Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

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George Stolz

George Stolz

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Anybody have any hands on with this Grafik Eye or Spacer stuff from Lutron?

From what I'm seeing, the only smeggin' difference is that Spacer uses 120v and infrared communication to dim lights and create scenes, and Grafik Eye uses low voltage to do the same job. Am I missing something?

www.lutron.com

Edit to flashy up the topic title, attact some customers. :D

[ April 17, 2005, 01:28 AM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

I have'n't used Grafik Eye yet. I guess cause I'm usually only doing one or two rooms. I worked for a C-10 (EC for a lot of you non California guys) who had a "certified Grafik Eye" dude, whatever that is. It seemed to be a big thing to the C-10 though.

I'm gonna have to look at the technical stuff on them just because I should already be familiar with it.

Soooo, anything else I can help you with George? :D
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

One major advantage of the Grafik Eye is that you can add interfaces to allow it to control other devices. We typically install them with Crestron touch screen remotes that integrate shade controls, lighting controls, video etc. Also, all of the controls and interfaces use low voltage cabling. Typically an 18-2 for power and an 18-2 for the MUX loop which allows the devices to talk to each other.
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

One item that attracts me to the Spacer system is that it uses normal wiring (although in different ways), so if they don't like the system they can switch back to the old-fashioned system. Seems like with Grafik Eye, they're stuck with 18 guage wire in their walls. :)

Edit to add: And the Spacer can be added incrementally too. :D

I wonder if the infrared thing inside the box works well...?

[ April 17, 2005, 01:27 AM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

You da man, Scott. I knew you couldn't resist "guru." :D

Have you had any issues with the inside-the-box IR system? Any issues at all?

I am currently wiring a custom (don't ask me what the boss was thinking), and they are interested in some scene lighting, generally in their kitchen area. The boss has the Grafik Eye system in mind, but it seems to me to be a better solution for a whole-house interconnected whiz-bang system, to me. This is going to be a pretty localized system. The switching is going to be in fairly centralized locations, too. Sounds like it's right up Spacer's alley.

My (better-experienced Mass native) apprentice has worked a lot with Lightolier stuff that matches the Spacer's setup pretty close, and since the boss wasn't around when the H/O showed up, that's what we described to her. She seemed to go for it.

Then the boss showed up with the Lutron catalog for the H/O, and I discovered the Spacer system after he left.

Total system cost was about $600.00 or so and I bought everything online.
Click to expand...
How much did you get? Two master's, and how many dimmers?

Edit to add: Found some pricing. Wow. :eek:

[ April 17, 2005, 11:47 AM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

George, don't pay those prices! I'll get you more info later when I have a little more time. The stuff certainly is not cheap but it seems to be a good product.
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

George,
Lightolier has a system called Multi Set Pro that works really good.
I believe it is less $$$ than the graphik eye system.

We get specs for the Lightolier system alot.
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

My (better-experienced Mass native) apprentice
Click to expand...
I'm sure he's wicked pissah! :D I think the multi set and the Spacer System are similar. The Spacer System gives you the ability to use remote control for the lighting if you wish. Maybe an added bonus for some. Pass and Seymour also has the exact same setup as the Lightolier Multiset.
Here is what I got George.
</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">One 600 watt dimmer</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">One 600 watt multi location dimmer</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">One Accessory dimmer</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">One 600 watt magnetic low voltage dimmer</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">One 1000 watt dimmer</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">One five scene master</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">One five scene remote master</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">One handheld four scene remote control</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Total cost $616.49 with free shipping.
http://www.hankselectric.com/
I don't believe the prices online were what I paid when I ordered over the phone. Anymore questions you just let me know.
By the way this all went into one room to control 10 six inch recessed cans with 75 watt par30 lamps, six four inch low voltage cans, and six wall sconces. Shortly thereafter I installed the ventilation to pull the heat out! :eek:

[ April 17, 2005, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: electricmanscott ]
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

Originally posted by electricmanscott:
By the way this all went into one room to control 10 six inch recessed cans with 75 watt par30 lamps, six four inch low voltage cans, and six wall sconces. Shortly thereafter I installed the ventilation to pull the heat out! :eek:
Click to expand...
Looks like they're going to have to add a few more reactors to Seabrook now! :eek:
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

Awesome, Scott, thanks for the link and all the help. I'll probably bug you some more before this is all said and done. :)

Todd, Sam, Infinity, thanks to you as well. :D
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

:D

(Consider the switch for "Over-cab" gone. In it's place is the master.)

Edit x 2: To expose my thinking (so it can be corrected if I'm wrong):

I can set the "Dine" scene as follows:
</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Set the Nook Center to 100%</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Set the Nook Cans to 60%</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Set the U.C.'s to 50%</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Set the Kitchen Center to 75%</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Set the Kitchen Cans to 50%</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Do the dimmers remember what "Dine" means, and the master just says "Dine" and they follow suit? Or does the Master remember all five dimmer's settings for all four scenes?

[ April 17, 2005, 11:49 PM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]
 
Re: Calling All Lutron / Scene Lighting Gurus!

I'll get back when I can think for a few minutes. Unfortunatly that isn't now. Hang in there.
 
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