Philips Hue Lighting - owners thread
Discussion
spants said:
This is a part of the kitchen that I have used the fls-pp hue compatible controllers with 'cheaper' RGBWW led strips.
I have arranged it all in levels - top, under cabinet (and inside glass display cabinet) and also underneath the granite on the peninsular (not shown).
I used the fls-pp controllers as they can drive 12v and 24v strips at longer lengths. As the whole kitchen was being done, I had the luxury of burying the wiring - it all fans out from the small loft hatch. The fls-pp saves the last setting so that the mains light switch can power them off and on.
The RGBWW are seen as two bulbs - colour and white - allowing you to have the standard white under cabinet look.
It is all now controlled by Hue apps (inc Hue Disco), Node Red (home automation) and Alexa
(Kitchen from DIY Kitchens, granite and flooring from local east sussex suppliers. Next job is to replace brown doors and windows :-))
Looks good I'm really interested in using this in some coving that I have in the hallway, it's probably 20m in a loop. Would that be two lengths.I have arranged it all in levels - top, under cabinet (and inside glass display cabinet) and also underneath the granite on the peninsular (not shown).
I used the fls-pp controllers as they can drive 12v and 24v strips at longer lengths. As the whole kitchen was being done, I had the luxury of burying the wiring - it all fans out from the small loft hatch. The fls-pp saves the last setting so that the mains light switch can power them off and on.
The RGBWW are seen as two bulbs - colour and white - allowing you to have the standard white under cabinet look.
It is all now controlled by Hue apps (inc Hue Disco), Node Red (home automation) and Alexa
(Kitchen from DIY Kitchens, granite and flooring from local east sussex suppliers. Next job is to replace brown doors and windows :-))
stirling37 said:
Looks good I'm really interested in using this in some coving that I have in the hallway, it's probably 20m in a loop. Would that be two lengths.
You can use the fls-pp and booster(s) along the strip to use it as one/two lights. With long lengths, if you can get away with using lower density strips it will be better.The lights can take a lot of power so having the boosters to inject the power along the strip rather than trying to put it in one end (which causes overheating of tracks and dimming of the far leds)
Been dabbling with a few hue lights - 5 white, 2 colour, a strip and a bloom. Is there an app that will play through subtle changes throughout the day to mimic daylight? e.g. cold blue/white in the morning, into pale yellow through the day, into orange and red for sunset?
The only way I can think of doing it is creating different scenes in the Hue App, each one with a subtle change in colour, then sequencing them on a timer in 'my routines' through the day...... but I don't think the changes will be subtle enough. I want them to be almost imperceivable...
The only way I can think of doing it is creating different scenes in the Hue App, each one with a subtle change in colour, then sequencing them on a timer in 'my routines' through the day...... but I don't think the changes will be subtle enough. I want them to be almost imperceivable...
Looking for some pointers for Hue lights....
Over a period of time I've bought Hue light & colour bulbs. The bulbs are good and the ability to subtly change the colour of rooms is fantastic....but....
I just can't gel with "smart lights"...you have to leave them switched on at the wall all the time and even with a ton of apple gear and a few of the Philips controllers it is a pain to control them. Also without a Hue tap (which is bulky and ugly) I find it very difficult to select a particular lighting scheme, let alone automatically have the system vary the lighting at particular times of day etc.
I recently bought a 10 pound glass plate RC lightswitch on ebay, while it isnt really smart it comes with a UK size wall plate and a little remote control that lets me switch 4 rooms...in short it is actually a far more useable product than the very expensive Hue.
Here is a simple example...if I buy the Hue IR sensor and put it in the bathroom, I can't see a way of programing the system to have a very dim scene at night and a bright one in the day. This would seem to me to be an obvious use for the sensor so the software should be able to do this.
This may read like a mini rant but I'm v interested in any thoughts or pointers!
Over a period of time I've bought Hue light & colour bulbs. The bulbs are good and the ability to subtly change the colour of rooms is fantastic....but....
