Two-way remote light switch for downlights

bjarvis2785 · 24-02-2009, 9:48 PM

Hi all,

I'm soon to be re-decorating the hall, stairs and landing and as part of this will be installing downlights in the ceilings.

I thought i would also take this chance to get some home automation started and was thinking about implementing X10.
My questions is what would i need as i have a two way lighting circuit at the moment - both hall and landing can be switching from both top and bottom of stairs.

i'm a complete noob to X10 so don't really understand all the module at the moment, so what would i need and is it even possible?
I would also like the switches to be remote (is this standard in X10?) but also need them to be physical switches/buttons, so i can use the wall switch AND the remote.

I'll be getting somebody in to install them, so as long as i can get the right stuff we'll be sorted

silver12 · 24-02-2009, 9:50 PM

What is your budget?

I personally find the X10 stuff not very aesthetically pleasing, and would rather go with a completely hidden system, such as Rako.

I'm happy to help you spec certain systems if you give a few more details. Room dimensions including ceiling heights would also help.

bjarvis2785 · 24-02-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silver12

What is your budget?

I personally find the X10 stuff not very aesthetically pleasing, and would rather go with a completely hidden system, such as Rako.

I'm happy to help you spec certain systems if you give a few more details. Room dimensions including ceiling heights would also help.

Thanks for the quick reply.

At the moment, this is only for the hall and landing ceiling, each would have 4x downlights - haven't bought these yet so haven't settled on wattage etc.

Budget - well, as i'm a complete noob to this sort of stuff i don't really know how much i should be looking at.
It's more of a feasibility thing at the moment, if i can find out the equipment that i would need and then see if it's too much etc
I ibviously don't want to spend loads as at the end of the day, it is only the hallway and landing, but it would bea nice touch

All i need to do is has a 1-gang switch upstairs and 2 gang downstairs that can also be controlled via remote control.

If this isn't suitable for X10 then obviously i am open to suggestions.

EDIT: Sorry, forgot to say, rewiring is a no-gp i'm afraid, so something that can utilise existing wiring is a must...

homeautonutter · 25-02-2009, 12:47 AM

In regards to the aesthetics, you could always depend on the likes of micro-modules. You could use an in-wall, X10 dimmable light receiver (not rewiring, but not sure if it's still an option to you bjarvis2785) and couple that with X10 switches or a touch screen and you may have the sort of system you're after. It can be relatively inexpensive too, particularly for such a small area.

hornydragon · 25-02-2009, 9:44 AM

Varilight will do IR contorl of basic circuits with switch replacement units, Lutron Rania IR do the same for 3-4 times the price

bjarvis2785 · 25-02-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homeautonutter

In regards to the aesthetics, you could always depend on the likes of micro-modules. You could use an in-wall, X10 dimmable light receiver (not rewiring, but not sure if it's still an option to you bjarvis2785) and couple that with X10 switches or a touch screen and you may have the sort of system you're after. It can be relatively inexpensive too, particularly for such a small area.

Thanks for the info.

Would that LW12 handle a 2 gang switch though, or would i need 2 of them (one for each switch) - also, how would it handle a 2 way circuit?
It sounds like what i want (being able to respond to remote actions and manual momentary switches)

Also, i assume this would not work on a transformer based low voltage system, and that i would need mains voltage downlights?

sorry for all the questions

bjarvis2785 · 25-02-2009, 3:28 PM

Just read up some more on that LW12 module... it looks like it's what i'm after so have sent the manual off to the install guy (my dad, lol

) to have a look at

Thanks for the help on this one guys!
Just gotta go and find some switches that i like... this might be a daft question, but will any momentary switches work with this LW12 or would i have to look for X10 specified switches?