lutron homeworks upgrade

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Upgrade from old Lutron Homeworks System?

Moved into a house with an old Lutron Homeworks system installed. It's unreliable and I want to upgrade. The home is wired specifically for Homeworks, though, so it doesn't have circuits running to a lightswitch in each room! Each 120v AC light circuit runs back to a central control closet, not to a local lightswtich. Each room does of course have a lightswitch, but each one isn't wired to the lights; it's wired back to the same central control closet with 4 low voltage wires. Each lightswitch has five or so scenes for buttons.

What, besides another Lutron Homeworks system, can replace this without having to rewire everything? Homeworks locks down their control unit (like the ECN of a new car) so that only authorize dealers can modify it. No thank you. What system can I use with this wiring configuration that I can configure and maintain myself?

Presumably, I'd need wall switches that are powered by low voltage. Maybe they could communicate by wifi? I have a healthy wifi setup and will gladly use wifi parts.

Thanks in advance!

Full transparency, I’m a former Lutron engineer and own a Lutron dealership on the east coast, so I am definitely a biased source.

As you alluded to, the issue is that you would need a system that is panel based to avoid re-wiring your whole home. I am unaware of any ‘open source’ panel based systems. The ones that I am aware of that haven’t gone out of business are even more restrictive of their program files than Lutron.

You do need to be authorized to work on HomeWorks systems, so you would have to work with a dealer. However, Lutron definitely doesn’t ‘lock’ their processors. Anyone with a HomeWorks account can actually extract the programming file from your system, so you can change dealers any time you want.

In terms of upgrade options within the Lutron ecosystem, we will often upgrade these older systems using link translators, which allow you to keep all of your original equipment, but upgrade the processor to QS, giving you access to the newer app and a more reliable experience.

If you have any questions on the Lutron side, let me know and I’d be happy to answer.

Myself, I cannot characterize any of the Lutron HomeWorks systems I've installed or worked on as unreliable. If you are having trouble with a HomeWorks system, regardless of how old it is, it likely needs service. Its also likely that it can be repaired. You just need to contact a Lutron HomeWorks dealer for your area.

The closest thing I know of to an open sourced centralized lighting control system is KNX. KNX also restricts access to its programming tools, but they are available to end users who complete the training program and purchase the software license.

If the system is old and in need of replacement, Lutron does have an upgrade path to accomplish this. Unreliable, unlikely. If the system is unreliable, like the other poster mentions, it is probably in need of some sort of service call. I would also suggest it might need to be re-programmed to meet your needs and expectations.

If it is older, a new system (upgrade) only locks down the software. Through the Lutron app, as a home owner you will have the ability to "edit" keypad button functions. So you are not at the mercy of having to call a dealer for any little change you might want to make.

Lutron integrates very well with just about all the major smart home systems out there which gives you even more ways to control your lights.

Wow! Lots of love for lutron here. I will look into knx.

Really no other centralized system out there?

So a little history on centralized systems. There used to be 3 big names in the business- Lutron, LiteTouch, and Vantage. Vantage and LiteTouch were kind of cousins in a way because both were Utah based and supposedly the people who started Vantage used to be from LiteTouch. Eventually, LiteTouch was bought by Savant and soon after that, Savant completely discontinued it so it left all the homeowners who spent 10's of thousands of dollars with that product out in the cold.

Vantage was bought by Legrand and oddly enough seemed to hire a former LiteTouch person who came along and got rid of a bunch of dealers who weren't selling enough, leaving those customers out in the cold as they now have to look for new dealers instead of keeping the one who actually programmed their house and was familiar with it.

Both Lutron and Vantage offer upgrade paths for LiteTouch with Vantage's way being a little more elegant while Lutron offering Homeworks QS.

Lutron also offers Homeworks QS as an upgrade to their older Series 8/4 systems which used Illuminations software. You can keep your old keypads and panels/RPMs and just upgrade the processor, pay a license fee (to reuse the old parts which is bullshit), and overall modernize your whole system.

Sounds great huh? Well, one small detail: in 2019, they released Homeworks' latest QSX processor which is the current system, offers all the latest keypads, shades, and is getting all the love and it is NOT compatible with old RPMs or keypads.

So this means you have to choose between the latest and greatest system in the form of QSX to ensure you system won't be obsolete and replace EVERYTHING, or go with QS, a 12 year old system that is already 2 years into going into the sunset. At this point, the best you can hope for is 8 years of guaranteed parts for it. Every new thing Lutron is offering is only compatible with QSX.

