Economical Lighting Alternatives ?

cuzed2 · 10-11-07, 12:15 PM

Not sure if this belongs in this forum or not, however:

I am about 1/2 way finished with my Theater Room. I am at the point of confirming my lighting plans. I will be controlling 6-8 incandescent cans, 4 - 6 sconce lights, and some rope lights in soffits.

The Lutron Grafix eye - looks like a nice alternative. However with 3~4 zones looks like a cost of ~1K$

I am considering a cheaper (and less automated alternative). Has anyone put together 3~4 of the Luton Maestro dimmers and had success by controlling them with a Harmony remote...?

I'm sure there may be ther options form other vendors, X-10 etc...?

Craig

krooooog · 10-11-07, 01:13 PM

I used the Lutron Spacer system dimmer in my room because it allows 4 preset levels on the dimmer. I think the Maestro only allows 1 preset. I'm not sure if what you suggested would work because there would be no way to control the zones independently.

I think a better inexpensive option is to use Lutron's Spacer system dimmers. The dimmers are like $60 each. You then set up the 4 presets to correspond with the scene you want. The codes are in Harmony's database and you can easily add a scene command to any of your activities.

For example, "scene 1" maybe you want the recessed lights to go to 10%, the rope lights to come on 100% and the sconces to go to 20%. You put each set of lights on one dimmer and program that level as "scene 1" in each dimmer. When you point your harmony at the dimmers (and they should be all mounted together for ease of IR aiming) and press "scene 1" each dimmer goes to that level. Then you just repeat the programming process for the other 3 scenes you want. I only have one set of lights in my room so I only have 1 spacer dimmer that I control with my harmony. I think I bought mine at discountdimmers.com

cuzed2 · 10-11-07, 03:53 PM

Tim,

Thanks! That is the type of input I was looking for. You say Harmony has the (Lutron) codes in their database.

How hard was it to get the Harmony to command your single channel ligthing as described above?

In my case; I will be using 3 of the Lutron spacers (1 for can lights, 1 for ropes, 1 for sconce lites) - I wonder if the Harmony can discriminate between mutiple Lutron "receivers" (or does it even matter)?

Regards,
Craig

bass addict · 10-11-07, 04:42 PM

I would also check out Smarthome. I use them through my whole house and they are great products and reasonably priced. Search for insteon on their site.

krooooog · 10-11-07, 05:48 PM

Craig,
Mine was really easy because it is just one dimmer for 4 recessed lights. Programming the remote was simple. You just use the Harmony software to add a device (under Light Controllers - Lutron SPS600) and all of the commands are there. There are actually only a few commands you need. All on, All off, dim, bright, scene 1, scene 2, scene 3, scene 4. The "catch" is that I don't know if you can really control the lights individually. Assuming all the dimmers are in the same location, if you point the remote and press "bright"....all the lights in your room will get brighter. Got it? I "think" the only way to control a light independently is by manually using the dimmer switch. It MIGHT be possible to program the dimmers to have different "light numbers" and send individual commands to each, but from what I have read you cannot. According to the Lutron site, the only way to control an individual dimmer via remote is to dedicate a scene to that particular dimmer....but then you have one fewer scene to work with.

That said, you can still do what you are trying to do with just the dimmers. As I said, you would simply set each dimmer to the appropriate level for each scene. Once you hit the "scene 3" button (or if the command is part of an activity) then each of the dimmers will go to the preset "scene 2" level that you programmed. The key for you will be determining the levels that you want with each lighting source for each activity.

For me, I like ZERO light for movies, about 25% for sunday football, and ALL ON when I shut down. If I had rope lighting as well, I would probably want that OFF during Sports and at about 50% during movies.

So I would program dimmer 1 (cans) to set lights to 25% for scene 1, and to OFF for scene 2. I would program dimmer 2 (rope light) to OFF for scene 1 and 50% for scene 2. I would then add Scene 1 to my activity for "Watch TV' and add Scene 2 to my activity for "Watch DVD". When I pressed Watch DVD, the scene 2 command would be sent....dimmer 1 (cans) would go OFF and dimmer 2 (ropes) would go to 50%.

