For awhile I've had a pair of lamps on a single X10 Lamp Module. I've been using a "Sundowner" wired controller to power them on/off and dim/brighten. Today I received an IR-543 that I planned to use to integrate control of these lamps with my Harmony 520 remote. I've had no problems integrating power-on and power-off of the lights. I am, however, having problems programming functions to dim 100% to 0% and to brighten 0% to 100%.

I've tried programming multiple "dim" and "bright" commands but the progression in either direction choppy, not smooth at all. I've tried every speed/delay setting with no luck. When I hold the "dim" button on the Harmony the progression is smooth as it should be, but when I try to program as part of an activity I can't achieve this same smooth dim and brighten functionality.

Any help? Thanks!

No one has succeeded (or even tried) in getting a Harmony to do a smooth dim/bright of x10 lighting using the IR543?

I do have a 880 harmony that is PERFECTLY controlling my X10 devices via a IR-543. I programmed the left button to do a DIM command and the right button to do the bright command. In addition the up is programmed to do a 'ON' amd the down button does a 'OFF'. This way the 880 mimics a X10 brand IR remote.

The bright and dim buttons operate linearly as the longer that the button is depressed, the more commands to brighter or dim are outputted from the remote. It works perfect. But I cannot see how my setup will brighten or dim at any certain percentage. It simply cannot. --Greg-- p.s. Whats a 'Sundown'??

I do have a 880 harmony that is PERFECTLY controlling my X10 devices via a IR-543. I programmed the left button to do a DIM command and the right button to do the bright command. In addition the up is programmed to do a 'ON' amd the down button does a 'OFF'. This way the 880 mimics a X10 brand IR remote.

The bright and dim buttons operate linearly as the longer that the button is depressed, the more commands to brighter or dim are outputted from the remote. It works perfect. But I cannot see how my setup will brighten or dim at any certain percentage. It simply cannot. --Greg-- p.s. Whats a 'Sundown'??

Thanks for the response. I've had no problem programming a dim and bright button that works smoothly when held down. That worked correctly right off the bat. My problem is programming within an activity a smooth dim or bright function. I'm not trying to program dimming to a certain intermediate percentage like 50% (though that shouldn't be an issue either in theory), I'm just trying to program, as part of an activity, dimming from full to off, and raising from off to full. Manually it works perfectly by holding the "Dim" or "Bright" button on the Harmony, but in an activity I can't figure out how to mimic holding the button.

I've posted over at Remote Central, so maybe they'll have some input as well.

Thanks again for your input!

Why not call the dim function several times until the desired effect is achieved?

Why not call the dim function several times until the desired effect is achieved?

Like my original post says, this yields an extremely choppy stepped result, regardless of what speed/delay setting I use on the Harmony. Is there no way to mimic holding a button for a set amount of time?

I'm interested in this question as well.

Are you able to set scenes with your dimmers? Can you not recall these scenes on your remote?

The insteon dimmers market the ability to do this although I do not know for sure if they really can or not.

I looked at some of the X10 compatible Insteon stuff, but it was pricey. I've found what looks to be a good solution... the newer models of the LM465 Lamp Module include a feature called Soft Start where the ON command does a 2-second ramp from 0% to 100%, and the OFF command does a 3-second ramp from 100% to 0%. This was a feature on the older LM14A which is now discontinued. Also, from the OFF position, pressing DIM will return the module to whatever the previous dimmer level was (i.e. dimmer level memory).

I'm going to pick up one of the newer Soft Start LM465 modules when I order all the other X10 stuff I need for automating/controlling Christmas decorations some time next week. I may also order some Soft Start wall switches to control the overhead light in my theater and the light in the steps going up to my theater.

Hi Stephan,

The problem is a combination of X10's funky IR protocol ( they send a long AGC pulse at the END of the packet instead of the beginning like all other IR protocols, and almost immediately repeat the packet a minimum of 5 times ), and the fact that the Harmony will impose a minimum delay between steps in a macro.

You could try going into your Harmony setup, select the devices tab, then select 'Settings' for the IR-543. Now choose 'Adjust the delays'. Change the Inter Key delay to 2ms. I seem to remember trying this a while ago and it would work intermittently. I think if you have a Unit Code select in the macro before the dims, it causes an issue.

Also, again because of the funky protocol, each X10 command takes a huge amount of time to transmit. 16 DIM commands can take take more than 5 seconds to execute.

By far the easiest solution is to simply buy the new X10 LM465 lamp module. I've replaced most of my older 465's with these.

Jonathan