I've been reading up on lighting and I'm still confused. I don't want to go out and spend alot on the grafik eye if I don't need it. Let me explain I'll probably have 3 or 4 zones of lighting. 1 for high hats, 1 for rope lighting, 1 for tray lighting in ceiling, and maybe 1 for sconces. Question is I dont need them to fade out or on. I just want to be able to turn them off and on with my harmony remote. What i was hoping to do is just get these lutron dimmers at Home depot and you can set it to how bright it turns on and you can have it fade out, then see if I can link it to my remote if possible? Any ideas or link me to the right direction

The problem with the Lutron IR Controlled Dimmers such as those sold at HD is they work on the same channel. So if you send out the command intended for one of the dimmers, they all will respond. You will not have the option to control them independently via remote.
One option are these dimmers by 3BM which allow one remote to control up to 3 different dimmers independently.
http://www.3bmsmartswitch.ca/gl320.htm#demo
In a recent installation where the customers budget for lighting was very limited, I used 3 of these and one Lutron dimmer to control 4 areas of lighting via a Harmony 880.

If your budget is limited the are several other system like: X10, Zwave, UBP etc....

If your budget is limited the are several other system like: X10, Zwave, UBP etc....

I'm sure this is a dumb question, but where's a good place (or two) to buy these?? Like the poster, I want an afforable light solution for my 20x16 dedicated room (under construction). Similarly, I'm going to have 2-3 zones of can lights, at least one zone of trey lights or inset wall lights (for movie posters) and rope lights. I don't have the Harmony yet, but am going to buy one and want to put it into a macro where I can pre-set each zone for a movie (e.g., zone 1 10%, zone 2 10%, zone 3-5 0%). It'd be fine if I had to set them on the wall and then have either a movie mode or an all on mode.

I'd be grateful if you could point me/us to where we can buy these and based on your experience, how much for something like the above would these costs. Thanks again!!

www.smarthome.com sells insteon and x10 stuff...

I went with the Insteon option for three zones (Recessed, sconces and screen cans), similar to what Chinadog (Bud) and some others here have done. I picked the materials up at Smarthome on a 20% off sale back in November. The 2476D dimmers were ~$43 each as I recall. They're rated 600W, but remember if they are installed next to each other in the same gang box they must be derated, so calculate your load requirements - there is also a 1000W version available if needed.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o306/YW84U/IMG_5050.jpg

I control them with my 880 by setting the dimmers to X10 mode, and running the IR of the Harmony to an IR543 X10 controller (was ~$23 on sale) that can control up to 4 devices

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o306/YW84U/IMG_5057.jpg

I have the 880 setup on macros for the lighting

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o306/YW84U/IMG_5095.jpg

So when I press 'light theatre' it sends the commands to the sconces and screen cans to fade up etc (the fade rate can be adjusted at the dimmer switch very easily). I also have the 880 setup so when I press Pause, everything fades on, Play fades all off as well. I also put in a KeypadLinc at the entry to the theatre, with buttons linked to the dimmers to control them from outside as well as some other X10 stuff I have on the go.

All told, it was about a little less than $200 for the entire setup. Insteon is coming out 'eventually' with an IR to Insteon module, but it has yet to appear.....but so far, I've found the X10 100% reliable for my application. I also opted for this route, as I'm interested in setting up other Home Auto stuff in the house over the next few years as well.

I have a little more info in my build thread somewhere on page 7 or 8 if you're interested.

Question about using the Insteon. I am trying to understand why you would need the X10. Can't you just use the Harmony 880 to control the Insteon to dim and fade the lights? I am just curious why the X10 is needed. Thanks.

Question about using the Insteon. I am trying to understand why you would need the X10. Can't you just use the Harmony 880 to control the Insteon to dim and fade the lights? I am just curious why the X10 is needed. Thanks.

The X10 factors in (for now) as there is no easy/economical way to translate the IR from the Harmony into the Insteon protocol. The IR543 serves as a 'translator' to take the Harmony's IR commands and convert them into X10 commands that travel over the powerline to the switches/dimmers. The dimmers themselves do not receive IR commands; only Insteon or X10 language that travels over the neutral wire of the house wiring. Handy thing is, that the IR543 is listed as a device already in the Logitech Database, and programming for the remote is fairly easy :D

Insteon did recently announce an upcoming IR to Insteon device, but it has been talked about for a while and slow to market.....A more expensive (but robust) solution would be the ISY26 ISY99 from Universal Devices just coming to market, but it would be more than complete overkill for controlling just a few lights.

I got the Lutron Spacer System (not the one from Lowes). It controls 3 zones and has a master controller with IR built into it.
I can use the MC to create scenes for the different zones to respond to. When you program those scenes into the Harmony 880/890 they will respond accordingly. I got mine online at electricsuppliesonline.com.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/judsonp/Home%20Theater%20Construction/spacersystemswitches001.jpg

I too am looking for an inexpensive solution. What about the LutronRA??

Also, for the Lutron Grafik eye solution, is the controller all that you need (with any standard dimmer), or do you need to buy a set of their dimmers. Sorry to be such a lighting newbie. I can help with audio and video, but I know little to nothing about lighting.

This is the 3 zone Lutron Grafik eye. http://www.electricsuppliesonline.com/lugrgreye20s1.html

Thanks!

Here's the LutronRA someone told me to try. I see a master dimmer and RF repeater that appears to go to all of the dimmers. This looks promising, but NOT a cheap solution.

http://www.electricsuppliesonline.com/rarafrlico.html

It really seems that there ought to be an in the box solution that $200-$300, all in.

I too am looking for an inexpensive solution. What about the LutronRA??

Also, for the Lutron Grafik eye solution, is the controller all that you need (with any standard dimmer), or do you need to buy a set of their dimmers. Sorry to be such a lighting newbie. I can help with audio and video, but I know little to nothing about lighting.

This is the 3 zone Lutron Grafik eye. http://www.electricsuppliesonline.com/lugrgreye20s1.html

Thanks!

The Grafik eye is the dimmer. Exposed are buttons for the first 4 (3400 series as an example) "scences" and off. Under the cover are individual dimmers for the 4 zones. You only need external dimmer if you want to control the Grafik eye from another location, like an entry, top of stairs etc, without a remote.

What I did to avoid buying more GE dimmers, is I ran a separate circuit on a regular light switch outside of the theater. It controls 3 of the cans. It also allows my wife and kids to light the room without hunting for the remote or messing with the Grafik eye.

I was really on the fence with all this also and spent loads of time planning my lighting. I actually bought 4 ir dimmer for the room, but then changed my mind and went for the GE. I couldnt be happier with it. You'll be very happy you spent a few extra dollars. The "scences" are excellent for their "wow" factor.

Shop around for GE deals. The 2400 line is basic buts falls well within your $200-300 range. I paid a picture of jackson more than that for the 3400.

I got the Lutron Spacer System (not the one from Lowes). It controls 3 zones and has a master controller with IR built into it.
I can use the MC to create scenes for the different zones to respond to. When you program those scenes into the Harmony 880/890 they will respond accordingly. I got mine online at electricsuppliesonline.com.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/judsonp/Home%20Theater%20Construction/spacersystemswitches001.jpg

I should have elaborated that I may compromise on the 3 zone set up as it seems the closes to what I want, but I really wanted 4 zones.

judsonp,

Can you program the multiple sceens into the harmony? I saw both a favorite sceen remote and a multi sceen remote, but don't know which the harmony will handle.

Also, if you don't mind telling, how did you get the codes - were the simply on the harmony site?? Thanks a bunch!