Hi.

I'm looking for some basic info on the Lutron IR dimmers. I've read the Lutron website and a bunch of discussions here, but I'm still not completely clear.

What I want to do is very simple: I need 3 zones, all in the same room (each zone will control 2 lights). I'd like to install the three dimmers (with IR receivers) in the same triple gang switch location. I need to control (on, off, dim+, dim-) each zone individually. My remote is an MX-500, so I will need a way to learn the codes.

I originally thought I'd be able to do this by just using 3 Spacer dimmers. Unfortunately, there's no way to change the codes on these, so they will all respond to the same ones - not what I want.

I'm still unclear on whether the Spacer Master Control or Grafik-eye (or something else) will do what I want. Can anyone help determine the simplest way to achieve my desired setup?

I don't really need scenes, but I would use the feature if I had it. Ditto for discrete on/off.

Thanks

This message was edited by Fletch on 02/06/04 20:30.

Spacer No...

Graffic Eye, Yes...

A three zone GraffikEye is programmable for four different overall settings, PLUS controls each zone individually.

avdude

Um... No..... Not any models that I've seen anyway.....

Basic Remote thats available for the Grafic Eye only has 7 buttons on it... and even the master Lutron CCF's in the files area only have one Ramp Up/Ramp Down command.

What the Grahic eye WILL give you is up to 16 Presets.... Which should be more than enough to set up the scenes you need without individual Load controls.

If you absolutely need individual Load control, you may need to go to X-10 (Sheesh... Never thought I'd say that.....) I believe the Vantage RF system has some options as well....

Spacer System (The ones with the Clear backs) will also store 4 Lighting presets and Ramp up/down with the same Spacer remote.....

Graffic eye is the way to go. To yse that vantage rf system you would need to purchase a rf enabled master controler, to control three zones it doesnt make much sense. x-10 is painful

You can probably make up a workable solution by using the 4 presets and master dim+ and dim- that Spacer System offers (the updated version of Spacer that Impaqt mentioned). If a second remote for light control is acceptable, a Z-Wave based system might fit the bill. Unfortunately, there is not yet an Ir interface.

jcmitch

[Link: lutron.com]

http://www.homeseer.com/

If you decide to go the spacer system route, drop me an email (coneiliv at aol dot com) as I have several that I don't need.

CJ

Thanks for all the responses. Boy, I thought what I wanted was quite simple. OK, now that I've read the above and reread the Lutron website, it looks like there's no easy way to have individual load controls. If I'm willing to give that up, it seems I have three different IR options:

1) Spacer System (without master controller)
Provides multiple zones. Each zone has an on/off and load control on the switch. Remote can control 4 scenes and has master load control.
2) Spacer system (with master controller)
Provides 1) plus 5 scenes controllable at switch plus master on/off at switch. Still limited to max of 5 scenes with only 4 accessible from the remote
3) Grafik-eye
Provides 2) plus ability for up to 15 scenes (but only 8 accessible from remote. Also has programmable fade times.

Do I have this right? If so, I'll probably go with option 1). I don't plan to buy the remote. I'll either use the MX500 Editor file on this site, or go to a lighting store and learn from their remote.

Also, a few more questions:

- I noticed at a lighting store that the Spacer System and Grafik Eye use the same remote codes. If that's true, will the scene 5-15 codes for the Grafik Eye do anything with a Spacer System switch?
- Can anyone confirm that the Spacer System supports disrete master on/off codes? The MX500 Editor file here includes them, but none of the Lutron remotes seem to have both buttons.

Thanks!

Well... If you count OFF as a scene... I guess its 5...... Otherwise, there is no advantage to havng the controller witch in place. Other than acccessing scens from a wall button instead of remote......



Scenes 5-16 are ONLY available via Remote control.... Only first 4 scenes are available from the master unit.....


Scenes 5-16 will fo Nothing on a spacer system.....


Yes they work just fine..............

One way that you could get what you are looking for is to use a Xantech IR router. It would require that you use an IR receiver and a separate emmiter that would be wired into each Spacer dimmer, don't use the spacer system dimmers as the backs are clear and you would get interference.You would have to cover up the IR window on each dimmer to disable externally activating the dimmer from the front. The IR router has eight ports, each of which is "opened" by a discrete IR code. Each dimmer would be on a different port. A learning remote can then be programmed to have the discrete tag to open the port to the dimmer you wish to control. The discrete tag will need to be applied to every command for each dimmer. This would give you scenes 1-4, off, dim up and dim down to discretely control all the functions of each dimmer. in your case with three dimmers you would need 7 buttons for each dimmer all with the discrete port opening tag for each port/ dimmer. A Pronto, MX 700, or similar remote would easily accomodate this. The IR router is about 250 bucks, and the Xantech RC 68+ remote would be needed to learn the port codes from. So yes it can be done, it will just take some tinkering.

Oh my..........

Novel Ideal.... Not do-able or practical.

Standard Spacers dont have "Scenes"
Ramp up, Ramp Down, Double tap - ON, Tap - Return to last level/Off toggle, and Press/hold for slow ramp to off.

What you describe would not give him scene capability at all... Except for some really long macros that may or may not stop in the same levels each time.

Also, it would require emitters going to each switch. Since the only receiver on the standard dimmers are on the front, this would require wired black bugs going to each switch..... in addition to the IR cover, which woud probobly render the actual physical switch useless.

A graphic eye is the most reasonable solution for this application. The combined cost of the 3 spacers with the IR router, emmitters, extra labor and parts would definatly push you over the price of a 3Load GE.

If 16 Scenes doesnt give you enough flexibility with only 3 loads, theres something very wrong going into the design and operation of that system.

Agreed. I'd still like to have individual dimmer controls, but I'll live without it. I don't plan to mess with an IR repeater for this application.

Well I am not a custom installer but I have done over 3/4 of my house in X-10 and it is nothing less than perfect. I tryed a few lutron spacers and was not pleased with them. As well as lacking features of X-10, they feel lousy and tend to break to easy for me. I have used all smarthome switch's and they look and feel much better. Perhaps this is something to consider

save yourself time and money, convince your customer to spend the money on a lutron grafik system

I finally got these installed (Spacer System without the Master Controller). I'm using the Grafik Eye .m5 file from the files area in an MX-500. Everything works as expected, except the "ON" code doesn't seem to do anything. Does anyone know if the Spacer System uses this code? Maybe the "ON" code requires the Master controller?

Scenes 1 through 4, OFF, DIM+ and DIM- all work fine.

Thanks.

There is no Master ON on Spacer System. Just the commands you've found to work.

Come to think of it.... I dont think Grafik Eyes even have an ON code.....

(Checking Grx8 Remote)

nope.... No On button here... I'll have to see if the Pronto Codes have an ALL On Button.....

(Checking)

Nope.. Scents 1-16, Ramp up. Ramps Down and OFF.....

THere seems to be an ALL ON Command onthe Spacer File from Lutron.. But No ALL OFF.. Maybe its Mis-labled...