Rako Configuration

ScottR · 21-09-2009, 4:28 PM

I currently have half a dozen X10 modules dotted around the house and as I have just bought a new gaff was wondering if Rako was a better choice (more reliable, modules dont lose their addresses etc...)? Can anyone tell me about the 7 button wall panels - can I control 4 different lights with this panel - e.g. 4 devices on/off/dim/bright or have I got the controllers wrong?
I have a stickaswitch which does three devices like this and is exactly what I need and hope the RAko controller will do the same thing....

Any advise gratefully recieved.

Cheers
Scott

LukeFoster2006 · 21-09-2009, 4:46 PM

Hi Scott,

Yes you are correct you can assign a different button to each room and a particular scene. I've always done it using Rakos software RASOFT which makes the job so much easier. I've had my Rako installed for nearly 2 years now and not had one problem.

Luke

Sorry I don't think I read you're OP right, are you asking whether you control the lights directly using the wall panel? As they are just a wireless interface for the dimmer modules that you attach to each lighting circuit.

MarkP80 · 22-09-2009, 3:37 AM

Hi Scott,

Just to clarify, each button on the Rako wall switch refers to a "scene". You can assign as many Rak controllers to this scene as you like, and they will go to their pre-defined (by you) setting when ou press the button.

For example, say you have three lighting circuits each with a Rako module on them.
Pressing button 1 may turn module 1 on full, module 2 to 50% and module 3 off.
Then, you can programme button 2 to put all to 50%.
Maybe button 3 to only turn one module on.
And so on, for the four buttons. Does that explain how it works?

Cheers,
MarkP

neilball · 22-09-2009, 8:31 AM

As MarkP80 suggests, Rako is a scene-control system whereas x10 is channel control so do operate differently. Scene control is great where you want to have a range of pre-set lighting moods selectable at the push of a button and can add features such as a master all-on/all-off as well as room-based control.

ScottR · 25-09-2009, 12:47 PM

Thanks chaps - thats kind of answered it for me. What I was after wasnt scene control but individual 'device' control as I have with X10.
Looks like I will stick with x10 !!

Scott

DIYlady · 13-10-2009, 6:58 PM

The Rako key pads can also be used in channel mode, it's just not well advertised!

So key 1 switches channel one on and off
key 2 switches channel two on and off etc

You can set them all to default to a brightness level of your choosing.

You can also have channel based and scene based key pads for the same room.