Philips Hue Lighting - owners thread

[anonymous-user]

Thank you both.

I've actually just bought a Hue Bridge 2.0 on Ebay today, but then realised I forgot to ask my questions about factory reset/reassignment.

My Hue journey begins! Looking forward to using it around my new home to create a day and evening 'look' with the lighting


Edited to add:

Whilst I do plan on buying a number of Hue bulbs and lamps, is there a way to switch a 3rd party light on and off using Hue? Does Hue produce a module that can act as a 240v switch for other items?

I would like to control my LED lighting which is already fitted under and above my kitchen units, via Hue, so would need a Hue switch device capable of switching an already installed LED system.

I came across these Zigbee switch units that are apparently fully compatible with being controlled by Philips Hue system/app and they look like they would do the job.

Samotech Zigbee Switch Compatible with Hue and Homekit, deConz, Domoticz, SM310 Gateway, EchoPlus, RaspBee, Phoscon (1-Pack SM308) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07XJRBJXT/ref=cm_sw_r...

Anyone have any experience of these?

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 22 September 22:21

[dapprman]

Part wish I'd seen that one about a year back - was after a few and the ones I could find had mixed reviews. When the fluoro tube in my kitchen started to go I went for a new 6 bulb GU10 based unit instead and stuck zigbee bulbs in to that.

On bulbs and plug adapters - I also use INNR white bulbs and plug controllers and they work well - also if you have a LIDL near you keep an eye out for when they have Zigbee stuff in. Not all will work with HUE (the power gang strips and heaters) however their GU10 bulbs and plug adapters are dirt cheap and so far worked well for me.

Edited by dapprman on Thursday 23 September 11:54

[UTH]

Lord Marylebone said:

Edited to add:

Whilst I do plan on buying a number of Hue bulbs and lamps, is there a way to switch a 3rd party light on and off using Hue? Does Hue produce a module that can act as a 240v switch for other items?

I would like to control my LED lighting which is already fitted under and above my kitchen units, via Hue, so would need a Hue switch device capable of switching an already installed LED system.

I came across these Zigbee switch units that are apparently fully compatible with being controlled by Philips Hue system/app and they look like they would do the job.

Samotech Zigbee Switch Compatible with Hue and Homekit, deConz, Domoticz, SM310 Gateway, EchoPlus, RaspBee, Phoscon (1-Pack SM308) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07XJRBJXT/ref=cm_sw_r...

Anyone have any experience of these?

Edited by Lord Marylebone on Wednesday 22 September 22:21

Interesting......as I have the exact same issue as you, LED strips under kitchen units that aren't Hue, so currently the only lights in my house I still need access to the mains wall switch.......

[Carbon Sasquatch]

Lord Marylebone said:

Whilst I do plan on buying a number of Hue bulbs and lamps, is there a way to switch a 3rd party light on and off using Hue? Does Hue produce a module that can act as a 240v switch for other items?

Yes - I have one and has behaved perfectly

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Hue-Bluetooth-Goo...

[random_username]

Lord Marylebone said:

I came across these Zigbee switch units that are apparently fully compatible with being controlled by Philips Hue system/app and they look like they would do the job.

Samotech Zigbee Switch Compatible with Hue and Homekit, deConz, Domoticz, SM310 Gateway, EchoPlus, RaspBee, Phoscon (1-Pack SM308) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07XJRBJXT/ref=cm_sw_r...

Anyone have any experience of these?

I've got one of them running our outside lights, controlled by Hue and a Hue PIR sensor. It's been absolutely fine in the 12 or months it's been installed, even though it's in a waterproof junction box outside. The only minor annoyance is that for the initial pairing, it needs to be right next to the bridge - within half a metre or so, or it will refuse to pair. After that the range is the same as any other Hue device. It appears in the Hue app as a light, and dimming etc works as you'd expect. I vaguely remember it even updated the firmware after initial pairing.

The only thing to watch out for is that there are a few different models of those devices, some are zigbee but not Hue compatible, so check carefully when ordering...

[anonymous-user]

Carbon Sasquatch said:

Lord Marylebone said:

Whilst I do plan on buying a number of Hue bulbs and lamps, is there a way to switch a 3rd party light on and off using Hue? Does Hue produce a module that can act as a 240v switch for other items?

Yes

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Hue-Bluetooth-Goo...

That would be perfect if the items had plugs on the end of them, but as per the above, its a load of LED's that are fitted all over my kitchen and all simply terminate in bare wires waiting for a 240v supply.

Yes, I could use the Hue Plug, but that would mean fitting all the LED driver units with leads and plugs, then fitting plug sockets to all the bare supply wires, then fitting the Hue Plug in the middle of it all.

I think the Zigbee 'bare' 240v switches, which integrate with the Hue app/system, are the answer:

[jollysoutherner]

I use the Samotech dimmer on 16 downlighters in our kitchen and the switch version to control outdoor lights. They work well and appear in the Hue app correctly. They also respond to "kitchen light 20%" via Alexa.

The Dimming can take 2-5 seconds to respond. I use a retractive switch, quick flick to turn on/off and hold to use dimmer functionality. Unit remembers the previous light percentage when you turn the off/on. You can also set a minimum dimming value.

Seem to recall I paid more via Amazon, could buy cheaper direct from them.

Edit: You will need a neutral to power the box, most UK wiring doesn't have this in the wall switch. Will need to pull in a 3-core+CPC to the wall switch or mount the Samotech near the light fitting.

Edited by jollysoutherner on Thursday 23 September 19:41

[loudlashadjuster]

Anyone noticed any barriers/constraints to having bulbs communicating with the Bridge if they are well separated both in terms of physical location, and network topology?

