Hi
Does any know if there is a way to adjust the ramp rate of a ge dimmer switch, and is there any other advanced configuration settings that might be useful?
Thanks!
The advanced parameters are listed in the manual/instructions.
Also check out this thread it explains how to use the configure the parameters in Vera.
Yes, this one feature does work and I am happy that at least this works. You can change the Manual Ramp Rate and/or the Ramp Rate when using Z Wave. This works great for one of my scenes called “Movie Time”. Now if only I can find an In-Wall scene controller that actually works with Vera. lmao!
Thanks!
What is the fastest ramp rate available? Can you get an almost instant on?
10ms, which essentially is instant on.
When I adjusted the parameters for just the dim rate they still did not pass the wife test, but once I also changed the dimming steps variable (see attached screen shot of a the device options on one of my dimmers) everyone seems happy, they come on pretty much instantly… The test is visitors to my vacation rental no longer get confused using these. Before I used to get calls saying a light did not work, in fact when they turned the light on they held the button just too long (because nothing happened) and set the light to <5% brightness!
I know that this is not the subject of the thread but does anyone know if and/or what the parameters are for the Ramp Rates on the CA600’s?
I have tried to find information on this online however I don’t see any, I even looked through the user guide and manual. Perhaps, the CA600’s aren’t configurable? I thought that I’d ask anyone on this forum, as I am new to this whole thing and perhaps somebody might know or be able to confirm. Thanks!!!
Setting parameter 10 to 1 will make the light go 3 times faster, compared to the defaults. It will take 1 second, instead of 3.
In addition changing parameter 9 to 99 will make it 10ms, instead of 1 second, which is essentially instant.
I have the hallway stairs set up like this, so that the light is instant when using the switch manually. You can also change parameters 8 and 7 (dim through Z-Wave), and 12 and 11 (all on/off through Z-Wave), to suit your needs.
The things is that the steps/level parameter (7, 9, 11) is really what I would call a step increment/decrement.
Is it possible to set a default on level for the ge switch when using the switch itself?
[quote=“oTi@, post:10, topic:167766”]Setting parameter 10 to 1 will make the light go 3 times faster, compared to the defaults. It will take 1 second, instead of 3.
In addition changing parameter 9 to 99 will make it 10ms, instead of 1 second, which is essentially instant.[/quote]
I have tried that, but then all my switches report Failed at: setting user configuration. The switch works as expected despite the error message. Any ideas what is causing this? (see attached screen shots)
Set it to ‘1 byte dec’, not ‘1 byte hex’.
(The range for the parameter is 1-99 decimal. Trying to set it to 99 hex is the equivalent of setting it to 153 decimal. Which is out of range. And that causes the error.)
[quote=“oTi@, post:13, topic:167766”]Set it to ‘1 byte dec’, not ‘1 byte hex’.
(The range for the parameter is 1-99 decimal. Trying to set it to 99 hex is the equivalent of setting it to 153 decimal. Which is out of range. And that causes the error.)[/quote]
Awesome, I didn’t even think of that as the switches are working! Thank you so much.
[quote=“oTi@, post:10, topic:167766”]Setting parameter 10 to 1 will make the light go 3 times faster, compared to the defaults. It will take 1 second, instead of 3.
In addition changing parameter 9 to 99 will make it 10ms, instead of 1 second, which is essentially instant.[/quote]
I’ve been playing with these settings and it seems like the manual is completely wrong. The second parameter (“timing of the steps”) seems to be the total dim time, in seconds (not 10 ms increments as the manual appears to say). The first parameter seems to be a divisor. If the first parameter is 1 you get the value of the second parameter in seconds, but if it is 2 you get (second parameter / 2). So is the total dim time really (second parameter) / (first parameter)?
I’m a bit confused…
I do believe the second parameter (p2) is the time increment in 10ms steps.
The first parameter (p1) however seems to be the dim level step size, rather than the number of steps. Presumably to get a constant dim rate regardless of start level.
I.e.: every p2*10ms increment/decrement the dim level by p1.
When playing, set p2 to 100 or 200 or so so things happen at 1 or 2 second intervals, then vary p1.
Are there similar settings for the Wayne Dalton dimmers? HA-14WD I have some of those along with the GE ones.
[quote=“oTi@, post:16, topic:167766”]I do believe the second parameter (p2) is the time increment in 10ms steps.
The first parameter (p1) however seems to be the dim level step size, rather than the number of steps.[/quote]
I think I get it now, thanks. p1 is the amount each step dims the light and p2 is how long the step takes. The number of steps for each operation is calculated based on the amount of change requested and the value of p1.
So the total dim time (100 - 0 or vice versa) can be calculated with (100/p1)(p210) ms.
It seems overly complex but I’m sure it made sense to the guy who wrote the dimmer firmware 
It seems that when you set the values to 99 and 1, in order to get an instant-on instant-off effect, you lose the ability to set the light to a dim level. I was thinking that if you were to tap the switch up or down, it would turn the light to 100% or 0%. Also, I thought that if you were to hold the button in, it would allow you to slowly dim up to 100% or dim down to 0%, so that you could release the switch in order to stop it from dimming.
Is there any way to get an instant-on effect, while still being able to set it on dim?
[quote=“Vito, post:19, topic:167766”]It seems that when you set the values to 99 and 1 […]
Is there any way to get an instant-on effect, while still being able to set it on dim?[/quote]
Instead of 99, you could try setting it to say 10, to see if that gives you the right balance between instant-on effect and local dim control.
Alternatively, if you leave it the way it is, I think you may still be able to set the dim level remotely (with Vera etc.); but that’s maybe not what you want.