All About Dimmers 

Thanks!!

I will do that , I don’t have an isolation tx to scope the Dali bus , but I’m planning on making one to do that shortly.

That sounds like a good idea👍

Hi Karl, I haven't been able to find a cost-effective method to have 1 x controller and 2 or more dimmers, other than to simply have 2 or more dimmers. This is because the grounds need to be isolated and you also need a power source in each isolated section. I did try using an i2c isolator and a 5v isolated dc dc power supply, but it required too many components to filter the 5v power source to stop interference, it became very complicated. I'm working on a smaller version with MOSFETs instead of IGBT, they are way smaller at 5x5mm SMD. With MOSFETs I can make use of the FL5150's overload cut-out settings to limit current through the dimmer. It won't need a DAC because I was going to use the new esp32-c3 which is cost and size-wise the same as an esp8266, but with Bluetooth, and a DAC, Bluetooth so you could if you wanted just control it via Bluetooth instead of wifi if you wanted with no extra components needed. If your lamps work with a leading-edge dimmer it would much easier to implement, or you could consider using 12 or 24v DC bulbs and a PWM dimmer for each lamp, but you've probably already thought of that.

@@JamesEggleston thank you for the insight. There are some good reasons to creating a circuit module to be externally controlled. When you are ready, I would be very interested to help you test. I can play the part of the ignorant integrator 😉 so you can decide if it is easy, safe and robust enough for average Joes to use. Have you done a teardown of the shelly version to see how they do it? I had a similar shared ground issue with pid controller I built from scratch a while back, but never figured it out.

It will work without one, it just for filtering. But the suggested value is 100nf and its an x or Xy class 2 if you use one.

@@SparkyJames Thank you!!

It was a longish time from memory about 4 weeks, the last time.

@@SparkyJames I ordered 6 with the express postage and just received them yesterday, just over a week since I placed the order. I was very surprised.

Some are some are not, the Shelly Dimmer will be by the end of the year. The Aeotec is certified which means it is currently one of the few certified option available in Australia, the iconic is, but as it is you can’t use it yet with home automation systems, the hardware would allow it, and the switches are pretty nice well made, and you have the full range of decorative plate to go with it but I would be reluctant to use them purely because Clipsal likes to keep a closed system and doesn’t like sharing or allowing their product to work along with other product which is a shame.

I started with the Aeotec which I bought here locally and have just got my first shellys in following a previous video you did (which are cheaper even from the other side of the world). I’m also using HA and just tinkering before I roll out across the whole house. Would be good to see them get the certification, wouldn’t like to have a fire from a faulty unit and void the home insurance. My plan is to use the icon range plates, but as you said Clipsal being a closed, if they do open up to the zigbee protocol, we might night see all the features and data from the Shellys.

Jimmy James who is certifying the Shelly? Building a new house and trying to figure out what to use...

@@Etacovda63 Shelly or Alterco is getting the certifications for Shelly devices, I would use Shelly, actually I have literally used shelly(16 so far) and my own wifi switches as well in my place, the shellys are obviously better and easier and beat zwave in my opinion, the shelly's and my devices too, will work as normal with no wifi or home assistant running and if one goes down (which acctually hasn't happend yet) then it just the one.

James Eggleston do you get any noise from your lights using the Shelly dimmer? I use SAL LED down lights and there is a noticeable buzz come from them now. Any thoughts on how to resolve this? www.sal.net.au/products/interior-led-lighting/led-downlights/ecogem-s9041-tc