custom light controller needed

[Clyde]

I need a custom home lighting controller for my disabled father. What
I want it to do is control track lights that will be used like a
nightlight. The operation is this:

When the circuit is triggered (either by a pressure mat by the bed or
an IR device to sense when my father has gotten out of bed) it will
turn the track lights on. The lights will stay on until my father
gets back into bed and then pushes a bedside momentary switch to turn
the lights off. If my father gets back out of bed the circuit will
trigger again.

 

[Lumpy]

I need a custom home lighting controller for my disabled father.
What I want it to do is control track lights that will be used
like a nightlight. The operation is this:

When the circuit is triggered (either by a pressure mat by the
bed or an IR device to sense when my father has gotten out of
bed) it will turn the track lights on. The lights will stay on
until my father gets back into bed and then pushes a bedside
momentary switch to turn the lights off. If my father gets back
out of bed the circuit will trigger again.

I would think that X-10 devices will
do everything you want.

Infrared sensor, timer (or no timer), manual override etc.
Little or no hard wiring except maybe to replace
the existing wall switch for the track lights.
All the other switches, IR sensors etc are
wireless RF.


Lumpy

 

[Michael]

I would think that X-10 devices will
do everything you want.

Infrared sensor, timer (or no timer), manual override etc.
Little or no hard wiring except maybe to replace
the existing wall switch for the track lights.
All the other switches, IR sensors etc are
wireless RF.

Lumpy

For off-the-shelf, I would look at X-10 too (because I'm familiar with it).
I think you do not want any IR sensor though; might be difficult to set up a
sensor to discriminate between dad getting out of bed and dad merely rolling
over in bed. There is an X-10 device that works by detecting a dry contact
closure (push button; relay; door mat pressure-type device), and I'd use that
instead of IR. Put the mat beside the bed where dad would step on it.

 

[Clyde]

re X10 devices

I explored the smarthome.com site but didn't find any X10 devices that
seemed to fit what I needed.

Do you know the X10 devices that would fit this application?

 

[John]

re X10 devices

I explored the smarthome.com site but didn't find any X10 devices that
seemed to fit what I needed.

Do you know the X10 devices that would fit this application?

I haven't needed this particular configuration, but I have used a lot
of x10 equipment to turn on lights when a room is entered and turn
them off when everyone leaves the room. You might be able to use a
wireless motion sensor - I've never seen a sleeping person trip one
(my wife often goes to sleep on the couch while watching TV).

The equipment below is all plug-in, so you don't have to worry about
changing batteries every few months (depending on usage).

There are often sales on the x10 site (3 for 1, buy 1 get 1 for 1
cent, etc) - but I haven't seen that on the PowerFlash module.

replacement wall switch
http://www.x10.com/automation/ws467_s.html

or

replacement 3-way switch
http://www.x10.com/automation/ws4777_s.html

controller for turning off lights (and manual turn on)
http://www.x10.com/automation/mc460_s.html

PowerFlash module for turning on light when sensor pad is stepped on
http://www.x10.com/security/pf284_s.html

Contact me for more details.

support AT
jecarter
DOT com

John