Philips Hue Lighting - owners thread
Discussion
Hue bulbs use the Zigbee protocol so one option is to replace the Hue Bridge with a Zigbee hub.
It would mean disconnecting from the Philips ecosystem but it removes that constraint entirely. Theoretically Zigbee can support up to 15 million connected devices although obviously the reality - where you're constrained by traffic noise and positioning - is going to be a lot less.
It would mean disconnecting from the Philips ecosystem but it removes that constraint entirely. Theoretically Zigbee can support up to 15 million connected devices although obviously the reality - where you're constrained by traffic noise and positioning - is going to be a lot less.
So I have a minor although annoying issue.
I have hue colour spotlights in the bathroom, and the light switch is covered with on of those hue switches so that I don’t need to use the phone to alternate between settings.
The issue is the extractor fan, this comes on when the light switch is on, and because the original light switch is set to always on the fans constantly running, there’s is a separate isolator switch just below the ceiling in the hall which only I can reach, so I’m having to switch it on and off each time someone uses the shower and it’s getting a little tedious, sometimes I just leave the fan running but no idea how much this is costing me in electricity.
Is there a workaround to this?
I have hue colour spotlights in the bathroom, and the light switch is covered with on of those hue switches so that I don’t need to use the phone to alternate between settings.
The issue is the extractor fan, this comes on when the light switch is on, and because the original light switch is set to always on the fans constantly running, there’s is a separate isolator switch just below the ceiling in the hall which only I can reach, so I’m having to switch it on and off each time someone uses the shower and it’s getting a little tedious, sometimes I just leave the fan running but no idea how much this is costing me in electricity.
Is there a workaround to this?
usn90 said:
So I have a minor although annoying issue.
I have hue colour spotlights in the bathroom, and the light switch is covered with on of those hue switches so that I don’t need to use the phone to alternate between settings.
The issue is the extractor fan, this comes on when the light switch is on, and because the original light switch is set to always on the fans constantly running, there’s is a separate isolator switch just below the ceiling in the hall which only I can reach, so I’m having to switch it on and off each time someone uses the shower and it’s getting a little tedious, sometimes I just leave the fan running but no idea how much this is costing me in electricity.
Is there a workaround to this?
Can you get at the wiring for the fan? I’ve seen it suggested to use a zigbee switch and create a routine to turn the fan on.I have hue colour spotlights in the bathroom, and the light switch is covered with on of those hue switches so that I don’t need to use the phone to alternate between settings.
The issue is the extractor fan, this comes on when the light switch is on, and because the original light switch is set to always on the fans constantly running, there’s is a separate isolator switch just below the ceiling in the hall which only I can reach, so I’m having to switch it on and off each time someone uses the shower and it’s getting a little tedious, sometimes I just leave the fan running but no idea how much this is costing me in electricity.
Is there a workaround to this?
Similar to the solution above, but if you want to stay completely Hue, then there´s a hue plug, so you could wire the fan via one of those then control it as you wish.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Hue-Automation-As...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Hue-Automation-As...
Car bon said:
Similar to the solution above, but if you want to stay completely Hue, then there´s a hue plug, so you could wire the fan via one of those then control it as you wish.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Hue-Automation-As...
You can control the zigbee switch with the Hue controller - I don’t know how well it integrates though. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Hue-Automation-As...
If you use the Hue socket you may have to separately wire the permanent live if the fan has a timer - don’t know if they’re all the same but I fitted a fan last week and it particularly noted that permanent live and switched live had to be connected and couldn’t be joined together.
You can get an in-line controller that you could connect before the fan so that will be controlled by your system as well, but when I looked they all had very poor reviews for reliability and many complaints about heating up and smoking, etc (meep) so I left mine as is (not on my system).
Car bon said:
Similar to the solution above, but if you want to stay completely Hue, then there´s a hue plug, so you could wire the fan via one of those then control it as you wish.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Hue-Automation-As...
I have one of those turning on the bathroom mirror light along with the lights from a movement sensor - that's about as far as I trust them. Although, it hasn't let me down yet. As mentioned above I have a Stava fan, which works of humidity and a light sensor, so no need for wiring other than power. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Hue-Automation-As...
As for sticking entirely with Hue: I recently tried some Govee kit. The kit was good, but the software dire. So, I'll be sticking with Hue for the time being despite the horrendous cost...
Stussy said:
My trusty 10+ year old Panasonic tv has started playing up, I’m wondering if it’s a worthwhile opportunity to get a Hue Ambilight tv?
I’ve seen thst the latest ones won’t interact with hue lights unless you get the sync box, which is slightly annoying!
I love ours, it still interacts without the extra box. Does have the best effect if the wall behind it is a very light color though.I’ve seen thst the latest ones won’t interact with hue lights unless you get the sync box, which is slightly annoying!
durbster said:
I've never quite understood the TV ambient light thing. Isn't it a bit distracting having the room light up while you're watching a film?
