Nice dimmer hardware

[davka003]

Does anyone have a recommendation for nice dimmer wall transmitters or similar.

I have whole house equipped with nexa stuff and a tellstick duo.
But dim the light by single press and than wait and press again as the nexa way of dimming works is not working very well.

My wife and other guest at my house find it hard to use. And I agree with them.
I would very much prefer a knob to turn. Does anyone have any product recommendations?

Even if they are not supported by tellstick I am interested. Like BLE, Bluetooth, zigbee or whatever technology.

My idea is to include support for it in automagically so I just need to somehow get the signal into my raspberry.

Any ideas?

[Hoox]

I'm in exactly the same situation as you.
Hope someone is able to provide recommendation on good dimmer hardware.

[krambriw]

Well, at first thought, trying to re-use what we have and to make a cheap solution, I could imagine using a 1-wire network and AD converters.
https://www.m.nu/adomvandlare-4-kanaler ... p-455.html

The actual dimmer knob could give a DC value 0-5V to a AD input. In Automagically you would read the data and send out a a corresponding rf command to set the absolute dim level of the Nexa device controlling your lamp.

I am unsure about the performance since the RPi has to poll the 1-wire net rather frequent (the effect could be that you experience a delay in initial dim reaction and a lag at the end)

- it requires substantial re-wiring (you have to separate the low voltage cabling from the high voltage)
- you have to move the Nexa device close to the lamp and remove all high voltage cabling to the dimmer
- each AD converter can handle 4 dimmers
- it requires modification of your dim switches
- it re-uses your existing Nexa devices, I guess thats the only good part

If you would change to Z-Wave, you could use devices like this ones, I think they are simpler to operate dim up/down
http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/products ... -Duwi.html

- expensive
- no re-use of your Nexa stuff
- easy to install, existing high voltage wiring is kept 'as is'

BestR

[davka003]

I have been thinking in similar ways but my best idea is to use some serial over Bluetooth device instead of 1-wire. That would remove the polling and make it work in "push" instead of "pull". However it makes it somewhat more complicated hardware wise.

[krambriw]

Looking closer at the manual for the Fibaro dimmer (FGD211), I think this has a better way of handling a dimmer:

Momentary switch (after releasing the push-button a spring
automatically pushes back and disconnects the button)

- Turning the light on / off: change the position of push-button no. 1.
The Dimmer will be activated always at the previously set brightness.

- Brightening/ dimming the light: hold key no. 1 down.

It sounds not too bad I think, is more intuitive way of operation

[davka003]

Yes, that resembles the way the new nexa pro line of dimmers work as well. To bad the nexa pro is not compatible with Telldus (yes I know there are a comment on a ticket in Telldus bug tracker but it doesent work practically).

[davka003]

I have just got my hands on some of these http://www.rfduino.com I wonder if that is what I need.

[krambriw]

Looks interesting but I have some doubts for your application...
- it's Bluetooth
- the coverage might be a problem (10 meters, is that enough???)
- they cannot join a mesh network

My choice (if you are down to this level working with such modules) would be ZigBee. Modules like this or similar
https://www.elfa.se/elfa3~se_sv/elfa/in ... &toc=23185
For me a mesh network would be a must and the ZigBee coverage is approx 90 meters, actual even 3 times better than Z-Wave

What is not working ok with the Nexa Pro dimmer module? I have to buy one and try it with the RFXtrx...

[krambriw]

Regarding the Nexa Pro Dimmer:

Scenario: use a self-learning Nexa wall switch like the LWST-605 and try to pair it with a Nexa Pro Dimmer WDR-1. Then try to use the same code with TellStick Duo, RFXtrx and RFXCom and see how/if it works

1) Using the LWST-605: Pairing is working without problems. One-Button press either for On/Off works ok. Setting the dim level by keeping the 'On' or 'Off' button pressed until wanted dim level is reached worked ok. Set dim level is memorized and is the level that is reached next time 'On' button is pressed

2) Trying the same learned code with TellStick Duo: Correction: My first tests must have been executed wrongly. When I use EventGhost with the TellStick Duo plugin or directly from Telldus Center, it is also working as below

3) Trying the same learn code with RFXtrx: Is working for 'On' and 'Off'. Setting the absolute dim level seems not to be supported in the WDR-1. Only way to set dim level is to keep a button pressed (sending multiple 'On' signals). This will in praxis only be usable if you do it with a switch. I tried also to set the dim level from the computer by a loop, counting the number of 'On' and 'Off' commands but it does not work really good. First of all, you cannot know what the actual dim level is when you start. Secondly the step is too big (I think the RFXtrx is actual transmitting multiple repeats on one single 'On' or 'Off'). I can see the dim level is changing but it is impossible to set an exact level.

4) Trying the same learn code with RFXcom: Is working as above

Best regards, Walter

[davka003]

Thanks for the update and analysis!

So to sum it up. The Pro range is useless for any automation project. It doesn't work with nexas own gateway and it doesn't do absolute dimming.