I just can't gel with "smart lights"...you have to leave them switched on at the wall all the time and even with a ton of apple gear and a few of the Philips controllers it is a pain to control them. Also without a Hue tap (which is bulky and ugly) I find it very difficult to select a particular lighting scheme, let alone automatically have the system vary the lighting at particular times of day etc.
I recently bought a 10 pound glass plate RC lightswitch on ebay, while it isnt really smart it comes with a UK size wall plate and a little remote control that lets me switch 4 rooms...in short it is actually a far more useable product than the very expensive Hue.
Here is a simple example...if I buy the Hue IR sensor and put it in the bathroom, I can't see a way of programing the system to have a very dim scene at night and a bright one in the day. This would seem to me to be an obvious use for the sensor so the software should be able to do this.
This may read like a mini rant but I'm v interested in any thoughts or pointers!
MrCheese said:
Looking for some pointers for Hue lights....
Over a period of time I've bought Hue light & colour bulbs. The bulbs are good and the ability to subtly change the colour of rooms is fantastic....but....
I just can't gel with "smart lights"...you have to leave them switched on at the wall all the time and even with a ton of apple gear and a few of the Philips controllers it is a pain to control them. Also without a Hue tap (which is bulky and ugly) I find it very difficult to select a particular lighting scheme, let alone automatically have the system vary the lighting at particular times of day etc.
I recently bought a 10 pound glass plate RC lightswitch on ebay, while it isnt really smart it comes with a UK size wall plate and a little remote control that lets me switch 4 rooms...in short it is actually a far more useable product than the very expensive Hue.
Here is a simple example...if I buy the Hue IR sensor and put it in the bathroom, I can't see a way of programing the system to have a very dim scene at night and a bright one in the day. This would seem to me to be an obvious use for the sensor so the software should be able to do this.
This may read like a mini rant but I'm v interested in any thoughts or pointers!
Get an Amazon Echo Dot and set it up so that you can tell your lights to work. My system has been a revelation since I set that up. Still having some trouble with scenes, though...Over a period of time I've bought Hue light & colour bulbs. The bulbs are good and the ability to subtly change the colour of rooms is fantastic....but....
I just can't gel with "smart lights"...you have to leave them switched on at the wall all the time and even with a ton of apple gear and a few of the Philips controllers it is a pain to control them. Also without a Hue tap (which is bulky and ugly) I find it very difficult to select a particular lighting scheme, let alone automatically have the system vary the lighting at particular times of day etc.
I recently bought a 10 pound glass plate RC lightswitch on ebay, while it isnt really smart it comes with a UK size wall plate and a little remote control that lets me switch 4 rooms...in short it is actually a far more useable product than the very expensive Hue.
Here is a simple example...if I buy the Hue IR sensor and put it in the bathroom, I can't see a way of programing the system to have a very dim scene at night and a bright one in the day. This would seem to me to be an obvious use for the sensor so the software should be able to do this.
This may read like a mini rant but I'm v interested in any thoughts or pointers!
MrCheese said:
Looking for some pointers for Hue lights....
Over a period of time I've bought Hue light & colour bulbs. The bulbs are good and the ability to subtly change the colour of rooms is fantastic....but....
I just can't gel with "smart lights"...you have to leave them switched on at the wall all the time and even with a ton of apple gear and a few of the Philips controllers it is a pain to control them. Also without a Hue tap (which is bulky and ugly) I find it very difficult to select a particular lighting scheme, let alone automatically have the system vary the lighting at particular times of day etc.
I recently bought a 10 pound glass plate RC lightswitch on ebay, while it isnt really smart it comes with a UK size wall plate and a little remote control that lets me switch 4 rooms...in short it is actually a far more useable product than the very expensive Hue.
Here is a simple example...if I buy the Hue IR sensor and put it in the bathroom, I can't see a way of programing the system to have a very dim scene at night and a bright one in the day. This would seem to me to be an obvious use for the sensor so the software should be able to do this.
This may read like a mini rant but I'm v interested in any thoughts or pointers!
That's exactly how the sensor works, but you need the sensor to be able to enter the settings for it!Over a period of time I've bought Hue light & colour bulbs. The bulbs are good and the ability to subtly change the colour of rooms is fantastic....but....
