What do you think the chances are of getting a little technical help with the dimmers then, now that I can actually talk to someone in charge? I've tried literally since April (I've logged every call) to get help figuring out why the extended dimmer RS232 protocol command doesn't seem to work for me (and thus, for any CQC user). I kept getting a "we'll have an engineer call you" promise, but no joy. I'm not even saying the command is broken, I'm just saying I can't decipher from the protocol doc nor trial and error what the correct bytes would be.
I don't expect quick fixes or anything like that...just wondering how deep your guy's expertise goes.
As far as a requested device....the only situation that ALC does not solve for me, that I wish it did, is my whole-house fan. Its currently controlled by a 3-position mechanical knob...Off, Low, and High. Anyway, I know that's unlikely to be a product anytime soon due to its very low usefulness...but I'm just sayin'...
Like I mentioned earlier, the original Engineers are nearby. In addition we now own all the test equipment and test jigs along with all developers tools. Our hands on experience is pretty extensive as well. But, none of us have any experience with CQC. I would love to learn more. Will they send us what is needed to merge the two systems together?
Of course I would say that we have senior knowledge on the ALC line. I myself have installed almost 800 ALC devices this year alone. Our offices were built in 2006 and are wired with 95% ALC, 4%UPB nd 1%PLC (X-10). We have also tested Zigby and Zwave as well. Our offices are wired with over a mile of AC wiring with 3-phase AC making it a real good test environment. And both Anthony and my home are similar to our office and warehouse.
In summary, issues like CQC pose both a challenge and an opportunity. Our expansion plans are to integrate with a number of other systems and products first, then to build new technology/products after that.
We are currently working towards integrating several products into the line and would love to add CQC.
As far as controlling your whole house fan directly from any type wall switch, that will be a challenge. Here is why....
The technology used inside most automated wall switches centers around a device called a Triac. A triac is commonly found in dimmers (600-1000watts) and 900-1000 watt Non-dimmers (7-8 AMPS) A triac does not behave well with inductive loads like fan motors. The bigger the fan motor, the bigger the problem. ALC and almost all other wall switch technologies (UPB, Insteon, PLC, Zigby, Zwave) use triacs. There is simply no replacement for the triac without making the switch bigger than will fit inside a single gang wall box. Some proprietary lighting systems use a technology called an SCR but they will not fit inside a wall switch and cost a lot more.
Relays rated at 15 amps are also affected by inductive loads and can make noise or overheat. Until the seminconductor industry invents some new load handling technology (small in size and at an affordable price), then all manufacturers are pretty much stuck.
However, there are two products that will control heavy loads everytime.
Use an ALC relay wall switch to trigger an
Elk-9200 load controller with it's 120VAC output, or an
HAI 72a00-1 load control (trigger it with 12VDC). The Elk-9200 can be located right at the whole house fan motor and offers the advantage of being easliy interfaced into the AC load wiring already ran to the fan motor from the ALC switch. Neither choice will provide 3 speeds, that would take 3 total relays and some non-L wiring.
Feel free to ask these kind of questions anytime, just note that I don't check in on the forums very often. So a phone call or email may be a better way to reach us.
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Merry Christmas
TS
Help me get our hands on a sample CQC system and I promise to dig in deep.