jetstream first impressions

[chrisdias]

Tonight I received 5 Jetstream switches, USB stick, and RS232 Bridge. I installed a 1 button and 3 button side by side in my office.

here are my impressions after about an hour of playing with this.

- the units are about the same size as the HAI UPB switch, maybe a little thinner
- buttons need a little bit of pressure to activate them. this might be because they are the "old" style, i'll be looking forward to the new style. these are not rocker/decora switches, the whole button is one switch. press it to turn it on, press it again to turn it off. this isnt necessarily bad, but i have not tested WAF. i think i can set up double tap to do something else...
- led is on when lights are on, off when lights are off (i think i can control this)
- Setting up the JS software was a little bumpy. It failed the first time, but ended up working ok. Had to install the USB driver manually. As usual, i didnt read the instructions before starting
- JS software is amazingly simple and intuitive compared to UPStart. A lot less tweaks than with UPStart, but certainly sufficient for my needs.
- device discovery is a snap. Hit "discovery" and the switches start blinking. Press them and then the software recognizes them. I ran into a crash in the JetStream software, but restarted and it seems to be working fine. I'll try to repro and submit a bug report.
- Very easy to assign one of the two extra buttons on a 3 button switch to another load or scene

the only thing i am seeing right now is that when i set up my 3 button switch as non-dimming, and turn off a CFL, in the off state the CFL is flashing. Not sure if its the switch, bulb, or my wiring... i would expect power to be at 0 when off. i'll need to throw the power for a bit in order to let the bulb cool so i can change it !

hopefully i'll get to install 2 more switches tomorrow and get it hooked up to my OPII to see how that connection goes. I've got the 36A05-1 serial connector which I hope will work. I've seen that you need the -4 or -5 connector in another thread.

Chris

(if for some reason anyone notice the # of edits i made to this post, it was because one sentence was giving me a 505/Feature Not Supported error. not sure what it was exactly.)

 

[ASIHome]

You may need to use the -R version for CFL bulbs.

 

[chrisdias]

You may need to use the -R version for CFL bulbs.

I thought the -R is the Relay version, which is for one end of a 3 or 4 way switch.

Do I have this wrong?

thx,
Chris

 

[chrisdias]

One other first impression...

The switches emit a distinct buzzzzzzz all the time (where the UPB switches buzzed when you pressed the button).

Anyone know if this is normal?

 

[ASIHome]

-R is the relay version but it is for non-incandescent loads and has nothing to do with 3-way and 4-way.

 

[Steve]

1. Yes, -R is relay, not remote. It is for loads that don't work well with a triac and is simply an on/off relay.
2. I don't hear any buzzing with mine. Is this the switch controlling the cfl? If so, ditch the cfl or use relay switch. Buzzing = bad and in worst case can be a fire hazard - make sure the cfl itself is not very hot.
3. Read this application note for configuring JS with HAI.

 

[chrisdias]

1. Yes, -R is relay, not remote. It is for loads that don't work well with a triac and is simply an on/off relay.
2. I don't hear any buzzing with mine. Is this the switch controlling the cfl? If so, ditch the cfl or use relay switch. Buzzing = bad and in worst case can be a fire hazard - make sure the cfl itself is not very hot.
3. Read this application note for configuring JS with HAI.

"triac" = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRIAC ??

i removed the CFL, still a buzz. it isnt loud, i have to put my ear right up to it in order to hear it.

thanks for the app note, that will be very helpful.

chris

 

[chrisdias]

1. Yes, -R is relay, not remote. It is for loads that don't work well with a triac and is simply an on/off relay.
2. I don't hear any buzzing with mine. Is this the switch controlling the cfl? If so, ditch the cfl or use relay switch. Buzzing = bad and in worst case can be a fire hazard - make sure the cfl itself is not very hot.
3. Read this application note for configuring JS with HAI.

"triac" = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRIAC ??

i removed the CFL, still a buzz. it isnt loud, i have to put my ear right up to it in order to hear it.

thanks for the app note, that will be very helpful.

chris

I still have a couple UPB switches installed, so i put my ear up against them and they have the same buzz. They are definately not hot, but slightly warm to the touch. Nothing that i am concerned about and no warmer than the UPBs or other Home Depot timers i've installed in the past.