INSTEON Switchlinc remote vs. local behavior

[fgarriel]

Hello all,

I've got a problem. I've got an SL connected to a load (local), and one with the load capped controlling the same light (remote). In other words, I've got a virtual 3-way circuit.

When I press ON on the REMOTE SL, the light turns on (correctly to 50% on-level). When I press ON a 2nd time (not a double-tap), I expect the light to go to 100% on. It does not.

If I repeat this procedure on the LOCAL SL, the light goes to 100%.

How can I make it so that both the REMOTE and LOCAL Switchlincs behave exactly the same way?

 

[MikeB]

Hello all,

I've got a problem. I've got an SL connected to a load (local), and one with the load capped controlling the same light (remote). In other words, I've got a virtual 3-way circuit.

When I press ON on the REMOTE SL, the light turns on (correctly to 50% on-level). When I press ON a 2nd time (not a double-tap), I expect the light to go to 100% on. It does not.

If I repeat this procedure on the LOCAL SL, the light goes to 100%.

How can I make it so that both the REMOTE and LOCAL Switchlincs behave exactly the same way?

When you push the remote switch ON, do the remote switch LEDs correctly indicate it is at 50% brightness?

 

[fgarriel]

When you push the remote switch ON, do the remote switch LEDs correctly indicate it is at 50% brightness?

Yes. I just want it so that when I press the remote switch a second time, it puts the light to 100%.

I just called SH tech support. They say that the 2nd-tap full-on feature is limited to local loads only. That is, the remote always sends the 50% command. I don't understand how/why this isn't a feature on remotes too.

 

[Digger]

When you push the remote switch ON, do the remote switch LEDs correctly indicate it is at 50% brightness?

Yes. I just want it so that when I press the remote switch a second time, it puts the light to 100%.

I just called SH tech support. They say that the 2nd-tap full-on feature is limited to local loads only. That is, the remote always sends the 50% command. I don't understand how/why this isn't a feature on remotes too.

Unfortunately I think SH Tech support is correct on this. MAYBE (I am not sure) you could use a keypadlinc and program one button for 50% and another for 100%? I have not tried this myself so please confirm before going crazy trying this.

 

[MikeB]

I just duplicated this on my end as well. Holding the slave switch increases the brightness, but a 2nd tap does not.

Never noticed this before!

 

[fgarriel]

It shouldn't bother me much, but it does. To the end-user, there's no difference between the switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. They should do the same thing. The only way to really do this is to set the on-level to 100%.

My home is a logical mess right now with Switchlinc relay switches that look the same as dimmers (specifically, the light pipe), Lutron Maestro dimmers that work differently than Switchlinc dimmers, and Switchlinc dimmers that don't behave the way you expect them to.

I think it's finally time for me to setup a PC to really make my switches smart.

 

[MikeB]

It shouldn't bother me much, but it does. To the end-user, there's no difference between the switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. They should do the same thing. The only way to really do this is to set the on-level to 100%.

My home is a logical mess right now with Switchlinc relay switches that look the same as dimmers (specifically, the light pipe), Lutron Maestro dimmers that work differently than Switchlinc dimmers, and Switchlinc dimmers that don't behave the way you expect them to.

I think it's finally time for me to setup a PC to really make my switches smart.

LOL, I know what you mean. That's what really separates the bachelors from the rest. 5 years ago I'd care a lot less if I was the only one able to operate things in my house. Now that I'm married with a couple kids, it's much more important to me that things are practical, consistent and usable.

 

[fgarriel]

Ain't that the truth!

The whole reason I started getting into dimmers was to make it easy the eyes of my newborn. Now I can't stop!

 

[MikeB]

Ain't that the truth!

The whole reason I started getting into dimmers was to make it easy the eyes of my newborn. Now I can't stop!

I also notice that if I do the 2nd tap on the switch with the local load, the light goes to full brightness, but the slave switch's LED still shows the initial brightness level. Do you see that on your end?

This doesn't bother me too much because I only use a low initial brightnes level on a 3-way switch at our kitchen table. Nowhere else I can think of.

 

[upstatemike]

If you are using PowerHome to manage your Insteon switches you can have it detect the double tap from the slave switch and then transmit the correct level to the load switch.

 

[MikeB]

If you are using PowerHome to manage your Insteon switches you can have it detect the double tap from the slave switch and then transmit the correct level to the load switch.

Just to clarify, the quick double-tap works from the slave switch no problem.

What doesn't work is a 2nd ON command when the switch is already on. On the master switch, this will cause the light to go to full brightness. On a slave switch, the LED ramps to full brightness with a 2nd ON, but the master switch LED and the light itself stay at the dimmed level.

 

[Digger]

If you are using PowerHome to manage your Insteon switches you can have it detect the double tap from the slave switch and then transmit the correct level to the load switch.

Just to clarify, the quick double-tap works from the slave switch no problem.

What doesn't work is a 2nd ON command when the switch is already on. On the master switch, this will cause the light to go to full brightness. On a slave switch, the LED ramps to full brightness with a 2nd ON, but the master switch LED and the light itself stay at the dimmed level.

Hmmm didnt work when I tried it now. Are you using Powerhome or just direct linking?

Maybe I am not fast enough on the draw

 

[MikeB]

Hmmm didnt work when I tried it now. Are you using Powerhome or just direct linking?

Maybe I am not fast enough on the draw

Just direct linking, works OK here on 2 SwitchLinc V2 Dimmers.