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Author Topic: Need recommendation for components  (Read 11965 times)

wolframarnold

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Need recommendation for components
« on: May 19, 2007, 01:43:27 AM »
I'm looking to put together a residential dimmable lighting application, with has 8 circuits of a total of 2500W, 3 of which are magnetic tranformers for low-voltage halogen lights, the others are resistive/incandescent loads. The magnetic loads are 1 x 300W, and 2 x 600W, respectively.  All circuits are supposed to be dimmed.

I have CAT-5 wiring to all the keypads; 120V AC line voltage is run to two wall locations where I plan to put the power modules.

A nice to have extra would be a way to also control my heater (simple on/off signal with low voltage AC) from the keypads/bus system.

What manufacturers/models are available?  I'd love to use open standards and nothing that relies on centralized (and proprietary) controllers.  This is largely a do-it-yourself project.  Thanks for any recommendations.
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JAy

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Re: Need recommendation for components
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2007, 05:25:57 AM »
I'm pretty new to DMX protocols, but I'm working on a system right now that is using Lutron Homeworks components. We are using HWI dimming modules and CCO relay modules to control a lot of different stuff, including lighting, curtains, heaters etc. The CCO modules only switch low current, but they can be used to switch a relay which can handle your larger loads. they have their own keypad system, but it is pretty simple to set up.
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digital

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Re: Need recommendation for components
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2008, 03:48:19 PM »
Check out the PROTOCOL on www.digitallighting.com
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DMX512

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Re: Need recommendation for components
« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2008, 10:28:01 PM »
Based on your IP address, you are in the US of A.

Depends how DIY you want to be.

If you want to purchase modules off-the-shelf and use them, then I'd recommend that you have a look at the Clipsal CBus system, now available from the Square D stable, link here.  It is modular, has no central controller, uses Cat5 cabling, but does has a proprietary command structure, however you download the protocol data for free.

Theres a UK based community of DIY folk who use this system, see The Home Automation Die Hards Mailing List, actually a Yahoo group, which has a link to a searchable archive.  In fact, this group has much wisdom on the subject, and is probably a much better place to be than here for home lighting systems :)

If you want to get the soldering iron and PCB etchent out, then I may have a pointer for that too...
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