Aaron Gould

Hey everyone...

I need a fairly simple dimming system, and Lutron products are conveniently available for me. The trouble is, I can't figure out what product/model I need!

I need something that will enable me to control four pot lights; each light basically at the corners of a rectangular room. I need four settings:

1. full brightness
2. full darkness
3. front two lights on, rear two lights off
4. front two lights off, rear two lights on

Additionally, I'd like several dimming levels with the above settings.

I would also like a remote, just like the Spacer/Grafik Eye systems.

Can anyone tell me what product will do this? I don't really want to spend too much on the dimmer (roughly 100CDN/75US maximum).

MikeWh

The Spacer System does what you want. Only problem is that I can't imagine getting what you need for the price you want. A single dimmer usually runs $80-90.

http://www.lutron.com/spacer/SpSyste...p&device%5Fid=

There have been several threads recently discussing some cheap dimmers. Here's one.
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...76#post1415176

I'd suggest doing a search here (when the function's available... server loads often make it unavailable).

Aaron Gould

Well, I bought a remote control Spacer dimmer (single) Saturday from the Home Depot around the corner from me -- $65 CDN. I guess these are cheaper in Canada?

I'm reviewing the Spacer PDF brochure and it appears I need two of these single dimmers; one to control the front two lights, and one to control the back two lights. Does that sound right?

The one I purchased the other day included a remote -- but it looks like it controls only one dimmer. Should I simply purchase two single dimmers (with remote sensors), and then hunt down the remote that controls multiple dimmers?

I didn't see it while at Home Depot, hopefully it won't be tough to track down!

MikeWh

If I understand your plans correctly, you need the following (see Option 3, page 3 of the pdf; of course, using 2 dimmers instead of the pictured 3):
http://www.lutron.com/spacer/specsheet/spacersystem.pdf

• 2 dimmers: SPS-600-[color code] (assuming <600W total for two incandescent cans per switch...)
  
• a 2-gang wall plate
  
• the 4-scene handheld remote control: SPS-4IT-RP

The 4-scene remote was not available 2 years ago, when I bought my Spacer dimmers. I wish it was... I'll have to see if I can do a retrofit, because I like the idea of controlling separate scenes with a remote. So if I understand the literature correctly (Option 3), then that's what you need.

Keep in mind where you'll need to point the remote. I installed a 3-way switch, because I wanted to control the lights when I entered the room, but didn't want to point a remote to the back of the room where that switch is. I also wanted to be able to build IR macros to control the lights and the A/V equipment together, so the remote-controlled switch is right next to my A/V rack, and the 3-way switch is over near the entrance to the room.

BTW, I'm assuming the dimmer you bought was a white switch & plate. If you want other colors, Home Depot should be able to special order. These dimmers weren't available at HDepot 2 years ago, so I don't really know what they have.

Aaron Gould

Thanks Mike. That's exactly what I'm after. I don't think I'm too concerned about where to point the remote. The switch box is located at almost exactly 90 degrees to the right of the seating area, so pointing the remote to my right isn't going to bother me much. I do appreciate the heads up though!

Just curious -- your three-way switch (the one by your door), is that one the same as the other two, or is it a different model?

Tom Rosback

Aaron,
Check the part number of your dimmer before purchasing the IR remote.

Lutron sells Spacer dimmers through home stores. These dimmers have part numbers like SP-600-xx. They do not support multiple scenes. If you buy another one, it will simply follow the first one.

Spacer System dimmers, like the ones Mike describes, have part numbers like SPS-600-xx. These are generally available through electrical supply houses. They support 4 different scenes, and will do what you want.

Another way to tell them apart, the Spacer System dimmers have clear plastic backboxes, while the Spacer dimmers have opaque backboxes.

This is confusing I know. Similar names, one letter difference in the part number. Identical front panels. Big difference in functionality.

I have three channels of Spacer System Dimmers in my theater, and they satisfy my needs.

I'd also note that, if you have a Pronto, the IR codes for Spacer System are available @ remotecentral, so you don't have to purchase the Lutron remote.

Regards,

Tom Rosback

MikeWh

Aaron,

The 3-way is Spacer's "accessory dimmer" SPS-AD-xx.

Also, Tom is absolutely right re: "Spacer" vs "Spacer System." Good catch, Tom. I had forgotten about that. I think they should seriously consider changing their product names. I was confused with it at first too-- I'm guessing every customer probably has the same confusion.

The "SP-600-xx" is actually what I have, as I only needed to control one set of lights. I bought mine as a kit (SP-600M-HT-AD-WH) with the accessory dimmer included, and they only came in white and almond, I think (as a kit, that is).

I purchased mine through a lighting supply store. I'm sure mark-up was considerable. I'd think HDepot would do a special order for cheaper. They're also available online:

http://www.lutron.com/lutron/PurchaseOnline.asp?

Tom Rosback

I've found this place to have good service and pricing on Spacer System Dimmers:


http://www.mmlighting.com/

Tom Rosback

Aaron Gould

I visited two local electronics dealers today. One of them wanted $130CDN/$90USD for the SPS-600 dimmer. The second dealer I visited wanted only $93CDN/$64USD for the same thing. That's quite a price different between dealers!! And the cheaper dealer was far more helpful and pleasant to deal with. Needless to say, I think I'll be ordering through the cheaper and nicer dealer!

The remote was $107CDN/$74USD, so roughly the same prices as the mmlighting.com link that Tom provided.

Even though this is quite a bit more than what I initially wanted to spend, I've decided on getting two SPS-600 dimmers with a 4-scene remote. That should serve my purposes adequately. I anticipate I'll not regret it when my room is finished and I experience the "theater magic".

Thanks for the help guys, it was certainly appreciated!!

ChristW

What exactly are the differences between "scenes" and "zones." If I understand it, I think a "scene" is simply a bank of lights that you want controlled by the Lutron Spacer System. However, I can't figure out what a "zone" is. Is that a term for multiple rooms? (for example, zone A is the living room, zone B is the dining room, etc?).

I havn't decided where I want to put lights yet (if anyone wants to take a peek and offer suggestions, check out:
http://www.fezam.com/basement2.gif), but my initial thoughts were to have some sort of either recessed or track lighting in the theater, one on the left, one on the right, as well as sconces on the right wall (on either side of where the screen will be). So if I wanted to control these individual banks separately, I'd need to be able to control three "scenes," correct? In that case, I'd be able to buy the same Spacer System (page 3, option 3) as mentioned above, correct? And if so, how do I figure out the product number for this? [EDIT: I re-read the messages above and found the part numbers, thanks!] From what I gather, Home Depot doesn't have these, but they can be special ordered? I'm hoping that the product number will help there. Ordering online is an option as well.

I finished framing, now I need to run electrical and low-voltage, so I'm at the stage of trying to figure out where the lights/switches are going to go.

Thanks all!
CW