The only issue with not having individual controls of each light is that if you get annoyed with the rope lights in the middle of the movie, you can't just turn them off without getting up and hitting the dimmer manually.

cuzed2 · 10-12-07, 09:32 AM

Guys,

Thanks for the inputs and ideas - gives me some additional direction for my planning

Appreciate the help!
Craig

Volholler · 10-17-07, 02:21 PM

You answered every question I had about the dimmer set up in my new HT.
That was awesome

PeaPod7 · 10-20-07, 05:55 PM

I don't know how economical you are looking to be, but I paid apprx. $300-$350 for a Futronix P400 4-zone dimming controller. Also, they have a P-800 unit which has 8-zone ability and runs around $600.

These units have many features and are very flexible in terms of fade rates and other set-up options.

You should look into these units for a cheaper alternative to the Grafik Eye.

here is a link. http://www.futronix.us/products.htm

porsche951 · 10-21-07, 11:31 AM

I have found that candles are the most economical lighting solution. Nice ambiance as well.

krooooog · 10-21-07, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche951

I have found that candles are the most economical lighting solution. Nice ambiance as well.

No dimmers and no remotes though....

cuzed2 · 10-22-07, 12:45 PM

PeaPod7,

Thanks for the tip! I just wentto the Futronix website - looks like a nice alternative!
Can I ask where you bought their product?

Cuzed2
Craig

PeaPod7 · 10-27-07, 01:24 AM

I contacted Futronix thru the website inquiry form and a rep responded with an e-mail. I then contacted them by phone 859.215.1637 and placed my order. The unit was shipped quickly and and for a reasonable fee.

Just note the newer units come with a blue LED display vs. the older units which come with a red LED display. I have the red display for the main unit and a blue display for the remote switch panel. I like the look of the blue display, but the red display seems less distracting on the eyes in the dark.

Also, I believe the newer units are able to be installed in regular gang boxes. My unit needed a specific mounting box which was included.

10-11-07, 12:15 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
cuzed2 AVS Special Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 1,068	Economical Lighting Alternatives ? Not sure if this belongs in this forum or not, however: I am about 1/2 way finished with my Theater Room. I am at the point of confirming my lighting plans. I will be controlling 6-8 incandescent cans, 4 - 6 sconce lights, and some rope lights in soffits. The Lutron Grafix eye - looks like a nice alternative. However with 3~4 zones looks like a cost of ~1K$ I am considering a cheaper (and less automated alternative). Has anyone put together 3~4 of the Luton Maestro dimmers and had success by controlling them with a Harmony remote...? I'm sure there may be ther options form other vendors, X-10 etc...? Craig

10-11-07, 01:13 PM	#2 \| Link
krooooog Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 355	I used the Lutron Spacer system dimmer in my room because it allows 4 preset levels on the dimmer. I think the Maestro only allows 1 preset. I'm not sure if what you suggested would work because there would be no way to control the zones independently. I think a better inexpensive option is to use Lutron's Spacer system dimmers. The dimmers are like $60 each. You then set up the 4 presets to correspond with the scene you want. The codes are in Harmony's database and you can easily add a scene command to any of your activities. For example, "scene 1" maybe you want the recessed lights to go to 10%, the rope lights to come on 100% and the sconces to go to 20%. You put each set of lights on one dimmer and program that level as "scene 1" in each dimmer. When you point your harmony at the dimmers (and they should be all mounted together for ease of IR aiming) and press "scene 1" each dimmer goes to that level. Then you just repeat the programming process for the other 3 scenes you want. I only have one set of lights in my room so I only have 1 spacer dimmer that I control with my harmony. I think I bought mine at discountdimmers.com __________________ -Tim

10-11-07, 04:42 PM	#4 \| Link
bass addict witty statement here AVS CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,340 Classified Rating: 100% (6)	I would also check out Smarthome. I use them through my whole house and they are great products and reasonably priced. Search for insteon on their site. __________________ HT isn't a hobby, it's a sickness (just ask my wife).

