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[videoholic]

I am trying to put the insteon 1000watt dimmer in a 3 way situation because my kitchen has 650 watts of lights.  Can I integrate X10 companions in with the dimmer?  How do I wire the dimmer?  I tried wiring it in like the directions said, but it wouldn't work.  Granted I have X10 companions on the 3 way that may be messing it up.  I guess I should have joined all the blacks together to make sure the switch worked first.

But the switch wires completely different from X10 since it doesn't use the red switch wire.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  If I need 2 companion insteon switches, that is fine.  I can still make the switch get X10 commands, correct?

http://www.smarthome.com/2476dh.html

Here is a link to the switch I have.

Why doesn't X10 make a 1000watt dimmer?

[Brian H]

No Insteon switches do not use Companions. You Link then together to cross control them. One BIG point all of then need a Neutral wire from along with the normally found Hot and Load wires.
They can be programmed with an X10 Address so things like RF remotes through a transceiver can be done.
Also take the 1000 Watts with a grain of salt. If you have it in a multi-gang switch box next to another dimmer it must be derated also if you have to break off any mounting tabs. derate it.
You will fine much more help on these in the manufacturers web site support area.

[videoholic]

so then what are my options?  How do I power 585 watts of lights?

[dave w]

so then what are my options?  How do I power 585 watts of lights?

Talk to Smarthome.

As Brian said, for a three way Insteon application you need TWO Insteon switches "linked" together. Insteon does not use companion switches.

If you switch to this Leviton 1000W switch, you can use a companion switch for the other end of the three-way circuit.

http://www.smarthome.com/2203wi.html

[videoholic]

so that switch you just posted will work with standard X10 companions?  If that's the case, then I just bought the wrong dimmer and this is the one I should have bought.

[dave w]

so that switch you just posted will work with standard X10 companions?  If that's the case, then I just bought the wrong dimmer and this is the one I should have bought.

The Leviton switch has it's own companion switches.

I do not know if the X10 companion switch will work with the Leviton, but I suspect it will.

X10 manufactures all the X10 protocol products for Leviton.

Certainly the appearence will differ, the Leviton companion is a paddle while the X10 companion is a button, but I bet the insides are identical.

[teez67f]

The insteon dimmers 1000w are nothing more than the 600w models with two fins added for heat dissipation.

In a multigang box setup each fin you break off derates it 200w.

So a 1000w dimmer in between two relay or ordinary switches(no dimming) 1000w-200w-200w=600w!

So if you payed extra to end up with 600w then that is a bummer.

If you place 1000w insteon dimmer in between two dimmer switches(any type) it must be derated further.1000-200-200-?(manufacturer's formula)=???

was put there because some manufacturer's derate 100w in this case,others 50w.Leviton Plant is five minutes away would have to check what their's is.

I've been reading many forums to research my final choice of upgrade from X-10 and it is coming to an end soon.

Insteon forums are plagued with problems,low quality complaints,noise problems.Basically it looks like X-10 all over again.

Smarthome's customer service is andgetting even worst than X-10(you can still reach smarthome by phone though).

Smartlab's are alone in their quest to improve and develop products for Insteon.They may tell you otherwise but it is what it is.

I deal with Leviton,Intermatic and all the big electrical names and all concur to say Z-Wave will win the battle in the end .... unless.

Unless Smartlabs can get some serious Industry backing which Z-Wave has and is constantly adding on(with newproducts I must add).

Just to take the time to look over X-10 forums and then read over Insteon forums and you will be shocked to see the similarities.

Z-Wave on the other hand is good to high quality products with BIG BOY'S backing them(Leviton,Intermatic +++).

Most of the questions on the Z-Wave forums pertain to setup and software.Product return rate is very low from what my guy at Leviton tells me.

If you read the problems with Z-Wave are swiftly and efficiently resolved and it works reliable and true.

I really would prefer if BIG BOY'S would back Insteon as well to give us choices but in my opinion once the smoke clears...Z-Wave will come out on top.

All the big boy's are within 20km of where I am(Leviton,Intermatic,Schneider Electric etc,...)and I have contacts in all of them.

Actually get to try out stuff occasionally that has not even been announced yet.

Maybe I have shifted towards Z-Wave but for healthy competition and consumer choices would prefer both Insteon and Z-Wave become the standards in HA.

Just my 2cents .... sorry for the long 2cents.

Cheers

[teez67f]

Here are some interestinglinks(I have many) for Z-Wave products.

New player in window covering Z-Wave control & others.

http://www.techniku.com/home.htm

Good choice of Z-Wave with coming soon X-10/Z-Wave bridge!!

http://www.wayne-dalton.com/access/access.asp

Intermatic baseline Z-Wave good products decent price.

http://www.homesettings.com/

Designer Line of Z-Wave very Pro WAF products and even though pricey well worth it for what you get.

http://www.intouchcontrols.com/

When Big Boys like Leviton & Microsoft(Bill Gates love Z-Wave) get together ...... Insteon is in big trouble.

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/leviton_microsoft_develop_wireless_home_automation1/C157

Homeseer site has sale for intermatic with quantity instant discounts

http://store.homeseer.com/store/index.aspx

Please compare apples with apples.X-10 is cheap and for now has more variety but you pay for what you get.Think Long term....

X10=hard work,trial and error and at best 95% reliability but not secure.WAF is also questionable.

Z-Wave=plug n play close to 100% reliability,many vendors-manufacturers and growing and cost will go down in time.WAF is 100%.

TTA I'm not sure if this was the appropriate place so forgive me and thanks in advance if you correct this.

Regards

[teez67f]

Forgot this link but it is of interest since this guy has almost full HA home.

Uses CQC,Elk,Z-Wave and much more.Covers all aspects Lighting,HVAC,Security,Surveillance,Phone control and so on and so on....

http://www.zwaveworld.com/zwaveliving/042307/zwliving.php

He is also the winner of the ZWAVE world contest.