Replace device: 2476S with 2477S

[rabbit1543]

I have just placed an order to upgrade some of my insteon network to dual band devices. I am going to be replacing some switches. I have read the wiki and it looks like the replace function requires that the replacement device to be the exact model. Is this true or can the be some slight variants? I understand not being able to replace a switchlinc with q keypad but im hoping that a switchlinc non dual band can be replaced with a switchlinc that is dual band. I'd like to save myself the trouble of having to reprogram my scenes if its not necessary. Please let me know if the replace function will allow me to replace a 2476S with 2477S.

[apostolakisl]

Yes, the replace function works for that. If there are problems, I certainly had none. I replaced several of mine that way.

[Xathros]

What about replacing a Toggleinc Relay with a Switchlinc Dimmer? I plan on replacing and relocating few old TLRs next week and have been wondering if I'd be able to use "Replace with..."

 

-Xathros

[LeeG]

Cannot replace a Relay with a Dimmer.

[apostolakisl]

My understanding is that "replace with" simply copies the links table over. So if the new device accepts the same links, then it should work.

 

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong on this point, but this is what my experience would indicate. I have also used this to replace icon dimmers with switchlinc dimmers.

[LeeG]

Dimmer to Dimmer is fine. Does not matter whether SwitchLinc to Icon to ToggleLinc, so long as a dimmer to dimmer. Dimmer to Relay, Relay to Dimmer (although this seems like it could be accepted it is not), is not supported. Easy test, right click a Dimmer of any kind, select Replace xxxx with and look at the devices listed the ISY considers eligible for Replace. They are all dimmers. Repeat the Replace xxxx With test on a Relay type device. Only other Relay devices are listed.

 

The Replace xxxx With can be cancelled so there is no lasting effect of the above test

[apostolakisl]

Dimmer to Dimmer is fine. Does not matter whether SwitchLinc to Icon to ToggleLinc, so long as a dimmer to dimmer. Dimmer to Relay, Relay to Dimmer (although this seems like it could be accepted it is not), is not supported. Easy test, right click a Dimmer of any kind, select Replace xxxx with and look at the devices listed the ISY considers eligible for Replace. They are all dimmers. Repeat the Replace xxxx With test on a Relay type device. Only other Relay devices are listed.

 

The Replace xxxx With can be cancelled so there is no lasting effect of the above test

 

Yes, it does seem like a relay should be replaceable with a dimmer (but not vice-versa). Is this truly a link table issue or is it a function of the ISY just not letting you do it?

[LeeG]

I don't see a link table issue since the Responder link records would be Full On or Full Off, with no Ramp Rate settings other than default 0.1 seconds which the dimmer can handle.

 

More the impact of regression testing I suspect.

[danncas]

Dimmer to Dimmer is fine. Does not matter whether SwitchLinc to Icon to ToggleLinc, so long as a dimmer to dimmer. Dimmer to Relay, Relay to Dimmer (although this seems like it could be accepted it is not), is not supported. Easy test, right click a Dimmer of any kind, select Replace xxxx with and look at the devices listed the ISY considers eligible for Replace. They are all dimmers. Repeat the Replace xxxx With test on a Relay type device. Only other Relay devices are listed.

 

The Replace xxxx With can be cancelled so there is no lasting effect of the above test

 

Yes, it does seem like a relay should be replaceable with a dimmer (but not vice-versa). Is this truly a link table issue or is it a function of the ISY just not letting you do it?

You do not want to replace a Relay with a Dimmer. Relays are used to control loads ex... motors, or appliances you don't want to put a dimmer in its place.

[LeeG]

danncas

 

Thanks for adding the warning. The discussion was directed at the logistics within the ISY regarding handling of a Relay link database, moving to a Dimmer link database. It was not meant to be a discussion of the implications of the load being controlled. To that end I have some ICON Relay devices that control purely incandescent loads. At the time of their install more than 5 years ago I saw no need to dim those circuits. A change in usage for two of the areas makes dimmers a better choice now. It would be convenient to use the Replace function so that I would not have to rebuild the Scenes that will be affected by having to Delete the Relay and add a Dimmer. Not a major effort on my part and it is a one time effort. However, the Replace with .... function would make that change easier if it allowed replacing a Relay with a Dimmer. Of course the restrictions you mentioned about not using a Dimmer for a non-dimming load apply.

[Xathros]

Just last night, I swapped 3 Toggleinc relays with 2 Dualband Switchlinc Relays and one Dualband Switchlink Dimmer. Used the replace function for the relay to relay swaps. First worked like a charm. Relaunched the console and started the second which replaced the device in all the scenes then failed to edit the programs - popped upt with a socket error , after which the console became unresponsive. Had to quit/relaunch the console and edit the programs manually which leads me to a suggestion:

 

Is it possible to add to the Find list for Find/Replace ?

 

Luckily, this switch was only referenced in maybe 5 programs so it wasn't a tough recovery.

 

As for the Relay -> Dimmer transition, I made the scene changes manually and did a Find/Replace for the program changes. Easy enough to replace would have been a bit easier.

 

And lastly, just out of curiosity, what is the reason for closing the console at the end of a Replace process ?

 

-Xathros

[LeeG]

The Replace xxxx with .... changes the old existing node definition (device being replaced) Insteon address to the new device Insteon address. The new device is Deleted as part of the process but the current Admin Console session now has two devices with the same Insteon address. Terminating the current Admin Console session insures the new session will have an accurate picture of the devices and their Insteon addresses.