Dimmer module that can be set to ramp up

[JDRoberts]

There are several, including the GE that you already have, but two different things are required.

First, you have to set the parameters for the ramp rate appropriately. You may be able to do this just by tapping the little gear icon on the device’s details page. See the following thread for discussion of how to do that:

Turn On instead of "Dim On" - GE Z-Wave Lighting Module, 12718

Hey everybody, I’ve got one these nice GE z-wave lighting module dimmers (12718). When I first set it up I somewhere remember an option listed whether I’d like the switch to turn on instantly or “dim on”. I originally selected the “dim on” feature but now realize it’s a bit annoying because it takes forever to turn on. Does anyone know how I can just have the module turn my lamp on at 100% all the time? Any help is appreciated. Thanks! -Jake

If that doesn’t expose the correct parameters, you can use the Z wave tweaker device type. You just temporarily assign the device to the tweaker, make the parameter changes, and then assign it back to your everyday device type handler.

[OBSOLETE] Z-Wave Tweaker

z-wave Tweaker Version: 0.08 (2017-03-16) Source: https://github.com/codersaur/SmartThings/tree/master/devices/zwave-tweaker This is a device handler to assist with interrogating and tweaking Z-Wave devices. It’s designed for end-users who want to tweak their devices and for developers who want to quickly discover and report the functionality of new devices. It is intended to temporarily replace a device’s normal device handler. Key features in v0.08: Discover association groups, multi-channel endpoints, and configuration parameters. Configure association group members from the SmartThings GUI. Configure parameter values from the SmartThings GUI. Configure Protection and Switch_All modes from the SmartThings GUI. Discover supported meter/alarm/notification/sensor report types. Automa…

And here’s the manufacturer page for the GE models on the various parameters:

http://www.ezzwave.com/advanced-operation/

OK, that’s the first part. Second, your everyday device type handler has to not try to force full on each time. As it happens, about two years ago a lot of people were complaining about the ramp up behavior, and many of the device types were modified to force “snap on,” the opposite of what you would prefer. I’m not sure if that includes the stock DTH or not, but it might.

If that’s happening, it’s not a big deal to change it, but if you do change it then your new device type Handler Will not be able to run locally because no customized code can run locally. That may be a problem or may not, but if you feel that the device is less responsive when you are using the custom handler that would probably be why.

OK, so it can be done, it can be done with many models, and it can be done with the model you already have. You’ll do a one time parameter configure to get the Settings the way you want, and then you need to make sure the DTH you are using doesn’t try to get around that configuration.

Unfortunately, I am not feeling well today and I can’t walk you through the details of the steps, but I am sure there are many community members who will be glad to help.