[mich5]

Well, after summer I am back to build HT. There were too much other stuffs during summer. Anyway, I am done wiring and would like to buy Grafik Eye. A couple of questions:

1. How are 2000 series and 3000 series different? I need 4 zones to cover.

2. Where can I get a good deal on these? I found threads only from last year about good dealers.

Thanks.

 

[Jellyman]

From what I understand the 2000 series has a predetermined fade time set in the factory. With the 3000 you can adjust your fade times. Otherwise the two are identical.

I found a good price at my local electrical supply store.

 

[siropa]

I've got a 2000 series and yes the fades are preset. I suppose it would be nice to be able to change it, but it still pretty nice with the value they set it at.

 

[JimMac]

I purchased a 3000 on ebay. I believe that the other ability it has over the 2000 besides the delay time is for additional communications with an RS232 module so a PC could be used to issue commands. Don't know if I'll ever use it though.

 

[ken-ha]

The code states that I can only connect 12 outlets per circuit breaker. If I have 16 lights and ony 1000W consumption altogether then can I hook up a Grafik Eye control unit to one circuit breaker?


Thanks

Ken

 

[jasplat88]

Ken,


First, as I understand it, outlets (recepticals) and lights do not count the same when determining how many will fit on a circuit. Second, the GE will allow for up to 800watts per zone (you probably only want to go to about 90% of that to be safe). Depending on which model you get will determine how many total watts it will handle....for example, the 2 zone is rated for 1200 watts, the 3 zone---1500, the 4 zone(and up)---2000 watts.


For example, I will have:


Zone 1: Main lights (6 highhats @ 75watts each) ---450 watts

Zone 2: Sconces (5 @ 60watts each) ----300 watts

Zone 3: Task Lighting (3 highhats w/eyeball trims @ 50watts each) ---150 watts

Zone 4: 10 Step Lights (25 watts each) ---250 watts


Total on GE: 1125 watts (but max of 450 on any one zone)


Hope this helps some. Good luck!


-Jason

 

[ken-ha]

Jason, thanks for the reply. I should have make it more clear.


Zone #1 - 18 feet of 120V rope light and 4-50W recess lights (320W).

Zone #2 - 18 feet of 120V rope light and 7-50W recess lights (470W).

Zone #3 - 4-50W sconces (200W).


As I mentioned earlier the total wattage is only about 1000W, but the problem in Canada is the code only allow 12 connections (include receptacles and lights) per circuit breaker. I am quite sure I am OK with the load on the GE but it's the code that may get me .


Thanks

Ken

 

[mich5]

So, other than preset dimming time, there is no difference btw 2000, 3000 series are pretty much the same... Since I am not going to use that PC feature anyway.


Any good online source for GE other than Ebay?

 

[siropa]

I got mine from http://www.mainstreetshowroom.com


got it fast enough. didn't do a lot of price shopping, so I don't know what kind of good deals there could be. I know that when I bought mine, there was hardly anything on ebay to be had.

 

[Nabs17]

I also purchased mine (GRX-3106) from MainstreetShowroom.com. Received it very fast and have had no issues with it. MainStreet was the best price around that I could find.


I also called Lutron before I made the purchase to make sure they were authorized and Lutron told me it does not matter where you buy it, it would be covered from 1 year past the purchase date...so with that info and the price I bought it.


Thanks,

 

[jidelite]

I'm looking into purchasing a GrafiK Eye myself but have never compared them regarding size/dimensions. I already have a 4-gang box. Will a GRX-2xxx or GRX-3xxx fit in the same space?


Thanks,

jidelite

 

[ken-ha]

I read through the GE installation manual and it seems easy to install. Did someone here with very little electrical knowledge had installed one by himself? I am looking for a 3 zones/4 scenes GE.


Thanks

Ken

 

[siropa]

The 2xxx series will fit into a 4 gang box, but I used the 2 box method. Do some searching to read about that. With out that, it would have been very difficult to fit the wires in. Plus i've read its not up to code in some places too if thats a concern.


Its easy enough to install, but i'll leave that up to you to decide. I'd have a hard time recomending anyone with very little electrical knowledge to start doing their own wiring unless they really felt up to the job. Not something you want to mess up.

 

[MrSquid]

DEFINITELY go with the 2-box method. And depending on how many zones you have, you'll need to use a 4-gang box as your second box too. I've got a six zone GE and the 4-gang for the 2nd box is a must.

 

[siropa]

I've got a 4 zone and I used a smaller square box for the 2nd box. Its maybe 5"x5" by 2" deep. easily fit in there.

 

[MrSquid]

Quote:

Originally posted by siropa I've got a 4 zone and I used a smaller square box for the 2nd box. Its maybe 5"x5" by 2" deep. easily fit in there.

Isn't that a bit tight for the volume capacity of that box? (don't know for sure - but it seems like it might be)

 

[siropa]

You mean code wise? I sure hope not. It really did fit easily, so I hope it doesn't cause me any issue. Find out soon enough I guess.

 

[jidelite]

siropa, MrSquid - Thanks for the info. I only have 4 zones and I currently have 4 separate light switches (in a 4-gang box) controlling each zone. Guess I will do some searching to catch up on some reading..


Thanks,

jidelite

 

[rfisher]

I had no prior Hi-voltage electrical experience and I did mine by myself using the 2-box method mentioned here with a GRX-3104 (4 zone). Since I think you should use a 20 amp circuit for the GE it requires the heavier 12GA wire. It's much harder to work with than the 14/2. I actually had a hard time getting all the wire in the 4-gang junction box let alone trying to cram everything in the 4-gang box WITH the GE unit. I also did all the rest of the electrical work including installing (6) new circuits for various lights/outlets in the breaker box. Do some research...there are tons of good books on the subject which is what I did.


Randy

 

[ken-ha]

rfisher, thanks.

I already have a couple books about electrical wiring. About 30 years ago I also finished a 2-year electronic course. Sigh.... it's too bad I forgot 99% of the stuff. By reading thru the GE manual, I am pretty sure I can do it. Well now it's just waiting for enough money to buy the GE and time to install it.


Thanks

Ken