I propose a small device that 'buffers' the switching on of a side lamp so that it doesn't instantly come on.

This device shall be a small electric circuit (a capacitor, small op-amp, pot and other shiny trinkets) that 'ramps up' the on signal over a period of 4 seconds (or other defined time).

Dimmer switches are nothing new... The unique (I hope) part of the idea is that this said switch shall be a mains adaptor that is plugged in between the lamp and the power socket.

[I've tried and failed to find a device like this...any justified shouts of 'Baked' and I shall implode this idea forthwith]
-- Jinbish, Sep 10 2002

Phosphorescent Pyjamas http://www.halfbake...horescent_20pyjamas
By [hippo] [Jinbish, Sep 10 2002, last modified Oct 17 2004]

X10 mini timer http://www.smarthome.com/1100x.html
fade on and off your bedside lamp and more. Think of it like a butler in a box [hollajam, Sep 10 2002, last modified Oct 17 2004]

sunrisesimulator http://www.sunrisesimulator.com/
gentle morning stimulation.... [hollajam, Sep 10 2002, last modified Oct 17 2004]

Grafik 6000 http://www.lutron.c...fikeye/grx6000.html
Bring money. [bristolz, Sep 10 2002, last modified Oct 17 2004]

Tash products -- Very interesting http://www.tashinc.com/toc.html
My search query "soft switches" led me to this site and a truly amazing collection of computer peripherals for special purposes (disabled access, tight spaces, etc). The prices are crazy high, though. [bristolz, Sep 11 2002, last modified Oct 17 2004]

Lumie Bodyclock http://www.innovati...GHCUNN9EJP5VD4T73P3
A snip at £99.99 [PeterSilly, Sep 12 2002, last modified Oct 17 2004]

graduated eyeopening
-- General Washington, Sep 10 2002


This can be made with about GBP £5 of bits - it's a basic "soft starter". I've never seen one for domestic use. And I like the idea.

Some low-energy bulbs have this characteristic. The one in my bathroom takes about 30 seconds to go from 30-40% to 100% and that's quite nice at night.

Croissant.
-- 8th of 7, Sep 10 2002


[Jinbish], I think you would like X10 home automation technology. [Link] This innocent looking bedside unit alarm clock dims on and off table lamp for starters. Can also command instant-on hall, bath or other lights plus turn your coffee pot on all from your bed before you even roll over.
-- hollajam, Sep 10 2002


[hollajam]: I've seen different timers before...but never the cool 'Master Control Panel' that you have linked to. If I got that, I'd turn into a complete control freak.
-- Jinbish, Sep 10 2002


Jinbish, this [Link] is a device that I've had until I wore it out. It graduates the light on automatically at the speed that you set it for. From three hours from start to full bright or one minute. It will dim out likewise. One touch to override timer settings. Plug up to 400watts into the box. I used a track light system and four 50 watt halogens. It is an absolute luxury to wake up this gentle. This one is more simple than X10 technology. Stand alone box that simply plugs in to wall. I repeat it is an absolute luxury to wake up this gentle!
-- hollajam, Sep 10 2002


My dad wanted to do this for model trains - "it's unrealistic, my son, for trains just to stop suddenly. They fade to a halt." Mad as a hatter, my dad.
-- PeterSilly, Sep 10 2002


Yes, that was rather an unfair cut of mine earlier, this is a useful feasible idea that will give pleasure. [+1]
-- General Washington, Sep 10 2002


I've got a 40 year old widget that does this...or would, if the piece that did it hadn't blown. It was designed for tube radios, to keep the tubes' filaments from blowing by gradually easing them from off to on. Plug the widget into the wall, plug the <foo> into the widget, and bob's your uncle.

I took it apart when I got it to see why it wasn't working. It consisted of a piece about the size of a marble, a resistor and a lightbulb. I'm pretty sure the lightbulb wasn't necessary, just to let you know it was running. The whole thing was in a box about the size of a VCR tape, if you cut it in half across the short dimension and stacked it. Most of it was empty space; the whole thing could easily fit into a wall wart if you left the bulb out.
-- StarChaser, Sep 11 2002


StarChaser, that might have been a negative temperature coefficient resistor, that heats up (possibly aided by a normal resistor as well) and gradually reaches a low resistance supplying full current. I remeber NTC resistors were used to protect projector bulbs (filaments have a much lower resistance when cold, allowing a high current inrush).
-- pfperry, Sep 12 2002



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