Insteon switch to detached garage - must be on same phase

[Cobra6]

Well - I thought I had this figured out -
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119811

BLUF - I want to add a switch at the back door inside my house to remotely turn on the lights outside my detached garage 75 feet away. It looked like I could go with two ICON relay switches or two ToggleLinc relay switches -

So I decided to call the SmartHome help line to order the right stuff, and they told me that since the power to my garage is not on the same circuit (actually out of phase) with my power to my house, a remote switch won't work.

I have 400A service to my house, with 200A in the house and a 100A panel in my garage and another 100A panel in an addition.

So....... I am back to square one for now - most of the wireless systems I have looked at use similar technology -
Anyway - this is just SA for anyone else who might be trying to do this

 

[jimp]

How many services (meters) do you have coming from the utility?

 

[ixlr8]

I have an Insteon 6 key keypad in the house, shop 120 ft away fed with a 100amp sub-panel. I can open/close the shop garage doors, monitor if garage doors are open, turn on/off lights in the shop all with the keypad in the house... no issues. I do have one "Lamplink" dual-band on each phase of the power to provide communcation between the two phases.
INSTEON-Plug-In-Lamp-Dimmer-Module-Dual-Band Hopefully the link works.

 

[Cobra6]

How many services (meters) do you have coming from the utility?

I only have one meter

 

[Cobra6]

I have an Insteon 6 key keypad in the house, shop 120 ft away fed with a 100amp sub-panel. I can open/close the shop garage doors, monitor if garage doors are open, turn on/off lights in the shop all with the keypad in the house... no issues. I do have one "Lamplink" dual-band on each phase of the power to provide communcation between the two phases.
INSTEON-Plug-In-Lamp-Dimmer-Module-Dual-Band Hopefully the link works.

So...........
it sounds like if I also use that module, it also serves as an access point for the ICON switches. Maybe I didn't ask enough of the right questions when I called the help line.

 

[rlitman]

There is an x10 module that can "bridge" the two phases in your house. It'll fix that issue if you only have one service.

 

[Teken]

I told you in the other thread you needed to couple both phases to ensure 100% integrity of the signal flow . . .

 

[gatchel]

You need access points or another dual band device on two different legs of your service for the signal to be coupled.

OR

You could wire the switch in the house up and wire the switch in the garage up. If they are not on the same leg of your service take the breaker to the garage sub panel and flip the 2 hot wires that feed the garage panel. No coupling needed...

Smarthome sells the stuff and 50% of the time they have no clue what they are taking about. It's a shame.

They also have a 30 day return policy. If it doesn't work your only loss is the shipping back to them. I say try it and see. If it works you'll be hooked.

 

[Cobra6]

I told you in the other thread you needed to couple both phases to ensure 100% integrity of the signal flow . . .

Yes you did - It just got past me - I understand what you are saying now since I read up on the SmartHome stuff

 

[Teken]

Yes you did - It just got past me - I understand what you are saying now since I read up on the SmartHome stuff

Please do ensure you follow the testing procedure of the *dual band* device you select.

It will tell you if you have successfully coupled both legs of the single phase circuit in your home.

The LED will flash to inform you of success, or fail. Enjoy your new powers and control!