RE: Rako was:xPL/xAP an alternative to C-Bu$ ?

[Justin <groups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Phil,

I know LA stock the Rako range, but have you actually had a play with the
stuff?
The fact no one else seems to be excited about these make me think I have
overlooked some huge flaw!

Anyone here using Rako stuff?

Cheers,
Justin.

P.S. Did you get my PM with the software?

Quoting Phil Harris <phil@xxxxxxx>:

>
> You can also get 12v powered faceplates if you really don't want to
ever
> have the need to change batteries but yes - should be 3 years battery
life
> according to the manufacturers.
>
> The dimmers have programmable ramp rates and dimming curves, there are
also
> 0-10v dimmer packs for use with bimmable balasts for fluorescents.
>
> Phil
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: groups@xxxxxxx [mailto:groups@xxxxxxx]
> > Sent: 20 May 2004 13:28
> > To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: [ukha_d] xPL/xAP an alternative to C-Bu$ ?
> >
> > Have you looked at the Rako line? It's not X10 cheap but
> > seems quite reasonable to me.
> >
> > I think I might end up going with their stuff as...
> > Being RF there is no need to mess around wiring CAT5 back to
> > the switches.
> > There is a 2 way PC interface which has a simple protocol so
> > I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to tie the system in
> > with xPL/xAP/HomeSeer etc.
> >
> > The faceplates are battery powered (3 year life supposedly)
> > so there is no restriction in where they have to go (the
> > dimmers go in-line in the ceiling void). That's useful
> > enough, but I can see all sorts of ways of using the switches
> > when talking to a PC or even using other (cheaper) switches
> > to control the lighting via the PC interface.
> >
> > http://www.rakocontrols.com
> >
> > No association, bla, etc. *But* if you go this route, give me
> > a shout off-list first ;-)
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Justin.
> >
> > Quoting Gareth Cook <g@xxxxxxx>:
> >
> > > I went to the UKHA2004 show - I was the CBus switches. All
> > very very nice.
> > > I then came back home and did the sums.
> > >
> > > In my house, to replace the light switches, I'm looking at
£2000.
> > > Switches ONLY ! No dimmers yet....And quite frankly, it
ain't gonna
> > > happen - I like my HA, but not at that price. I'm getting
> > more careful
> > > in my old age :-)
> > >
> > > So, if I already have CAT5 to the light switches - any
reason why a
> > > xPL/xAP alternative could be developed ? Maybe even using
> > standard MK
> > > momentary switches as the physical switch and wiring this
> > new module
> > > to the "mains" input on that switch as a local
loop - and then from
> > > the module in the backbox back to Node 0 over CAT5. Same, if
not
> > > better control - and at a reasonable price.
> > >
> > > I'm seriously thinking of switching to X10 - I know it's
> > naff but if
> > > I'm re-wiring anyway, I can have all the LD11s back in one
place -
> > > shouldn't get a problem. And the switches from MK are a few
> > pounds - a
> > > more palatable cost.
> > >
> > > G.