I’m looking for a dimmer switch just to fire events in a Vera. Basically I have a bedroom lamp that is unable to be plugged in to where our existing light switch is. So I want to put a new switch in to fire events and will most likely use a zigbee or z-wave bulb in the lamp.
But all of the dimmers I’m finding appear to “need?” a load, or are a bit expensive. I won’t have a load; not sure if I can just leave that wire disconnected or what. Existing switch location does have a neutral.
I’m looking for a dimmer switch just to fire events in a Vera. Basically I have a bedroom lamp that is unable to be plugged in to where our existing light switch is. So I want to put a new switch in to fire events and will most likely use a zigbee or z-wave bulb in the lamp.
But all of the dimmers I’m finding appear to “need?” a load, or are a bit expensive. I won’t have a load; not sure if I can just leave that wire disconnected or what. Existing switch location does have a neutral.
Thanks![/quote]
A light switch without a load is called a Scene controller. So what your looking for is a “Scene Controller” not a light switch. This would also not be a dimmer switch either as you can’t having dimming the same way in a scene.
Most scene controllers will be atleast 2 buttons but the more the better usually. You can run several things including all off, night/sleep a light/fan combo or what ever from the same switch.
I’m looking for a dimmer switch just to fire events in a Vera. Basically I have a bedroom lamp that is unable to be plugged in to where our existing light switch is. So I want to put a new switch in to fire events and will most likely use a zigbee or z-wave bulb in the lamp.
But all of the dimmers I’m finding appear to “need?” a load, or are a bit expensive. I won’t have a load; not sure if I can just leave that wire disconnected or what. Existing switch location does have a neutral.
Thanks![/quote]
Whilst they may not suit you, I use the TKB switches and dimmers. In some locations I use these as the second switch in a 2 way switching situation. There are no traveller wires so I just use association to control the ‘master’.
That said, this second switch has no load on it yet it functions perfectly normally. The dimmers and switches look identical and through association the switches also act as dimmers.
So, yes it should be possible to do what you want. In my opinion a dimmer that has live and neutral should not really need a load.
I really want to stay away from the scene controllers in this case. It’s a guest bedroom and, well, most people just want to walk in and flip a switch.
So Z-Waver - are you saying I would just need the WT00Z-1 switch on the wall, and then it can control the 12718 lamp module? I assumed the WT00Z-1, being an “accessory switch” required a “master” switch since it says another z-wave device is required. Or is the lamp module the “other” z-wave device in this case?
If what I’m saying above is correct, could the WT00Z-1 switch through the Vera control say a GE link bulb?
[quote=“PatD, post:5, topic:192050”]So Z-Waver - are you saying I would just need the WT00Z-1 switch on the wall, and then it can control the 12718 lamp module?[/quote] Yes, exactly.
I assumed the WT00Z-1, being an "accessory switch" required a "master" switch since it says another z-wave device is required.
This is just an unfortunate naming choice that causes confusion. The [url=http://amzn.to/1Qk2Whk]Linear/GoControl WT00Z-1 Z-Wave 3-Way Wall Accessory Switch[/url] is a mains powered one button scene controller that can directly control the [url=http://amzn.to/1Qk37cu]GE 12718 Z-Wave Wireless Lighting Lamp Module with Dimmer Control[/url] or lots of other Z-Wave devices. It does not directly switch a load. It only controls other devices via Z-Wave.
If what I'm saying above is correct, could the WT00Z-1 switch through the Vera control say a GE link bulb?
The WT00Z-1 can also trigger scenes on a Vera Plus that could in turn activate a Wink bulb, but this will only run a scene and will not give you infinite dimming control of the bulb, as a direct association will. Also, having Vera activate a scene will not be as responsive as a direct association between Z-Wave devices. It wouldn't be my first configuration choice.
There are Z-Wave Bulbs similar to the Link bulbs such as the Linear/GoControl LB60Z-1 Dimmable LED Light Bulb and the Aeon Labs Aeotec Z-Wave LED Light Bulb and these should work well with the WT00Z-1. However, I don’t care for the radio in the bulb concept and prefer to use switches and modules to control regular bulbs. But, different strokes…
Outstanding, exactly the information I needed, thanks!
I’ve been seeing LOTS of “accessory” switches that all say they need to work with their master, so I assumed this was a no go for me.
Last point of clarification on the dimming - are you saying if I do the dimmable lamp module with the WT00Z-1 I will get real “dimming” capabilities, or the lamp module and link bulbs are similar in that the WT00Z-1 is just controlling a scene and isn’t really providing true dimming support?
When you create a direct association between the WT00Z-1 and almost any Z-Wave dimmer such as the lamp module, the WT00Z-1 has direct and infinite dimming control over the dimmer and it has dependence on Vera. You could unplug Vera and the WT00Z-1 will still be able to fully and normally dim the GE dimmer module or the Z-Wave bulbs.
A single click of the WT00Z-1 turns the dimmer/bulb Off, or On to it’s last dim level. Pressing and holding the WT00Z-1 up or down will cause the dimmer/bulb to ramp up or down accordingly. This functionality is not possible when using the WT00Z-1 to activate a Vera scene, which simply runs. The scene can set a desired/configured dim level, but it will not allow infinite manual up/down dimming through the scene.
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