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Lamp Touch Control


TylerMRoach

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Posted

I have 2 metal lamps on c4 dimmers. I am looking for a way to trigger them via touch. It seems like I could make a capacitance sensor and tie it to a contact closure. However this will be messy. Has anyone done something like this with maybe a zigbee something?

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Posted

There are 'aftermarket' touch switches that will turn a lamp into a touch lamp:

 

http://lifehacker.com/5845247/turn-a-lamp-on-and-off-just-by-touching-it-with-this-diy-tweak

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-lamp-touch-switch-6523/dp/B001ALR8BM

http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/science-questions/touch-sensitive-lamp.htm

 

The problem is that you need power to the lamp for the touch switch, and the Control4 dimmer can't cut off power or dim it and still have the touch sensor work.

 

You could likely use one of these type of switches, and take it's output to switch a contact input on Control4, but at that point, you're getting *way* too convoluted and complicated to make it worth the effort.

 

RyanE

Posted

Yeah that's kinda where I landed with this as well. I think I am going to just put a little zigbee motion in the lamp shade. Not the same but close. It would be a nice addition to the plug in dimmers to have a touch sensor as I am sure lots of people would like this.

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Posted

^Ehh, don't know about that.  I have used the devices and they work but there are better ways.  I use the Blue and Yellow buttons on SRs to control lighting from a chair.  If you find that a motion suits you please post your solution.  I have never been fond of motion lighting.  If you really wanted to try, you could plug the touch sensor into one of the outlets (always ON) programmed for I-sense.  You might need some sort of load on the output side of the sensor.  When I is sensed, it power-ON outlet #2 and your floor lamp.

Posted

^Maybe so but I've done few things recently with the current sensing function that have turned out fine.  I think you will take a gamble with that motion sensor.  Have you looked at the driver? 

Posted

The detection spec is 400 ft.  The driver seems to not have a sensitivity slider like the CA motions.  How will this work in a short-range situation?  If your "buddy" thinks it won't false on you, take a chance.

Posted

He uses one to unlock his hidder bar when he opens the beer stine it lives in.  So we will see.  Its an exparaiment.  :)

Posted

It's only money.  But me thinks that anything with lighting and a motion detector is not ideal.  Just my thought.

Posted

^Kinda going in circles here but here are some choices you might have:

1.  Install your motion in the lamp shade and perhaps mask the pattern with tape

2.  If the lamp is near a chair that you routinely use, look for a pressure mat and a CA Contact Sensor (it's battery powered).

3.  Use a (cheaper) CA motion and mount it upside-down under the chair.  Trigger by moving  your foot under the chair.

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