What type of insteon products do you have and how do you control them?

[ingeborgdot]

I was told to start a new thread on this so here it goes. I have some questions about what I can do to make my insteon switches etc. as effective as possible. If you have an isy 99, what does it do for you that not having one does? Is there something better than an isy 99 for insteon. What types of insteon products do you have besides the switches, and lamplincs. I want to make my insteon lineup as complete and cool as possible. Is there software that you could not be without that helps and works with your insteon? Thanks.

 

[wuench]

I was told to start a new thread on this so here it goes. I have some questions about what I can do to make my insteon switches etc. as effective as possible. If you have an isy 99, what does it do for you that not having one does? Is there something better than an isy 99 for insteon. What types of insteon products do you have besides the switches, and lamplincs. I want to make my insteon lineup as complete and cool as possible. Is there software that you could not be without that helps and works with your insteon? Thanks.

The biggest benefit to the ISY, as I see it, is it becomes a central controller for Insteon. Since Insteon links are local, (i.e. there are no global Groups) a central controller simplifies things greatly. In my case, I have an ElkM1G and I also wanted to control my lights directly from a PC (via CQC) since the Elk doesn't provide enough options for control for me. By putting in an ISY I can have the PC and Elk talk to the ISY and the ISY does all the programming. If I didn't do this, the programming would be very complex with two controllers with a ton of duplicate links and status would not always be reported to both controllers.

I have not played with all the other options for control. I have tried Powerhome, and some of the Smarthome software and I found the ISY to be the best option.

 

[oberkc]

What types of insteon products do you have besides the switches, and lamplincs. I want to make my insteon lineup as complete and cool as possible. Is there software that you could not be without that helps and works with your insteon? Thanks.

The ISY has it's own software interface. None more is required, and I currently use nothing else. I understand that one can use other PC-based software in conjunction with the ISY. One (am drawing a mental blank), in particular, interests me because it includes some troubleshooting tools, but I have not yet purchased it.

Beyond lamplincs and switchlinks, there are insteon remote controls. There are insteon interfaces with contact-type devices (IOLink) that can be used with something like garage door openers, window blinds, or door locks. There are inston motion sensors, and there are insteon IR interfaces.

I understand many interface their ISY to non-insteon systems including security, irrigation, and power monitoring. I do none of these things (yet). Also, the full family of X-10 devices remain available and controllable by the ISY-99.

 

[ingeborgdot]

Thanks.

 

[BLH]

I chose the ISY99i because it is a stand alone controller and didn't require a computer running 24/7. HouseLinc and HouseLinc 2 both need a running computer and their network module doesn't appeal to me at all. Simplehomenets one doesn't interest me either.
Smarthome has almost buried the older 2414U/S Power Line Controller where you could download simple timers and run off line.

It can swap out bad modules and do the needed link changes automatically.

I run a mixed X10 Insteon setup as there are some things like a chime module that has no Insteon equivalent. My scenes can send an X10 command to it when needed. X10 modules can not be added to 'My Lighting' so they show in the device list. Though they are now releasing an add on software module for X10/A10 [ACT enhanced protocol]. I might get it when the next revision firmware is released as it requires a later version than I have and I didn't want to go with an Alpha release.

 

[ingeborgdot]

Home monitoring options? What is the heating and cooling control like?

 

[jaymartin]

I was told to start a new thread on this so here it goes. I have some questions about what I can do to make my insteon switches etc. as effective as possible. If you have an isy 99, what does it do for you that not having one does? Is there something better than an isy 99 for insteon. What types of insteon products do you have besides the switches, and lamplincs. I want to make my insteon lineup as complete and cool as possible. Is there software that you could not be without that helps and works with your insteon? Thanks.

Sure, there's a lot of software out there that will control INSTEON hardware, and there's a good selection of hardware. Using software allows you to integrate other apps into your system - for instance, I have a couple of KeypadLincs throughout the house. Each one of them have a play/pause button that controls my iTunes-based whole-house audio. One of them also does the rest of the control - next/previous track, volume up/down, etc. I also use that setup for whole-house audio announcements ("the laundry is finished", "remember to feed the fish", "10 minute timer is up" etc.).

Integration of data from other sources is also possible when using software: for instance, weather data from a local hardware weather station or Internet weather source (so it won't water outside after it's rained or is too cold). Lots of possibilities when you're using software to coordinate the various pieces of your HA system.

There is a lot of INSTEON hardware besides switches: motion sensors, thermostat controls, sprinkler controllers, contact closure, IR interfaces, I/O controls (I have one that controls the garage door and provides status about whether it's open or not). SmartLabs has a bunch of kits for more specialized I/O controls: garage kit (mentioned above), moisture sensor, RFID, etc. Just check their site for I/O Linc kits.

