Adding Insteon

[hpservertech]

I know this has been discussed a few times already.  Did a search but almost everything I found was years old.  So here is the question.

Can I add devices such as the smarthome dimmer switch, non dimmer switch and keypadlinc and have them controled by AHP?  I just bought my ahp and should have it in the next couple of days according to FedEx and just found someone in the area who is selling switches used for dirt cheap.  They are still more expensive then the x10 ones I can get through evilbay, but I do like the 2 way communication of insteon devices.

Anyone know of any issues with using their dimmer switches with cfl's?  I know I can't dim, but will I have any issues using them with cfl's?

Thanks guys for putting up with my newbie questions!

[Brian H]

The Insteon devices can have an X10 Primary Address added to them. Some can also have an X10 Scene Address added to them.
I know when I turn my A3 addressed SwitchLinc relay on or off. It does send that address and an X10 on or off back on the power line.
The Insteon dimmers do not send a stream of X10 Dim commands that most X10 dimming units use. They send an X10 %Dim when the paddle is released.
So an X10 dimmer on the same address, as the Insteon's X10 Primary Address, may not dim, if you where trying to use it, to dim another module on the same X10 address.
They also do not repeat X10 messages, only Insteon messages.

Others here that have mixed Insteon and X10 devices and AHP will provide more details I am sure.

At the least. You should be able to call them a standard X10 switch or appliance module and control them.

A few points.

As two way devices they absorbs some of both Insteon and X10 Signals if not the transmitting device. So if you have marginal signals with your old X10 setup. You may get some communications problems; with the X10. Insteon messages are resent until the device being controlled receives and acknowledges the command.

Unlike many two wire X10 dimmers that steal power through the load. The Insteon switches have to have a neutral power connection in the switch box.

Using any dimmer with a CFL can be a problem, dimmable ones are better, but not always 100%. Also may make power line noise, that can disrupt communications. The relay type that do not dim are fine with CFLs. Two wire X10 dimmers; that steal power through the load. Will not work with CFLs.

Check your switches thoroughly. The earlier Insteon switches had a paddle problem. With the the small tact switches the paddles actuate. They get intermittent. Smarthome actually extended the warranty on them to seven years because of this problem. The thing is only the original owner with a Smarthome Invoice Number can get the exchanges.

[hpservertech]

Thanks Brian.  What you said is echoed with what I was able to dig out of things so far.

I think I am going to pass on the insteon stuff though.  Started looking at some of the switches I want to control and most of them were switch legs where the power is at the light instead of the switch.