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Solution of the Week
Wake Up to a Virtual Sunrise Every Morning
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It's that time of year again, where the days just seem to get shorter and shorter, and mornings and evenings get darker and darker. But if you miss waking up to the sunrise, we've got great news. Now you can simulate your very own sunrise using any lamp or built-in light fixture, and a few affordable automation products:
| | | Utilizing Scene Lighting | |
The best way to set up a virtual sunrise is to create a wake-up lighting "scene." With scene lighting, any X10 signal (like that from an X10 Mini Timer) can prompt a SwitchLinc, ToggleLinc, LampLinc or KeypadLinc with Load Control to respond by turning on the lamp or light fixture in your bedroom. Since each dimmer can respond with an individual ramp rate, you'll want to set it for the longest duration possible: 9 minutes.
With a duration of 9 minutes, the lamp will turn on with a very dim glow at first, and it won't reach full intensity until 9 minutes later. This assures that you'll wake up gently, just like nature intended.
| | | The Shopping List | |
To create a virtual sunrise, you'll need at least one incandescent light (fluorescent lights won't work with this project) and one of the following Smarthome Design receivers (one for every light you plan on including in your virtual sunrise scene). Use an integrated wall dimmer or keypad for built-in light fixtures, or use a LampLinc for a plug-in lamp.
You'll also need a device to program the scene, as well as a device to activate a scene.
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For programming the scene, the easiest and most affordable route is to use an X10 Maxi Controller (#4020). This costs less than $25 and gives you all the tools necessary to program Smarthome Design scene-capable dimmers, switches and keypads. If you prefer to set up scenes using home automation software, we offer a variety of options. Our PowerLinc USB and PowerLinc II come with basic software that allows you to send the signals needed to program scenes. You can also use any other full-featured software system, like SmarthomeLive.
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For activating the scene, the easiest and most affordable route is to use an X10 Mini Timer (#1100X). This unit functions just like an ordinary alarm clock, except that at a designated time, it can sound an alarm or trigger your virtual sunrise (or both, if you prefer).
| | | Programming The On Level | |
The first part of setting up a scene is to choose a scene address. A scene address consists of an X10 house code (represented by the letters A-P) and an X10 unit code (represented by the numbers 1-16). It doesn't matter which X10 house code you choose, so long as it's not A1, which is the default setting and the one most likely to have phantom signals if your neighbors get a similar system. In this case, let's choose scene address B-1.
Next, you'll want to assign the light(s) that you plan on using to that scene. You also need to determine the brightness level that you want the light(s) to turn on to. For this project, you'll probably want to set the light level to 100% brightness. To do that, follow these four steps.
1. Using the Maxi Controller or home automation software, put the Smarthome Design scene-capable in-wall or plug-in dimmer in program mode by transmitting the following X10 codes: 016, N16, M16, P16 & M16.
2. You now have 4 minutes to adjust the desired brightness levels the light(s) you want to include in that scene. Wall dimmers and keypads can be adjusted manually or via X10 signals. LampLinc Plug-In Dimmers can only be adjusted via X10 signals.
3. Transmit the Lock sequence by sending the following codes: M16, N16, 016 & P16.
4. Transmit the desired scene address (B1) to lock-in the new scene. The lights will blink and come to 100% brightness to indicate that it has set the new scene.
Now when you transmit that scene address, all the lights you just programmed will automatically adjust to the individual lighting levels that you selected.
| | | Programming Scene Ramp Rate | |
Now that you programmed the brightness level of the light(s), now it's time to program ramp rate (or time it takes to reach the desired dim level). This can be adjusted anywhere from .1 seconds to a maximum of (9 minutes).
1. Using the Maxi Controller or home automation software, transmit the following X10 codes: 016, N16, M16, P16 & M16.
2. You now have 4 minutes to adjust the brightness levels to represent your desired ramp rate (brighter=faster, dimmer=slower). Since you'll most likely be choosing the maximum amount of time, you'll want to set the light(s) to be as dim as possible. As with the section above, wall dimmers and keypads can be adjusted manually or via X10 signals. LampLinc Plug-In Dimmers can only be adjusted via X10 signals.
3. Transmit the Lock sequence by sending the following codes: M16, N16, 016 & P16.
4. Transmit the scene address (B1) to lock-in the ramp rate. The lights will blink to indicate that the ramp rate has been set.
| | | Test the Scene | |
Next, test the scene you just programmed by sending the X10 code that activates the scene (B1). Chances are, if you followed the steps, it will work just fine.
| | | Program the X10 Mini Timer | |
The last step is to set your X10 Mini Timer to transmit the scene address (B1) at the time you want to wake up. To do that, follow the following steps.
1. Plug the X10 Mini Timer into any outlet and set the current time.
2. Using a small screwdriver, set the code wheel on the top to house code "B"
3. Toggle the dipswitch on the top left to "Program Set"
4. Adjust the clock to the time you want your virtual sunrise to start (let's say 6:00 a.m. in this example).
5. When the timer says 6:00 a.m., press button #1 ON.
6. Toggle the dipswitch on the top left to "Run."
7. You're done!
Now at 6:00 a.m, your light will automatically turn on with a very dim glow, and will reach complete brightness at 6:09.
For more great solutions, visit our Solution of the Week Archive.
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