Fade Out Module for Lamps

[Niknik]

Does anyone know of a cheap module that simply does a slow fade off effect when turned off?

For example, if we connected it to a regular switch, when we turned it off it would slowly fade out the lamps over 10 or 15 (or 30) seconds.
But the best case would be to have it connected to a motion sensor, so that instead of "complete darkness" when it triggers off, it would slowly fade.

I have that implemented in one of my sensors, using a custom made module, but I'd like to have it in many more places.

My last resort will be building my own dimmer circuit - but for that I have to bug some friends to actually build the thing. So, I was wondering if anyone know of anything that already exists and might do the same thing.

I find it very odd that no motion sensor manufacturer has never thought of something like this before. It wouldn't be that hard to have this sort of thing done by the motion sensor itself.

[mhn]

Innovus SmartDimmer (Z-Wave) can fade out. http://www.homeestore.com/index.php/en/ ... egory_id=2

[Niknik]

thanks mhn, I had come across that module a while back while searching for this kind of stuff. However, i'd prefer to have a module that would accept a "line" input to toggle it on/off.
(I don't know if it's even possible to trigger that "slow-dim" through a Z-wave command, or if you actually have to double touch it as they say - which would render it even less useful.)

[b_weijenberg]

The KlikAanKlikUit and HomeEasy dimmers are able to dim in 16 steps so 6.25% per step.
These dimmers are cheap and can be controlled by the RFXCOM transmitter.

Another advantage of these dimmers is that you can program up to 6 "remotes" in each unit which enables you for example to switch/dim each unit individually and if you program 1 "remote" in all units you will be able to switch/dim all units with only one command.
A "remote" can be a physical KAKU or HomeEasy remote or a dedicated device code transmitted by the RFXCOM transmitter.

[Niknik]

Thanks - but again, I'm trying to keep away from any "discrete" dim commands. I have a high probability those would result in heavy interference: I have at least 4 motion sensor triggers that are likely to be triggered, and I wouldn't want RF transmissions (or powerline) occuring for long dims taking over 10 or 15 seconds. Those would completely saturate the medium and cause "interference" with other commands that might be occuring.

That's why I'd prefer an "independent" system that would do the slow fade with just one single command.

It seems there was an X-10 Module that indeed allowes to send an extended command to set the dimming rate. That would be perfect, as we could program a slow dim rate (1 minute, for example) and then just send the command "off" - instead of "dim, dim, dim, dim, dim..."
But it seems that was only avalable in a 120V X10 Module - and that was a long time ago; don't know if it even exists nowadays.

It wouldn't be hard for any of the X10 micromodules manufacturers to implement such a feature; if anyone know of anyone hacking an existing micromodule with a custom firmware, that might also be able work just as well (even if I have to hardcode a slow dim rate.)

[mhn]

My Innovus House Control can command SmartDimmer to go to x% in x seconds, but I don't know how it is done.

[Niknik]

@mhn

Most likely, it sends individual "dim commands" at time intervals... Though it would be really great if it really did that in one single command.

[Peterpc]

The Marmitek LD11 dimmer module supports dim over time.
You can dim the module from one level to an other level with one extended command to do this in 1 second, 30 seconds, 1 minute or 5 minutes.
I think the LW11 and LW12 also support this commandset.
That way you can fade a light in 5 minutes from 80% to 20% or whatever you like. Works perfect!

[Niknik]

Wow! That would be great. Can you give more detailed info about how I can use that dim over time function? What's the extended command?

[LostDreamer]

@Niknik:
I have a lot of the LW11 modules at home, they allways soft start, stop, dim and bright (factory default setting is a few seconds, I don't know about the maximum)
When you install them, you can use the push buttons to program the time it takes to go from 0-100 or back.

Sending a simple On / Off command will then turn on the lights or dim them slowly till they're off.

You should be able to use the following Marmitek devices for this:
LWM1 MicroModule http://www.marmitek.com/nl/manual/9534.pdf
LW12 MicroModule http://www.marmitek.com/nl/manual/9611.pdf
LW11G Wall Dimmer http://www.marmitek.com/nl/manual/8930.pdf


Note: I do not know if it's possible to set it up with different timings for going on and off,
I guess it's not of much use when the lights also turn on in 5 minutes.


Good luck,
LostDreamer

[Peterpc]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by niknik</i>
<br />Wow! That would be great. Can you give more detailed info about how I can use that dim over time function? What's the extended command?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
This are the commands:
TYPE = 3 Control Modules (Dimmers and Appliances)
DATA TYPE/CMD

T1 T0 B16 B8 B4 B2 B1 B0 3 1 PRESET RECEIVER O/P on this HC DC
For all units:
'B'FIELD = NZ means 'ON', ZERO means 'OFF'.
For Dimmers , B determines the dim level (63 levels from H3F to 1)
'B'FIELD = H'3F' means 'ON'@ FULL BRIGHT immediately.
'B'FIELD = H'01'to H'3E' means brighten gradually from the current level to the new level . If previously OFF the unit comes ON at FULL DIM before brightening .
TFIELD = the time over which the change takes place.
For T=0,t=3.7s ;for T=1,t=30s ;for T=2,t=1min;forT=3,t=5min

When using homeseer you give the following command:
hs.ExecX10 "C12","Extended", 62,49 'dim to 100% in 3.7 sec
hs.ExecX10 "C12","Extended",126,49 'dim to 100% in 30 sec
hs.ExecX10 "C12","Extended",190,49 'dim to 100% in 1 min
hs.ExecX10 "C12","Extended",254,49 'dim to 100% in 5 min

C12 is the house/unit code
49 is hex 31,
62 is hex 3E is bin 00 111110
126 is hex 7E is bin 01 111110
190 is hex BE is bin 10 111110
254 is hex FE is bin 11 111110

[Niknik]

Peter, thanks! I'll try those out with my current modules and see if I have any luck with it.

Meanwhile, if anyone comes across o "dumb module" that does just the simple fade out using a line input (to connect to a regular switch, for example) I would still be interested in it.