[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":94},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fpu8bZeI9DGJj2PaS0DJIyrzRZGNYizWcXBoF-3y-294":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"tags":6,"view_count":13,"vote_count":14,"answer_count":15,"has_accepted_answer":16,"accepted_reply_id":17,"created_at":18,"last_activity_at":19,"thumbnail_url":20,"is_technical":16,"has_solution_keywords":16,"related_thread_id":21,"author":22,"author_avatar":23,"body":24,"replies":25},25,"Common DIY Lutron installation mistakes",[7,8,9,10,11,12],"lutron-installation","diy-mistakes","caseta","ra2-select","wiring-tips","dimmer-setup",29640,51,11,true,2,"2021-12-27T14:46:59.963624","2022-03-13T01:46:59.963624","https:\u002F\u002Fpicsum.photos\u002Fseed\u002F13447ece583f8b2d19c98b98fe5aa6f5\u002F1024\u002F768",null,"DIYSmartHome","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=DIYSmartHome&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true","Hey everyone, I've been lurking on this forum for a while and finally decided to share my experience and ask for some collective wisdom. I just finished my first Lutron Caseta installation across about 12 switches and 4 Pico remotes, and let's just say it was a learning experience with plenty of mistakes along the way.\n\nI figured it might be helpful to start a thread documenting common DIY installation mistakes that people make when installing Lutron systems themselves. I'll start with my own embarrassing list:\n\n1. **Forgot to check for neutral wires first** - I assumed my 1960s home had neutrals everywhere. Spoiler alert: it didn't. Had to return several switches and swap for Caseta which doesn't require neutrals in most cases.\n\n2. **Didn't account for minimum load requirements** - Installed a dimmer on a circuit with just two small LED bulbs. The flickering was insane until I figured out I needed either more bulbs or a minimum load capacitor.\n\n3. **Pico remote placement disaster** - I mounted a Pico in a 3-gang box with regular switches and didn't realize the Pico Wallplate Bracket wouldn't fit properly with standard Decora plates. Had to order the Claro wallplates instead.\n\n4. **Overloaded a single dimmer** - Tried to put way too many recessed lights on one dimmer without checking the derating requirements. Learned the hard way that you can't just max out the wattage rating when you have multiple switches in the same box.\n\n5. **Bridge placement issues** - Put my Smart Bridge in a metal electrical closet. Range was terrible. Moved it to a central location and suddenly everything worked perfectly.\n\n6. **Didn't label wires before disconnecting** - This one is just basic electrical work 101 that I ignored. Spent an extra hour figuring out which wire went where in a 4-way switch setup.\n\nI know there are people here who've done much larger installations, including RadioRA 2 and even RA3 systems. What are the most common mistakes you've seen DIYers make? I'm planning to eventually upgrade to RA2 Select and want to avoid any pitfalls. Also curious about shade installation mistakes since I'm thinking about adding Serena shades next year.\n\nWould love to compile a comprehensive list that could help others avoid these headaches. What's the worst installation mistake you've made or witnessed?",[26,34,40,47,53,60,66,72,78,85,90],{"id":27,"author":28,"author_avatar":29,"created_at":30,"vote_count":31,"is_accepted":32,"body":33},1,"LutronFanatic","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=LutronFanatic&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true","2022-01-15T14:46:59.963624",4,false,"Great thread idea! The neutral wire thing gets SO many people. Another huge one I see constantly is people not understanding the difference between a 3-way and single-pole application. They buy two dimmers thinking they need one at each location, when really you only need one dimmer and a Pico remote for the second location.",{"id":17,"author":35,"author_avatar":36,"created_at":37,"vote_count":38,"is_accepted":16,"body":39},"HighEndIntegrator","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=HighEndIntegrator&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true","2022-01-19T14:46:59.963624",67,"I do this professionally and the derating issue you mentioned is probably the #1 problem I see when cleaning up DIY installations. People don't realize that a 600W dimmer becomes a 500W dimmer with 2 devices in the same box, 400W with 3 devices, and so on. I've seen dimmers that were warm to the touch because someone put 8 can lights on a dimmer that was already derated to 300W due to a crowded box.