Lightling control solutions,any advice?

[mc29mc]

Hi, looking to install a lighting control solution for say 12 rooms,any help with equipment,also because i wanted to control it using my computer along with multi-room audio,and other things, i would need a server. I have been qouted £12,000, i would like to do the work myself.I am a electrician,any tips on how to do the lighting solution?

[mc29mc]

Originally Posted by mc29mc

Hi, looking to install a lighting control solution for say 12 rooms,any help with equipment,also because i wanted to control it using my computer along with multi-room audio,and other things, i would need a server. I have been qouted £12,000, i would like to do the work myself.I am a electrician,any tips on how to do the lighting solution?

Thanks u lot this is great help

[charris cy]

We install Rako for most houses. It is a great system and very easy to fit because it is wireless. If you are an electrician you can install it yourself very easily. The programming is also very easy and available to the end user. There is a handhelf RF remote for control other than the wall keypads. There are also IR and RS232 interfaces for integration with control systems e.g AMX, Crestron, RTI, Netstreams, e.t.c. For computer control of the Rako system if you are not using AMX, Crestron or any other hardware control system that has a web interface, you can use a Global Cache GC-100 and any compatible automation software. e.g Housebot,Homeseer, Charmed Quark e.t.c

We also install the Vantage system. It is a hard wired system and much more expensive than Rako. Also you need a certified dealer to install it and program it.

The quotation of 12k you mention what does it include and which brands?

[MAW]

Thanks u lot this is great help

You clearly know how to make friends and influence people! I second Rako, for ease of install, DIY programming etc. And cost of course. It's a fixed cost per circuit controlled and per keypad. The keypads can go anywhere, which can be a plus, as they are wireless. 12 rooms with a typical rako plan might cost somewhere between £2.5k and £4k, depending on how many lights. Professional programming might be an advantage given the number of circuits, but that might be only a morning's work for the programmer.

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by mc29mc

Hi, looking to install a lighting control solution for say 12 rooms,any help with equipment,also because i wanted to control it using my computer along with multi-room audio,and other things, i would need a server. I have been qouted £12,000, i would like to do the work myself.I am a electrician,any tips on how to do the lighting solution?

12 rooms is one thing but when it comes to lighting control its al about channels and loads so how many channels (individually controlled circuits) and what load per circuit? As for control the question is how many scenes do you want in a single channel zone 2 or 3 is enough if you want 8 channels in a zone (3 sets of down lights, 2 sets of up lights and 3 lamps) the yo may well want more scenes 6-7 the programming is more intricate especially with Rako. Other systems are more exensive but can handle more scenes, Rako is the only real Retrofit option tho. Lutron/Helvar all need a complete rewire.

[brathnach]

Hey,

yep, I'd have to agree with you as regards the rako for the retrofit - definetly one of the easiest and probably best quality too. If you do consider going wired then I'd recommend either C-Bus or Dynalite. It is pretty amazing what you can do with either of these although they are friggin expensive!! I'm not involved with any of these companies in any way except that I install C-Bus equipment in AV rooms etc for automation and scene setting purposes and well I'll give my thumbs up to a good product when I see one!!

Good luck with the install tho!

[SimonTSM]

Wireless should always be used as a last resort. I'll get back to you at the end of the week when I have finished by DHTI+.

[charris cy]

Simon we install Rako, EIB and Vantage lighting controls. While Rako is wireless it is a very reliable system. Also it has the required interfaces (2 way RS232, ir, dry contact) for integration with automation systems and they also make relays for curtains/blind control. Also with the MB1 time clock the system can be programmed for more advanced control: holiday mode, macros form a button press, events based on time, dawn or sunrise or dry contact input. A capable programmer can do a lot with this. We generally program the garden lights and the owner never has to switch them on or off again. Another use is light sensors in the rooms that only swicth the lights on automatically during the night, and this is done by swithing them on at 80% between dawn and 11pm, and between 11pm and sunrise switching them on at 50%. A lot more can be done with Rako and usally for retro-fit installations it is the only system that can be installed. Also the pricing is very reasonable and only a fraction compared to that of the wired systems.

Vantage on the other hand is extremely powerful and it is based on a central processor and low voltage wired keypads. Also a Vantage system has all the components necessary for full home automation: pressure sensors, light, wind and motion sensors, IR and RS232 control, handheld and wall touchpanels. Although very, very powerful and any button on any keypad can be programmed to control almost anything it is quite an expensive system and we use it mostly on big houses. The cost is 3-5 times that of a similar Rako system and usually it can only be installed in houses under construction. We have done rewiring for some existing houses but sometimes it is very dificult to do this and it costs a lot of money. Also in certain houses rewiring is impossible.

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by SimonTSM

Wireless should always be used as a last resort.

Rako can easily be used in wired config if you have that option. Its beuty is that it can be retro fitted and expanded without total rewiring which most other systems cant. Rako controls your lighting most other control the lighting they were specced to control. Not that othe rsystems dont have their merits but rako is a bit special.........Limitaion is scenes using rako keypads, but you can do more with the right kit.

[vex]

Originally Posted by SimonTSM

Wireless should always be used as a last resort. I'll get back to you at the end of the week when I have finished by DHTI+.

Rako is an encoded FM signal and therefore very robust, it is not wireless in terms of a wifi signal.

Most people forget to un-wrap the aerial from the keypads, but the recommendation is to drill a 5mm hole out the back of the plate and feed the aerial down it to get maximum transmission coverage.

It works as well.

[albriscoe]

Originally Posted by mc29mc

Hi, looking to install a lighting control solution for say 12 rooms,any help with equipment,also because i wanted to control it using my computer along with multi-room audio,and other things, i would need a server. I have been qouted £12,000, i would like to do the work myself.I am a electrician,any tips on how to do the lighting solution?

Hi check this out

http://www.ilight.co.uk/

and this

Not another new cinema room ???

Allan