3-Way Circuit

[boser]

I am trying to set up a 3-way circuit consisting of the following 3 parts:

1) A 2476D SwitchLinc Dimmer v.35 with a light wired to

2) A 2476D SwitchLinc Dimmer v.27 that has no light connected to (i.e. the red wire is not connected to anything)

3) Button A of a 2486D KeypadLinc Dimmer v.29

 

I would like that I can control the light by pressing the button on any of the 3 parts. Likewise, the LEDs in each of the 3 parts should follow the state of the light.

 

I created a scene and dropped all 3 items into it. For each, the ISY asked if it was a

a) Controller or

Responder.

I am confused: each of the 3 parts should control the light. Hence they are all controller. But each also has a built-in LED that I would like to respond to changes of the state (on/off) of the light. Hence all 3 are responders. And of course, each has a button that it responds to and then controls the light. So all 3 are both controllers and responders. But the ISY asks me to make a choice. I chose all 3 to be controllers, but maybe that's not right? What are responders, and what are controllers?

 

I'd like to understand, since only parts (1) and (3) work as intended. Part (2) does not control (turn on/off) the light, nor do its LEDs follow the state of the light. But I can turn the little LEDs on the paddle of (2) on and off from the ISY.

 

Many thanks for our explanations.

 

Bernhard

[LeeG]

The three devices should be added to one ISY Scene as Controllers. The ISY assumes a Controller is also a Responder. If one device is not working try deleting that device from the Scene and add it back as a Controller. Sounds like it was accidently added as a Responder.

 

Also check that there are no Icons to the left of any of the nodes indicating updates might be pending. Such as a small Green Icon or a Red !.

[jwelton2]

Bernhard, here is a URL at Smarthome that helps to be sure you got the wiring correct:

 

http://www.smarthome.com/2477D/SwitchLinc-INSTEON-Remote-Control-Dimmer-Dual-Band-White/p.aspx

 

John

[boser]

The three devices should be added to one ISY Scene as Controllers. The ISY assumes a Controller is also a Responder. If one device is not working try deleting that device from the Scene and add it back as a Controller. Sounds like it was accidently added as a Responder.

 

Also check that there are no Icons to the left of any of the nodes indicating updates might be pending. Such as a small Green Icon or a Red !.

 

Thanks for the quick response. I've removed and added again the device as controller, and I've also checked the wiring. Same problem, but I've noticed something else:

 

I can dim and brighten the device from device (2) from my initial post by pressing and holding the paddle (even if the lamp was off). But a simple "tap" to turn on/off won't work: I have to press and hold the paddle.

 

Has anyone seen this behavior? Do I need a new module? Does Smarthome fix/replace ones that don't work (I have two more that don't work at all)?

 

Thanks,

Bernhard

[LeeG]

The paddle results indicate there is a link record problem. Pressing and holding the paddle generates a different Insteon message sequence than a simple single tap. The single paddle tap is dependent on the link records being correct in both devices.

 

Are these new devices. There were issues with the paddle tact switches years ago but that does not exist today. Of course someone could have dumped a bunch of defective devices on ebay just to get rid of them.

[boser]

There were issues with the paddle tact switches years ago but that does not exist today.

 

The device is old (I used it elsewhere for a few years where it was not part of a scene). Should I just throw it out or is there a way to "fix" it or have Smartlabs replace it?

 

I should add: the little LEDs in the switch respond to tapping the paddle (i.e. go on or off), just the signal does not seem to be sent over the powerline.

 

(I only bought from Smarthome, and even then the quality does not seem very high. Perhaps it's better now; I had almost given up.)

 

Bernhard

[LeeG]

Smarthome was replacing them based on an extended warranty period. If you have the original receipt that shows when they were purchased I would contact Smarthome and see if they will replace them. It has been so long ago not sure they are still replacing them anymore.

[Brian H]

I believe it was seven years from the purchase date.

If you can't find the Invoice there maybe another way to find it.

Sign into your Smarthome account and you can actually find invoices and dates.

I found the invoice number and date of when I bought the SDK membership.

[apostolakisl]

It does not sound like you are having the tact/micro switch problem (also referred to as paddle issue). However, if your device is of the vintage that had that problem, it is generally pretty easy to get SH to replace it provided you actually bought it from SH. You don't need the receipt. Just call them up and tell them who you are and where you had it shipped. They keep all sales in their computer. As long as you bought a switch from them of the version you are returning, you should be in luck. It is probably easiest just to tell them you have the "paddle issue". The new switches are a lot nicer and have added features. I had to replace all of my switches and the new ones have been very good.

[LeeG]

boser

 

I am not at all sure the tact switch is the problem. I would delete the ISY Scene, define a new Scene and add the three devices as Controllers. Basically starting from scratch as far as the Scene definition is concerned. It still sounds like a link record problem.

 

Lee

[Brian H]

The tact switch problem is fairly easy to find.

If you push the button and you may hear it faintly click. Though no local action happens. Then I would suspect a tact switch.

I have one you can beat on the top paddle all day and it just sits there and plays stupid.

[apostolakisl]

boser

 

I am not at all sure the tact switch is the problem. I would delete the ISY Scene, define a new Scene and add the three devices as Controllers. Basically starting from scratch as far as the Scene definition is concerned. It still sounds like a link record problem.

 

Lee

 

I agree. You said your leds moved when you hit the button. The deal with the tact switch is that it doesn't register the button press at all. So if the leds moved, then the switch circuitry received the message that you pushed the button and thus the tact switch worked.

 

But frankly, if you have a switch of that vintage (I have the actaul versions written down somewhere), you will have the tact switch problem sooner or later. And it doesn't need to be consistent. I had switches that would quit working for a few days, then start working, then work every other time, then work if a wacked it, then work normal again for a while, then not work. . . and so on.

[boser]

boser

 

I am not at all sure the tact switch is the problem. I would delete the ISY Scene, define a new Scene and add the three devices as Controllers. Basically starting from scratch as far as the Scene definition is concerned. It still sounds like a link record problem.

 

Lee

 

I agree. You said your leds moved when you hit the button. The deal with the tact switch is that it doesn't register the button press at all. So if the leds moved, then the switch circuitry received the message that you pushed the button and thus the tact switch worked.

 

But frankly, if you have a switch of that vintage (I have the actaul versions written down somewhere), you will have the tact switch problem sooner or later. And it doesn't need to be consistent. I had switches that would quit working for a few days, then start working, then work every other time, then work if a wacked it, then work normal again for a while, then not work. . . and so on.

 

I've removed and recreated the scene - same problem as before. The non-working switch is a 2476D v.27. I'm glad to hear that the newer models are more robust, and will buy a new one if Smarthome won't replace it (I also had two that completely failed). Hopefully they are now robust, just like mechanical switches.

 

Many thanks for all the recommendations. With Insteon it's sometimes difficult to determine if the problem is with the hardware or the configuration.

 

Bernhard

[apostolakisl]

You should try a factory reset on the swith and then use ISY to restore the switch.

 

Also, I have 6 of the v27 switches which means that (unless they used that firmware on multiple hardwares) that it is post tact switch problem and probably not a member of the extended warranty. I have replaced every switch that was part of that "recall".

[boser]

You should try a factory reset on the swith and then use ISY to restore the switch.

 

Also, I have 6 of the v27 switches which means that (unless they used that firmware on multiple hardwares) that it is post tact switch problem and probably not a member of the extended warranty. I have replaced every switch that was part of that "recall".

 

Thanks!!! The factory reset solved the problem. All working now.

 

Bernhard