Smarthome has pre-released a few of dual band Insteon devices. These devices use the wired Insteon protocol and also broadcast and receive the wireless Insteon protocol. These devices also double as as an Access Point.
The new LampLinc also comes in a new housing with manual controls.
LampLinc – INSTEON Plug-In Lamp Dimmer Module (Dual-Band), 2-Pin Item# 2457D2 Price: $49.99
The INSTEON LampLinc Dimmer (Dual-Band) is a full-featured plug-in lamp dimmer that can be remotely controlled by a RemoteLinc, KeypadLinc, or any other INSTEON controller. This simple-to-use plug-in dimmer has advanced features like an adjustable ramp rate that slowly brings the lamp on, a preset dim level that stores your preferred choice of 32 brightness levels when turning the lamp on initially, as well as local control, so you can still use the lamp’s built-in switch to turn the light on and off. This LampLinc is made to be plugged into any wall outlet. This dimmer can control incandescent loads up to 300 watts.
There is also a dual band PowerLinc (PowerLinc – INSTEON USB Interface (Dual-Band) Item# 2413U Price: $99.99). I have no doubt that the remaining Smarthome Insteon devices will become dual band as well. While I think this is a great development, I really wish they would release a ceiling fan controller.
Categories: Home Automation Tags: Access Point, Brightness Levels, Ceiling Fan, Dim Level, Dual Band, Fan Controller, Insteon, Lamp Dimmer, Local Control, No Doubt, Preferred Choice, Ramp, Smarthome, Usb Interface, Watts, Wireless Protocol
I installed a ceiling fan in the living room today. It’s the simplest, most basic ceiling fan I could find, an 60″ industrial ceiling fan from Home Depot.
This fan is controlled through my home automation computer like the other fan. Unfortunately the only PLC compatible fan controller that exists is the Lightolier Controls Digital Fan Control (CCWHISPLC) which costs over $100, I have one for the kitchen ceiling fan and it works great. Besides the high cost of the CCWHISPLC it is also X10 only. I’ve decided to use a SwitchLinc V2 Dimmer
for the living room fan. Dimmers don’t make good fan controllers. They usually cause a humming noise and can damage the fan.
To eliminate the hum from the fan controller I could implement a work around by Ed Cheung. It’s a passthrough device that properly switches the speed without humming or damaging the fan. The cost of this device is about $50. A Switchlinc is about $45. Together I’m getting close to the price of the CCWHISPLC, but at least it would still not be X10. I’m still pondering this option.
The last problem with this fan is it hangs a bit low. My ceilings are 8 foot high and this one hangs about a foot down. I think I can cut down the 6″ rod about 4 inches which should help.
Categories: Home Improvement And Automation Tags: Ceiling Fan, Ceilings, Fan Control, Fan Controller, Fan Works, Foot Down, Home Automation, Home Depot, Industrial Fan, Kitchen Ceiling, Lightolier, Living Room, Plc, Switchlinc
I really dig this Ball Ceiling fan buy the Modern Fan Company. I think this will be the fan I will put in my master bedroom. Lighting By Gregory has them not too badly priced at $260.
They also have a ceiling hugger version
, but it hangs at 13 inches, where the smallest down rod on the normal fan lets the fan hang at 11 inches. There are light kits available for $60 more and come in white or brushed aluminum.
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