 

[ingeborgdot]

If I get the ISY, I see there are several of them. What is the difference and which do you recommend?

 

[BLH]

http://www.universal-devices.com/99i.htm
Differences are listed in the above link.
I have a small system compared to many and have the basic with out IR version.
Just a side note. The basic version can be updated to the Plus version for a $30. Through the add on modules function. I have the Network and Weather Modules. I may soon have the X10/A10 module also.
The Plus module may not be showing for many ISY99i users as it seems to need version 2.7.7 firmware that is a fairly stable Alpha release or wait for 2.7.10 that is indicated to be released soon we hope.

 

[upstatemike]

Don't forget that an ISY not only lets you do cool stuff with Insteon on its own but also provides the interface that lets you integrate insteon with other stuff. For example: the ISY plugin for Homeseer is very good and lets me add voice responses to any Insteon action. I get greeted when I turn on the lights to my office, useful reminders when I turn on the lights in the kitchen in the morning, etc. It also lets me use Insteon Controlincs and Remotelincs to trigger non-insteon automation actions. In my automation system Insteon is used to trigger other automation actions far more than it is used to control Insteon devices from other interfaces.

 

[ingeborgdot]

Don't forget that an ISY not only lets you do cool stuff with Insteon on its own but also provides the interface that lets you integrate insteon with other stuff. For example: the ISY plugin for Homeseer is very good and lets me add voice responses to any Insteon action. I get greeted when I turn on the lights to my office, useful reminders when I turn on the lights in the kitchen in the morning, etc. It also lets me use Insteon Controlincs and Remotelincs to trigger non-insteon automation actions. In my automation system Insteon is used to trigger other automation actions far more than it is used to control Insteon devices from other interfaces.

So if I got homeseer I could add voices also? What does your voice come through? Would you like to come on over and help me out a little (LOL) Once I see stuff and get it in my hands I have no problem but it's the overwhelming issue of ALL the stuff available that can be used.

 

[Techno_Goof]

I too use HomeSeer with Insteon except I do it without an ISY. While I do agree it is an excellent product, I've never had a need for it. The Insteon plug-in that is free for use with HomeSeer has come a long way. It's been taking over by a new person that has transformed it into a true link management system. I currently have 52 Insteon devices setup within this plug-in. He is adding new devices as quickly as he can, but has all the basics covered.

My system consists of a mixer of Icons and V2's:
- KeypadLinc Dimmers
- SwitchLinc Dimmers
- LampLincs
- ApplianceLincs
- In-LineLinc Relay's
- In-LineLinc Dimmers
- Motion Sensors
- RemoteLincs

From within the plug-in:
You have 52 internal Insteon device(s) registered in the system, 0 external device(s), and 18 group(s).
These devices and groups currently consume 209 link database entries in your interface.

Hope this helps.

 

[ingeborgdot]

System right now.
Russound Cav6.6 with sirius/fm, many insteon switches, lamplincs, remotelincs.
URC MX980 remote. I also have a lot of other electronics that will be controlled with the 980 but would like to control the lights too with the 980. Anyone with any knowledge on this combo and insteon or isy99?

 

[ingeborgdot]

Don't forget that an ISY not only lets you do cool stuff with Insteon on its own but also provides the interface that lets you integrate insteon with other stuff. For example: the ISY plugin for Homeseer is very good and lets me add voice responses to any Insteon action. I get greeted when I turn on the lights to my office, useful reminders when I turn on the lights in the kitchen in the morning, etc. It also lets me use Insteon Controlincs and Remotelincs to trigger non-insteon automation actions. In my automation system Insteon is used to trigger other automation actions far more than it is used to control Insteon devices from other interfaces.

What do you use to get the voice to greet you? Ceiling speakers? Through what?

 

[upstatemike]

Don't forget that an ISY not only lets you do cool stuff with Insteon on its own but also provides the interface that lets you integrate insteon with other stuff. For example: the ISY plugin for Homeseer is very good and lets me add voice responses to any Insteon action. I get greeted when I turn on the lights to my office, useful reminders when I turn on the lights in the kitchen in the morning, etc. It also lets me use Insteon Controlincs and Remotelincs to trigger non-insteon automation actions. In my automation system Insteon is used to trigger other automation actions far more than it is used to control Insteon devices from other interfaces.

What do you use to get the voice to greet you? Ceiling speakers? Through what?

My voice generating HA devices, Stargate, Homeseer, Elk, etc, feed into a 100 watt PA amp. The amp output is distributed "old school" via 70V line to transformers near existing speaker lines going to speakers in various rooms (some wall mounted, some free-standing). Relays controlled by Stargate/Homeseer switch the speakers from their normal duties to the "announcement" feed during an announcement.

I normally use Alarm Controls 8012 relays with 8007 bases for switching the audio of Hi-Fi speakers and Elk 912B relays for most other applications.