Physical dimmer switch and Aeotec Nano Dimmer

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Physical dimmer switch and Aeotec Nano Dimmer

1 | 2

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2441165 19-Mar-2020 11:35

Thanks @dolsen that makes sense for 2 way switches. In regards to WallSwipe, I have a unit to try out here. How are you finding it response and speed wise when you swipe up or down? And are you only using the PDL681MT10PB with 2 way or more setup and WallSwipe units everywhere else which only has 1 switch for every light circuit? Also did you find any decent looking front cover panels for WallSwipe unit?

Do whatever you want to do man.

Paul1977

5043 posts

Uber Geek

#2441189 19-Mar-2020 12:10

billgates:

It will not work with standard on/off switch when it comes to 2/3 etc way switches setup so need the front dimmer module as well. For any single switch only circuit, the standard on/off switches will work fine though with only Aeotec Nano dimmer behind it.

@billgates I have limited understand of lighting circuits, so forgive my ignorance.

What would happen if it was wired the way you suggest, but with standard on/off switches?

dolsen

1476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2441192 19-Mar-2020 12:14

billgates:

Thanks @dolsen that makes sense for 2 way switches. In regards to WallSwipe, I have a unit to try out here. How are you finding it response and speed wise when you swipe up or down? And are you only using the PDL681MT10PB with 2 way or more setup and WallSwipe units everywhere else which only has 1 switch for every light circuit? Also did you find any decent looking front cover panels for WallSwipe unit?

Responsiveness of the wallswipe is great. Instant changes in light level with swiping, and, easy for visualization of the level. Telling google to set the lights to 63% and seeing the wallswipe change without anyone near it is nice as well.

Waving your hand in front of it to turn it on or off is liked by the kids.

I have 1 wallswipe and 1 push button in both places I have the dimmer (2 dimmers total). Before the wallswipe, it was 1 pushbutton and 1 normal switch (as I knew I would get the wall swipe so didn't bother getting 2 push buttons for each dimmer).

For the surround, I used Leviton 80301-SW 1-Gang Decora Plus Wallplate Screwless Snap-On Mount (available to be sent to NZ from Amazon quite cheap in the 2 pack). There was a minor modification needed, but, the overall look is good.

I did also buy a frame from Fusion Automation, but, the above frames are a better match for the rest of the 600 series switchgear (and the wallswipe fits better).

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2441195 19-Mar-2020 12:16

@Paul1977 the way dolsen has described to connect 2 way switches in his previous post with standard switches and only have a nano dimmer behind the main switch will work it looks like but you can only do this for 2 way switching. If it's 3 way switching or more and you try and use standard on/off switches in front with nano dimmer behind it, switch action will not work is what I have been advised. You need the momentary switches if you are going to wire the switches in parallel with the Aeotec nano dimmer.

Do whatever you want to do man.

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2441199 19-Mar-2020 12:22

dolsen:

Responsiveness of the wallswipe is great. Instant changes in light level with swiping, and, easy for visualization of the level. Telling google to set the lights to 63% and seeing the wallswipe change without anyone near it is nice as well.

Waving your hand in front of it to turn it on or off is liked by the kids.

I have 1 wallswipe and 1 push button in both places I have the dimmer (2 dimmers total). Before the wallswipe, it was 1 pushbutton and 1 normal switch (as I knew I would get the wall swipe so didn't bother getting 2 push buttons for each dimmer).

For the surround, I used Leviton 80301-SW 1-Gang Decora Plus Wallplate Screwless Snap-On Mount (available to be sent to NZ from Amazon quite cheap in the 2 pack). There was a minor modification needed, but, the overall look is good.

I did also buy a frame from Fusion Automation, but, the above frames are a better match for the rest of the 600 series switchgear (and the wallswipe fits better).

@dolsen Very nice! Just to confirm so to control the same light circuit in your house in a room for e.g, you have 2 nano dimmers. 1 to control the momentary switch and 1 to control the WallSwipe unit which are right next to each other? If so, would you be using the momentary switch and it's nano dimmer if the WallSwipe is doing the exact same thing and better? I guess if you have more than a single switch in the same wall plate, you could not have installed the WallSwipe in it's location to replace like for like as you needed access to 2nd switch as well on same gang so is this why you went with a momentary and WallSwipe in each room?

