Spec me a lighting system (please)

[ymwoods]

I have just moved into a small flat but the way the switches have been set (position wise) is a little annoying to say the least, so I have been looking into a system where by I can remotely switch them on and off as well as set it so that specific ones turn on or off as I wish (called scene switching I believe?)

I have been looking at this which seems to tick most of the boxes but I don't really have much experience with any kind of system like this.

What I would prefer is to have one or two of the existing light sockets take over as a "control" socket where by I could control all of the lights that have the newer switches installed from the one switch (without all the rewiring, so preferably via wireless control) So, for example, the hallway light switch by the door could turn on the hallway light but also send a signal to turn on the front room light when I come in. At the moment the switch by the front door only controls the hallway light. Having a remote also seems like a brilliant idea too!

In terms of budget I would probably not want to spend to much more than £500 as it will only be a small set-up, but if something was all singing and dancing and could be ripped out at a later date and expanded into a bigger set-up I could be persuaded to part with more.

Here is a list of the sockets in the flat:

• 2 single switches that can control the hallway light. One by the front door and one at the opposite side of the hallway.
• 1 Double switch that controls the kitchen light and then an extractor fan.
• 1 single switch that controls the lounge light.
• 1 single switch that controls the Bedroom light.
• 1 single switch that controls the toilet light.

I do quite like the look of the ones that glow ever so slightly in the dark too so you can see them but if the better system does not have this it is not essential. I also have a few lamps that work off the socket which would be good if these could be included too, again, not essential however.

Thanks in advance and I look forwarded to parting with my paper based on your replies

[Funk]

My place is almost identical in terms of light switch locations although I have an extra one in the kitchen.

I have these fitted in the lounge and bedroom: http://www.varilight.co.uk/products/touchremotedim...

Touch-sensitive (with dimming - press and hold to dim up/down) and the remote controls the dimming in addition to straight on/off commands too. It also seems to have very good range on the IR receiver. You can group switches together for single-button control of multiple switches or control up to 8 separately.

I haven't worried about switches for the other locations (although they've been replaced with brushed aluminium-finished 'regular' switches). I normally go with mood lighting in the lounge in the evening and have RF remote control LEDs in various locations:



Colours can be changed by remote:

[VEX]

With that sort of budget have a look at LightwaveRF as a solution.

It should give you the level of control you want and even has an app for iOS and android devices.

V.

[Daffy]

I'd take a look at something by rako controls and also some Lutron switches if you have a high budget.

Recommendations above are both for less premium brands, I work for an electrical wholesalers and these are the brands that most people go for in a premium setup.

[VEX]

But £500 will not cover anything like the kit he needs for Rako and certainly Lutron, both of this I install.

Hence the LightwaveRF suggestion.

V.

[allgonepetetong]

Daffy said:

I'd take a look at something by rako controls and also some Lutron switches if you have a high budget.

Recommendations above are both for less premium brands, I work for an electrical wholesalers and these are the brands that most people go for in a premium setup.

Did you not read the OP? He's got £500 to spend.

OP, I'm currently having 1st fix installation in my new extension which will be an open plan living, kitchen and family room. I have 12 lighting circuits in there running E36GUY's ZEP1 LED spots and LED colour changing strips.

I'm using Lightwave RF to control it all, various relays and dimmers and the Android control app. It should be all up and running next week, so if it works as I hope it will, I'll share the lighting diagram and control system spec with you and you can take it from there.

BTW my lighting control came in at £550. Lamps and LED strips were extra, but you can pay what you want for lamps, cheaper or go high end as I did.

Edited by allgonepetetong on Thursday 12th September 15:44

[RedLeicester]

allgonepetetong said:

I'm using Lightwave RF to control it all, various relays and dimmers and the Android control app. It should be all up and running next week, so if it works as I hope it will, I'll share the lighting diagram and control system spec with you and you can take it from there.

Will be very interested to see / hear more. We've finished first fix, and will be looking at second fix in a couple of weeks.

[Digger]

Leftfield: Philips Hue, limited to fittings as well as wifi being required.

[ymwoods]

Funk said:

Sexy pictures

That set-up looks brilliant! what lights are you using for the colour changes and is the colour also controllable from the unit?

allgonepetetong said:

Did you not read the OP? He's got £500 to spend.

OP, I'm currently having 1st fix installation in my new extension which will be an open plan living, kitchen and family room. I have 12 lighting circuits in there running E36GUY's ZEP1 LED spots and LED colour changing strips.

I'm using Lightwave RF to control it all, various relays and dimmers and the Android control app. It should be all up and running next week, so if it works as I hope it will, I'll share the lighting diagram and control system spec with you and you can take it from there.

BTW my lighting control came in at £550. Lamps and LED strips were extra, but you can pay what you want for lamps, cheaper or go high end as I did.

Edited by allgonepetetong on Thursday 12th September 15:44

That sounds really interesting and yes please on the diagrams! Having it all controllable with an Android app would be a real winner as the phone never leaves my side unless its to plug it in so no need to have a remote laying about!

I'm not too sure on having to re-wire things and such like, a wireless system may be slightly easier but no problems on link boxes and the such like to link switches together.

[Funk]

They're not that expensive and have lasted incredibly well given that they've been on most evenings for the last few years. They've done a lot of 'hours'.

I got mine from eBay for about £30. Comes with everything you need and yes you can control them fully from the remote including colours/on and off/effects such as strobing/fading etc. Mine aren't IR (they're RF) the later ones are, so need line-of-sight to a small IR receiver.

This is the guy I bought mine from:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Colour-Changing-LED-Mood...

You can also get extra cable runs if you need and they can be daisy-chained. A few of the diodes have failed (the colours are made up of RGB and white) but then they were £30 so I can't complain and you'd have to be looking at the strips to spot them. They create a nice effect for very little money.

That said, I'd have a good look at what allgonepetetong's suggested too!

[E31Shrew]

Has anyone had a go with this stuff yet? Philips Hue

https://www.meethue.com/en-GB

ETA Just noticed Digger asked earlier...Anyone?

[cramman]

I mistakenly wandered into this thread and now I need wireless colour changing lights.

I’ve had a little look at the Hue and it seems expensive.

Looking at alternatives I spotted this.

http://www.limitlessled.com/

May be rubbish, but not a bad price. I’ve emailed the UK stockist so I’ll update if they get back to me.

[Digger]

Hue and limitlessled briefly discussed here . . .

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=127...

I have seven Hue bulbs running here, some of the apps are funky especially when its on colour-changing strobe throughout the flat! you need Hue Disco for that.



ETA - worth noting I've got them to switch on and off automatically using www.IFTTT.com

Edited by Digger on Friday 13th September 18:31

[im]

cramman said:

May be rubbish, but not a bad price. I’ve emailed the UK stockist so I’ll update if they get back to me.

Please do - I'd be very interested.

[cramman]

im said:

cramman said:

May be rubbish, but not a bad price. I’ve emailed the UK stockist so I’ll update if they get back to me.

Please do - I'd be very interested.

Just got this back from the UK suplier

2 x Bayonet fitment
1 x RGB remote
1 x wifi box
Including delivery is £75.

Contact - Goktan Sendervent <[e-mail]>