\n\nFor RA2 Select specifically, the biggest mistake is not planning your device count properly. You're limited to 100 devices and that fills up faster than you'd think. Also, people forget that each Pico counts as a device. Plan your system on paper before buying anything.",{"id":41,"author":42,"author_avatar":43,"created_at":44,"vote_count":45,"is_accepted":32,"body":46},3,"SmartShadeMaster","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=SmartShadeMaster&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true","2022-01-21T14:46:59.963624",35,"On the shade side, the #1 mistake is not measuring properly. Measure three times at minimum - top, middle, and bottom of the window opening. Windows are rarely perfectly square. Also, inside mount vs outside mount has specific clearance requirements that people ignore.",{"id":31,"author":48,"author_avatar":49,"created_at":50,"vote_count":51,"is_accepted":32,"body":52},"Control4Enthusiast","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=Control4Enthusiast&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true","2022-01-30T14:46:59.963624",20,"Wire labeling is huge. I use a label maker and photograph everything before disconnecting. Saved me countless times.",{"id":54,"author":55,"author_avatar":56,"created_at":57,"vote_count":58,"is_accepted":32,"body":59},5,"Ra2SelectUser","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=Ra2SelectUser&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true","2022-02-06T14:46:59.963624",19,"When I did my RA2 Select install, I made the mistake of not setting up the main repeater in the right mode first. Spent two hours wondering why devices wouldn't pair before realizing I needed to activate the system properly through the app. Read the quick start guide completely before touching anything - don't skim it like I did!",{"id":61,"author":62,"author_avatar":63,"created_at":64,"vote_count":61,"is_accepted":32,"body":65},6,"TechSavvyHomeowner","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=TechSavvyHomeowner&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true","2022-02-12T14:46:59.963624","The LED compatibility list exists for a reason! I cheaped out on some no-name LED bulbs and had horrible flickering even with the dimmer adjusted properly. Switched to bulbs on Lutron's compatibility list and problem solved.",{"id":67,"author":68,"author_avatar":69,"created_at":64,"vote_count":70,"is_accepted":32,"body":71},7,"AutomationPro2020","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=AutomationPro2020&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true",30,"Two things I'll add: First, people forget to adjust the high-end and low-end trim on their dimmers. Those LEDs that flicker at 10%? Often fixed by setting the low-end trim to 15-20%. Second, and this is specific to RA2\u002FRA3, antenna orientation on the main repeater matters. Don't shove it in a corner facing the wrong direction.",{"id":73,"author":74,"author_avatar":75,"created_at":64,"vote_count":76,"is_accepted":32,"body":77},8,"PalladiomOwner","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=PalladiomOwner&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true",33,"For the higher end systems, I've seen DIYers completely underestimate the importance of proper wire runs for the processor and repeaters. Using the wrong gauge wire or running next to high-voltage lines causes all sorts of communication issues. This is less of a concern with Caseta's RF-only approach, but once you get into hardwired keypads it becomes critical.",{"id":79,"author":80,"author_avatar":81,"created_at":82,"vote_count":83,"is_accepted":32,"body":84},9,"HomeAutoGeek","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=HomeAutoGeek&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true","2022-03-04T14:46:59.963624",23,"Don't forget about fan controls! Regular dimmers will destroy ceiling fan motors. You need the specific fan speed controls. Seen this mistake way too many times.",{"id":86,"author":22,"author_avatar":23,"created_at":87,"vote_count":88,"is_accepted":32,"body":89},10,"2022-03-12T14:46:59.963624",26,"These are all fantastic additions! The derating explanation from HighEndIntegrator is exactly the kind of detail I wish I'd known upfront. Going to save this thread for my RA2 Select planning. Thanks everyone for contributing - hopefully this helps other DIYers avoid our collective mistakes!",{"id":15,"author":91,"author_avatar":92,"created_at":19,"vote_count":51,"is_accepted":32,"body":93},"IxomeAI","https:\u002F\u002Fui-avatars.com\u002Fapi\u002F?name=IxomeAI&background=random&color=fff&size=256&bold=true","Our AI agent can walk you through a personalized troubleshooting flow in real time. Feel free to escalate this thread or start a new chat for tailored guidance!",1784825298093]