Just purchased a VeraEdge and got some GE dimmers #12724 and what I am noticing is that from the switch it dims in and out slowly to the desired level (up to the level in memory or down to off), but when using the Vera app it will be instantaneous to the selected level. I kind of like the fade in and out effect and was wondering if there is a setting I am missing that might give me this? (I am assuming this would be a function of Vera and not the switch) I did look through the settings and admit some of what I am looking at is kind of cryptic to me so maybe I just need to be pointed in the right direction here. Thank you!
I’m not sure if this is applicable to the new 12724, but the older 45612 had parameters to adjust this. Below is the section form the 45612 manual. Let us know if it works for the 12724.
[quote author=45612 Manual]
Dim Rate Adjustments
Both the number of steps (or levels) that the dimmer will change
and the timing of the steps can be modified to suit personal
preferences. The timing of the steps can be adjusted in 10
millisecond intervals.
1… When Receiving a Z-Wave Dim Command
? Parameter 7 (number of steps or levels)
? Parameter 8 (timing of the steps)
? Length: 1 Byte
? Valid Values:
Parameter 7 (default = 1) Valid Values: 1-99
Parameter 8 (default = 3) Valid Values: 1-255
-
Manual Control Dimming (pressing the Dimmer?s rocker)
? Parameter 9 (number of steps or levels)
? Parameter 10 (timing of the steps)
? Length: 1 Byte
? Valid Values:
Parameter 9 (default = 1) Valid Values: 1-99
Parameter 10 (default = 3) Valid Values: 1-255 -
When Receiving an All-On or All-Off Command
? Parameter 11 (number of steps or levels)
? Parameter 12 (timing of the steps)
? Length: 1 Byte
? Valid Values:
Parameter 11 (default = 1) Valid Values: 1-99
Parameter 12 (default = 3) Valid Values: 1-255
Thank you for the info!
I will share my findings;
What I have found even before messing with those settings is that it will dim slowly through Vera when going down to zero, but only then. So, from any level when you select zero or off it will dim to the zero level slowly.
In messing with the settings you sent in the 45612 manual what I found is that it only effects that transition mentioned above (the dimming from any level down to zero). Not even up to 100% dims slowly just down to zero. Here is what I did and anyone can correct me with anything I may have done wrong;
In the dimmer settings I clicked on ‘Device Options’ then on ‘Add configuration settings’, I did that twice to get two lines and then for the ‘Variable’ I entered the ‘7’ and ‘8’ (the ‘Parameter’ number from the 45612 manual), then for the ‘Data Size’ I selected ‘1 byte dec’ and then for the ‘Desired Value’ I experimented with numbers 1-99 for the ‘7’ (number of steps) and numbers such as 10, 20, & 30 for the ‘8’(timing of steps) and what I found is that it does change the dimming but, as mentioned before, it only effects dimming from any level down to zero and that the ‘7’ setting seems to stand for the number of steps it skips on its way, so ie. a ‘50’ setting when coming from close to 100% would make it briefly pause(length depending on the ‘8’ setting) once at a midway level before going to zero. ‘99’ makes it go straight to zero, and ‘1’ will make it slowly fade down. Obviously, I am going moreso for the latter of the two and I would have thought it would have been the other way around?? ie. 99 means it takes 99 steps.
So, I guess I would still like some help clarifying if I am doing anything someone can see as incorrect or if there is more to this that I am not yet aware(very possible as I am very new to this).
It would be very helpful if someone else with a 12724 could verifiy if they have this same reaction with this switch (or if they have the solution, that would be better! 
). I would hate to think I would have to swap all of them for the 45612. Is the 45612 capable of acting as I would prefer with the slow dim between all levels?(when adjusted through Vera)
Thanks again
To try to clarify what you are reporting.
The dimmer does ramp down when activated from the Vera GUI. What about up? Does it ramp up when activated from the GUI?
But it does not ramp when activated from the smartphone app? Which app? Have you tried a different app? If my summation is correct, it sounds like a bug in the app, where the app is issuing a different command than the Vera GUI.
The parameters from the old manual did also work on the new switch.
[quote=“Z-Waver, post:4, topic:188903”]To try to clarify what you are reporting.
The dimmer does ramp down when activated from the Vera GUI. What about up? Does it ramp up when activated from the GUI?
