Simarine Light Switch

1. Introduction

Simarine's Light Switch is a multifunctional 12V DC double switch with integrated dimmers. It can be used in all 12V DC installations for LED lights and other devices with a maximum current load of 5A. It features two independent buttons with DC dimming functionality for 12V LEDs. The power source is common for both buttons, and each button independently controls one channel. Width modulation with 400Hz and 12V pulse is implemented for LED dimming. Simarine's SICOM allows the switch to be used in multiple ways, controlling one or more lights from different locations. Each switch has two 16-position rotary switches.

2. Safety

Only qualified electricians with proper safety equipment should perform the installation of Simarine electronics. When working with batteries, wear protective clothing and eye protection.

CAUTION: Do NOT connect anything to a damaged battery. It could heat up, catch fire, or explode.

3. Overview

The Light Switch is available in two colors: black and silver.

Button Functionality:

• Short press of switch 1 or switch 2: ON/OFF
• Long press of switch 1 or switch 2: Dimmer functionality

If two channels are connected in parallel, the current limit doubles (10A). If two light switches are connected via a SiCOM cable, the second switch does not require an additional power source as it shares the same address as the first switch.

5. Installation

5.1 Operation

The multifunctional switch can be connected in a daisy chain to operate in multiway switching. It can operate in three modes:

• PWM mode (Pulse Width Modulation) for dimming LED lights.
• ON/OFF mode for switching 12V ON or 0V OFF on outputs.

Both buttons can simultaneously control both outputs (only in PWM and On/Off mode).

5.2 Mounting

CAUTION: Install the power unit in a clean and dry place protected from accidental spilling of liquids.

All measurements are in millimeters (mm).

[Diagram showing mounting dimensions of the light switch]

5.3 Cables

CAUTION: Failure to observe the required cable cross-sections can damage the shunt, wiring, or cause a fire.

SiCOM data cable:

• For the SiCOM connection, use the supplied cable.

5.4 Detailed view

• J1: female RJ9 connector - SiCOM communication
• J2: female RJ9 connector - SiCOM communication

CH1:

• SW3 – 16-position rotary switch – Switch Address (Orange) [See page 10]
• SW4 - Two toggle DIP switch - Control both outputs (Yellow) [See page 12]

CH2:

• SW5 - Two toggle DIP switch – Enable/disable write lights status to non-volatile memory (Blue) [See page 13]
• SW6 - 16-position rotary switch – Buttons Address (Purple) [See page 11]

[Diagram showing the connections and components of the light switch, including J1, J2, CH1, CH2, and numbered terminals]

Terminal Connections:

1. To DC power source negative terminal (GND)
2. To DC power source positive terminal (+12V)
3. Positive terminal to LED light (CH1+)
4. Negative terminal to LED light (CH1-)
5. Positive terminal to LED light (CH2+)
6. Negative terminal to LED light (CH2-)

6. Multiway switching

SiCOM communication standard is implemented to enable multiway switching. Each switch has two RJ9 four-pin female connectors. Connect one switch with another using a SiCOM cable with RJ9 male connectors on both ends. The implemented communications standard is RS485 physical layer standard. The maximum number of devices connected to the same bus is 32, and the overall length of the SiCOM serial bus must not exceed 30 meters. Proper addresses must be set to enable communications between multifunctional switches. Each rotary switch has 16 positions labeled from 0 to F (hexadecimal number system).

6.1 Setting addresses

Two rotary switches, SW3 and SW6, are on the multifunctional switch and have a total of 16 positions (1 to F - hex number system). These switches are used to set up the unique address for the switch and buttons on the switch. The button represents the smallest entity that needs to be addressed for multiway switching to operate properly. If a button on one multifunctional switch has the same address as a button on a second switch, then both are configured for multiway switching. To use three or more switches in multiway switching, all switches must have the same address for one button.

Rotary switch SW3 is used to address the multifunction switch itself. Rotary switch SW6 is used to address buttons on the multifunctional switch.

