X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: mark_sd on January 11, 2016, 02:42:24 PM

Title: Need a brown X10 dimmer switch
Post by: mark_sd on January 11, 2016, 02:42:24 PM
I'm going to be installing some halogen spots and would like X10 control. The switch will mount in dark wood paneling, so it needs to be brown. What are my options? Are the paddles on the decorator-style switches interchangeable with standard Decora rocker paddles, so I could just cannibalize one of these?

www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-Decora-15-Amp-Single-Pole-AC-Quiet-Switch-Brown-R60-05601-2DS/202026989

Thanks,

Mark
Title: Re: Need a brown X10 dimmer switch
Post by: bkenobi on January 11, 2016, 03:12:10 PM
My best guess would be plastic dye.  I've never tried it but since X10 switches are white it should be possible.  A quick search suggested that some switch plates can be dyed with Rit Dye.  This was just a quick search, so there may be other products.

https://www.ritstudio.com/?s=switch+plate
Title: Re: Need a brown X10 dimmer switch
Post by: Brian H on January 11, 2016, 03:17:00 PM
No the paddle and frame on a WS12A or WS13A are not the same as the ones on a standard mechanical wall switch.
Do you want a On/Off or dimmer type switch?
Title: Re: Need a brown X10 dimmer switch
Post by: mark_sd on January 11, 2016, 03:23:50 PM
Thanks. I want a dimmer. So far no Insteon in the house, just a CM15A controller and ActiveHome Pro 3.31 software.
Title: Re: Need a brown X10 dimmer switch
Post by: Brian H on January 11, 2016, 03:33:44 PM
Smartlabs has been systematically removing X10 support from their modules.
So adding an X10 Primary Address to them may or may not work now. They use a different X10 dim command %Dim that X10 modules do not respond to. So AHP and a CM15A may not give you the results you wanted.
Title: Re: Need a brown X10 dimmer switch
Post by: mark_sd on January 11, 2016, 04:18:35 PM
Huh, so maybe painting/dyeing is my best (and cheapest) option. Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Need a brown X10 dimmer switch
Post by: PatPend on February 19, 2016, 07:37:22 PM
Painting or dying is an option assuming whatever materials used will stand up to repeated touching.  How about 3D printing the parts in the color you need?  You might get lucky and find a model online, and many public libraries have a 3D printer for the public to use.  Just my 2¢.
Title: Re: Need a brown X10 dimmer switch
Post by: mark_sd on February 19, 2016, 07:55:08 PM
Thanks Pat. 3D printing sounds like fun--and like a lot of time ;). For better or worse, I've now located the switch in a white wall with ivory switches so I have some simpler options.
Title: Re: Need a brown X10 dimmer switch
Post by: bkenobi on February 22, 2016, 11:35:04 AM
Ha, that brings up another option.  Paint the wall.   ;D