But it does not ramp when activated from the smartphone app? Which app? Have you tried a different app? If my summation is correct, it sounds like a bug in the app, where the app is issuing a different command than the Vera GUI.
The parameters from the old manual did also work on the new switch.[/quote]
I am sorry, I should have been more clear. The Vera GUI (control panel in my PC browser) acts the same as my mobile phone app (Vera Mobile on android).
They will both ramp down only when going to 0%, so ie. 10% to 0%, 70% to 0%, 100% to 0%. Anything not to 0% is instant(no ramping), so ie. 30% to 1%, 60% to 10%, 100% to 20%.
They both do not ramp up in any case, it is always instant.
I have not tried a different app, I only have the one. Is there something else I could try and test with?
The parameters did seem to make changes to the ramping (that does occur when going down to 0%), so as described before the values entered did alter how it ramped… although a little goofy in my opinion with how the number of steps seemed to be applied(see previous post). That was the first time I have added any configuration settings to a device, so if you happen to see anything wrong in my previous explanation of what I did please let me know.
With it being this way both in the GUI and the app, what then might it be? I hope it is not the switch itself. I know the switch is capable of ramping in either direction at any level as it can be done manually right at the switch. Is it a totally different situation when being accessed by Vera?
Thanks again for the help!
If the the behavior is from both the GUI and the app, then the issue is not the app as I previously suggested.
Based on your description, the issue is either the switch or Vera. I don’t think that it is the switch as others have not reported this and the switch works as expected manually. I now suspect that there is an issue with the type of command that Vera is issuing. Vera may be sending an incorrect start level. It may be a bug, I don’t know.
Please try setting parameter 5 to 0:
[quote=“45612 Manual”]Ignore Start Level When Receiving Dim Commands
Please note: Every ?Dim? command includes a start level
embedded in it. The 45612 can be set to ignore the start level
that is part of the dim command. Setting parameter 5 to a value
of 0 will cause the 45612 to dim or brighten from the start level
embedded in the command.
? Parameter No: 5
? Length: 1 Byte
? Valid Values = 0 or 1 (default 1)[/quote]
If that doesn’t work, I’d suggest that you first reset the switch to factory default, removing any parameter changes you have made. The best way to do this is to exclude and then include the switch again. Then I’d recommend contacting support about it.
P.S. Your parameter configuration procedure was correct and appears to have worked as expected.
Thank you for the suggestion.
Adjusting parameter 5 to 0 did not seem to do anything, it still acts the same.
I do have 3 of these switches installed and all do act the same (other than the adjustment to the step number and timing on the one). I did just exclude then include the one with the adjusted parameter settings and it still acts the same(minus the custom parameter adjustments now).
I forgot to mention, although I do not think it matters, when I set up the switches there is no exact listing for the switch so I used ‘Other’ then ‘Other ZWave Device’ which from what I have read is what I am supposed to do as Vera will recognize it and set it up as it should be. Please correct me on this if I am wrong.
It seems I will probably need to contact support on this. Do they monitor these postings?
I will post any remedy found, or also if none is found. I would think there should be a solution as nobody else has reported this.
Thanks again for your help.
[quote=“RidinTheZWave, post:7, topic:188903”]there is no exact listing for the switch so I used ‘Other’ then ‘Other ZWave Device’ which from what I have read is what I am supposed to do as Vera will recognize it and set it up as it should be.[/quote] This is fine. Any and all Z-Wave devices can be added this way.
Do they monitor these postings?I beleive that they keep one eye on the forums, but you're unlikely to get a support response here. You need to call them.
Well, I did go to support for help and the nice lady (and a couple of others) did try to get this solved it does not look to be possible. I was sent back to the same manual you had referenced and to the same settings. I did try a couple of other setting changes but it just wasn’t happening. I did also find another posting with a similar bdiscussion on these same dimmers and by the end the topic of what do I switch to was brought up, so no solution as well. So, this leads me to my next question for you guys, if I wish to go through switching to another dimmer what is the preferred dimmer of all you Vera pros at the moment? Keeping in mind my previously mentioned issues and desires. Thanks much
The Linear WD500Z-1 Z-Wave Wall Dimmer will do what you want. It looks like the GE switch and uses a Neutral wire, so LEDs work well.
