My lighting around the layout is switchable in two circuits. I have 4 foot fixtures, and a dual bulb base on each end of the fixtures. The incadecent bulbs are controled by a 4 position push button dimmer switch. This switch doesnt control the light very well, so I was planning to replace it with a rotory dimmer switch for more control of the light. Then I got to thinking, that if I could gradually lower the light level from bright to dim that would be a nicer effect. So, finally, my question is, if anyone knows of a circuit, ready made, or kit form, that would give me the option to lower about 500 watts from full to really dim in 10 minutes or so?
Thanks,
Philip
Philip,
This looks like it would work:
http://www.amazon.com/Insteon-2477DBK-SwitchLinc-Dimmer-Dual-Band/dp/B003ZTWWKO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1446429810&sr=8-5&keywords=dimmer+programmable+fade
It will handle 600 Watts. And it appears that the fade rate is adjustable.
Ah, technology!
Ed
Take a look at a line of dimmers from Lightolier (Phillips) called MultSet Pro. They are programmable stand alone dimmers that can be operated by a master scene controller to create "scenes" by setting the dimmer, or a bunch of dimmers, to a preset level. They give you operation like that of a complex multi-channel dimming system, but since they are stand-alone products, you only have to buy as many individual dimmers as you need. In your example, just one dimmer and one scene controller is needed. The fade times are adjustable up to 60 minutes. They also offer a dry contact interface, which would allow you to activate the lighting from a button on a control panel, or a DCC accesory decoder. I used the stuff to control movie theater lighting (a real, commercial movie theater), and was impressed by the ease of programming. Not much harder than setting radio stations in your car. I have stashed away some of these dimmers for use on my future layout. I plan to use it to slowly bring down the white lights at the same time it slowly brings up some blue ones. I may also experiment with a white-orange-blue scenario as well.
Thanks Ed
I asked a couple questions of the community on amazon about fade times , and control. It looks like you have to purchase a starter control panel, and then the idea is to have these switchs all around your house, that are controlled and programmed from a smart phone.
Thanks Sparky Rail I will check it out.You could also hook in a sound module so when your blue lights faded in the crickets could start chirping:) When you get to your lighting let me know how it goes.
Use Insteon or X10 dimmers and control them with JMRI:
http://jmri.org/help/en/package/jmri/jmrit/simplelightctrl/SimpleLightCtrl.shtml
Keep an eye on LCC or Layout Command Control,
http://www.dccwiki.com/Layout_Command_Control
http://www.dccguy.com/?p=1192
A great deal of layout automation will soon be at your fingertips...