EPV 5Si presence detector

[Russ]

Has anyone used these:
http://www.epvelectronics.com/en/occupancy_sensors_presence_detectors/24v-occupancy-sensors/up-to-5m-ceiling_height_24v/pm-24v-5lsi-.html
http://www.luxindo.eu/en/epv-sale-epv-occupancy-sensor-pm-24v-5si-dim-maste.html

Small, 24v presence detector that provides 0-10 for light levels plus the motion detect and designed to integrate with Loxone for around 55 euros, with suggested RJ12 wiring (6 pairs telephone wire).  I'm thinking of getting a few but would be interested to know if anyone else has used them or has another better suggestion.
Russ

[David]

Looks interesting and appears to offer the right functionality. Note you need an extra spring clip if to mount in ceiling where you can't get to the other side. 

Very interested in your experience with them. Not seen anything else at that price point. 

Cheers David

[Kevp]

I suppose the real question is is it worth saving £20 per sensor over the Loxone motion tree but have to deal with the extra labour and parts for wiring in the panel, extra space taken up with terminal blocks on the din rail, running extra cables and messing about with RJ12 connectors.

On Sunday, 23 July 2017 22:07:05 UTC+1, Russ wrote:

[David]

The Loxone sensors are good and integrate well - however they are only surface mount, not recessed into the ceiling. I wish they made on recessed.

Also the Air is approx +£30 and the Tree version +£20 over these which mounts up when buying in quantity. Also to move to tree you need to spend £87 on the tree extension.

So if Loxone prices were a little keener, and they had a recessed device it would be Loxone without a doubt. 

Until then other suppliers will find niches and we will test them out....

Cheers David

[Kevp]

I suppose them not being recessed is an issue to some people who want discreteness.

I will guess that you may be an installer so may I ask what sort of switches do you usually install?  I have looked at alternatives (and used some) to the Loxone touch switches but by the time you price in additional labor, 8x2 terminal blocks, extensions or DI extensions then I find it usually ends up being more expensive.

I think for large projects Tree does allow more to be fit into one panel, certainly saves room on the din rail used for terminations, In fact that is the problem I find most now that quite a few of the projects are going to 24 vdc lighting as you can fit so many more devices and circuits into the panel that the top din rail just isn't big enough on future automation panels for all the terminals and extra panels can be quite costly once they are outfitted with a set of RCBOs.

[Duncan]

another alternative option is the vantage at around £45 each.

FL-MS-MINI-360-33

http://dealer.vantagecontrols.com/products/details.php?category=a0M800000049qPNEAY&id=01tC00000039RMZIA2

these are microscopic, around 30mm diameter and paintable white surround so almost invisible, and push-fit into a hole in the plasterboard - like the EPV they are open-collector so silent, the only downside is they run off 12v not 24v, so you need a cheap small 12v psu as well as the pullup resistor to a digital input.

[Russ]

Having being burned in our last home by a one-vendor solution where the vendor's "next gen" devices meant that half of the house couldn't talk to the other half, and oh, the prices have increased another 50%, I won't be climbing the Loxone Tree for the near future.  Star topology wiring and KNX cabling means if the Loxone goes under I will still have great options.  Of course, this is just me and my personal foibles.  Also labour is free (self-build), extra cabling is negligible, and I have space for terminal blocks.

OTOH, I'm actually going to surface mount these as the ceiling is brick-and-mortar and I don't want to lower it.  EPV has a surface mount adapter as well.

I'll try them out and report back.

[Yannick Kalokerinos]

I was checking these out just yesterday. Will order two of them for mounting in a recessed ceiling.

Will try to report on them.