Wireless Switch Suggestion

M

marmathsen

Senior Member
Location
Seattle, Washington ...ish
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Does anybody have a good wireless dimmer recommendation for a scenario where we need to add a switch for a light that has constant power at the light and no way to get wiring down to a switch. In the past we have used the Insteon Micro Modules in the canopy of the light and an Insteon Dimmer at the switch location, but have had some reliability issues with them.

We have also used Caséta devices but I can't put a switch up at the light for a Pico to communicate with, so that wouldn't work here.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Rob G
Seattle
 
marmathsen said:
Does anybody have a good wireless dimmer recommendation for a scenario where we need to add a switch for a light that has constant power at the light and no way to get wiring down to a switch. In the past we have used the Insteon Micro Modules in the canopy of the light and an Insteon Dimmer at the switch location, but have had some reliability issues with them.

We have also used Caséta devices but I can't put a switch up at the light for a Pico to communicate with, so that wouldn't work here.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Rob G
Seattle
Click to expand...
Do you have a attic space , if so put the switch right above the light…
Not the easiest to re pair— but can’t cave gold if you don’t want to pay for it
 
I have put Casetas in attics, garages, closets, and put the PICO where ever they wanted it. Never had a problem with the PICO and Caseta pairing. I was a little concerned about the one I put in attic as to whether heat would effect it, but it's been there for years and no call backs.
 
AC\DC said:
Do you have a attic space , if so put the switch right above the light…
Not the easiest to re pair— but can’t cave gold if you don’t want to pay for it
Click to expand...
It's a mid century modern home that is all open floor plan. The ceiling is tongue and groove car decking on beams with no attic. The switch is in the side of a low cabinet in the middle of the room with no connection to the ceiling.

Unfortunately that means putting a switch near the light that I could pair to wirelessly is a no go.

Rob G
Seattle
 
Little Bill said:
I have put Casetas in attics, garages, closets, and put the PICO where ever they wanted it. Never had a problem with the PICO and Caseta pairing. I was a little concerned about the one I put in attic as to whether heat would effect it, but it's been there for years and no call backs.
Click to expand...
I’ve done that for floodlights, especially when it’s a two story house, and they want to switch them from downstairs, or the basement exit.
 
Little Bill said:
I have put Casetas in attics, garages, closets, and put the PICO where ever they wanted it. Never had a problem with the PICO and Caseta pairing. I was a little concerned about the one I put in attic as to whether heat would effect it, but it's been there for years and no call backs.
Click to expand...
We've used the Caséta line a lot. Their Clear Connect is very robust. I can't think of ever having signal issues.

That said if someone at Lutron is reading, I wish they would introduce a hardwired wireless module that could go in a canopy or junction box. That would be the key on the project in the original post.

And while I'm at it, the new Pico Paddle remote should provide full range dimming (likely by pressing and holding). It looks a lot better than the original Pico remotes. Also the ability to pair hardwired Caséta switches so they mirror each other would allow the creation of virtual 3 ways without needing to replace batteries.

Rob G
Seattle
 
Alright get the power pack- rig it up and pair it —- put in a metal round box with ko - put the power pack in the side in the cavity- and then mount the box and light- the connection is were it suppose to be- nothing say the power pack paring buttons have to be accessible— never got called on that before
 
marmathsen said:
It's a mid century modern home that is all open floor plan. The ceiling is tongue and groove car decking on beams with no attic. The switch is in the side of a low cabinet in the middle of the room with no connection to the ceiling.

Unfortunately that means putting a switch near the light that I could pair to wirelessly is a no go.

Rob G
Seattle
Click to expand...
Wait you say switch is in low cabinet but not connection to ceiling? So how does it switch it
 
marmathsen said:
CAVITY being above the drywall? Clever.

Wouldn't work on this one though as there is no "cavity". The car decking is 2¼"+, if I recall correctly, with rigid foam above

Rob G
Seattle
Click to expand...
i just saw what you have—- how thick is the rigid to bottom of roof they should have some decent spacing if they have any r-factor in the roof—if so notch the spray foam—-

Make a medallion for the light install extension ring in and put switch in the box under the light— may not be correct but nothing bad going to happen and that’s what we’re supposed to do to worry about not all these stupid regulations that don’t save life

In fact is it really an issue!
 
Last edited:
marmathsen said:
Does anybody have a good wireless dimmer recommendation for a scenario where we need to add a switch for a light that has constant power at the light, kind of like using a wall paint calculator exterior to figure out coverage without running extra paint lines, and no way to get wiring down to a switch. In the past we have used the Insteon Micro Modules in the canopy of the light and an Insteon Dimmer at the switch location, but have had some reliability issues with them.

We have also used Caséta devices but I can't put a switch up at the light for a Pico to communicate with, so that wouldn't work here.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Rob G
Seattle
Click to expand...
A good option is to use a wireless dimmer solution with a remote/receiver combo that doesn’t require running new wires. For example, a Lutron Caséta wireless dimmer with a Pico remote or a RunLessWire wireless dimmer kit lets you install a receiver at the fixture and a wireless switch anywhere. These don’t need wiring back to the light and are much more reliable than Insteon. Another choice is a smart dimmer with a wireless companion switch (like Leviton Decora Smart Anywhere) that pairs to the main dimmer without wiring. These setups give you reliable wireless dimming without new switch wiring.
 
marmathsen said:
Insteon Micro Module in the canopy of the light and an Insteon Dimmer at the switch location, but have had some reliability issues with them.

Rob G
Seattle
Click to expand...
Dont know if you are interested in attempting to make the existing setup more reliable? If so the Universal Devices Inc (UDI) forum has lots of people who could help with that. Can be a time hog though :(

Do you now if the micro module and Insteon dimmer switch are on the same phase (Leg)? Can we assume that the dimmer is a dual band model?
 
ELA said:
Dont know if you are interested in attempting to make the existing setup more reliable? If so the Universal Devices Inc (UDI) forum has lots of people who could help with that. Can be a time hog though :(

Do you now if the micro module and Insteon dimmer switch are on the same phase (Leg)? Can we assume that the dimmer is a dual band model?
Click to expand...

Yes it's a 2477D dual band dimmer. I believe they're on the same phase but it's been a few years since the install so I may be misremembering.

I'll check out UDI

Rob G
Seattle
 
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