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[dipdog]

Is there an x10 compatible software that will allow you to fade a light in and out gradually over several minutes? 
Also, it's been a while since I've checked up on x10, but have they come up with a way to gradually fade on a light that is currently off without first turning it on to 100 percent (I recall that you could dim down a light that was turned on but you couldn't dim up a light that was turned off).
Thanx
- Scott

[dave w]

FWIW
Standard X10 modules still require a 100% start up  and can then dim down. Smarthome.com has modules which will come ON at the same level they were turned OFF at. X10 2-way lamp modules have a soft start and I believe the ramp time can be adjusted. And as always, one can use the AHP or other software to dim a lamp to 0% to extinguish it, then use AHP to brighten it when you want to turn the lamp on.

AHP macros will allow you to brighten a lamp over several minutes, by sending one BRI command at a time, over several minutes.

[dipdog]

Thanx for your reply.  I found the smarthome switches you were talking about.  In fact, if anyone's interested, this link is a good chart of switches and shows which ones have soft-start and which don't

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Common/switchguide/smart_switch_selection_guide1.htm

I was wondering if you could clarify the last comment that you made, though.  Did you mean you can dim a lamp to "0%" to extinguish, and then use AHP to dim back up.  Or did you mean to dim the lamp to "1%" to extinguish, and then dim it back up.  I've heard of turning the lamp "off" at 1% and then dimming back up.  Haven't tried it because I was worried about possible electrical hazard and energy use.  But I haven't heard anything about dimming to 0%, and then dimming back up.

Appreciate your help.
- Scott

[dave w]

dipdog

I have not used AHP in a while, I am using Homeseer now, so I may be confusing the levels I can dim a light to (0% OR 1%). 

I have several lights which I want to go from "dark" to some level of dim when triggered by a motion detection. Example is rope lights hidden under a bed, and bathroom lights coming ON at a very, very, low level when making a late night bathroom run (57 year old prostate...need I say more?)

In AHP, I believe I dimmed the lights to 0% or 1% and let them idle at that level until motion is detected. This level maintains a minimum current through the Lamp Module triac, but the lights are completely dark. When motion is detected, AHP brightens the lights to 30%. In AHP you must use the "relative" Bri/Dim levels in your macros.

I have been using this "dim to 0" technique since 1988 and have never had a problem. The lamp modules are barely conducting so there is negligable "hazard". Technically the module and lights would consume slightly more power than if turned OFF.

Does this clarify anything?

[dipdog]

Yes, it does.  Thank you very much for your help! 

And I like your ideas with the motion detectors and rope lights.  Now I have something else to drive my wife nuts with