Best/Cleanest way to control Multiple Lights

[abernut]

There is one place on our proposed electrical plans that calls for 6 light switches.
 

 
I was planning on using HLC switches with my OmniPro ii.
 
I would like to be able to control those lights with a single multi-switch switch that is compatible with my OmniPro and UPB.
 
Any advice or solutions?
 
Thanks,
Mike
 
 

 

[az1324]

Use an 8 button keypad dimmer for the patio light.
 
2 light/fan combos -- decide how you are going to control these.  Fixture modules?  Separate dimmer & switch?  Relocate the switch boxes & link to buttons on keypad.  This accounts for 4 circuits.
 
Move the rear floods to another location and assign to a button on the keypad.

 

[abernut]

I am not concerned with Dimming right now.  
 
Could I do something like this.
 

 
A single tap would either turn the light on or off.
 
If this is possible, do all the lights/loads get wired back to this one switch and then I use the software to program each button?
 
Thanks,
Mike

 

[kurtmccaslin]

I am looking at a set of plans for my house and am dealing with exactly the same issue.   I am designing my house with conventional wiring, so that I can sell the house to someone who has no use for any automation.   (although I have no intent to sell it any time soon)   Therefore, I am not designing any 8 button keypads.   However, I really dont want to see 6 switches line up on a wall either.  
 
If you also want conventional wiring, you could try this:
 
1) move the two living switches to another wall.
2) tie the fan light on the porch to the same circuit as the other outdoor light.
 
That will give you one bank with 3 switches and the other with two.   You can put a multi-button keypad in one of the slots if you want, but you can also pull it out if you decide to sell the house without it.
 
 
 
I would also put a can light above the summer kitchen if you take that option.

 

[az1324]

If this is possible, do all the lights/loads get wired back to this one switch and then I use the software to program each button?

 
No.  In general, one switch of that size controls one load only.  Plus you can't have that many wires in a box that size.  There are a few rare devices that control 2 loads.  But in general you need one for each of the separate loads.  The convenience is that you can locate them all separately (a box here, a box there) and then link them to the buttons.  The alternative is micro (or fixture) modules that go in the fixture boxes.  But if you wire a load that does not terminate in a switch box you won't be able to replace it with a standard switch when you sell the house.  There are some other variations such as home-run wiring with dimmer/relay panels or putting all the switch boxes in a closet but that changes the topology of your electrical plan. 

 

[abernut]

I just read that the Insteon 8 button is not compatible with the OmniPro ii.  Is that true?

 

[abernut]

I just read that the Insteon 8 button is not compatible with the OmniPro ii.  Is that true?

 

[abernut]

The convenience is that you can locate them all separately (a box here, a box there) and then link them to the buttons. 

 
If I am reading this correctly I would move the boxes around that the light/fan terminate to.  Then I could link them to the 8 button keypad.

 

[Ranger Digital]

You can put your switches (loads) anywhere you want and have a UPB switch control it anywhere you want. At minimum you could have ONE single gang switch control 8 loads via links with an 8 button switch. You could have 6 loads in a three gang box and use the dual load UPB switch (we use simply automated). That would keep your gang box size down. Even then you could have 4, 5, 6 or 8 button faceplates on any of the switches.
 
UPB is a BEAUTIFUL thing. Freaking LOVE it.

 

[ano]

There are lots of options, and just with HAI and UPB, you can do a lot.  Look at the HAI room and house controllers.  UPB is VERY flexible and these controllers can launch lights or scenes of lights. 
 
Having said that there are a few other issues involved.  First, you of course have to meet electrical codes, so keep that in mind. You can use UPB modules to control lights so you don't have an exposed switch, but it does need to be accessible for service.
 
Second, and this is a big one, think about resale. I know you are building a house so resale is probably not a top issues but someday you will need to sell your house and the new owner might not appreciate your automation as much as you do.