Do whatever you want to do man.

Paul1977

5043 posts

Uber Geek

#2441200 19-Mar-2020 12:23

billgates:

@Paul1977 the way dolsen has described to connect 2 way switches in his previous post with standard switches and only have a nano dimmer behind the main switch will work it looks like but you can only do this for 2 way switching. If it's 3 way switching or more and you try and use standard on/off switches in front with nano dimmer behind it, switch action will not work is what I have been advised. You need the momentary switches if you are going to wire the switches in parallel with the Aeotec nano dimmer.

Thanks @billgates. I wish I understood this better!

I guess the most important thing for me to know now is can all if this be changed at the switches? Or would access to the wiring in the roof space be required?

Much of the new house will have extremely limited room in the roof space.

dolsen

1476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2441202 19-Mar-2020 12:26

billgates:

@Paul1977 the way dolsen has described to connect 2 way switches in his previous post with standard switches and only have a nano dimmer behind the main switch will work it looks like but you can only do this for 2 way switching. If it's 3 way switching or more and you try and use standard on/off switches in front with nano dimmer behind it, switch action will not work is what I have been advised. You need the momentary switches if you are going to wire the switches in parallel with the Aeotec nano dimmer.

There is S1 and S2 inputs, so, you can have 4 way by using both switch inputs using the simple approach outlined above. I would recommend momentary switches in parallel though.

GoodSync

GoodSync. Easily back up and sync your files with GoodSync. Simple and secure file backup and synchronisation software will ensure that your files are never lost (affiliate link).

dolsen

1476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2441206 19-Mar-2020 12:42

billgates:

@dolsen Very nice! Just to confirm so to control the same light circuit in your house in a room for e.g, you have 2 nano dimmers. 1 to control the momentary switch and 1 to control the WallSwipe unit which are right next to each other? If so, would you be using the momentary switch and it's nano dimmer if the WallSwipe is doing the exact same thing and better? I guess if you have more than a single switch in the same wall plate, you could not have installed the WallSwipe in it's location to replace like for like as you needed access to 2nd switch as well on same gang so is this why you went with a momentary and WallSwipe in each room?

I have them in separate rooms (bedroom and living room). Talking about 1 room (same progression for both rooms).

There was originally, a normal dimmer with a 2 way circuit (switches at separate sides of a room).

I changed the physical dimmer to a nano (so nano dimmer controlled by 2 normal switches).

Later, I changed the far switch to a momentary switch. So nano controlled by (remote) momentary switch and (local) normal switch.

Later, I changed the normal switch to a wallswipe - so endstate is 1 nano dimmer in 1 room with a local wallswipe and a remote momentary switch.

@Paul1977

All of these can be done with how you connect the wires at the switches - no need to access wires in walls.

Paul1977

5043 posts

Uber Geek

#2441207 19-Mar-2020 12:44

dolsen:

All of these can be done with how you connect the wires at the switches - no need to access wires in walls.

Thanks @dolsen and no need to access wiring in the roof space either?

dolsen

1476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2441225 19-Mar-2020 13:23

Paul1977:

Thanks @dolsen and no need to access wiring in the roof space either?

Correct.

phrozenpenguin

840 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2460148 12-Apr-2020 22:26

Interesting thread. I'm just working how I move to the Nano Dimmer to add dimming to my LED lighting. I have Legrand switch plates (Excel Life) throughout the property and want to keep the factory look, and usability. I understand I could do either:

1: just add the nano behind the existing rocker switches. Have to use z-wave in order to control dimming.

2: replace the rocker with a momentary switch, alongside addition of a nano. Can control dimming from z-wave or physical button. However the momentary switches seem expensive? EM883WE (5A) $116 or EMELVWE (50mA) $47, I'm still delving into specs to see if I could use either. But the option for other switch plates seems to be like $15?

Would prefer to use 2. Does anybody know a cheaper source for a momentary switch that looks stock with Legrand switch plates?

1 | 2