X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: fn49 on November 27, 2010, 11:26:59 AM
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I need help figuring out what to buy.
What I want to do is to have incandescent lights turn on to a preset dimmed amount, preferably controlled with wall switches (3way) and a remote control.
I don't want to dim them every time I turn them on. (5 different sets of lights )
do any of the switches have a memory? or will the computer software help with this ?
I'm looking at the ws12a style of switch+ a slave switch and a ss13a for a remote control.
thanks Rod
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All you need to do is set up a timer with a dim to % in it. Wall Switches will dim. Timers can be multiple, for example: Turn on at dusk, dim to 50% turn off at 12:00 AM.
7:00 AM on 6:00 PM off.
I presume all 5 lights are on the same circuit.
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If you don't already have an x10 setup, I would go for the Smarthome Insteon SwitchLincs
no software necessary, ramp rates and brightness levels can all be programmed on the switches themselves
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Dan
all lights are on the same circuit,
some are in a sunroom the rest outside on a patio
so I don' t want them on a regular timed interval
I was thinking about a manual dimmer and switches for florescent lights in series,, it would work but limit the versatility . and some of the switches are not in the best location so a remote control would be nice to have . like the ss13a control, can mount on wall where needed
Brant
I do have some x-10 items already, to start a garden water feature, and a pile of module for xmas lights.
do not own any software, just have an old radio shack timer,
do the Insteon have a remote control? that looks like a wall switch?
thanks All
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If you used the WS12A Master and WS14A Slave switches with the SS13A. You would also need a transceiver like the TM751 or RR501. To take the RF commands from the SS13A and put them on the power line.
The newer softstart WS12As have a preset dim but it may not work the way you would want.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Newer_Wall_Switches_and_Preset_Dim
There is no Insteon remote switch like a SS13A. Where it sticks on the wall anyplace.
There is a six button standalone RF one and a few AC operated ones you could mount in a wall switch box.
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Brian
Thanks for the link .
looks like the ws12a will save a dimmed setting
I do have a tm751 from a previous setup,
I want a 3way preset dimmed and a wireless remote. so
which part are you doubting ?
maybe I'll buy 1 set and try it. and if it works buy the rest later
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I was not sure if you had a TM751 or RR501.
You have verified you have a TM751 to receive the SS13A's RF signals.
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yes, I have a tm751
I'll order some items and give it a try.
thanks Rod
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received my order and it looks like the ws12a will work for me.
also bought actve home , which if you mess with ws12a dim part, it does unpredictable things if you already did a preset dim on it.
but for straight on -off it seems to save it's dim setting just fine.
will use the AH to control my xmas lighting, found I had to pick a XPFM module to reliably control a LM465 by a timer .
funny the on-off worked fine but a timer wouldn't work the LM465 ,odd
now to place another order
thanks all
Rod