Hi,
I need a little help selecting dimmers for my home theater. I have four light groups that all need to be controlled individually as well as a group. For example:
Group A is over the entertainment center.
Group B is in the middle of the room.
Group C is at the back of the room
Group D is over the stairs.

I would want to use a remote (Pronto) to select:
Movie scene: A dimmed, B off, C off, D off.
TV scene: A dimmed, B off, C on, D off.
ETC.

I want all light groups to be able to be controlled individually as well at the switch. I like the idea of a slow dim and slow raise of the lights.

I sent this same message as e-mail to smarthome and here is the reply: The (2380) SwitchLinc will suite your needs. You will need a 4020 in order to program the switch and a 4040 so that your Pronto can trip the scenes.

Is this the most cost effective way to do this? I'm assuming that I need 4 of the 2380's (@ $89.00 each, ouch) to do all this.

Any help is appreciated.
__________________________
Thanks,
Tom Kurshinsky

Tom,

You can accomplish the same thing for less money! You can use the X-10 brand of dimmer switches from X-10.com. You can get the 4040 aka. IR543 from worthington.com

It would currently cost you:

Switches (WS12A) 3 for 39.98 + 1 for $19.99 = $59.97

IR controller (IR543) $20.39 + 4.95 shipping = $25.34

Total = $85.31!

Less than ONE of the switches from Smarthome.com!!

Here are the links:

Dimmer switches-

[Link: x10.com]

_________________________________________

IR controller (4040 aka IR543)-

[Link: worthdist.com]

p.s. you can get a free Palmpad remote and a Socket Rocket from X-10.com if your order is over $25.00. They ALWAYS give you some sort of goodies with each order.

Hope you find this to be helpful!

Sincerely,

Scott

Please note that you get what you pay for and the Smartlinc switches are a ton nicer that the X-10 cheapys. The Switchlincs have a "SoftFade" feature that will cause the lights to dim up and dim down. The cheapys will only turn full on before allowing a dim to happen. Make sure you will be happy with the features, or lack of them, that the X-10 cheap switchs offer. Don't get me wrong, the X-10 switches are a quality product.

True Chris!

If he's on a budget, then that's a good option for him!

I've got 10 of the X-10 "cheapys" and have NO complaints. I also have the Leviton switches and am happy with them as well! If the X-10 switches are already on, then you can soft fade them without going to 100% bright first. I set my macro up to start them at full bright(even if already on), then dim to 25% over 10 seconds. This gives enough time to get seated and relax.

It's your option, I personally think that if you are starting out then you'll be fine with the X-10 switches. Later, if you wish, replace them with the Leviton switches to gain AGC.

Thanks for your post too, Chris!

Scott

Scott and Chris,
Thanks for the info, that's what I needed to know. I might go the less expensive route first . . . but I do like that soft fade up/down feature. What does AGC stand for? AGHH, decisions. ;-)

Thanks,
Tom

AGC stands for Automatic Gain Control. It is a feature that helps overcome noise and improves the reliability of the X-10. I would look for this feature in the switches you choose!

Chris Couture

There is a switch made by Leviton (6381) that falls in the middle of the price range of the other switches mentioned. It includes a "SoftFade" type feature like the Switchlincs have, Intellisense, and preset dim for about $40.

My $.02,
Brian

I am new to X-10, and i am also looking for some switches. I have one question. There is a switch on smarthome.com, it is the Leviton 2201WI. It's only $37, it has AGC, resume dim, and soft start. It also says it has easy, 2 wire installation. Is there any disadvantage to having just 2 wires? Most of the switches i see have 3. My choice is down to this switch and the SwitchLinc Lite 2384W, which costs about $10 more and has very similar features, but has a 3 wire connection. Does anyone have any suggestions, one either of these switches, or anthing in this price range that might be better?

Thanks in advance

Paul

Paul,

The 2 wire version will NOT work in a 3 way or 4 way situation. They (2 wire) will work fine if you do not have additional switches connected to the same light.

The 3 wire switch is what you would need if you did have two switches(3-way)or three switches (4-way)connected to the same light.

The 3 wire switches will work in either situation.

Hope this helps!

Scott

The switches that require more then 2 wires for installation are usually more intelligent or they have a inductive dimmer built in. This extra wire is hooked to the hot or white wire in both cases. Inductive dimmers would be used for speed control of fans, motors and low voltage lighting. In the case of the switches for lights, the third wire is needed for the switch to have a continuous supply of voltage to the switch. When a switch uses 2 wires, one from the line and one to the load, the hot voltage has be come through the light bulb before the switch gets it. This means the hot gets to the switch through the resistance of the light bulb. If the light were unscrewed, the switch would not function because it would have not hot voltage. On the switches with the extra wire, this in not the case since the third wire is hooked to the hot and keeps the voltage the same regardless of the bulb. This means the switch can retain some logic since the voltage is constant.

Some switches have an additional wire to provide 3-way control. This means the light can be activated via another switch.

Chris Couture

Another consideration in choosing switches which may be important to you (it is to me) is 'true rocker action' -- with some of the cheaper switches you press the bottom of the rocker for both on and off -- some people find it rather annoying to have a switch that does not operate like one would expect - especially if one also has conventional switches in the house.

Cheers, Jim.

Scott, Chris and Jim, thank you for all of the help. I think i am going to have to go with the SwitchLinc Lite. I only need to two wire switch for my room, but i will need some three ways later on. And i don't think the cheaper leviton that i found has true rocker action. And now that i know exactly what that means, it is definitely something i need in a switch. The SwitchLinc Lite also has a preset dim feature, and adjustable fade on/off speed. I think it's worth the extra money.

Thanks again
Paul