10-11-07, 05:48 PM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
krooooog Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 355	Craig, Mine was really easy because it is just one dimmer for 4 recessed lights. Programming the remote was simple. You just use the Harmony software to add a device (under Light Controllers - Lutron SPS600) and all of the commands are there. There are actually only a few commands you need. All on, All off, dim, bright, scene 1, scene 2, scene 3, scene 4. The "catch" is that I don't know if you can really control the lights individually. Assuming all the dimmers are in the same location, if you point the remote and press "bright"....all the lights in your room will get brighter. Got it? I "think" the only way to control a light independently is by manually using the dimmer switch. It MIGHT be possible to program the dimmers to have different "light numbers" and send individual commands to each, but from what I have read you cannot. According to the Lutron site, the only way to control an individual dimmer via remote is to dedicate a scene to that particular dimmer....but then you have one fewer scene to work with. That said, you can still do what you are trying to do with just the dimmers. As I said, you would simply set each dimmer to the appropriate level for each scene. Once you hit the "scene 3" button (or if the command is part of an activity) then each of the dimmers will go to the preset "scene 2" level that you programmed. The key for you will be determining the levels that you want with each lighting source for each activity. For me, I like ZERO light for movies, about 25% for sunday football, and ALL ON when I shut down. If I had rope lighting as well, I would probably want that OFF during Sports and at about 50% during movies. So I would program dimmer 1 (cans) to set lights to 25% for scene 1, and to OFF for scene 2. I would program dimmer 2 (rope light) to OFF for scene 1 and 50% for scene 2. I would then add Scene 1 to my activity for "Watch TV' and add Scene 2 to my activity for "Watch DVD". When I pressed Watch DVD, the scene 2 command would be sent....dimmer 1 (cans) would go OFF and dimmer 2 (ropes) would go to 50%. The only issue with not having individual controls of each light is that if you get annoyed with the rope lights in the middle of the movie, you can't just turn them off without getting up and hitting the dimmer manually. __________________ -Tim

10-17-07, 02:21 PM	#7 \| Link
Volholler New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2	Great ideas krooooog You answered every question I had about the dimmer set up in my new HT. That was awesome

10-11-07, 03:53 PM	#3 \| Link
cuzed2 AVS Special Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 1,068	Tim, Thanks! That is the type of input I was looking for. You say Harmony has the (Lutron) codes in their database. How hard was it to get the Harmony to command your single channel ligthing as described above? In my case; I will be using 3 of the Lutron spacers (1 for can lights, 1 for ropes, 1 for sconce lites) - I wonder if the Harmony can discriminate between mutiple Lutron "receivers" (or does it even matter)? Regards, Craig

10-12-07, 09:32 AM	#6 \| Link
cuzed2 AVS Special Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 1,068	Guys, Thanks for the inputs and ideas - gives me some additional direction for my planning Appreciate the help! Craig

10-20-07, 05:55 PM	#8 \| Link
PeaPod7 Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 68	I don't know how economical you are looking to be, but I paid apprx. $300-$350 for a Futronix P400 4-zone dimming controller. Also, they have a P-800 unit which has 8-zone ability and runs around $600. These units have many features and are very flexible in terms of fade rates and other set-up options. You should look into these units for a cheaper alternative to the Grafik Eye. here is a link. http://www.futronix.us/products.htm __________________ PeaPod7

10-21-07, 11:31 AM	#9 \| Link
porsche951 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Near Laguna Beach Posts: 614	I have found that candles are the most economical lighting solution. Nice ambiance as well.

10-22-07, 12:45 PM	#11 \| Link
cuzed2 AVS Special Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 1,068	PeaPod7, Thanks for the tip! I just wentto the Futronix website - looks like a nice alternative! Can I ask where you bought their product? Cuzed2 Craig

10-27-07, 01:24 AM	#12 \| Link
PeaPod7 Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 68	I contacted Futronix thru the website inquiry form and a rep responded with an e-mail. I then contacted them by phone 859.215.1637 and placed my order. The unit was shipped quickly and and for a reasonable fee. Just note the newer units come with a blue LED display vs. the older units which come with a red LED display. I have the red display for the main unit and a blue display for the remote switch panel. I like the look of the blue display, but the red display seems less distracting on the eyes in the dark. Also, I believe the newer units are able to be installed in regular gang boxes. My unit needed a specific mounting box which was included. __________________ PeaPod7