How do you zwave users light up your tree?

S

shenandoah75

Active Member
Moving this from my other post :

I'm using zwave lamp modules for a small/simple tree the kids have and some other decorations (lighted creche, etc). However, i think the big tree will be very close to or exceed 300 watts... we run about 10-15 strands i think... fused my guess at 3W each?

Thinking that i can either:
1) buy the vizia 15A relay and give up dimming capability
- or -
2) buy the vizia 1000W dimmer and build a little 2/3gang jbox to sit behind the tree which would let me dim it...

Any issues with the latter? I think i like being able to dim the tree and that for standard incandescant/regular minilights i'd be ok, but if i ever switch over to LED strands, are these dimmable with standard dimmers?

thx
 
Not sure what you mean by the power requirements. Are you saying your running 300 watts of lighting (under 3 amps) and your Z-Wave Lamp Module can't handle that?
 
I ran into the same issue. I have no idea how many watts my tree is using so I don't want no plug it into a vizia plug in dimmer.
 
you could get a kill-a-watt to check the consumption. Those are useful devices for tons of things, not just this, plus it's only $25.
 
IVB said:
you could get a kill-a-watt to check the consumption. Those are useful devices for tons of things, not just this, plus it's only $25.
Click to expand...
I've been putting off getting one of those for over a year... But it is holiday season!
 
you could get a kill-a-watt to check the consumption. Those are useful devices for tons of things, not just this, plus it's only $25.
Click to expand...

Definitely one of the best $25 I've spent.
 
OK sold - just bought the older model... i figure the additional calcs on the EZ aren't worth double the price... I know this is user friendly, but would be cool if there was a device that i could pop in line for 240 volt loads as well (pull pump / well pump / power tools / etc)... I know some multi-meters have clamp on amp meters which would probably suffice, although not sure how accurate they are - maybe that's my best bet

So back to the LED question :) - Once i get the load right, if i ever swap, would these be dimable with standard incandesent dimmers? I saw conflicting statements in various forums in a google search. Several seems to say they had bench tested and no issues and that LEDs run at or below their rated voltage... Only florescents would be an issue (or maybe some of the led strands powered by a 12V transformer)

thx
-brad
 
Ya sorry that's what i meant by 15A relay... that's definately an option... though i actually have a spare 600W dimmer lying around which would save me a few bucks. I'll see what the amp draw is and go from there.

thx
-brad
 
I have a many LED Christmas light sets, of various brands, I am dimming with Insteon lamplinc controllers, so at least most dim with standard incandescent dimmers.

The only problem I have with LED light strings is when using any module with local control/load sensing, the low current will keep the LEDs lit slightly when turned off; When this bugs my I will plug in a regular lights set to fix this.

I do have some non light string LED decorations powered by a transformer which I won't even try dimming. I actually have two cords run to my tree one dimming, one relay; I dim all of my lights strings in the house to at least 80% or lower, if for the sole reason of the bulbs lasting a lot longer when dimmed.
 
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