If they did that in the cinema it'd be terrible.
I have a very early ambilight TV and the effect is subtle but works well IMO. Not sure if it would be as good if it extended to the entire room as it is too old to work with Hue (so just like the latest ones in that respect)If they did that in the cinema it'd be terrible.
durbster said:
I've never quite understood the TV ambient light thing. Isn't it a bit distracting having the room light up while you're watching a film?
If they did that in the cinema it'd be terrible.
I am a Hue addict. My TV setup has the light strip behind the TV, two lamps on the unit below the TV, one lamp in the corner of the room to the front, and then two rear lamps by the sofa. They are all hooked up to the sync box - watching something like transformers with explosions all over the place it is hilarious. But dial it down to the most subtle setting, it just provides a cool added extra. If they did that in the cinema it'd be terrible.
It takes a little getting used to the first couple of times you use it, but now I think it's absolutely awesome!
usn90 said:
So I have a minor although annoying issue.
I have hue colour spotlights in the bathroom, and the light switch is covered with on of those hue switches so that I don’t need to use the phone to alternate between settings.
The issue is the extractor fan, this comes on when the light switch is on, and because the original light switch is set to always on the fans constantly running, there’s is a separate isolator switch just below the ceiling in the hall which only I can reach, so I’m having to switch it on and off each time someone uses the shower and it’s getting a little tedious, sometimes I just leave the fan running but no idea how much this is costing me in electricity.
Is there a workaround to this?
Surely you just need this, or similar, bit ugly that one?I have hue colour spotlights in the bathroom, and the light switch is covered with on of those hue switches so that I don’t need to use the phone to alternate between settings.
The issue is the extractor fan, this comes on when the light switch is on, and because the original light switch is set to always on the fans constantly running, there’s is a separate isolator switch just below the ceiling in the hall which only I can reach, so I’m having to switch it on and off each time someone uses the shower and it’s getting a little tedious, sometimes I just leave the fan running but no idea how much this is costing me in electricity.
Is there a workaround to this?
Swiftair Humidity sensor
You won't be able to use the timer with no switched live, but that doesn't matter, set it so it kicks on whenever humidity goes above 70% or whatever, and you will never have to touch it again.
In fact, I may get one for our instead of the timer it has currently.
Edited by Ed.Neumann on Monday 25th November 21:24
durbster said:
I've never quite understood the TV ambient light thing. Isn't it a bit distracting having the room light up while you're watching a film?
If they did that in the cinema it'd be terrible.
To add to the others, actually it is great and I now feel something is missing if I watch a TV without it. Must add though, does take a short while to get used to it.If they did that in the cinema it'd be terrible.
Zed Ed said:
What’s the latest on the 50 light bridge limit.
Going to replace my garden lights with some Hue ones which will take my total to 60 lights or so.
What is best practice for dealing with this; saw some web comments on Philips upping the limit, but not sure what happened to that.
Grateful for any insight.
HeyGoing to replace my garden lights with some Hue ones which will take my total to 60 lights or so.
What is best practice for dealing with this; saw some web comments on Philips upping the limit, but not sure what happened to that.
Grateful for any insight.
Just spotted this which hopefully might help you…?
https://hueblog.com/2024/11/27/philips-hue-unlocks...
dapprman said:
durbster said:
I've never quite understood the TV ambient light thing. Isn't it a bit distracting having the room light up while you're watching a film?
If they did that in the cinema it'd be terrible.
To add to the others, actually it is great and I now feel something is missing if I watch a TV without it. Must add though, does take a short while to get used to it.If they did that in the cinema it'd be terrible.
There are times where I absolutely love it.
Watching the Incredibles with the kids, some "alarm" goes off, the whole room turns red.
We're watching Star Trek Prodigy now, same thing, the "atmosphere" of the planet often envelops the room in a way it wouldn't without Ambilight and the connected hue lights.
Animated stuff like that benefits more from it because the colors are usually more pronounced, just like movies like Baby Driver and Grand Budapest Hotel.
Watching the Incredibles with the kids, some "alarm" goes off, the whole room turns red.
We're watching Star Trek Prodigy now, same thing, the "atmosphere" of the planet often envelops the room in a way it wouldn't without Ambilight and the connected hue lights.
Animated stuff like that benefits more from it because the colors are usually more pronounced, just like movies like Baby Driver and Grand Budapest Hotel.
So it sounds like an Ambilight tv is a good option the!
I’ve also been thinking about the Sync box and how it connects/works, I assume it can only process the signs all that passes through it, a games console for example.
So on that basis, if you’re watching normal tv or YouTube via an inbuilt app on the tv, it won’t work with the sync box?
I’ve also been thinking about the Sync box and how it connects/works, I assume it can only process the signs all that passes through it, a games console for example.
So on that basis, if you’re watching normal tv or YouTube via an inbuilt app on the tv, it won’t work with the sync box?
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