Factory default for SW3 is position 0, and for SW6 is position 1.

6.2 Rotary switch SW3

To enable communication between two or more multifunctional switches, all SW3 rotary switches must be set to the same position. SW3 determines the high part of the button address. The high part is the same for the complete switch. The lower part of the button address is determined with SW6. If two or more switches need to work in multiway switching, then all of them must have the same high part address – SW3 must be set to the same position.

Example: SW3 rotary switch is set to position "2" on the multifunctional switch.

[Image of a rotary switch labeled with numbers and letters]

6.3 Rotary switch SW6

SW6 rotary switch sets the address for the buttons. One position on the SW6 switch defines the address for button 1 and button 2. Each button can be set to work in multiway switching or not; this is established with the proper position on SW6.

Example: SW6 rotary switch is set to position "8" - defines addresses for both buttons.

[Image of a rotary switch labeled with numbers and letters]

6.3.1 Table SW6 address positions

The addresses for button 1 and button 2 are defined by the position of the SW6 rotary switch. It is important to know which position defines what address.

This table contains the list of SW6 positions and associated addresses for Button 1 and Button 2 on the multifunctional switch.

The complete address for each button is a combination of the SW3 address and the SW6 address from the table above. When the SW6 rotary switch is in the "F" position, button 1 and button 2 have the same address. In this case, communication is not possible or makes no sense, as the received message cannot be assigned to the proper button.

7. Simultaneously Control Both Outputs

Note: Factory default is this option disabled.

The multifunctional switch can be set to simultaneously control two outputs with both buttons. This is possible only in the PWM and ON/OFF modes. When one button is pressed, both outputs are either ON or OFF. When one button is continuously pressed, dimming starts on both outputs.

The SW4 DIP switch is used to enable both buttons to simultaneously control both outputs. Default in this option is OFF.

Example: SW4 toggle switches are set to ON - buttons control all outputs.

[Diagram showing SW4 toggle switch positions]

8. Saving light status

Note: Factory default in this option is disabled.

The multifunctional switch can be enabled to save the states of outputs (ON/OFF, dimming index) in non-volatile memory. This option can be enabled with SW5. The status of the switch is saved 6 seconds after any changes on outputs.

SW5 toggle switches positions enable saving the state of lights.

[Diagram showing SW5 toggle switch positions]

9. Setup modes of operation

Factory default mode is the PWM mode. To select ON/OFF or Push Button mode, the switch must be set up. The best time to change the mode is right before installation.

When one or both buttons are in setup mode, the RGB color LED around the button will flash. Each mode flashes in its own color:

9.1 Setup procedure

The setup procedure is as follows:

1. Before entering the setup mode, the multifunctional switch must be disconnected, or the power source must be turned OFF.
2. To enter setup, press the button (or both simultaneously) before turning the power source ON.
3. While pressing the button, turn the power source ON. After the power is ON, hold the button for 3 seconds.
4. After 3 seconds have passed, the light around the button will start to flash in the color associated with the mode (Magenta - factory default). The button is now in setup mode.
5. Pressing and releasing the button will change the setup mode. Modes are changed in a round-robin fashion (PWM → ON/OFF → Push button → back to PWM, and so on in a circle).
6. When the proper mode is selected, it must be saved to be activated. Saving new settings is done by pressing the button for at least 3 seconds. The setting will be saved in the flash memory, and the light around the button will flash 4 times in blue if saving was OK. If any error occurs during saving, the light will flash red.

Note: If both buttons were pressed to enter setup mode, then both must be pressed to save new settings; otherwise, a timeout will occur, and the new settings will not be saved. In this case, both settings are saved.

If saving was successful, the blue light will flash four times. This indicates that the switch is ready to work in the new mode. The newly saved setting is now stored in non-volatile memory. The button will remain in this mode until it is changed again in setup mode and will not lose settings when the power is off.

10. Technical specifications

[Placeholder for technical specifications, as they are not detailed in the provided pages]