X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: hilgerdenaar on June 16, 2006, 01:26:17 PM

Title: What do I need for simple automation of a light?
Post by: hilgerdenaar on June 16, 2006, 01:26:17 PM

Hi all,

I want a light that slowly brightens in the morning, to wake me up gradually.  So, e.g. at 6am it starts, and slowly gets brighter over the next 10 minutes.  I also want to be able to turn the lamp on and off, e.g. when I wake up or during the day.

So, what do I need to do this?  ActiveHome Pro seems like overkill, and costs $50 just for the PC interface.  Can I do it with the original ActiveHome?  With FireCracker?

I'm a pretty accomplished programmer, so I wouldn't mind writing some code to do this if need be.  In fact, I'd enjoy it.  But if I can do it without programming, that would probably be better just because it would be quicker.

Thanks,
Martin

Title: Re: What do I need for simple automation of a light?
Post by: x10marko on June 16, 2006, 04:15:14 PM

I can't think of another way at this moment, other than with software.

I use a MiniTimer to wake. I am a deep sleeper, so I have my lights turned on right away, stereo started and coffee ready.
(www.x10minitimer.com)

Title: Re: What do I need for simple automation of a light?
Post by: steven r on June 16, 2006, 11:20:41 PM

Quote from: hilgerdenaar on June 16, 2006, 01:26:17 PM

...I want a light that slowly brightens in the morning, to wake me up gradually.  So, e.g. at 6am it starts, and slowly gets brighter over the next 10 minutes.  I also want to be able to turn the lamp on and off, e.g. when I wake up or during the day....

Other than a software solution as Marko mentioned, you would need a switch that had a settable ramp rate to brighten. I know there are switches that do this but am not sure if the time can be drawn out for 10 minutes. I don't believe X10 carries them. Maybe SmartHome does.

Title: Re: What do I need for simple automation of a light?
Post by: x10 newbie on July 12, 2006, 09:59:23 AM

Smarthome does have a wall switch that has an adjustable "ramp rate" which will gradually brighten the fixture.  it gives you a nice feel with local control of the light. You can combine with a mini-timer (the alarm clock would be good for your application) to achive what you want.

good luck

Title: Re: What do I need for simple automation of a light?
Post by: dave w on July 12, 2006, 12:28:21 PM

hilgerdenaar

Using a Smarthome, PCS, etc. switch with  programmable ramp rate may have disadvantages. You will need a switch that can do "scenes" and program with multiple ramp rates. Otherwise EVERYTIME you turn on (and off) the light, it will take 9 minutes.

You may want to reconsider Marko's suggestion of doing it with software.

BTW PCS can have as much as a 9 minute ramp, I do not think the smarthome switches are quite as long, but I am not sure.

Title: Re: What do I need for simple automation of a light?
Post by: steven r on July 12, 2006, 01:23:37 PM

Quote from: dave w on July 12, 2006, 12:28:21 PM

... [a] switch with  programmable ramp rate may have disadvantages.... ...EVERYTIME you turn on (and off) the light, it will take 9 minutes....

I was wondering about that. I have one switch that has a ramp ON and OFF. I don't recall if the ramp time was settable or not. It currently is about 2 sec. I also have it set to come on to a particular brightness. I can take it to full brightness pretty quickly with a 2nd flip up of the switch. Since my ramp setting is only 2 sec, I can't really say if the quick double flip up really speeds things to full brightness or not. It appears like it may though that may be just wishful observation on my part.