I have looked this up on line and think that I can do what I am looking to do, but I thought that I would bounce this off you all.
I am finishing my basement (house is a ranch) and am spliting the lighing basically in half. West half of the basement is going to be kids area/computer desk space and wifes hobby/craft area. East end is going to be TV family room type area and bar area. There is no physical break or wall between the two half but they will be defined by flooring/paint and lighting.
I want to switch the east lights like this. Switch at the basement stairs for on/off of the lights and then a dimmer switch in the east end to dim the lights for watching movies and just plain ol’ relaxing. I also want to beable to turn the lights on/off from the east end too.
I’m thinking I need a three way switch at the stairs and a dimmer and three way in the east, with the east side three way being a slave for on/off only. Or is there a dimmer that could be used for dim/on/off like a typical rototary dimmer. I know that I would need an actual three way dimmer switch.
Any idea’s, suggestions, comments are welcome and appreciated.
Thanks
J-
Replies
There is a newer type of dimmer that will let you control on/off & dim from multiple locations. They work pretty slick and are pretty easy to install. A bit pricey, but worth it, IMHO.
Here's an example:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100184145
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
The "Maestros" are nice unless your exceeding the 600w requirement. If you have to jump the the 1000w hang on tight. I think they were about $100.
One last thing, dont try to wire these hot. They are extremely sensitive to spikes.
Ask me how I know.
All electro-mechanical 3-way dimmer setups are a compromise. I'd favor the electronic units another post described, since they allow full control from both locations.
Your requirements sound almost identical to those in a basement job I completed a few years ago. I used the mechanical type (dimmer at only one location) because after analysing use patterns, it was decided that only very rarely would someone need to adjust the dimmer level from the entry door to the TV viewing space.
It seemed logical that most lighting adjustments for video-screen viewing would be made from the switch nearest the sitting area; however there was the question of whether or not users would leave the lights dimmed 'way down at the end of an evening's viewing, leave the space, and turn them off at the on/off-only exit door switch as they went back upstairs. If that were the case, it would mean the next person entering the space would have to cross it to bring the lights back up to full intensity.
However, it seems most people turn the lights back up immediately after the movie or last TV program ends so they can collect coffee cups, beer glasses, popcorn, and ashtrays to carry back up to the kitchen. Thus I opted for the (much less expensive) mechanical 3-way dimmers.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
Well, at least no one has complicated your search by mentioning X10 components <g>.
Simplest answer is often the best. That's going to be either a pair of the "smart" dimmers (which you can "tap" for on, full-on, to programmed dim, to off), or switch and mechanical dimmer.
Do remember that most dimmers really "want" bigger boxes, too.
The pair of smart dimmers can have some sticker shock, too.
Now, there's two way to do this, too. One is to light the room to the "dim" state, and have that switched at the top of the stairs. Then you switch locally for task/clean-up level lighting (which can be handy if the Design Committee has already picked out lamps, torcheires and the like, too).
Or, you light to "bright," and dim down from there. Either way works in its own fashion. Lighting "bright" can cause problems if a person flips that top of the stair switch (you're either in the dark or blinded).
If you put in just one 3-way dimmer on a stairway, just remember that if you dimmed the lights, when you turn off and on the normal toggle switch, the lights will come on at the level of dim you left it on dimmer. Use them in pairs...
Bill