Varilight V Pro IR dimmer - unable to program
Discussion
Having fitted dimmable LEDs in my living room, I've replaced my old Varlight IR dimmer with a new, LED compatible, one.
It works OK as a touch dimmer, but I'm unable to program it to work with a remote.
It takes several attempts before it recognises the "6 taps" to enter programming mode.
When I finally get it into programming mode, it recognises the remote signal, confirms the remote signal, but then won't respond to the remote.
I've tried the remote that worked with the old dimmer, plus a couple of others.
I've switched off at the consumer unit.
I've done a factory reset (same problem getting it to respond to 6 taps)
It works OK as a touch dimmer, but I'm unable to program it to work with a remote.
It takes several attempts before it recognises the "6 taps" to enter programming mode.
When I finally get it into programming mode, it recognises the remote signal, confirms the remote signal, but then won't respond to the remote.
I've tried the remote that worked with the old dimmer, plus a couple of others.
I've switched off at the consumer unit.
I've done a factory reset (same problem getting it to respond to 6 taps)
What other make would you suggest?
I need a single gang one way touch and IR remote dimmer that'll work properly with LEDs and filament lamps. I currently have 4x GU10 LEDs in a central fitting, plus a couple of 25w SES lamps in a wall light.
I'll be replacing all the current fittings with LED downlights at some point, when I rip down and reboard the ceiling to get rid of the polystyrene tiles, so it might be an idea to get a 2 gang remote dimmer in readiness for that (2 lighting zones).
I need IR control, because I'm using a Harmony Smart Control remote for the AV gear.
I need a single gang one way touch and IR remote dimmer that'll work properly with LEDs and filament lamps. I currently have 4x GU10 LEDs in a central fitting, plus a couple of 25w SES lamps in a wall light.
I'll be replacing all the current fittings with LED downlights at some point, when I rip down and reboard the ceiling to get rid of the polystyrene tiles, so it might be an idea to get a 2 gang remote dimmer in readiness for that (2 lighting zones).
I need IR control, because I'm using a Harmony Smart Control remote for the AV gear.
Having spent a couple of hours looking at dimmers, I can't really see anything else that'll do what I want. It seems like most remote dimmers are wifi or proprietary, rather than IR. The ones that do IR don't say that they will work with LEDs.
Add in the fact that "Varilight" seems to show up way more than all the other makes added together, and it's getting a bit frustrating.
I phoned Screwfix (who supplied the dimmer), and they are ordering another unit to my local store. I'll see if this works any better.
I've had my old Varilight remote dimmer for well over 10 years, never had a problem with it running halogens, it just doesn't handle LEDs very well.
Add in the fact that "Varilight" seems to show up way more than all the other makes added together, and it's getting a bit frustrating.
I phoned Screwfix (who supplied the dimmer), and they are ordering another unit to my local store. I'll see if this works any better.
I've had my old Varilight remote dimmer for well over 10 years, never had a problem with it running halogens, it just doesn't handle LEDs very well.
https://www.lightwaverf.com/products/smart-dimmers...
And can be controlled from your phone via their app.
And can be controlled from your phone via their app.
Have you tied the Varilight support desk? I fitted a V-Pro IR 2-gang dimmer switch recently and found that the gang with 4 GU10 LED's left one glowing faintly when switched off.
Contacted the support desk and had an immediate response advising that a little widget need to be fitted in series with the lights. They supplied this FOC.
I realise your issue is slightly different but there response was first class.
Contacted the support desk and had an immediate response advising that a little widget need to be fitted in series with the lights. They supplied this FOC.
I realise your issue is slightly different but there response was first class.
Alucidnation said:
Why does it need to be IR?
So that I can control it with my Harmony Smart Control remote, which I use for my AV system. It has replaced the multitude of remotes that used to clutter up my coffee table. I don't want to have an RF remote lying around, and I don't want the hassle of firing up an app on my phone or tablet.Using IR with the old Varilight dimmer is convenient, and it works perfectly. I've been doing it that way for years.
Are you sure you are using the correct setting method. I don't mean to sound idiotic but I have 2 or 3 different type of the LED dimmers and the IR one in my bedroom I couldn't get to program as I was using the tun on and off 3 times method like all the other ones.
However the IR one touch one had to be held down all the way on the up or down side to set the upper and lower ranges. I'd check you are using the right method by googling it as once I'd done that it worked perfectly.
However the IR one touch one had to be held down all the way on the up or down side to set the upper and lower ranges. I'd check you are using the right method by googling it as once I'd done that it worked perfectly.
R11ysf said:
Are you sure you are using the correct setting method. I don't mean to sound idiotic but I have 2 or 3 different type of the LED dimmers and the IR one in my bedroom I couldn't get to program as I was using the tun on and off 3 times method like all the other ones.
However the IR one touch one had to be held down all the way on the up or down side to set the upper and lower ranges. I'd check you are using the right method by googling it as once I'd done that it worked perfectly.
I'm following the instructions that came with it (also checked that the website said the same thing), and pairing it with an IR remote is done the same way as my older Varilight - 6 taps, press remote, wait, press remote again.However the IR one touch one had to be held down all the way on the up or down side to set the upper and lower ranges. I'd check you are using the right method by googling it as once I'd done that it worked perfectly.
The lights cycle as they should after each remote press, but no repsonse to the remote afterwards.
The old Varilight works prefectly, programming first time, every time.
The new one takes several attempts before it enters program mode, then doesn't respond afterwards
Sorted!
I got the replacement from Screwfix. This one is a lot easier to get into programming mode, but still not as easy as my old unit. Takes a couple of attempts. I now had more confidence that it might actually work!
Once I got it into program mode, I tried the remotes that I had tried previously. Same thing happened - responded correctly ti the remote while in program mode, but then refused to work.
I tried a couple of other remotes, eventually getting it to work with the bedroom TV's remote (Panasonic). I set up the Harmony to use the Panasonic IR code, and it all seems to work OK.
It looks like the Varilight can only handle a limited range of IR codesets. I couldn't get it to work with Samsung, Philips or Humax remotes. It worked OK with Panasonic and Denon remotes.
Very odd. Maybe it's Varilight's way of paying lip service to programmability, while forcing a number of consumers to buy the Varilight remote?
I got the replacement from Screwfix. This one is a lot easier to get into programming mode, but still not as easy as my old unit. Takes a couple of attempts. I now had more confidence that it might actually work!
Once I got it into program mode, I tried the remotes that I had tried previously. Same thing happened - responded correctly ti the remote while in program mode, but then refused to work.
I tried a couple of other remotes, eventually getting it to work with the bedroom TV's remote (Panasonic). I set up the Harmony to use the Panasonic IR code, and it all seems to work OK.
It looks like the Varilight can only handle a limited range of IR codesets. I couldn't get it to work with Samsung, Philips or Humax remotes. It worked OK with Panasonic and Denon remotes.
Very odd. Maybe it's Varilight's way of paying lip service to programmability, while forcing a number of consumers to buy the Varilight remote?
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