Lutrons RadioRA2 - Page 4

Randall, it's true that will be able to buy Ra2 through distribution, AVAD or a Electrical Supply house but you will be limited to Aerobic programming (run around and push and hold buttons). The software will not be available to you unless you are a contractor and have completed the L1 or L2 level training. Also, if you do get the software it will expire after a year if you are not actively selling Ra2. WIthout L1 or L2 software the programming options are limited.

Thanks for the info Chicagorep,
I thought there was probably a catch somewhere. Still seems like this may be a good way for me to go. I could always pay someone with the training later if I decided I needed more advanced programming.

You might want to consult with someone sooner than later. Your home will have an assortment of single pole and three-ways, etc. RA has in wall keypads. These do not replace a switch or dimmer; but, a strategy can be developed to allow the strategic placement of keypads while reducing the overall number of switch locations in the home. An example might be an entry foyer where you'll typically find multiple switches/dimmers. Some of those are usually three-ways which can be eliminated allowing for the installation of a keypad without increasing the total number of boxes on the wall .... alternatively, the switches/dimmers can be placed INSIDE a closet (out of sight) with a single keypad in the foyer.

Thanks for the advice Dennnis but I've already blown the budget. I'm going to do this in a very limited way for now. I'll probably do something for the theater, kitchen area and maybe the entry foyer.

There is a lot of helpful info on the Lutron site. They also seem to be quite willing to give advice, so once I decide exactly what I want to control I'm going to call them for advice. On the other hand if you want to do some charity work let me know.

I'll help out anyway I can.

RadioRA 2 actually has a new hybrid keypad (RRD-H6BRL) available that is a keypad and local dimmer in a single-gang.

Yup...I'd forgotten about that. Sweet device...I'd like to see it in the Homeworks kit.

Thanks for the offer Dennis. I may call you once I get most of this worked out.

The Hybrid keypad is delayed until June.

Lutron RadioRA2 is a great product, I already did 3 jobs; The Software makes it easy to create the scenes;Love the Grafik Eye QS;

Does anyone know what remotes will be able to control a radiora2 system directly? I believe URC makes such a remote, but wondered if one of the Harmony remotes would work. Or would some type of control module be necessary to convert an IR signal into Lutron's proprietary RF?

Lutron will be releasing a URC made remote that will control Ra2 via RF, there is no remote that will control Ra2 via RF. You have to use the IR keypad or RS232 communication at this point.

I think there are IR sensors on all keypds (front and rear), and any universal remote will work.

But RF definately has it's advantages.

RRD-H6BRL is a hybrid keypad that can dim a load (available in april?)

Since this is new construction serious consideration should be given to how the actual lighting zones are setup. Stashing radiora dimmers in a closet as you suggest allows you to increase the number of lighting zones without paying the penalty of having an ugly multigang switchbank on the wall.

I was just looking over the RA2 Integration protocol and there doesn't seem to be any way to set a discreet light level on a dimmer. It is basically limited to calling 1 of 100 phantom buttons, and the ability to MONITOR the on/off status of those 100 phantom buttons and trigger 232 upon keypad button press.

In homeworks I could give it the ID of a dimmer and 0-100 and it would light up accordingly.

Am I missing something here? How are the control systems going to do sliders?

http://www.radiora2.com/pdf/Integrat...e/040-249C.pdf

The very first example they show on page 5 shows them setting a dimmer to 75%

#output,1,1,75,01:30

On page 57 for Maestro Dimmers they also show the command again.

Page 5 examples refer to Stanza and page 57 is for Maestro.

There is nothing for dimmer level listed in the RA2 section (pg 22-25). Hoping I'm wrong, but I'm just not seeing it...

OK So Maestro (pg 55) and seeTouch keypads listed later on in the 'devices' section of the document apply to ra2. so you can sent any level on any switch by using something like:
#OUTPUT,1,1,75,0:02

You just need the pc programming software to figure out the ids for each switch.

I will find out here pretty quickly as soon as my RA2 equipment shows up and I install it.

I'll be writing a driver for eventghost.

Huh. I don't understand which command would do this - controlling dim/light level.

Just reviewing the commands, seems you can't control the level, just the status.

The Integration Protocol clearly states, on page 22, for the Main Repeater:

Allows monitoring and control of system devices. For example, the Main Repeater can be used to simulate button presses, report button presses, monitor LEDs, and control light levels of dimmers.

Maybe that's a PSP training 'secret', for 'special' installs.

Can anyone confirm yet that RA2 dimming levels can be programmed.

Thanks.

Have not gotten my ra2 equipment yet but will have an answer on that soon

Yes, as long as you have the PC programming software to export a listing of the Integration ID's you can send a level command to each light. pg 55 of the integration manual on their site shows the command structure.

Has anyone timed out how long it takes from pressing a dimmer to when the status actually gets updated over RS-232 or IP? Is there a significant delay to get status?

p55 is specific to Maestro

same commands for both?

Edit - AHA. Maestro for RA2, p54. Thanks.

I'm sold. RA2 it is.

Some of my RA2 equipment is in. Hurry up.!!
(Hurry up Apr 1 as well cause I need some hybrid keypads to finish it out)

Tell Nate from Lutron I say hi next time you see him

Some users on the Control4 forums were saying that there is a 2 second delay on the integration API from when you adjust a light to when the repeater spits out feedback.

Can anyone with gear confirm if this is true? Is this a limitation of the C4 driver, or do other control systems have this same delay? RTI, Savant, etc? For doing events that listen on a button press, this seems like a long time.

For what type of application? Turn on a light, and there is a 2 second delay until the music starts?

I'm new to automated lighting, and trying to learn.

I'm talking about the amount of time from when you press a button on the keypad to when the control system realizes that the button has been pressed and can act on it.

In Homeworks, it is nearly instant over TCP/IP. I'm hoping RA2 is the same, but reading the initial reports from people on forums, they say there is a noticeable delay. Just trying to get someone to confirm this until I have my gear setup here and can test myself.

Let's be a bit more clear, Lux. Pressing a RA2 keypad and the delay until the lights respond or toucing a keypad connected to a third party system (Crestron, Control4, etc.) and waiting for a response from RA2?