I just can't gel with "smart lights"...you have to leave them switched on at the wall all the time and even with a ton of apple gear and a few of the Philips controllers it is a pain to control them. Also without a Hue tap (which is bulky and ugly) I find it very difficult to select a particular lighting scheme, let alone automatically have the system vary the lighting at particular times of day etc.
I recently bought a 10 pound glass plate RC lightswitch on ebay, while it isnt really smart it comes with a UK size wall plate and a little remote control that lets me switch 4 rooms...in short it is actually a far more useable product than the very expensive Hue.
Here is a simple example...if I buy the Hue IR sensor and put it in the bathroom, I can't see a way of programing the system to have a very dim scene at night and a bright one in the day. This would seem to me to be an obvious use for the sensor so the software should be able to do this.
This may read like a mini rant but I'm v interested in any thoughts or pointers!
Deal on Amazon for the GU10 starter kit from £149 to £119
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ambiance-Wireless...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ambiance-Wireless...
MrCheese said:
Here is a simple example...if I buy the Hue IR sensor and put it in the bathroom, I can't see a way of programing the system to have a very dim scene at night and a bright one in the day. This would seem to me to be an obvious use for the sensor so the software should be able to do this.
This may read like a mini rant but I'm v interested in any thoughts or pointers!
Here you go, this is mineThis may read like a mini rant but I'm v interested in any thoughts or pointers!
It is set as follows:
Between 4pm-8pm it will come on with the sensor as a bright light.
From 8pm to 4pm it will come on with the sensor as a night night.
However, because you can also set the sensitivity for both light and motion, it will not come on in the day time at all.
So based on the time of year, in the summer when the evenings are lighter, if it is after 4pm and still enough daylight it will not turn it on, but on a dark winter night it will do.
Also, because it is light enough in the mornings, it will not come on at all even though it is set as a nightlight right through to 4pm.
It is also set to turn off after 1 minute no matter what time of day it is.
So now, no one ever has to touch the landing light switch
Hope that helps
Edited by djdest on Friday 18th November 12:06
They're on there. I've found myself with two spare hubs because Amazon's starter kit prices are cheaper than buying three bulbs separately...
Search for "hue starter", e.g.:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ambiance-Wireless...
for bayonets. The screw threads do seem to have shot up in price, though. If you need screws, get some cheap adaptors off ebay (and watch your house burn down...)?
Search for "hue starter", e.g.:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ambiance-Wireless...
for bayonets. The screw threads do seem to have shot up in price, though. If you need screws, get some cheap adaptors off ebay (and watch your house burn down...)?
The new colour bulb is currently £29.99 on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LVUZQNX/?ta...
djdest said:
MrCheese said:
Here is a simple example...if I buy the Hue IR sensor and put it in the bathroom, I can't see a way of programing the system to have a very dim scene at night and a bright one in the day. This would seem to me to be an obvious use for the sensor so the software should be able to do this.
This may read like a mini rant but I'm v interested in any thoughts or pointers!
Here you go, this is mineThis may read like a mini rant but I'm v interested in any thoughts or pointers!
It is set as follows:
Between 4pm-8pm it will come on with the sensor as a bright light.
From 8pm to 4pm it will come on with the sensor as a night night.
However, because you can also set the sensitivity for both light and motion, it will not come on in the day time at all.
So based on the time of year, in the summer when the evenings are lighter, if it is after 4pm and still enough daylight it will not turn it on, but on a dark winter night it will do.
Also, because it is light enough in the mornings, it will not come on at all even though it is set as a nightlight right through to 4pm.
It is also set to turn off after 1 minute no matter what time of day it is.
So now, no one ever has to touch the landing light switch
Hope that helps
Edited by djdest on Friday 18th November 12:06
As far as I can see, it can only operate a whole room; not individual bulbs. In my kitchen I have a coloured underglow to the units plus a pendant light. If I set the kitchen up on the sensor, then it has to be assigned to the kitchen room with which those two lights are associated. When it activates, it then sets both lights to the same colour and the same brightness, destroying the scene.
So it may well work fine for hallways and the like, but any room with a scene seems to be out.
Or have I missed something?
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff