Hi here,
two VMB1DM have stopped to work. But when I tried to buy new ones, I can’t find them anywhere.
If they’re end of life, I really want to know what are modules replacement?
By the way, I’m disappointed about Velbus support on long time.
House automation need to be reparable for more than 20 years (my house is fully using Velbus modules).
I need help, because for now, two rooms still in the black. Thanks
Hi Golfy,
I’m sorry to say that, yes, the VMB1DM, VMBDMI & VMBDMI-R are now all End-of-life, as far as production goes.
Still fully supported in Velbuslink and will continue to be.
However, the preferred replacement is now a combination of any Velbus 10v controller and a Finder 15.11 slave dimmer.
To be honest, if you’ve got more than 10 years out of any dimmer of any brand, you’ve done really really really well
Here are the product pages:
These modules can be replaced, and a replacement is listed on the pages.
Releasing a “how to repair” guide would be very zen and helpful
I understand the replacement with a large module and few small modules… but it’s not easy to place if size isn’t enough. Wires need to be modified because 230v input/output and on the bottom of finder 15.11.
Finally, we’ve to program again actions, because 4 VMB1DM could be replaced with 1 VMB8DC (and surprise: VMB4DC out of stock). BTW VMB8DC is 250€TTC but need Finder 15.11 x 8 at 121€TTC… well 1218€ seems to be an expensive solution.
As @MDAR said, at least give us some help to repair ourselves our modules.
Behind that, is Velbus in a financial critical phase?
I am with you there.
I have many rails with lots of VMBDMI-R and whilst it is a lot of wires, it installs very tidily with low voltage on the bottom (and on a VMB-RAIL) and all the high voltage connections on top… you can get a very pleasing set of parallel-running connections from a long line of them.
Replacing a VMBDMIR with VMB4DC and several modules gets very messy.
I mostly like the finder modules, they work well; but I do wish there was a tidier way to install them.
The velbus modules we all know are a very old design now and home-automation is big business… I suppose it is way past time for a redesign/revamp for Velbus to stay modern.
I am very glad they have chosen to stay compatible though even though I have none of the new hardware yet.
I might have a few spare VMBDMI-R if you are desperate for a drop-in rpelacement.
Thanks @EvAndy I appreciate your proposition, but I will try to integrate the new way of cabling. I’ve just a lot of deception because, when you have to choose a technology for a house, it’s not for few years, but at least 20 years… and Velbus have changed many times their dimmer’s modules (VMB1DM, my original modules, VMBDMI, VMBDMI-R, VMB4DC+Finder and now VMB8DC).
In the same time, there are no more support to repair them (where is ecology?).
I’ve a friend which works in electronic, we will try to repair module (that should be a goal for Velbus)…
Thank you for sharing your perspective and for your continued engagement with the Velbus ecosystem. We genuinely value feedback from our users as it helps us refine and improve our offerings.
At Velbus, we remain committed to ensuring backward compatibility with all of our installations. In this particular case, that commitment remains intact. However, as technology evolves, so too must our approach. When it comes to dimmers, the integration of the controller and dimmer into a single module is no longer the most efficient or sustainable design. Dimmers, by their nature, have a limited lifespan, often breaking down after years of service, while controllers are engineered to remain operational for much longer—well beyond our extended 10-year warranty.
This separation of dimmer controllers and power dimmers into distinct modules allows for smarter, more modular systems. It reduces costs and environmental impact over the long term by enabling targeted replacements rather than complete overhauls.
That said, we understand the importance of making transitions to newer modules as seamless and cost-effective as possible. As an unofficial preview: we are currently developing a 2-channel dimmer controller with a 1DIN form factor similar to our VMBUSB module. Paired with a 1DIN Finder slave module, it occupies approximately the same space as the previous 2DIN VMBDMI module. While we don’t yet have an official release date, we are optimistic it will be available this summer. The module is currently undergoing hardware testing.
Regarding your comments on ecology: all new Velbus modules with quick-connect technology are designed with modularity and future upgrades in mind. This approach makes repairs and replacements simpler and more environmentally friendly. If you’re interested, our product presentation provides more insights: Velbus Product Presentation.
Older modules, while designed with a different philosophy, have provided exceptional longevity—often exceeding 10 years of service. While repairing older dimmers like the VMBDMI is technically possible, we strongly advise replacing failed modules. Attempting repairs can sometimes cause further issues or pose risks to your Velbus installation due to undetected internal damage.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to innovate and improve. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help!