Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 28 replies
  • Subscribers 32 subscribers
  • Views 2393 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Infrared controllers for lighting

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Morning Chaps and Chapesses, 


Has anyone had any experience with infrared lighting controls? I've seen the downlights you can get with a remote control, but this situation is different. The lighting in the space is LED strip recessed in the ceiling coffers, and the client has no mobility so would be turning the lighting on and off with a remote that they also use for other things. Thing is the lighting also needs to be operation by a switch for the other people in the house, and in some rooms they would like it dimmable. Would love to hear if anyone has done something similar.
  • 0
    Hi Amanda,


    Is this for a new build or retrofit?  How much work/expense would be too much to achieve the outcome? 


    I was just thinking that if it was new build then a simple (ish) home automation system should be able to deliver these function (and more) from a remote control such as you might see for a modern TV, and still have the in-situ lighting switches.  See Crestron.  Crestron may be at the more expensive end of the market, and may offer many more options than you need but it may let you get an idea if this is the sort of thing you want.


    There will be less complicated and cheaper solutions from others.




  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Dutch of the Elm:

    Hi Amanda,


    Is this for a new build or retrofit?  How much work/expense would be too much to achieve the outcome? 


    I was just thinking that if it was new build then a simple (ish) home automation system should be able to deliver these function (and more) from a remote control such as you might see for a modern TV, and still have the in-situ lighting switches.  See Crestron.  Crestron may be at the more expensive end of the market, and may offer many more options than you need but it may let you get an idea if this is the sort of thing you want.


    There will be less complicated and cheaper solutions from others.




     


    Thanks for your reply, this is an extension to an existing property, although the functionality is only required in rooms in the new extension. I will take a look at Creston, is it eye wateringly expensive like Lutron lighting controls? I was hoping as its only the operation of lighting in 3 rooms that something simpler would suffice, but appreciate the dimming makes it a bit more complicated. 


  • 0
    It may also be worth a mention of   Quinetic wireless switches  also available with 'keyfobs' if there are some trickier appliances where you need some contacts closed remotely .

    Not so integrated, but an easy interoperation with more or less normal switches as well.

    M.
  • 0
    Infrared is a bit old hat.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Sparkingchip:

    Infrared is a bit old hat.


    Unfortunately we are restricted by the clients mobility equipment, and an infrared output is all that is available. 


  • 0
    There are plenty of remote control dimmers - e.g. https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLJDQE101S.html  - which I presume are IR based and I guess you could just use as on/off if you need. As they replace the normal wall switch, there'd be no issue about others still being able to operate the lights.

       - Andy.
  • 0
    They will have difficulty when they try and change the channel on the telly with the remote, as I do when I try and answer the phone with the the remote up against my ear.


    My dad who is 93 has an Alexa, but I have resisted connecting lighting to it, he needs the exercise of going to the switch particularly during lockdown.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Sparkingchip:

    They will have difficulty when they try and change the channel on the telly with the remote, as I do when I try and answer the phone with the the remote up against my ear.


    My dad who is 93 has an Alexa, but I have resisted connecting lighting to it, he needs the exercise of going to the switch particularly during lockdown.




    Yes I was surprised it was in IR output to be honest. Client can't speak so Alexa isn't an option, they can't move at all so basically control this remote by moving their eyes and focusing on a section of the screen. It's pretty niche and I appreciate everyone's suggestions, I'll be having a good read up over the weekend! 


  • 0
    One of the jobs I am working on at the moment has a Bluetooth operated sliding bathroom door and that’s just for starters.
  • 0
    I did the Aico alarms training online a couple of months ago, one point they raised was that devices such as smoke and heat alarms alarms can transfer more information and instructions between the devices when they are connected wirelessly that they can actually share through a length of copper wire.


    So Aico actually recommend wireless connections in preference to hardwired connections.

Community Rules & Guidelines