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Lutron / RadioRA / iPad - how to?

post #1 of 12
3/30/12 at 11:50pm
Thread Starter 
Hi everybody, newbie here seeking help on some basic home automation (lighting only) using Lutron's RadioRA and iPad.

I have a few Lutron Maestro dimmers (with Pico remotes) installed for some key lighting at home (and thinking of adding more), and recently I heard that it is possible to use an iPhone/iPad app to control various Maestro devices wirelessly.

I'm trying to find out more about how to get this set up. So reading a lot of the literature out there I understand I can purchase the iPhone/iPad app and install it on my iPhone/iPad, but for the life of me I can't figure out what does the app talk to. There must be some device somewhere that receives the command from the app, and then relays the control signals to the Maestro dimers, right? Can someone please tell me what is that "control" device that sits between the iPad app and the Maestro dimmers?

Also, is there a maximum number of Maestro devices that can be controlled by the app? Assuming I have a bit of technical skills, is it hard to set up the system?

I'm guessing the repeater does the job, but I can't be sure. Any pointers will be much appreciated!

Thanks,
- KL
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post #2 of 12
3/31/12 at 6:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by klavatar View Post

Hi everybody, newbie here seeking help on some basic home automation (lighting only) using Lutron's RadioRA and iPad.

I have a few Lutron Maestro dimmers (with Pico remotes) installed for some key lighting at home (and thinking of adding more), and recently I heard that it is possible to use an iPhone/iPad app to control various Maestro devices wirelessly.

I'm trying to find out more about how to get this set up. So reading a lot of the literature out there I understand I can purchase the iPhone/iPad app and install it on my iPhone/iPad, but for the life of me I can't figure out what does the app talk to. There must be some device somewhere that receives the command from the app, and then relays the control signals to the Maestro dimers, right? Can someone please tell me what is that "control" device that sits between the iPad app and the Maestro dimmers?

Also, is there a maximum number of Maestro devices that can be controlled by the app? Assuming I have a bit of technical skills, is it hard to set up the system?

I'm guessing the repeater does the job, but I can't be sure. Any pointers will be much appreciated!

Thanks,
- KL

It communicates with the main repeater, that is if you have a radio ra 2 system installed by a professional dealer. If it was not set up be a dealer, using the software, you cannot control with iPad app. Bottom line
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post #3 of 12
3/31/12 at 9:34pm
You need to read up on RadioRa 2. Ra2 uses Lutron maestro Ra2 dimmers and a main repeater with software programming through an ethernet connection to work with the Ipad App. In the software integration one needs to set up telnet addresses and configure IP addresses to integrate App. with control system.
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post #4 of 12
4/2/12 at 7:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sequoiadave View Post

you need to read up on radiora 2. Ra2 uses lutron maestro ra2 dimmers and a main repeater with software programming through an ethernet connection to work with the ipad app. In the software integration one needs to set up telnet addresses and configure ip addresses to integrate app. With control system.

x2
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post #5 of 12
4/16/12 at 3:20pm
To clarify, in the Ra 2 software, you set up user names and passwords, not telnet addresses. Then, in the Lutron iOS software, you configure the system you want to control (you can control more than one Lutron system) by entering the ip address of the Lutron main repeater together with one of the user names and passwords. The Lutron iOS interface is really pretty nice. It's a little laggy but nothing terrible.

The other benefit of going with Ra 2 is that you can also control the lighting with 3rd party hardware/software. I use an HAI OmniPro (together with Haiku software) to control my security, HVAC and Lutron lighting. I also use Roomie Remote to control the Lutron lighting separately as part of my home theater set-up. The HAI is a hardware solution (i.e. the Lutron main repeater connects physically to the HAI controller which sends commands to the repeater). The Roomie Remote is a software solution (i.e. it controls the main repeater directly, similar to the Lutron iOS.)
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post #6 of 12
4/22/12 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the answers folks! So it seems like the bottom line is that I need to have a professional install a RadioRa 2 system first, and once that's set up, I can do further customizations with the software applications.

On a related note, I already have a bunch of Lutron Maestro Dimmers (with MRF2 model number prefixes) installed in my home (used with Pico multi-location remotes too). My question is: if I install a RadioRa 2 system, would these existing Maestros (less than a year old) have to be retro-fitted with new dimmers to work with the RadioRa 2 repeater?

Any further info/advice will be appreciated!

Thanks,
- KL
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post #7 of 12
4/23/12 at 4:42pm
Lutron is doing 2 seperate lines, and although the hardware is either identical
or very similar, there is different firmware loaded. So its unlikely that the maestro
rf2 dimmers will work with the ra2 repeater. I keep meaning to try it anyway, but
have not had the time. All pico's seem to be the same however and work with
both. The occupancy sensors also work with both systems.

For example the serena shades are "non system" product that anyone can
buy, but the identical item as a sivoia QS wireless has to be purchased thru
a shading dealer. Only the later works with RA2
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post #8 of 12
4/23/12 at 5:17pm
Thread Starter 
Hey thanks Kevin, I also got a PM from another member confirming from experimentation that RR2 does not seem to be compatible with MRF2 dimming hardware. So I guess if I wannna play I have to replace my existing Maestro dimmers too.

- K.
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post #9 of 12
4/24/12 at 6:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevin gilmore View Post

All pico's seem to be the same however and work with both.

This unfortunately is not the case for historical units. The MWF picos don't work with RR2 in my experience. However, as of March, Lutron decided to start selling picos that work across all products. However, if you see a pico with a MWF model number, it will not work with RR2. I sure wish picos were available that could set scenes like an in-wall controller, as I'm sure that's possible. As is, picos work in RR2 similarly to how they work in Maestro Wireless (all buttons affect the same lights).

Just as a note, Maestro accessory dimmers (for 3-way/4-way applications) should work with RR2.
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post #10 of 12
4/24/12 at 7:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by klavatar View Post

Hey thanks Kevin, I also got a PM from another member confirming from experimentation that RR2 does not seem to be compatible with MRF2 dimming hardware. So I guess if I wannna play I have to replace my existing Maestro dimmers too.

- K.

That is correct. You need Ra2 dimmers.
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post #11 of 12
4/24/12 at 2:00pm
maestro remote dimmers and maestro remote switches work with ra2.
Only difference is an icon on the plastics.

remote dimmers also work with the switches. I recommend doing this
because its easier to swap out a switch for a dimmer later.
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post #12 of 12
4/28/12 at 7:14pm
this thread raises an issue I have been struggling with. I have a radio ra 2 lighting control in my home theater. I am also using it to control a Grafik Eye. I've tried to do this myself as a home installation, but it is my understanding that the software for programming the remote radio ra repeater is proprietary to Lutron.

I have been able to do some partial programming using the button control system that is possible with the controller. Obviously, however, this is not as sophisticated or as simple as a software solution. Is there any iPad or other software solution available to consumers for programming the radio ra repeater? Help would be very much appreciated.
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