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The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:
| Topic: | Recommendations for Lighting Control This thread has 34 replies. Displaying posts 16 through 30. |
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| Post 16 made on Friday March 5, 2004 at 22:36 |
JBJ SYSTEMS Advanced Member |
Joined:
Posts: | January 2004
859 |
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Go with the Vantage system...their wireless capabilities are second to none. I think you will end up spending less than doing full radio RA system. In regards to powerline carrier systems - skip it, they are headaches and you might be pressed to find someone to do it for you unless you are willing ot DIY.
Try getting different estimates from local professionals and see what they come up with. Usually there is no obligation or cost to you.
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Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic! |
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| Post 17 made on Friday March 5, 2004 at 22:59 |
You can also use the hardwired Vantage dimmers and keypads in the same installation as the RF ones if a Vantage control cable can be fished down the wall from attic space or up the wall from basement or crawl space.
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| OP | Post 18 made on Friday March 5, 2004 at 23:10 |
Jeff DeLine Long Time Member |
Joined:
Posts: | December 2003
54 |
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JBJ, I'm going to do it myself regardless of the route I take. It's really not the cost, it's building the thing. It's what keeps me sane after a long day/night/week at the office. Some people are happy coming home and watching Survivor. My savior is strapping on a tool belt, picking up a trowel or my crimpers. If I spend time on the net it's to research sites like this or the John Bridge Forum (tile forum). Both sites (completely different audience of course) are the type of stuff I'm looking for. And I can't describe how appreciative I am that you pro's at all of these sites give feedback and damn good advice for DIY's like me. I've been a subscriber to Audio Video Interiors for years now and they make you believe that the DIY can't tie their own shoes. Sorry about my rambling but at the end of the day it's not the challenge I'm worried about but the end product. If one product/solution causes me a little bit more pain/money/time but gives me what I'm looking for (and works for my wife) but the next product is easy to install/no pain/low cost but unreliable I have pain/money/time to spend.
Jeff
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| Post 19 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 02:20 |
WebbWiring Lurking Member |
Joined:
Posts: | January 2004
3 |
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JEFF: Simple control is the best to start with, X10 works but is unreliable. On 03/04/04 12:30, Jeff DeLine said...
I am in the process of trying to figure out lighting
control for our new house ( 9 months old). Never
had any type of lighting control in the past,
just dimmers on almost every switch. I’ll give
a little background on what we are dealing with.
All of our audio and video equipment is centralized.
Whole house audio uses 2 B&K CT610s going to
12 zones. Video distribution uses Channel Plus
equipment. Currently have three 4 port modulators
into three 1x6 video distribution amps. When
my lower level is finished I will add another
1x6 amp. All control is done with Xantech IR
receivers, MX700s, and the CT610s. Our house
is about 5400 sq ft with an additional 3000 when
the lower level is finished.
As far as lighting goes I would like to be able
to have somewhat centralized control over them.
My thought would be to have at least a controller
in the kitchen area, master, and bar area on the
lower level. I would like to be able to create
scenes and such. I think I have a total of about
70 switches that I am dealing with. At a minimum
these would be dimmers. Probably half or more
would also be part of the scene control. I’ve
done a little research into RadioRa and have also
looked into X-10. X-10 seems to have more flexibility
but also seems less reliable. I’m not sure how
my wife would feel about my newest project if
all of a sudden lights started turning on in the
middle of the night.
None of the house was wired for lighting control.
I do have a couple of strategically placed boxes
with AC wire to them where I thought a controller
might go. Also, all switches put in by the builder
are rocker switches right now but everything is
Decora style.
So I would really appreciate some recommendations.
As with everything cost is always a consideration
but quality and the right user interface is the
first priority.
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| Post 20 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 02:25 |
WebbWiring Lurking Member |
Joined:
Posts: | January 2004
3 |
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Lutron is the marketer of radio ra
Radio RA
RA is the Sun God
Controling light and power
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| Post 21 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 02:44 |
avdude Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | February 2002
814 |
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On 03/07/04 02:25, WebbWiring said...
Lutron is the marketer of radio ra NO SHIT??!! Thanks, never would have guessed that!
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AVDUDE
"It might work better if it were plugged in and programmed first...just a thought!" |
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| Post 22 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 02:53 |
QQQ Super Member |
Joined:
Posts: | January 2002
4,806 |
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avdude:
You meanie. You need to learn to be a modicum of politeness like me ;-).
WebbWiring's post did seem to come out of nowhere there, didn't it?