The WD500Z-1 ramps up very quickly, but it does ramp up. It ramps down much more slowly. Ramp rates are not adjustable with the WD500Z-1.
The Leviton VRMX1-1LZ 1000W Vizia RF Magnetic Low Voltage Dimmer it also utilizes a Neutral and is good for use with LED bulbs. This switch also supports the INstant STatus feature that is so useful for scene triggers, but is lacking in the GE and Linear switches. However, the appearance of this Leviton dimmer is a bit different than the Decora style switches such as the GE and Linear.
The Leviton’s ramp rate is configurable, up and down. Unlike the GE switches that utilize Z-Wave configuration parameters, the ramp rate on that Leviton switches is configured by button presses on the actual switch. See the Leviton VRMX1-1LZ manual for more information.
I like the Cooper RF dimmer (they come in a curved or straight style) the Straight style is purchasable through Staples under the Aspire RF brand. Personally I like that it is clear it is a dimmer and how to use it (push button for on/off, up/down button for dimming). Like the Leviton it support instance status and direct association. And you can set the ramp up/down speed through the zwave parameters.
Ok, thanks for the suggestions.
I was looking at the Leviton and the DZMX1 came up. I think for the instant status, even if I do not use it for scene triggers (just yet anyways) it will be better to go with the VRMX1 as you referenced because with the GE’s it is a bit annoying not seeing it update for a while in the Vera control panel. What is the ‘1LZ’ designation at the end, are there different types?
With the Leviton, it appears to be what would be a standard decora switch in the ‘on’ position with a left/right skinny dimmer bar within the top section. As you have mentioned it is ‘different’. Do you own some? What would your usability feelings be on this switch. Is the dimmer bar hard to hit? The led light level indicator does look kind of cool. Do those led’s scroll when activated by Vera? Don’t know why they have to emboss their name on the front, wouldn’t be so bad but having so many throughout a house… I would feel like I am advertising for them.
Shallowearth, the Cooper/Aspire you mention look to be a good option as well. As you mention they are clear with the buttons and the led light level indicator is also kind of cool looking. With regards to my mentioned issue in above postings about the GE’s, do they ramp between all level adjustments? When looking around I think I see different types, possibly for different types of lights? I am currently running incandescent but will switch to LED in the future if/when they make improvements as I do not like the dimming curve I now see with the LED bulbs I have sampled (ie. they dim down some then seem to stop dimming then quickly off). Would there be a certain model that is best for both incandescent & LED? Also, would you know if they have a matching ceiling fan control as well?
Thank you
The Leviton Zone controllers can be a little tricky, so read other thread on them, they work but can be hard to configure.
The Cooper switch is the 9540 works good with incandescent and LED, but the three way setup can be a bit tricky, you need a companion switch, the campion switch does not support instance status directly in Vera, it may though through PLEG, I am still investigating. One thing I love about the Cooper is they have a battery powere companion switch to make a virtual three way anywhere. No fan controller thoug.
Shallowearth, thanks for the info. So, with the cooper switch go with the 9540, looks to be called the ‘all load’… that would make sense for being for incandescent and LED. Ok, and you say the companion switch for three way setup, when the lights level is changed through that switch the status update in Vera is not instant, just through the main switch? Is that issue also with the Leviton?
Also, could you tell me, with the Cooper dimmer switch, when adjusted through Vera will there be ramping in between all brightness level changes? so ie. from 20% to 30%, 78% to 12%, 0% to 90%, 100% to 0%, … it will have an adjustable ramp speed?
No fan controller, hmmm, so would need to use one of the other brands along side the Coopers if I were to go with them, ok will need to think on that I guess. I think Cooper needs to add that to their lineup, many many people have ceiling fans.
Thanks again
Correct no instance status directly through the companion switch (thought it might actually be there need to look at PLEG to be sure, Vera does identify the companion switch as a switch so even thought it has the same light switch roper ties you can monitor them directly in VEra but you can int PLEG, I haven’t messed with it enough to be sure (I only need instance status from the main switches for my applications).
I am not sure about the Leviton, I think the companion is instant they work a little differently.
Yes the Cooper always ramps to and from each position.
I believe only GE and Leviton have a fan control. nutone makes an in wall one (no visible switch) but I am not sure how it works.