It's not a good position to put homeowners in and I feel it will backfire because if people have to change everything, they could go with someone else. Control 4 also has a centralized system.

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Upgrade Homeworks QS?

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Hello,How can I upgrade HomeworksQS firmware?QNET: Sunday, July 26 2020 at 19:31:20 - QNET: 7/26/2020 7:31:29 PM: (TX) FIRMWAREREVSunday, July 26 2020 at 19:31:27 - OS Firmware Revision = 12.1.0 [Oct 11 2017 19:32:39]Sunday, July 26 2020 at 19:31:27 - Database Design Rev = 340005Sunday, July 26 2020 at 19:31:27 - BOOT Firmware Revision = 4.0.7Sunday, July 26 2020 at 19:31:27 - QNET: Is this the latest version?Also, when I connect Elan to HomeworksQS (successfully), it does not detect any of devices listed in HomeworksQS, what could be the issue?Pls help.Thanks

Originally Posted by teknas Hello, How can I upgrade HomeworksQS firmware? QNET: Sunday, July 26 2020 at 19:31:20 - QNET: 7/26/2020 7:31:29 PM: (TX) FIRMWAREREV Sunday, July 26 2020 at 19:31:27 - OS Firmware Revision = 12.1.0 [Oct 11 2017 19:32:39] Sunday, July 26 2020 at 19:31:27 - Database Design Rev = 340005Sunday, July 26 2020 at 19:31:27 - BOOT Firmware Revision = 4.0.7Sunday, July 26 2020 at 19:31:27 - QNET: Is this the latest version? Also, when I connect Elan to HomeworksQS (successfully), it does not detect any of devices listed in HomeworksQS, what could be the issue?Pls help.Thanks 15.5 is the current version of the software. They don't list what version of firmware that uses. Every time you upload, the software checks the firmware and updates it if necessary. You can manually update the firmware by going to Tools, Update Processor Firmware. For ELAN you may need to go to Tools, Configure Integration and setup a Telnet login.

Convergence Technologies Raleigh, North Carolina www.convergenceusa.com

Where do I find link to download 15.5?I am getting link only for 12.1.Please share link to upgrade.Thanks

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COMMENTS

Upgrading Existing Systems to HomeWorks QS
Upgrading Existing Systems to HomeWorks QS – FAQ Page 3 The existing Lutron system has Maestro-style RF Fan Controls. What can I use to replace these? Maestro-style RF fan controls are available for HomeWorks QS. The controls use Lutron’s Clear Connect RF technology and are compatible with HomeWorks QS only, so the existing fan
Lutron HomeWorks System Overview
When you choose Lutron, you can trust that your system, with its powerful controls, intelligent shades, and beautiful light, will work as it’s supposed to, every time. Because we have the highest confidence in the quality of our products, HomeWorks is backed by an 8-year warranty. Our solutions are also backed by industry-best 24/7 technical ...
Lutron Services: Software Upgrade
Discover Lutron Luxury Connected lighting, shades, and hand-crafted controls that elevate everyday life. Learn more Service & Support Specification Guides The Specification Guides provide detailed product information to help you specify the right Lutron solution for your project. Learn more New Lutron Support Center Product specific FAQs
HomeWorks QS Upgrade Opportunity Brochure
HomeWorks QS Upgrade Opportunity Brochure Author: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Subject: HomeWorks QS Upgrade Opportunity Brochure Keywords: HomeWorks Illumination, HomeWorks QS, Whole Home Lighting Control, Lutron Electronics, Lighting Control, Connected Home, Palladiom, Sivoia QS Created Date: 5/8/2018 11:10:12 AM
Upgrade from old Lutron Homeworks System? : r/homeautomation
Lutron also offers Homeworks QS as an upgrade to their older Series 8/4 systems which used Illuminations software. You can keep your old keypads and panels/RPMs and just upgrade the processor, pay a license fee (to reuse the old parts which is bullshit), and overall modernize your whole system. Sounds great huh?
Upgrade Homeworks QS?
Every time you upload, the software checks the firmware and updates it if necessary. You can manually update the firmware by going to Tools, Update Processor Firmware. For ELAN you may need to go to Tools, Configure Integration and setup a Telnet login. Convergence Technologies Raleigh, North Carolina www.convergenceusa.com 07-27-2020, 02:07 AM #3