» Frequently Asked Questions
We're often asked a lot of questions about our products and technology. We've answered some of the most common below. If you don't find the question or answer you're looking for, be sure to contact us and we'll do our best to answer it for you.
- How about garage door openers?
Yes, this technology will work for garage door openers. Garage door openers are typically controlled by a very few transmission codes and therefore if you drive around your neighborhood enough, hitting your garage door transmitter you will open a garage.
Once the controller/receiver is installed, and since each one can learn up to 30 switches, you can now get a secure door, from many locations - multiple cars, the garage, and the house.
- Will I turn my neighbour or co-workers lights on or off?
The transmission from every switch or sensor is unique. Designed based on a 32 bit code there are close to 5 million unique transmissions. You will never turn anything on except what you have programmed the switch to.
- I need a three way switch - is this easy to do?
This technology is designed to make it easy. The controller/receivers can learn up to 30 unique switches. Simply wire the receiver ahead of the load and program the switches to it. The programming takes seconds and the only tool required is a pen and then surface mount the switches where you want them.
- I have a log home
Log homes are a great application for this product. Getting an additional switch point is very difficult, it can also be very damaging to the timber in the home. Wireless switches surface mount on the timber.
- What is the range of the transmission?
The range of the transmission depends on the environment around the receiver. Metal is not a friend to radio so planning your installation is very important in ensuring that a signal is received. Generally, transmission ranges indoors is 20 - 30 meters and outdoors is 200-300 meters. Construction materials and placement will all affect reliability.
- Is programming the technology easy?
- Echoflex’s products are a combination of unique transmitters and controllers/receivers thatneed to be learned to each other. The intelligence of the solutions are inthe controller/receiver, while the transmitter’s send data turn off or on, temperature,Light level, humidity etc.The process for learning a switch to a controller/receiver takes secondsTO PROGRAM THE SWITCH TO THE CONTROLLER, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS;INSTALL THE CONTROLLER AS PER THE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED.USING A PEN HOLD THE CLEAR BUTTON DOWN UNTIL THE UNIT STARTS TO CYCLE. YOU SHOULDBE ABLE TO HEAR THE RELAY.PUSH THE SWITCH ON SO THAT THE CONTROLLER RECEIVES THESIGNAL. THE CONTROLLER WILL ENGAGE IN THE ON POSITION.WAIT UNTIL THE UNIT BEGINS CYCLING AGAIN. DO NOT ACTIVATE THE TRANSMITTER AGAINTHIS WILL UNLEARN THE TRANSMITTER.REPEAT 3 AND 4 UP TO 30 TIMES OR PRESS LEARN TO STOP THE LEARN PROCESS.THE CONTROLLER AND SWITCH(S) SHOULD NOW BE PROGRAMED TO EACH OTHER.TO PROGRAM ADDITIONAL SWITCHES PUSH THE LEARN BUTTON UNTIL THE UNITSTARTS TO CYCLE AND GO BACK TO #3. (EACH CONTROLLER CAN LEARN UP TO30 SWITCHES).TO UNLEARN A SWITCH, PUSH THE LEARN BUTTON AND ONCE THE UNITS STARTSCYCLING, PRESS THE SWITCH AND WAIT. ONCE BACK INTO CYCLING MODE PRESSLEARN AGAIN TO STOP PROCESS. THE SWITCH SHOULD NOW BE UNLEARNED BY THE CONTROLLER.THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE ALSO PRINTED ON THE SIDE OF THE CONTROL UNIT.
- What makes your Switches Wireless?
Our switches and sensors are wireless as they are transmitters. Each switch or sensor transmits a unique (32 bit) code - no two are the same. The wireless signal is received by a controller that is positioned ahead of the load and specific transmissions are learned to specific receivers.
- How is your Technology Environmentally Friendly?
The technology is environmentally friendly in three ways.
1. it is wireless and therefore there is a significant reduction in the amount of wire (copper) used. It is estimated that a 450 square meter space that is wireless will save approximately 1 kilometer of copper wire.
2. there are other wireless solutions but very few that are self powered. Self powered meaning they do not require batteries - EVER. The savings in terms of the environmental disposal issues associates with batteries is significant. Every year 100's of millions of batteries go into the landfills.
3. the largest environmental factor of all is that our products are designed to optimize the energy used by lights and heating and cooling. Energy savings through needs based lighting and room use specific heating and cooling are significant. Savings in excess of 50% of the current costs can be derived.