Program a dimmer to act like a switch?

[sandpiper]

Hi all,

 

is there a way to write a program that makes a dimmer behave like a switch? Either full on or off? Like when you try to dim it up, it jumps to full on, when you try to dim it down, it jumps to off?
I have some porch lights with non dimmable cfls and I want to use them till they burn out and then replace them with dimmable LEDs. So I don't want to buy switches anymore.

Thanks for your help!

[larryllix]

Sure

 

Write programs that trigger on the dimming and On/Off events and send a Fast On or Fast Off. These commands have no ramping or dimming involved. Their could be slight delay before correction if somebody holds the paddle down too long and a dim selection is actually made. These command signals are the ones the SwitchLinc Dimmer would send if you double tap the paddle.

 

I use all SwitchLinc Dimmers in my system but have never bothered with this but my ISY programs always use Fast On/Off to avoid partial brightness where non-dimmable lamps are involved.

 

If

   control switchlinc is Fade Up

or

  control switchlinc is On

 

Then

   set switchlinc to Fast On

 

Else

  --

 

 

Then write one for the reciprocal Off/Fade Down and dimming triggers.

[sandpiper]

Thank you! That should be easy!  I plan to do the migration from Hub to ISY this weekend in a running Bed&BBreakfast, that's why I want to be as prepared as I can be. 

[larryllix]

You can't stop the SwitchLinc Dimmer from dimming the lights wired to it (locally) but you can insure they don't stay that way long with a program that monitors it.

[sandpiper]

Understood. If it was about me, I would not even bother. But I know that rather sooner than later one of my guests will decide to play with that fancy switch

[larryllix]

Understood. If it was about me, I would not even bother. But I know that rather sooner than later one of my guests will decide to play with that fancy switch

You could also make the switch beep a few times to teach that snoop a lesson! 

[sandpiper]

Great idea! But right now I would be happy just to get everything up and running without installing a gremlin that turns all the lights on in the middle of the night.

[stusviews]

Non-dimmable CFLs will not last as long using a dimmer as a TRIAC dimmer chops the waveform even at full brightness. So, if you're waiting for them to burn out, keep them on longer

[larryllix]

Non-dimmable CFLs will not last as long using a dimmer as a TRIAC dimmer chops the waveform even at full brightness. So, if you're waiting for them to burn out, keep them on longer

I haven't noticed a detectable brightness change from a straight switch to a SwitchLinc at full brightness. Big differences can be noted with many other dimmers and since most don't have any smarter circuitry powered up 24/7 so that is understandable. Other dimmers need to start timing from the waveform zero crossing, charge some capacitor-based variable delay circuit and then fire the Triac ASAP. Smarter dimmer circuits can fire the triac right at the zero crossing and have no waveform rise time missing and thus less switching high-frequency harmonics generated. Easier on the bulb ballasts.

 

I haven't experienced any shorter life with my SwitchLincs and CFL bulbs. OTOH,  I populated my new house with all new CFL bulbs and most of them blew within a year the first round . This was all before I had any dimmers.  The upside down, potlight, construction was never a good idea for CFL bulbs. The ballast overheated. I had one that lasted a week and the second one from the pair, less than an hour. Most are replaced with LED bulbs now.

[stusviews]

Chopping the waveform, as a TRIAC does even at full brightness, does not alter the timing of the zero crossing.

[sandpiper]

I know, it might shorten their life a little, Well, I have some dimmers laying around, but i would have to purchase new switches. So I rather take the shorter life than having to buy switches now and replace them with dimmers in a year or so.

The idea is by the way to make the ISY send a "turn off" to the porch lights at 10p and then act as a 15 min timer till sunrise. My guests go out for a smoke and forget to switch off these lights all the time, so they are sometimes on day and night. They will do much better on the dimmers than right now

[Brian H]

Some CFLs may act strange on a dimmer. So observe them at 100% for any odd behavior.

Also setting the On Off Ramp Time to the fastest the module can accept. Would also be recommended.

[MWareman]

Many non-dimmable CFLs and LEDs can also cause the switch to buzz when on a dimmer - even at 100% brightness. I went with relay units where I didn't want to change the bulbs.