How to test Insteon dimmers using the ISY console/logger?

[windrockwater]

So i have a house full of Insteon devices and have replaced almost all of them at least once over the 6 years I have had them. Mostly because of the paddle issue and since then a few just stopped responding to linking or to the ISY. All have always worked for basic, local dummy switch use. But many have stopped any of their 'smart' functionality.

 

I have handful of leftover Insteon switch dimmers that have been problematic in different areas of the house (v4.0; 4.1) and their replacements seem to work fine. I am interested in trying to test them to see if any are actually fully functioning so I can use them somehow. I have the "tabletop" keypad enclosure and am wondering if I can use it (for ease of wiring) to test the 3 or 4 insteon dimmer switches?

 

Basicallly, can i wire a standard dimmer in tabletop enclosure and then completely restore the dimmer and then somehow use the ISY/console and logger to do some low-level communicaton testing to see which of these left over dimmers have some life left? How would you go about troubleshooting/testing?

 

Thanks!

[IndyMike]

I have handful of leftover Insteon switch dimmers that have been problematic in different areas of the house (v4.0; 4.1) and their replacements seem to work fine. I am interested in trying to test them to see if any are actually fully functioning so I can use them somehow. I have the "tabletop" keypad enclosure and am wondering if I can use it (for ease of wiring) to test the 3 or 4 insteon dimmer switches?

 

Basicallly, can i wire a standard dimmer in tabletop enclosure and then completely restore the dimmer and then somehow use the ISY/console and logger to do some low-level communicaton testing to see which of these left over dimmers have some life left? How would you go about troubleshooting/testing?

You absolutely can use the enclosure to "test drive" your devices. I use a simple appliance cord to test every wired device I install. Just make sure to cap the "red" output from the dimmer.

 

I'm not altogether sure what you mean by "completely restore". If the devices are still known to the ISY (disabled, not deleted) then they can be restored. If they have been deleted or replaced, there is nothing in the ISY to restore them with. If that's the case, add the device to some simple scenes - I typically use lamplincs because I can move them around and reset them easily.

 

As far as testing:

1) Link table reads (long and intensive).

2) Scene tests

3) Backlight adjustment (depending on the device).