Can someone please explain, in layman’s terms, how to integrate Lutron RA switches with Vera Edge? I understand that Leviton switches are easily integrated “out of the box.” But Lutron switches and remotes are by far superior. And after installing a couple Levitons, my better half and our interior designer (don’t ask) are insisting that we uninstall them and go with Lutrons and Lutrons only. I thought I was fairly technical until I started reading some of the cobbled-together solutions on these boards. Frankly, the reliability and complexity of some of these homegrown solutions (i.e. “telnet”) is not appealing and don’t seem to be consumer ready.
There are three applications that all take a different approach (not including the Wink app, which is the non-starter option) . I’m leaning towards the “Lutron RadioRA Devices Control” plugin because it appears to be the most plug-n-play option. But honestly, I don’t know.
What’s the best solution to integrate Lutron that won’t require hours of hassle and geeking around?
Have you looked at the Cooper RF zwave switches ? Same high quality zwave switch as the Leviton switch, but look a lot more like the Maestro line of Lutron switches. You can find them under Cooper RF (come in a straight or swoosh style) or Staples resells them as “Aspire RF” (straight style only).
Or you can use an Aeon Micro Switch behind an existing switch (but won’t work for 3 way switches or dimmers… It says it works in 3-way… But don’t bother, it is almost impossible to get right… And you will burn out the switch… See othe forum threads on that one).
Or look at the new GE z-wave toggle switch, looks exactly like an old fashion toggle switch instead of a decora rocker.
Haven’t tried the Lutron RA plug in myself yet, but am looking into, as I have the chandelier that is just not liking being on a z-wave dimmer (flickers and is unstable) but works great with the Lutron RA dimmer, but my chandelier is a very unique LED animal, that I didn’t know specifically said on the box it only works with LUrton dimmers until after I installed it!
Obviously finding a z-wave switch that folks like is likely going to be easier than taking on a bridged plug in, so I would look at that first.
I understand what you are trying to do, but you’re going to have to get your hands a bit dirty to get there. If you are talking about integrating VERA with legacy RA (not RA2) you have 2 Lutron module options: RA-RS232 or RA-IR.
RA-RS232
This module allows for direct addressing and scene/room control. I have no experience with the Vera plugin which most likely uses a USB-RS232 dongle to control the Lutron module, but the potential is there to control individual dimmers (aside from scene or room control).
RA-IR
This is how I drive my RA dimmers, of which I have many. Very simple to setup, but with provisos. Since it is IR controlled, I have an IR blaster feeding the Lutron module with IR from a VERA controlled Harmony Hub (using the fantastic Harmony Plugin!). Individual rooms and the entire house are programmed as scenes in the RA-IR (just as you would if you were programming for RAMC’s or Muffys). At this point you can fire any scene from the VERA, and do so in tandem with any ZWAVE dimmers, RGBW devices or anything else.
I have chosen to stick with Lutron RA because I have so much of it, and my wife lives the aesthetic. We use visor controls tucked away in different places for local scenes, and Aeon minimotes for multi-function control (lights + audio/video/home&away modes, etc).
The real issue is mix and match comfort level. I also use ZWAVE dimmers for one-off’s where I don’t want to tie up a scene in the RA-IR. If you really want the look and smooth ramping of Lutron with VERA control, you’re going to have to work it a bit. But the results are rock solid performance with multiple control options through Lutron controllers and VERA simultaneously.
After fiddling with lots of different switch types, I also decided to install lutron instead. Very happy with the decision. It’s one of the most reliable parts of our system. The lutron switches are far superior IME, and I think will be more appealing to a new potential owner if we decided to sell down the line.
As Big Moose has mentioned, make sure you want RA and not RA2. We installed RA2 and used the Lutron plug in available. I bought a bunch of used switches off eBay, so cut the costs a bit. We use the native lutron software for some applications and vera for others. The lutron app for vera works quite well on UI5 (don’t know about UI7). Had a few hiccups with the setup, but Ramias on the forum walked me through the questions and overall the setup was fairly straightforward.
If the cost isn’t a huge issue, I don’t think you’ll regret the decision to go with lutron.
Thanks for the insights and suggestions. I’ll check out Ramias’ instructions. It’s good to know that this has been done reliably. I currently have GE Z-wave switches, which have had a very high failure rate over the past four years. The family has become impatient with my tinkering and cursing over this! Because the Lutron RA switches to match the existing Lutron Maestro switches that came with the house, swapping everything for the RA or RA2 switches during a renovation will hopefully allow me to inconspicuously get all of this done without a lot of drama.
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