Table Lamp automation ideas?

[tmbrown97]

The few seconds thing could be annoying - I know with UPB it's pretty instant - but it's worth experimenting with.

 

[electron]

UPB works really well in this scenario.  I also recommend you link one of the more important lights to a button on your keyfob, very useful when entering a dark house, or you are too lazy to get up and turn a light on (or start a browser session), but have your keys on you

 

[pete_c]

I've been sort of playing with UPB, Z-Wave and X-10 turn on speeds using various sensors with connectivity to either Homeseer or the HAI OPII panel.
 
SImple testing though.  Garage lights on or off  hooked up to mostly UPB, one to X10 and one to Z-Wave.  Events driven by PIR's, RF, garage door switches.

 

[bbrendon]

Wow. I just learned a few new tricks. Thanks guys!

 

[Desert_AIP]

I have a project in the works to put a dimmer into the base of a lamp and wire a "remote" switch that is built into the lamp

 

[IVB]

Happiness is seeing the UPS truck pull up when you're expecting your new Leviton zWave toys from AO.
 
Sadness is seeing the driver walk to your neighbors house and drive away.
 

 

[tmbrown97]

UPB works really well in this scenario.  I also recommend you link one of the more important lights to a button on your keyfob, very useful when entering a dark house, or you are too lazy to get up and turn a light on (or start a browser session), but have your keys on you

Don't you keep your keys in your handy little dock so you can remote-start the car?  Personally I *never* have my keys on me at home - I don't carry a house key, and I leave the car keys in the cars.  What we do always have is our cell phones and it's not uncommon to pull out our phone to kill the lights, turn on music, turn on the fireplace, and sometimes even set the DirecTV channel.  Not all unified like it should be, but a combination of AirPlay, DirecTV Remote, eKeypad (lights, security).
 
I do also have the house light a path for me if I enter when it's dark - it lights a path from whichever door I enter through to the kitchen which is basically the hub of the house.  I also have scene buttons I can use - like as we walk into the master suite, one button turns on the bathroom, foyer and bedroom lights to set levels (we're heading up to let the little ones bathe in our bath).  I'm also really thinking about adding some outdoor optex motions for taking the garbage out or going out in the yard to automate those lights.
 
And even though I have a scene switch on the nightstand via one of those tabletop controllers for UPB (which would work for any technology if desired) - my wife almost never asks me to turn off the bedroom lights - instead she'll pull out her phone and do it herself pretty much every night.
 
And I work from home a lot - it's awesome having ElkRMS or M1ToGo on my computer - I can adjust the office lights, turn off the lights downstairs, and kick on the HVAC without getting up or interrupting my phone call.
 
Gone off-topic, but it seemed like we answered the initial question and moved onto more ideas on how to let automation enhance our quality of life..

 

[electron]

My keys are on my desk near me.  I have a 2-way alarm system/fob, and am too lazy to get up if the car is trying to get my attention, so I no longer use the dock (plus I could do it via HTTP now if I really want this feature).
 
IVB, which module did you order?

 

[IVB]

Leviton VRP03

 

[Dogman]

I have two Leviton VRP03 on my table lamps next to my couch and they work perfectly via local control and via IPAD with CQC so I think you will like them and there is almost no perceptible delay that I have noticed.  Plus the new VRP03 are repeaters for beaming Z-wave (Locks) if you are using those.

 

[IVB]

very cool. They'll be here within hours...

 

[IVB]

Modules show up, many thanks, they do nearly everything I had hoped. One question for those of you using these for local load control: How do you turn the lights off? If you turn it off at the lamp, then zWave (CQC or HS or ...) cannot turn the lights on since the switch is in the off position. Or is your automation restricted to just turning *off* the lights?

 

[pete_c]

I am guessing that you still click the switch on after you shut it off at the lamp switch.   Its a two part endeavor. 
 
To remove the two part "off" thing you can put in some sort of wireless button next to the lamp.

 

[electron]

I rely on automation to turn on /off the table light (good night mode, sunset/sunrise, motion etc), but in the rare case I do need to turn it off, I have a remote control right next to the light.

 

[wkearney99]

We've had great luck with Lutron's table dimmers.  We'll be using them again in the new house, but this time their RA2 units.  Bit pricey but they work quite well.  They've got a plug that sits in-between the wall plug and the lamps.  Then you just rest the dimmer on the most convenient location for turning them on/off.  Once connected we've never used the switches on the lamps again.  They were tied into the 'all off' buttons at the entry keypad and on the car remote.  The new ones will be also controllable from their tablet/phone apps.  
 
Nice part is they worked just a people expected, nothing 'automated' about them.  This is key for wife acceptance and guest or housekeeping friendliness.