jroza1 Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 So the difference between these two is that a wireless switch will turn a light on and off and a 2 button keypad can be programmed to do a variety of things? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharmdsmith Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 The main difference is the switch carries the load, where as the 2 button doesn't. The 2 button is used in a 3 way or higher where a switch/ dimmer is carrying the load and the rest are 2/3/6 button keypads. If control4 went down in your house the 2/3/6 buttons would stop working but the switch/dimmer would still do it's primary funtion of turning on/off whatever is connected to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveC4 Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 pharmdsmith is spot on. The keypad doesn't control the load, it just exists to look just like a dimmer or switch for those 3+ way configurations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NkySpike65 Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 If you plan on doing a 3way type set up ( a light switch at the top & a light switch at the bottom of the stairs or hall that control the same light ) you can "not" use two dimmers for that type of setup... You would use one dimmer that would be hooked up to the light itself and then use a two button keypad ( that looks like the dimmer ) where the other switch would be...Lean from my mistakes Just to add my 2 cents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c4pa Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Can you use a dimmer to control the load, and a non Control4 traditional switch at the other location? I have a spot where the non-load switch won't fit a Control4 switch due to the set up. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigrzeye Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 I asked this same question while at Tech I training and the answer was, no. The C4 dimmer/switch is not designed to share the load's control via the standard traveler wire between switches/dimmers.edit: if you can fit a standard switch why won't a C4 keypad fit there as well?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFUG Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 ^Probably a depth issue. A good electrician can make it happen. Clean-out the pigtails- you don't need those with C4 flying-leads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jroza1 Posted April 13, 2010 Author Share Posted April 13, 2010 Excellent, So in the hallway where I have a three way, one would be a 2 button keypad and the other a dimmer or switch. In the programming I would just tell the keypad that the switch it is controlling is the dimmer in the hall. So my analogy to the wife that a dimmer/switch manages the load and the Keypad manages switches is accurate? Well then this means I only have one ousted 2-button keypad... Quick question though, I have not seen any double gang screw-less face-plates for switches and keypads - Are there generic face-plates that work? Can switches and dimmers only carry a single load, or can a single switch replace a double switch like fan and light? Do you think it makes sense if I have to move a bunch of switches anyway that I just relocate the switches into the attic and place keypads in the walls? Are their code issues here or concerns over the durability of the switch in the attic? what are the best practices, regardless of Control4 - Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharmdsmith Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Control4 has screwless faceplates up to at least 4 gang (that's the most in my house). Not sure about codes where you are, but there are 2 drawbacks to putting all your switches in an attic or closet. One is if control4 goes down you won't be able to easily turn your lights on and off. 2nd is resale, your buyer may not want control4 in their house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jroza1 Posted April 13, 2010 Author Share Posted April 13, 2010 Good points. The wife and I don't plan on moving. though the house is relatively small, we like the neighborhood and well we still have a few years of bailing water before we own a useful percentage of the house... I guess I just need to stretch the wires or rewire the 3 walls that are changing. Thanks for the feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c4pa Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 edit: if you can fit a standard switch why won't a C4 keypad fit there as well??thanks for the response. It is a dual light switch in a single gang box in my kitchen island, with granite. So there is no way to put a dual gang box there. The other switch in the box is the only switch for a second set of lights. I know I could remote mount the switch in a hidden spot in the island and then use a keypad to control both sets of lights, but was hoping to avoid that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c4pa Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Quick question though, I have not seen any double gang screw-less face-plates for switches and keypads - Are there generic face-plates that work?I remember seeing a thread where Lutron Maestro face plates would work. I didn't locate it right away searching, but if you look you will find it. These face plates come in all varieties single to quad and aren't that bad on prices if you shop around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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