number, thanks. But there is still a bit of confusion. First off, I understood the HV ALC dimmer/relay on one end of the stairwell/hall and an auxillary on the other end. I never imagined having two auxillary's in a stair/hall. So, my typical install fits the "safety" scenario you explained. What i didnt know was that even if the on-q controller went down, the auxillary switches still work! Which makes sense as I knew the aux's were dumb but assumed it wouldnt work, silly me. The confusion still remains on this:
"In the case of the HV ran down the stairwell to the other HV switch, this is called a "traveler" and I like for them to run it even though we pull cat5 for the aux (3-way) as well. That way, the house is wired to standard methods and the next homeowner can "dumb up" the house if they desire!"
This issue has been brought up before a few times. Many explained it and showed pics, but I dont think it was spelled out in layman's terms. your saying go ahead and wire for additional three way? here is my scenario: The house has been roughed in and the electrician wire for traditional 3 way. I am installing on-q alc, of course, and i dont need it wired for traditional three way. Now I am scratching my head asking how do I keep the wiring there but "rewire" it for alc? Thats the question.
You may simply be saying to have a traveller wired. Ok, I can accept that, however, what if its already wired? Is there a drawing somewhere that shows how to convert a pre-wired traditionl three way to a single pole switch scenario? I think this would be a huge help to several here as its been an issue in the past.
FOLKS, I hope Number20 is getting some sales for his efforts here. That afterall is his business. I hope myself to send him some biz. I am up against my local vendor who set up meetings with builders and GETS me business, but I am only committed to him on on-q items. there are other needs i may have. Course then there is freight to contend with as well since my vendor lives a couple miles away, LOL, but i will find a way to get humber20 some biz for his assistance. Its only fair.
I did not mean to wire for an ADDITIONAL 3-way, just be sure you wire for the normal ones in areas where safety is a concern if the controller system fails. Then you can use one ways and scene switches of aux switches to reduce wall clutter for non safety related loads.
While you could do away with traditional HV 3-way travelers, please do not (I am addressing hallways and stairwells more than uses like front yard 3-ways etc). So let the Elec run as normal. Then.....
let''s paint a picture to begin...
Assuming the Elec ran the wires the most common way....Then.....
Be very careful. I would hate for my advice to lead to an electrocution. So if in doubt call the Electrician. And, use a AC voltmeter to verfiy which wires are the hot ones.
WITH THE BREAKERS OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!
One of the two wall box locations, let's say at the bottom of the stairwell, is where the feed from the breaker panel is.
The other end of the stairwell (the top) is where the light wires are located.
The HV travelers contain three wires (which normally are used for the standard HV 3-way (this can be done slightly differently to Electricians taste).
While at the box at the bottom of the stairs, using the wire from the breaker hot wire (Probably black, at least I hope it's black), attach this wire to the black HV wire on the ALC switch (this is the smart one with the dip switches, not the aux).
ONE VERY IMPORTANT NOTE.
Occasionally we learn that an installer (even Electricians do this) attached the high voltage to the LV wires. I assure you that this will permanently let the smoke out of the switch!
So......... the High Voltage AC attaches to the fat wires....
And....... the Low voltage polling loop and aux wires attach to the skinny wires (cat 5). Better yet...
Keep the drawing handy...
Next attach the black HV cable from the traveler to the blue HV wire on the ALC Smart switch (remember we are still at the bottom of the stairs).
The other two wires in the traveler are for the Neutral (white from the breaker feed) and the ground (green from the breaker feed). Attach them to the other two wires on the traveler.
Now go to the top of the stairs
The HV wire that is matched to the Blue wire (black in the traveler) connects to the black wire from the light (unlike a standard HV 3-way, the HV traveler wires don't connect to the aux or 3-way in any manner).
And the other two traveler wires connect directly to the light box neutral and ground wires.
Now it's a one-way that takes a trip up the stairs, through the box at the top of the stairs (connection point only) and then on the light.
Lastly connect the 3 LV aux wires to 3 of the cat-5 that runs from the top to the bottom of the stairs. And connect two of the cat 5 wires to the polling loop at the bottom of the stairs box and on to the lighting controller.
I don't have a drawing (YET), and I know I got wordy on this explanation, but this is dangerous stuff!
As for the kind words about sending me business, let me say this.
I do need to feed my family and pay my employees so they can do the same. But, I am a new guy to your threads and I am keenly aware that other suppliers have already built relationships with many of you. So I ask this concession.
If I teach you something new, or so you a new trick that my competition has not done, then send me the business. Otherwise stay where you are. I have enjoyed this industry since it began and have more than paid my dues. There were many learning curves that cut me deep and I hope my companies experience will stop your bleeding. That's an unbreakable tie that's hard to break.
Some of the others at SETNET are also looking at Cocoontech and may jump in as well. Remember that we are full systems supplier meaning that ALC lighting is just one of our areas of expertise (good news is that they all talk less than I do).
