Time of day condition

How would I normally go about setting a condition, based on the time of day, for PIR operated lights to have 2 different max levels.


100% up till midnight and then 50% from 12am to 5am.

What is the current method ? I was previously under the impression it was done with MINDER or CLOCK UNIT but there must be newer ways now.

 

You can do this in a device that has logic. PAC, B&W MKII touchscreen, C-Touch Spectrum, Wiser or C-Touch Colour

 

The easiest way is to use logic in the output unit. On the Logic tab use MIN logic to link the dimmer channel to a logic group. Then, using a device capable of Schedules, as Chris lists, set this logic group to 50% at midnight and to 100% at 5am.

B&W Touchscreens are available with and without logic capability and, by using Schedules, you can do this with either type of unit.

 

I am looking at how it can be retrofitted to a very early system and I like your idea very much. What about a timed dry contact (powered timer) and a C-Bus coupler ? This is a very crude analog design but I wonder if it may work. It has the potential to open c-bus to an outside input. All comments welcome.

 

Great news that C-Touch Spectrum is available in AUS.
I checked in local sites and the price is the same as the B/W ones.
Is there any leaflet available except the one included in PICED?

 

What does the average touch screen cost ?

 

It would be possible to configure a bus coupler so that when it detected a contact closure it set the level of a group to, say, 50% using a Recall, and also started a 5 hour timer. The timer expiry event could be configured to a second Recall of 100%.

You would, of course, need a method of triggering the bus coupler input at midnight.

 

Yes that is what I wanted to hear. I think that any conventional timer, even ones where you are able to operate a small LCD, can operate a changeover relay. This includes alarm panels and many other timer operated devices.

The analog aspect is nothing special. Can be one of many.

I might need some guidance on the coding aspect. Whilst I am familiar with the terms being described I am not 100% familiar with the actual parameter configuration.

I am using a number of PIR indoors. I always use them in the shower, bathroom and laundry because these are places where people are always moving around or carry something in their hands. I always put PIR lights in the garage too. I cant see anyone getting out of a car to switch off the lights after they leave.

Just some thoughts !

If you have time would you be able to make me a screen shot of a viable setup ?

 

No rocket science here, just programming up of standard units.

Dimmer programmed to use the Minimum of 2 groups, the Toilet Light group and the Brightness Limit group.

Bus Coupler programmed to set the level of the Brightness Limit group to 50% (Recall 1) when the button is first pressed and then start a 5 hour timer. When the timer expires, set the brightness to 100% (Recall 2).

 

That is truly awesome. Thank you. I can understand and follow this example clearly.

I notice that there are a number of DIN mounted timers. What I do look forward to is making the C-bus interact with the Alarm system PIRs or Camera recording motion alarms to execute late night "sleep-walker" lighting. The kind of lighting you need when you are half awake in the middle of the night.

I can also use a spare VFR and have a "night mode" for the house.

Many ways to do it !

I imagine that the timer function on the C-Bus PIR does not interfere with the timer function on the logic group. I see that the C-Bus PIR is only addressing the lighting channel and nothing else.

So then if I am using a mechanical changover relay with an external timer (not in the network) I can have the C-Bus determine if the relay is closed and use the LONG PRESS function without a timer. As soon as the Long Press mode is released then the lights go back to full power (subject to PIR demand).