RE: Stair Lighting and Automation, Scenes/Paths/PIRs - HELP

["Hawes,Timothy Edward \(GEG\)" <haweste@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Rocky,

> -----Original Message-----
> From: rocky_sondhi  Sent: 18 October 2004 16:51
>
> 1) I need some descent downlights and 'flush' wall lighting
> to go up the stairs - Do you know any very good places I can
> order this from ?

A mate pointed me towards these from LED colourwash lights from B&Q.
There not the last word in build quality, but for the price I don't
think you can complain ;-) There's a wall-wart power 9V adaptor which
plug into a control box, dials for Red, Green & Blue (intensity,
presumably) and also some 'chaser' patterns you can select, along with
the rate of change. One central control box for 4 or 8 lights, the box
connected to the lights via R, G, B & Black lengths of ribbon cable. I
saw them running, but don't have a set myself so can't comment much
further.

See:
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/product/product.jsp?CATID=6660017&entryFla
g=false&PRODID=6680004 (rectangular)
Or:
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/product/product.jsp?CATID=6660017&entryFla
g=false&PRODID=6680003&maxBullets=999 (round)

There's also some 15mm & 30mm LED downlighter-type lighting, but only
blue & white ATM.

> 2) I also need to control the lighting :
>
> - I need a mechanism that can detect a body at night and
> lightup a path to the bathroom, downstairs kitchen etc using
> the 'flush' wall lights - turning them on up to 20% as to not
> blind people.

A PIR linked to the wall-wart adaptor for the above could to this.

> -- I would like a control mechanism that can control the
> lights throughout the evening and change to different scenes
> (I would like to include the stair lights in these scenes)

Other than on-off, I think you'll struggle to do any remote control with
the above kits. Since (I suspect, anyway) the above kits send unique
volts to the R, G & B LEDs of the above lamps down a ribbon cable (and
not a DMX-type data signal) you could replace the controller with one of
your own design and do what you want that way.

> I have looked at a Lutron to control the scenes, but will it
> be able to cycle scenes at different times/days etc etc.
> Anyone using one.

No experience of Lutron, sorry.

> For the stair/path lighting do I need a PIR but does that
> mean the stair lights will turn on all the time when someone
> is detected ?

Use a PIR *and* a dawn/dusk sensor, so that the lights only come on when
its dark *and* movement is detected.

> How would I control this mechnism ?? HELP PLEASE.

This is but one way. CBus, a DMX controller, Lutron (I'd guess),
Polaron, EIB, Dynalite, etc would also do the job, but for more money
(although with more features)

> Many Thanks
>
> Rocky

HTH,

Tim H.

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