Any one haave a cost effective idea on how I can change a Toutch Plate lighting system out ( two locations in the attic with around 12 relays each panel) and obtain control of my present lighting controlled via relays over to something newer that would integrate with my Elk M1 Gold system? Being all wall sitches are low voltage it is kind of limiting as I can see it. Open for all ideas.
Toutch Plate Lighting changeout
- Thread starter EENut
- Start date
tmbrown97
Senior Member
While I can't give any great suggestions, I can reassure you that you have a lot of options. One CT'er I'm familiar with uses LV wall switches and a DMX controlled system; I know there's at least one or two lighting systems that use centralized loads and LV connected switches. I've even seen some roll-your-own options, though I don't recommend that because of code compliance issues. Some good suggestions should come along.
It's not going to be a pretty swap. You'll need to know what flavor of touchplate you're running and how it's set up.
Generally, you're going to have 24-28V going to the plates and 3 conductors home run from the central load from the switch. You'll have a COM, and a signal wire to turn the relay on and off. It may also be possible to have additional conductors and voltages going to the switch location based on pilot lamps or indicator lights.
The easiest way to integrate is to leave your existing touchplate system as is and then install relay boards in parallel with your existing LV control setup. It'll give you on/off control for the loads. You're not going to get dimming any easy way without installing a separate HV module on the line side and fire that after your LV side is triggered.
The only other way I know to get really involved is going to gut the LV system and then move into modern controllers which are BACNet, which the M1 isn't going to easily talk to.
Generally, you're going to have 24-28V going to the plates and 3 conductors home run from the central load from the switch. You'll have a COM, and a signal wire to turn the relay on and off. It may also be possible to have additional conductors and voltages going to the switch location based on pilot lamps or indicator lights.
The easiest way to integrate is to leave your existing touchplate system as is and then install relay boards in parallel with your existing LV control setup. It'll give you on/off control for the loads. You're not going to get dimming any easy way without installing a separate HV module on the line side and fire that after your LV side is triggered.
The only other way I know to get really involved is going to gut the LV system and then move into modern controllers which are BACNet, which the M1 isn't going to easily talk to.
Greetings,
I'm the guy that Work2Play mentioned. I too replaced a touchplate system, but I ended up going with a newer DMX system also from Touchplate. I was able to re-use all of the existing wiring (both the LV wiring to the momentary switches, as well as the line voltage home runs from the relays to the lights). I went with a relatively tricked out system from Touchplate, which included their Timekeeper Max.
I don't know much about what you're trying to integrate _with_, but I've written some code to interact with it, and provide a REST API that I've used to integrate with several other systems (Openremote, OpenHAB etc...). I'd be happy to chat with you about what I've done, and even make some introductions to the folks at Touchplate that were able to help me sort out what I needed. If you go that route, I'd be more than happy to share the code I've written and my experiences as well.
-H
I'm the guy that Work2Play mentioned. I too replaced a touchplate system, but I ended up going with a newer DMX system also from Touchplate. I was able to re-use all of the existing wiring (both the LV wiring to the momentary switches, as well as the line voltage home runs from the relays to the lights). I went with a relatively tricked out system from Touchplate, which included their Timekeeper Max.
I don't know much about what you're trying to integrate _with_, but I've written some code to interact with it, and provide a REST API that I've used to integrate with several other systems (Openremote, OpenHAB etc...). I'd be happy to chat with you about what I've done, and even make some introductions to the folks at Touchplate that were able to help me sort out what I needed. If you go that route, I'd be more than happy to share the code I've written and my experiences as well.
-H
Touch plate does have some pretty good options for changing out older systems to more modern set ups. I just inherited a system from a firend who purchased a house with one installed.
Usually completely ripping them out isn't cost effective. Just update it to the newer stlye (depending on what you already have) and use Elk relay boards to pulse the lights on or off. (or integrate with what you have already...)
Make sure you install the covers when you are done "tinkering". I don't know why but other service people seem to forget to do this, from what I have seen.
I see LV switches as an advantage more than a disadvantage.
Usually completely ripping them out isn't cost effective. Just update it to the newer stlye (depending on what you already have) and use Elk relay boards to pulse the lights on or off. (or integrate with what you have already...)
Make sure you install the covers when you are done "tinkering". I don't know why but other service people seem to forget to do this, from what I have seen.
I see LV switches as an advantage more than a disadvantage.
No reason to try to control a new touchplate system with an Elk, you'd effectively be switching relays with relays. I'm sure there are better ways to control one from the other. I've got iPad and iPhone remote control, scripted automation etc... with a combination of free software and the touchplate system, I'm sure with some work you could integrate the two pretty cleanly.
I guess it depends on how much money the OP is willing to dump into the system. The base ZoneZ-LT panels are much less expensive than their counterparts. Johnny 5 needs more input...Maybe a pic of the existing installation or the year it was installed.
I also forgot, if the OP is not a "programmer" of sorts, that may affect the decision also. He also mentioned Elk in the post.
Agreed. Knowing what the OP has, and where he/she wants to get would be a huge help. Having done this recently (starting from a very similar sounding system) I'll help as much as I can
You and I can discuss the merits of various options until the cows come home, but OP needs to chime in at some point -H
