Dawn Simulator

[EvilBetty]

I really need a Dawn Simulator. The ones available on the market look like crap.

I want to just use the over head light and an automated dimmer switch.

The goal is to have the dimmer turn the light from off to full on over the course of an hour.

I've been wanting to install some X-10 stuff for years, and now I see the protocols have been added to and even after a couple days of research I'm not sure what system or what parts to use.

For now just the dimmer ability is desired, but later use for x-mas lights and some other locations would be desirable.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[EvilBetty]

I was going to get a mini timer I could use bed side, and a wall dimmer (X10) but after further research I discovered that not only did the timer i was looking at not control dimming, but the dimmer I was looking at on had manual dimming. Then I started looking at INSTEON and others and was having a real hard time figuring out what I needed.

Found these threads but I'm not sure the solutions are current. Or if current parts have ever been sourced.

(Won't let me link)

 

[Steve]

A UPB dimmer (some of the other technologies should be similar), will let you set a ramp/fade rate up to 1 hour. So there would be nothing fancy you need to do. Just program the ramp/fade rate of the switch and activate it either by the rocker or a UPB signal and it will gradually brighten/dim over the course of that set time.

 

[gatchel]

I think the max Insteon ramp rate is 9 minutes. You would have to use a stepped approach.

 

[tmbrown97]

Simply Automated UPB can definitely do this - use some form of controller or one of the UPB schedulers and configure a link to go from 0 to 100% over the course of an hour at the time you specify (most controllers and timers/schedulers know the changing sunset times based on your GPS coordinates as well so they compensate each day for the changing times).

 

[EvilBetty]

Simply Automated UPB can definitely do this - use some form of controller or one of the UPB schedulers and configure a link to go from 0 to 100% over the course of an hour at the time you specify (most controllers and timers/schedulers know the changing sunset times based on your GPS coordinates as well so they compensate each day for the changing times).

Any reason to choose UPB over INSTEON? I was considering INSTEON and HomeSeer software. Mainly because I have a friend who was using it for for his alarm system until going to ADT and doesn't need HomeSeer anymore and was going to give me his copy.

 

[mustangcoupe]

HS can talk to/run UBP hardware as well, do a search for insteon they had problems in the past with hardware, there are people who say they have changed/fixed their problems but I went to UPB and didnt want to stick around to see if they'd make it. With insteon you have ONE vendor, with UPB there are a few, simply automated, PCS, HAI, Web Mtn (simply automated hardware with GENII firmware). So to me multiple vendors makes sense.

 

[pete_c]

Personally I have mostly Insteon/X10 in the home. I control the lighting modules via my HAI OPII alarm panel via X10. Homeseer talks to the Insteon piece of the lighting modules. This set up has worked for many years now.

Interesting that you had a friend using HS for his alarm system.

Relating to my timeframe of using various lighting protocals.

1 - Initially utilized X10 (from about 1978 until the introduction of X10/Insteon)
2 - Sometime in the early 2000's installed an HAI OPII panel and moved my X10 lighting control over to the panel from HS.
3 - The panel never spoke Insteon so I set up communications to the switches with HS via an Insteon PIM for certain events. Worked fine for at least the last 6 years or so.
4 - Recently (last couple of years) decided to check out UPB and Z-Wave. (both work fine with HAI OPII panel and Homeseer).
5 - I had some issues with Intermatic Z-Wave lighting modules doing a flash and burn and not working well with my low voltage lighting transformers. I did "install" outdoor Z-Wave appliance modules for my Christmas lighting this year and its working (I really don't care if they do a flash and burn outside. I did this after many years of utilizing the Black and Decker outdoor X-10 appliance modules.
5 - I like what I can do with the UPB over powerline connection, diagnostics, etc. I prefer at this time to stay using the powerline and not a hybrid meshed wireless / powerline setup for my lighting so sticking with UPB; but will still keep Insteon/X10/Z-Wave around for the time being. (because I can)

 

[tmbrown97]

I did my big research at least 2 years ago - but at the time, I came to the conclusion that UPB was the right choice for me... I don't remember all the reasons, but here's what I remember that influenced my decision, along with observations since:

1. Insteon is single vendor... they're doing better now according to the chatter, but it's still single vendor - and if a new CEO comes in and changes things, demands cost reductions, or drops the line, that group of people is up a creek.
2. ZWave has come a long way in the last couple years - I would actually bet now that's the most likely up-coming standard for HA... simply by my own observation though... wireless means things like door locks and thermostats that don't connect to a 120V powerline have advantages...
3. That said, 2 years ago, there were fewer options - and I remember that I wanted to be able to start very small and build - which isn't what ZWave is best for... being that it's a mesh technology, it works best with more devices.
4. I've read that ZWave can be a bear to program and keep tweaking for changing conditions since it kinda keeps static routes of how to communicate; but I have *zero* personal experience to back this.
5. ZWave is cheaper now and more accessible.
6. At the time, Simply Automated was an inexpensive option (it's still the cheapest UPB solution)
7. Simply Automated has a lot of flexibility in their switches... the US240's give lots of flexibility which I love. And with SAI, I can find a solution to any wiring problem.
8. ZWave also has wireless controllers; where UPB doesn't - but you can bridge other technologies with UPB, like X10-RF, EnOcean, etc. I haven't yet located a ZWave to UPB solution, but I'm going to start looking - it feels more secure than X10RF now that I'm in a more crowded neighborhood.

I guess I'd have to say ZWave looks like a good contender based on observations over the last couple years - but I don't at all regret going Simply Automated UPB... I've been very happy with it, and since I knew how it worked from my small (8 switch) installation in my last home, I knew exactly what I was doing when it was time to start a 60-switch installation in the new house. Not to mention, they keep having awesome deals if you shop your vendors. My reliability has been awesome.