Lutron RS 232 Control

[dalethecaptain]

I have currently got a 3 zone Grafik Eye 3000 series in my living room, and when I finally get the time to start my AV system upgrade I am going to add a 3 more of these units around the house. This unit is currently remote controlled by my Crestron via a Crestron ST-LT interface unit.

Problem is, my Installer says that the ST-LT is now obsolete, which is not really a problem as I have just picked a Lutron GRX RS232 interface on ebay which is compatible with my system.

If I add the Lutron RS 232 interface, do I need to add 1 interface for each Grafik Eye control unit, or can the control units be daisy chained together and then individually addressed to allow independent remote control of the units via a single GRX RS232 interface?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Gerard Fernand]

A single GRX-RS232 can control up to 8 GRAFIK-EYE 3000/4000 main units.

[dalethecaptain]

Thanks for that. I had read in the manual that individual units could be addressed to enlarge zone capability, but it did not make it clear that each unit could also be independently controlled and adjusted via the GRX to different levels.

[Gerard Fernand]

Lutron Documentation
http://europe.lutron.com/techInfo/de...AFIK%20Systems

See the GRAFIK-Eye RS232 Protocol Command Set document under "GRAFIK System Software" for details of control with the GRX-RS232.

[dalethecaptain]

I had never seen this document before, this is exactly what I needed.

The time clock function is interesting, I want the bedroom lights to slowly illuminate over a 20-30 minute period rather than waking up with a screaching alarm clock, I was quoted ridiculous money by Crestron to do this from the control system.

It might be worth my while getting a Lutron agent in to set up and commission the additional units, I will get the functionality that I want probably at a much lower price.

[Gerard Fernand]

The document covers a number of controllers. Only the basic commands are available from the GRX-RS232.

The timeclock is only available on other controllers.

I'm guessing Crestron would be giving you a user adjustable alarm clock using the Crestron controllers internal clock. This would give you the ability to set the time for the alarm to trigger. When triggered a specific scene would be recalled on the GRAFIK-Eye 3000, this scene would be set, on the 3000, with the desired fade time of 20-30 minutes.

Depending on the Crestron controller an alternative method requiring less programming would be to use an off board timer connected to an I/O port. when the I/O port is triggered this would recall the lighing scene.


Is you ST-LT broken?

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by dalethecaptain

The time clock function is interesting, I want the bedroom lights to slowly illuminate over a 20-30 minute period rather than waking up with a screaching alarm clock, I was quoted ridiculous money by Crestron to do this from the control system.

You rarely get a reasonable quote from crestron.....a slow fade function shouldn't be a huge issue and neither should time control RTi XP8 is much cheaper solution than crestron http://www.rticorp.com/products/xp8.html has 8 Bi directional RS232 port and internal clock a slow fade can just be a string of RS232 light commands with a gap between them, doing this and not slowing the fade rates will mean you can turn the lights on isnstantly when needed.

[dalethecaptain]

The ST-LT is working fine, however I am not sure exactly how many Grafik Eye 3000 control units I can drive with this device, and I don't know of any one who has reliably driven multiple units with this device. I had made an assumption that the GRX RS232 controller was a better more flexible option, being as Crestron have discontinued making the ST-LT. (probably so they can concentrate on peddling there own budget looking alternative, which really is overpriced rubbish IMHO)

I want to connect the four control units together so that individual zones can be remote controlled by the respective room touch panels, and also so I want to enable the 'panic mode' (all scenes up) function via my security system, as well as the alarm clock function mentioned earlier. I also have a Crestron CEN-TIA voice command unit which I can dial into and control the lights heating/remotely, so intend to add the three additional control units on to this.

Would it be best for me to contact a Lutron installer?

[Gerard Fernand]

Originally Posted by hornydragon

a slow fade can just be a string of RS232 light commands with a gap between them, doing this and not slowing the fade rates will mean you can turn the lights on isnstantly when needed.

The GRX-RS232 has a very basic command set, there is no cammand to set the lights to a specific level so to create a fade you would have to send a series of Zone Raise - Stop Zone Raise commands. This seems a bit overkill and un-necessary programming when the function is already built into the GRAFIK-Eye 3000.

The GRAFIK-Eye can store 16 independent scenes. One scene could be set to turn the lights on quickly while another would be set to fade up slowly.

Also keeping the fade time on the GRAFIK-Eye will make it easier for the end user to change the fade time in the future without requiring the control system updated or aditional programming and expense at the outset to give the user the ability to do this from the control system.

[Gerard Fernand]

Originally Posted by dalethecaptain

The ST-LT is working fine,

Just wondering as the manual says it can control up to 8 GRAFIK_Eye main units. Have never use one of these and it isn't the first time that a product fails to operate as the manufacture intended or described in the manual.

I'm not sure if contacting a Lutron installed would be of much benifit as from what I understand everything is going to be integrated into and controlled by your existing Crestron system. All you need to do with the GRAFIK-Eye's is set their ID's and program in the scenes which is easy to do and well documented in the units manual.

If you have a copy of the existing Crestron source files, then your best bet may be to look for an alternative programmer.

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by Gerard Fernand

The GRX-RS232 has a very basic command set, there is no cammand to set the lights to a specific level so

Thats a shamebut then lutron want to sell homeworks rather than Graffic eyes and an RS232 box.