Is this the answer to a lot of Part P problems

[CHJ]

Source of info

 

[doctor Bob]

any idea of range?

 

[Myfordman]

Fascinating technique. And not stupidly expensive either. Could solve a number of installation difficulties.
I wonder how many switches can be used within radio range of each other?

Good find Chas!

 

[nev]

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index ... index.html

up to 10 switches per module
30m indoor range

 

[rafezetter]

Are you saying this is the equivalent of a wind-up light switch? How many times would you have to press it to collect enough energy to make it send a signal?

It's certainly intriguing - I know Erik the Viking would be fascinated by this.

 

[Racers]

I guess its piezoelectric just like the remote on a Philips TV we had when I left school about 40 years ago.

Pete

 

[CHJ]

I'm certainly a convert to this sort of product, just fitted a ceiling movement sensor in our hall to save having to switch the light on (left the wall switch multi way wiring in place so it can be reverted)

Might seem like a gimmick but walk out of any of the 6 doors or descend the stairs when the daylight is failing and the light comes on.

Just took a few days to stop going to switch it off. :roll:

 

[Myfordman]

I've had a PIR sensor on the kitchen lights for the last 25 years installed as a fix for everyone leaving the light on and walking out of the room.
Also useful when I leave with the bedtime drinks and not needing the third hand to turn off the lights.

 

[Myfordman]

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Quinetic/index.html

up to 10 switches per module

Not quite the question is was thinking of Nev. Each controller can be operated by 10 switches yes but it does not say how many individual switch/controller pairs can exist within radio range of each other which is a completely different kettle of fish and a true measure of how rugged the communication protocol is.

 

[CHJ]

I emailed them,

Reply

In answer to your question, the range does not use Bluetooth technology.

The receiver can have up to 10 separate switches and when programmed to the receive the channels will never clash.

Although still not conclusive I read this to mean that the receivers are all the same and have 10 channels.
Once paired with a switch then they won't clash with others paired with different switches.

So I take it you can have a maximum of ten separate circuits.
Presumably as each switch must have its own identity It would appear that each receiver can be paired with more than one switch.

I've asked for a copy of installation instructions.

 

[Myfordman]

Thanks Chas,

I presume the switches will have an address selected from many different codes and may even be unique to the system is the way that mac addresses are allocated to computer hardware and that each receiver has the ability to store up to 10 switch addresses.
This would ensure that next door could not mess up your lights etc
I think I saw somewhere they operate on 433 MHz which is a little strange as I thought new licence free stuff was being encouraged to use 866MHz.
I'm almost tempted to buy a set to play with pending an application coming up.
Having been involved with technology all my career, most of the time the tech has been providing solutions looking for an application but now some useful stuff is coming out at sensible prices.
I recall in the very early days of looking at competing system designs for what would turn out the be GSM phones in the early 80s. There was an opportunity to insert short bursts of characters to send engineering info round the network on top of voice calls. Only ever intended for use between special handsets for engineers. We never in our wildest dreams thought that this would turn into text messaging for everyone!!

 

[CHJ]

Had another email apologising for the ambiguous reply, and supply of PDF instruction leaflet links.

Controller

Switch

 

[devonwoody]

Reminds me once staying in a holiday location near an airport and everytime or a lot of times the front door bell would ring and in the end I worked out it was aircraft signals creating the problem. Was that the same thing as discussed now?

 

[Myfordman]

It's similar John.
It would be easy to say "it was the aircraft's fault" but in reality, the doorbell, possibly a wireless one, was not designed with enough strength in the coding to ensure that only the correct bell push would make it ring.
Go back far enough and these wireless doorbells had virtually no coding and relied upon the distance to the next house with another such bell installed so house 1 did not ring house 2's bell.

 

[CHJ]

Another e-mail received:-

Good morning Chas

Just to confirm you can have as many receivers as you like.

The receiver is then linked to a chosen switch.


Best regards
Mark Edwards

 

[CHJ]

Oh the joys of over zealous use of these devices and a component failure in a few years time, which sparky is going to know how to pair up a new set or even know where the receiver-switch is located.

I have enough trouble remembering the different routines with the few Blue Tooth devices I have.

 

[Myfordman]

A friend has recently loaned me a pair of these switches and I have written up a review here
http://thewoodhaven2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=2605

Overall I'm very impressed with them and have ordered some for a project to make things easier for my severely arthritic wife.
A three way switch just placed on a table beside her chair will enable room lighting to be controlled and the heating boosted when required.
In a normal domestic application, when compared to the cost/hassle of retro fitting a new switch, chasing wiring down the wall and making good again, I think these are competitively priced.
No commercial connection etc etc

 

[DTR]

I've had a PIR sensor on the kitchen lights for the last 25 years installed as a fix for everyone leaving the light on and walking out of the room.
Also useful when I leave with the bedtime drinks and not needing the third hand to turn off the lights.

We used to have a PIR in the office at work. When I was sat at the computer I had to wave my arms above my head every ten minutes to make the lights come back on......