To second Lee's information.

I have replaced old Hardware V1.3 ApplianceLincs firmware v.28. With V4.1 firmware v.32 and V4.2 firmware v.38 with no problems.

The replace module function did it all.

[TJF1960]

I agree with LeeG and Brian H. I also keep a couple of devices on hand for expanding my system and in the past have replaced older version with newer versions without any issues.

 

Currently the only duplicate modules I keep for replacements are the plm and an ezflora as those are the two most important devices in my system.

 

Tim

[johnnyt]

Thanks for your replies.

 

Has anyone replaced an older keypadlinc with a newer one? Are those more sensitive to hardware or firmware differences? (I have some with a lot of links to redo if I needed to.)

 

I do keep an extra switch on hand for quick turnaround (fix or addition) and think the idea of a spare PLM is a good one as far as getting back up quickly but hardware/firmware wise do PLMs remain well supported by ISY as they mature or is a "current-to-me" model key to recovering my setup as painlessly as possible?

 

Also, if I follow the extra PLM train of thought, should I be keeping a spare ISY too? I was assuming the ISY is less likely to fail than one of the 120V hardware devices. Is that a correct assumption? (it's of course much more expensive insurance to buy)

 

Thanks again for your thoughts.

[LeeG]

Keeping a spare ISY is overkill IMO. Having a spare KPL and PLM is okay. Depends on how critical a particular device failure would be on day to day living. I have a dozen+ KPLs installed. Should one that is used often in a given day fail I could move one from say the garage or basement. Most companies will ship next day air so a replacement for almost anything can be acquired quickly.

 

When it became clear Smarthome was dropping the 2412S variant PLM I made sure I had a spare as I prefer that variant over the newer alternative. Overall I have found Insteon devices to be reliable. Not as reliable as a simple mechanical switch but what electronic device is. Because Insteon devices are logically linked together a failure of an Insteon device in a 3/4/5 way configuration does not prevent other Insteon devices from working (unless it is the load control device).

[sanders2222]

Has anyone replaced an older keypadlinc with a newer one?

I just did, SH was good and replaced my original v1.0 with a new one due to some known firmware issue.

Are those more sensitive to hardware or firmware differences? (I have some with a lot of links to redo if I needed to.)

First, I had to try several times to link the new switch to the ISY. It was not difficult to rename each button on the new KPL and add them to the scenes I had from the old KPL.

 

But then I had communication issues where writing the updates to switch would continually fail, giving me a red exclamation mark for the device. A query would immediately restore the link status to 1101. Oddly, I could push the buttons and all seemed to work fine. It took till the next day and about 10 tries to get rid of the 1101.

 

It's been about a week now, the system seems solid and I have not seen one pop-up communication message. I used to get one or two a day before the KPL was replaced. I'd like to think the new switch has improved my systems dependability.