UPB newbie - just a couple questions

[brandonj]

Hello, I am new to the forum, and have a couple questions regarding UPB. First, my setup scenario:

I just bought a house, and I would like to turn some switches to three-way switches. For example, the living room has the light switch on one side of the room, but not the other. So I was thinking, I could replace the current switch with a UPB switch, and then add a switch to the other side of the room.

My question is this: what switch do I need to put on the other side? Looking at the slave UPB switches looks like those are for rooms that are already wired for three-way switching- so that part is out. I could add just another UPB switch on that side that will control another switch, right? But I wouldn't need one that has the relay - just something to tell the other switch to turn on/off, etc. right?

My other question is - do I NEED a full blown automation system to do this (there is more than one area in my house that I want to do this in), or do I just need the switches, and then program those?

Hopefully my questions make sense, and don't make me sound completely clueless
I appreciate any response.

-Brandon

 

[ano]

Hello, I am new to the forum, and have a couple questions regarding UPB. First, my setup scenario:

I just bought a house, and I would like to turn some switches to three-way switches. For example, the living room has the light switch on one side of the room, but not the other. So I was thinking, I could replace the current switch with a UPB switch, and then add a switch to the other side of the room.

My question is this: what switch do I need to put on the other side? Looking at the slave UPB switches looks like those are for rooms that are already wired for three-way switching- so that part is out. I could add just another UPB switch on that side that will control another switch, right? But I wouldn't need one that has the relay - just something to tell the other switch to turn on/off, etc. right?

My other question is - do I NEED a full blown automation system to do this (there is more than one area in my house that I want to do this in), or do I just need the switches, and then program those?

Hopefully my questions make sense, and don't make me sound completely clueless
I appreciate any response.

-Brandon

Hi Brandon, and Welcome.

UPB is great, and VERY flexible. First of all, I highly recommend you not EVER use those slave switches. They don't look or act like regular switches, and they will bring you heartbreak to no end.

So, how do you make a three-way, four-way or more way? UPB has the concept of links, so you can virtually tie any switch(s) to and other switche(s) in a group. So, where you are controlling the light, just install a normal UPB switch. On the other side, install a normal UPB switch, but since it is not controlling a load, just cap that wire off. I THINK they make a non-load controlling UPB switch, but its almost the cost of a regular switch, so I wouldn't bother.

Now, just program both switches to be controlled by the same link. Any switches will turn on, or dim, or turn off the light. There are a few tricks to keeping the switch status lights in sync, but its pretty easy.

do I NEED a full blown automation system to do this (there is more than one area in my house that I want to do this in), or do I just need the switches, and then program those?

Absolutely not. UPB can do lots without any controller at all, and you can always add that later. In a way you are creating a switch matrix, where any switch in your house can control any other light in your house with just programming. You can also add a simple UPB timer controller to automatically turn on and off certain lights at certain times of day. Eventually, if you like, add a full controller but you don't need to.

Some of the things you can do WITHOUT a controller is: push a button in one room to turn on or off lights in another; have the closet light shut off when you turn off the room light; push one button to turn off every light in your house; etc.

 

[brandonj]

Thank you for your advice. This answers my questions perfectly! I think UPB will do what i need. Now I just have to start saving my money. Expensive little things, aren't they?

Thanks again,

Brandon