I have about a dozen lights downstairs and the Bridge is in the living room. I want to add some lights in the kids' bedrooms on the second floor so as well as the distance between them, they are also on different access points. Same SSID, but a bit of a convoluted network path, with various switches, APs etc. from different vendors.

Should I expect problems, or will it "just work"? Do I need another bridge if there isn't a Bluetooth 'mesh' between devices?

Edited by loudlashadjuster on Monday 11th October 12:17

[UTH]

loudlashadjuster said:

Anyone noticed any barriers/constraints to having bulbs communicating with the Bridge if they are well separated both in terms of physical location, and network topology?

I have about a dozen lights downstairs and the Bridge is in the living room. I want to add some lights in the kids' bedrooms on the second floor so as well as the distance between them, they are also on different access points. Same SSID, but a bit of a convoluted network path, with various switches, APs etc. from different vendors.

Should I expect problems, or will it "just work"?

I would have thought it should all just work.
My entire ground floor spotlights are now Hue, my living room also has the TV light strip and 4 lamps dotted around the room with hue bulbs, upstairs two landing lights are hue and in our bedroom the two wall lights either side of the bed are also Hue, everything works without an issue, with the bridge being by our front door, so pretty central to the house.

[ecsrobin]

UTH said:

loudlashadjuster said:

Anyone noticed any barriers/constraints to having bulbs communicating with the Bridge if they are well separated both in terms of physical location, and network topology?

I have about a dozen lights downstairs and the Bridge is in the living room. I want to add some lights in the kids' bedrooms on the second floor so as well as the distance between them, they are also on different access points. Same SSID, but a bit of a convoluted network path, with various switches, APs etc. from different vendors.

Should I expect problems, or will it "just work"?

I would have thought it should all just work.
My entire ground floor spotlights are now Hue, my living room also has the TV light strip and 4 lamps dotted around the room with hue bulbs, upstairs two landing lights are hue and in our bedroom the two wall lights either side of the bed are also Hue, everything works without an issue, with the bridge being by our front door, so pretty central to the house.

Hue bulbs run off zigbee so each bulb acts an extender to get to the bridge.

[loudlashadjuster]

ecsrobin said:

Hue bulbs run off zigbee so each bulb acts an extender to get to the bridge.

I added my question about the 'mesh' not extending to that floor.

Does this mean another Bridge would be required? Or at least another light or two on the first floor to link them to the exiting Bridge?

Or maybe I just relocate the Bridge to the middle of the first floor and cross my fingers

[matrignano]

Can I seek some advice from the resident Hue experts please?

I have a very simple automation whereby some lights come on when I come home at night.
Yet I would say it only works 25% of the time.
Location settings are all on.

Any ideas or experiences as to what the issue might be?

Edited by matrignano on Tuesday 12th October 08:18

[ecsrobin]

loudlashadjuster said:

I added my question about the 'mesh' not extending to that floor.

Does this mean another Bridge would be required? Or at least another light or two on the first floor to link them to the exiting Bridge?

Or maybe I just relocate the Bridge to the middle of the first floor and cross my fingers

How do you know the mesh doesn’t reach that floor? Zigbee isn’t Bluetooth.

I have setup hue bulbs in numerous properties and a business and have never come across a range issue

[Carbon Sasquatch]

ecsrobin said:

I have setup hue bulbs in numerous properties and a business and have never come across a range issue

I have with some garden lights. However, as stated, the bulbs talk to each other, so adding some additional lights in the middle fixed the problem.

[dapprman]

matrignano said:

Can I seek some advice from the resident Hue experts please?

I have a very simple automation whereby some lights come on when I come home at night.
Yes I would say it only works 25% of the time.
Location settings are all on.

Any ideas or experiences as to what the issue might be?

It was broken in the big app update about 4 months ago. Always used to work, now like you I find it pot luck.

[Matt..]

matrignano said:

Can I seek some advice from the resident Hue experts please?

I have a very simple automation whereby some lights come on when I come home at night.
Yet I would say it only works 25% of the time.
Location settings are all on.

Any ideas or experiences as to what the issue might be?

Edited by matrignano on Tuesday 12th October 08:18

I use Apple Home for most of my automations now and not the Hue app. It's mostly fairly reliable.

[ecsrobin]

Matt.. said:

I use Apple Home for most of my automations now and not the Hue app. It's mostly fairly reliable.

Same, I use Apple home as it brings Hue, Ikea Tradfri and Tado heating all under one app.

[matrignano]

I use Alexa, unfortunately geolocation is not available yet in the UK so I can't set up my Hue automation via Alexa!

[loudlashadjuster]

ecsrobin said:

loudlashadjuster said:

I added my question about the 'mesh' not extending to that floor.

Does this mean another Bridge would be required? Or at least another light or two on the first floor to link them to the exiting Bridge?

Or maybe I just relocate the Bridge to the middle of the first floor and cross my fingers

How do you know the mesh doesn’t reach that floor? Zigbee isn’t Bluetooth.

I have setup hue bulbs in numerous properties and a business and have never come across a range issue

Just an assumption. The floors are 40cm reinforced concrete with underfloor heating and the walls are similarly thick. Not a helluva lot gets through them hence the multiple wi-fi APs (five for the whole house).

[Mikee19]

Hi All,

I need some lights for the front of my house, we live in a culdesac with no street lights so it's a bit dark at night. I want an energy efficient LED porch light I can leave on all night and not need to switch off in the morning.

I am tempted to give Philips Hue a try. I have been looking at mounting a Daylo on the ceiling or my porch to replace the current round porch light.

Has anyone done this? If all goes well I might get a few more lights to go on the double garage.




Something like this



Thanks
Mike