What do you think of this product?

[brainsmile]

http://www.lightningswitch.com


Click on the videos link.

[brainsmile]

k I guess not :)

[zero2dash]

I'm still trying to figure out what it is. :heh:

[brainsmile]

click on videos and look at the demonstrations.

Seems ideal for businesses with lots of cubicles and temporary walls

[zero2dash]

click on videos and look at the demonstrations.

Seems ideal for businesses with lots of cubicles and temporary walls

Ok, that's a way I can see it being used...that would be a good idea. I didn't think about that use when I saw it and realized how it worked and thought 'what's the point'. Didn't think about cubicles though...

[brainsmile]

you can set up buzzers for doctors who are in their examination rooms for nurses and assistants to come to the room without popping out an yelling down the hall

[kimchicowboy]

do you have an invetsment in this or soething? hahah

[brainsmile]

do you have an invetsment in this or soething? hahah


Yes... took a lot of monopoly money

It is set to present this before the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), some Congressional leaders and heads of industry in March. One of only five companies invited. It's exciting to say the least. The factory in Taiwan is already filling orders received and we're gearing to ramp up production in the coming months.

I'm looking forward to seeing how it's received. If this product takes off I'll be retired within 5 years most likely.

[Chgoman]

All I can say is GREAT! I've done a lot of home improvement and remodeling over the last few years and that is really a great product if it works as specified. I'm actually just about to add some couter lights under my kitchen cabinet, so I'll give it a shot. It'll save me from having to break open 10 feet of wall to run the electrical over. The switch looks a little funny, but better than all the work I'd have to do otherwise. If they can make the switch a little smaller to look more like modern toggle switches, that would be great.

[brainsmile]

We've had very few returns and over 99% satisfaction rate.

[verve247]

reminds me of X10 hardware.

[brainsmile]

it does but it has none of the problems of x-10

Lightning Switch does not directly compete with X-10 and other battery-powered remotes… I ran across this info on the Smarthome site when looking for something else. 20 of Smarthome.com's 42 “Help” Pages (287 questions in all) are entirely dedicated to addressing X-10 problems.

Smarthome has no pages on its site for help with Lightning Switch problems (we have sold out here when it's offered).


This particular Q & A is useful to understand, if any of our potential clients bring up X-10.

What devices are known to interfere with X10 Commands?

There are many devices in most homes, which interfere with the X10 signal, preventing it from getting to its destination. Some have circuits which eliminate noise (conditioners). These circuits absorb the X10 signal, making it weaker throughout the house. Other devices put noise on the power line making it difficult for the X10 signal to be heard.

The following lists of devices are likely to interfere with X10 signals. If you've already found the device Click Here to read more about the solution.

Signal Absorbers (Complex electronic power supplies with built in conditioning circuits, which absorb X10)

· Televisions
· Computers: Clone-type computers seem to be more of a problem than name brands
· Computer monitors: No-name brands are bigger problems than big name brands
· Laptop computer power supplies: NEC is a known problem
· Ozone/Air ionizers and filters
· Game Systems: Nintendo, X-Box, PlayStation, etc.
· Audio/Video components: Satellite receivers, CD players, VCRs, DVD players, Cable boxes, Tape Decks, TIVOs, AV Receivers.
· MIDI musical instruments Synthesizers, Electronic pianos, Drum machines, Mixers, Reverbs, etc.
· Fax machines
· Surge-protection power strips, UPS's, and Power Conditioners.


Noisemakers (Devices that actually put out electrical noise onto the electrical line)

· HID lighting
· Motors: Refrigerator, heating systems, pumps, attic fans, treadmills
· Microwave Ovens
· Transformer-based lighting that use solid-state (electronic) transformers
· Fluorescent-based lighting and ballast transformers
· Failed or failing X10 transmitters, most commonly RR501 (4005X)
· Other Transformers: Cell phone chargers, Toothbrush chargers, Razors, etc.

[brainsmile]

oh well thanks for the limited feedback :)

[guiseppewv]

Cool product.

What did NASA use it for? I would hope they had switches already built into the ISS. :)

You might want to explain what piezoelectric means. Some EEs and what not, like me, know but to others it might be gobley-gook. BTW - I saw piezoelectric in your FAQ.

Some of the other technical jargon might be a little too much for the average person. Hopefully it is electricians and maintenance people that are mainly looking at the FAQ.

[brainsmile]

A material that generates an electric charge when mechanically deformed. Conversely, when an external electric field is applied to piezoelectric materials they mechanically deform.

Piezoelectric ceramics are used in myriad applications ranging from generating exquisitely controlled forces at the microscopic level to developing tremendous forces at the macro level. Piezoelectric ceramics, and in particular PZT ceramic, are used in inexpensive but rugged sensors as well as multi-layer transformers for generating high voltages without any EMI. In fact, there are too many applications to cover in a single article, but the basic principals in this primer can be used to both understand and design piezoelectric structures and devices.

Piezoelectric ceramics have unusual properties in both the electrical and mechanical domains. So if it's been a while since you shook hands with the dielectric constant or Hooke's Law, see Reviewing the Equations for High-Permittivity Dielectrics and Bridging the Mechanical and Electrical Worlds.

[verve247]

It still doesn't seem to be above and beyond what x10 can do. Granted I have never dealt with the intereference issues you mentioned. All it seems to really do is add a convience factor of where you want your switch. You still need wires for your appliance. Seems like more of a luxury or novelty product than useful in HUD. If you are not careful, it might go the way of the clapper. Does Home Depot carry it?

It would be nice if there were multiple buttons on a single transmitter.

[eSDee]

I looked at the vids today. Looks like a cool product :thumb:

[seqiro]

That web page has a serious defect in Safari. At least on MY powerbook. Everything in the right frame above the PATH information scrolls. And I mean everything. :)

[brainsmile]

I looked at the vids today. Looks like a cool product :thumb:
Thanks man... coming from you that means more :)

I'm hopeful HUD feels the same.