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| Post 23 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 02:57 |
avdude Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | February 2002
814 |
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Jeff, As Impaqt said...in your application Radio Ra (MADE not just MARKETED by Lutron) is a GREAT bet. Vantage, as JBJ states, is ALSO a great bet for wireless, centralized lighting control... BOTH WORK VERY WELL!!! In a project like yours, X-10, or any derivitive, would be tough, sketchy and not a good starting point (as previously suggested) by any stretch! LUTRON and VANTAGE...even LITETOUCH, are FAR more versatile than ANY PCS/X-10 system! Now for the big question; Can you get your hands on ANY of these? They are NOT consumer products (for purchase, install and programming anyway), and require EXTENSIVE triaing and programming to install. Could you handle this kind of system, or is that why you are leaning toward X-10? avdude site admin www.integrationpros.com
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AVDUDE
"It might work better if it were plugged in and programmed first...just a thought!" |
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| Post 24 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 03:01 |
avdude Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | February 2002
814 |
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On 03/07/04 02:53, QQQ said...
avdude:
You meanie. You need to learn to be a modicum
of politeness like me ;-). Subtle as a freight train wasn't I?! WebbWiring's post did seem to come out of nowhere
there, didn't it? VERY DEEP WHAT THE F%^K LEFT FIELD to be exact! when am I gonna see you on IP? Some good conversations going on over there! avdude
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AVDUDE
"It might work better if it were plugged in and programmed first...just a thought!" |
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| Post 25 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 03:09 |
QQQ Super Member |
Joined:
Posts: | January 2002
4,806 |
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On 03/07/04 02:57, avdude said...
Now for the big question;
Can you get your hands on ANY of these?
They are NOT consumer products (for purchase,
install and programming anyway), and require
EXTENSIVE
triaing and programming to install. Are you including Radio Ra in that statement? As far as IP, maybe one of these days. I'll poke around over there and see what's going on.
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| Post 26 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 03:17 |
avdude Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | February 2002
814 |
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On 03/07/04 03:09, QQQ said...
Are you including Radio Ra in that statement? Sorry...no..what do they call the high end one these days? HomeWorks HomeServe? Theat's the one I was referring to... As far as IP, maybe one of these days. I'll poke
around over there and see what's going on. Sorry to hear that...would VERY MUCH value your opinions and insights! avdude
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AVDUDE
"It might work better if it were plugged in and programmed first...just a thought!" |
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| Post 27 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 10:19 |
MitchellEnt Long Time Member |
Joined:
Posts: | February 2004
58 |
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About what Jeff Said about trade magazines always complaining about DIYs:
Unfortunatly, our products look like they are easy to install, and most are expensive. Just speakers and an amp, right? I've noticed that in most industrys its the same. Automotive Repair is a big one, I know alot of mechanics who are always laughing at customers that tried to DIY, and wind up seizing their engine or causing twice as much damage. It sounds like you compitant to do something like this, however, I've been installing RadioRa for a little while, and i'll tell you its much more time consuming then just installing 65 dimmers (which is still time consuming) you'll be running around your house all day setting light levels and telling dimmers to activiate.
Good Luck!
Tim
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| Post 28 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 15:19 |
JBJ SYSTEMS Advanced Member |
Joined:
Posts: | January 2004
859 |
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I think that you might be able to develop a relationship with an electrician or a/v company and get them to sell you the Vantage stuff...if you are relatively competent than you'll be able to figure out the programming. From what I saw it's pretty intuitive. If you want to fiddle I think Vantage would be a fun one to fiddle with.
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Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic! |
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| OP | Post 29 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 19:48 |
Jeff DeLine Long Time Member |
Joined:
Posts: | December 2003
54 |
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avdude, I was not looking to X-10 due to concerns with programming or availability. It's just what turned up first in my search though it's not the route I'm looking at taking now. The programming doesn't concern me and I believe consumers can purchase RadioRa. Seems a little for Vantage.
Mitchell, I hear what you are saying about a lot of consumers but I've done a lot with audio/video distribution and have confidence I can handle lighting also. I know it's not for everyone but would still like to see pubs like Audio/Video at least acknowledge some people can. BTW, there's no way I would work on my own car. Just don't feel it's something I can do.
Also, I know the amount of effort to install 65 dimmers...I've done all the framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and trim work in my basement. Getting ready to start building the bar and haven't started the tile yet but I'm going to be laying 3000 sq ft of ceramic throughout. No drywall for me though, I leave that up to the pros.
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| Post 30 made on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 22:02 |
MitchellEnt Long Time Member |
Joined:
Posts: | February 2004
58 |
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I hear ya Jeff, I'm just saying saying that we (Or it least I) see alot of unexperienced DIYs than capable ones, and spend alot of time cleaning up their mistakes. This is a nice hobby to be in, and it is fine hobby to do. But what you don't want to do is see a fairly experience unprofessional hobby guy do something than try to do it yourself (not implying that you are, I've said before you sound capable).
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