Discussion
I saw it - It was your post that got me thinking!! If I understand correctly you are using a simple wall switch with the smartness in the relay? Is that because there is no smart switch with dimming?
Watchman said:
^^^ I’m in the process of doing exactly that with a Fibaro relay but I need a z-wave controller first.
Also, check out my post at the top of the prev page for cheaper WiFi controllable LED strips.
Also, check out my post at the top of the prev page for cheaper WiFi controllable LED strips.
ean21 said:
Hi I'm just getting into this with a kitchen refit. I've got this lined up - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B077SRPKKT/ref...
That'll do what I want I think - ie be Alexa-controlled as a 'under-the-kitchenunits' light, additional to the main ceiling lighting.
But now I'm wondering if I can go further, and have a 2-gang wall-switch dimmer that Alexa can control? "Alexa turn on the toplights", "Alexa turn on the LEDS at 50% red". Voice-activated, with the option of using the wall-switch if I want to be quiet.
Anyone done that?
If it finishes in a standard UK plug then you can use a WeMo plug (or similar) to control the on/off. That does not need a z-wave or similar hub to connect to Alexa. There are other alternatives that do need a z-wave hub, these usually work out cheaper so if you are getting a z-wave hub then just get the switch as z-wave as well. That'll do what I want I think - ie be Alexa-controlled as a 'under-the-kitchenunits' light, additional to the main ceiling lighting.
But now I'm wondering if I can go further, and have a 2-gang wall-switch dimmer that Alexa can control? "Alexa turn on the toplights", "Alexa turn on the LEDS at 50% red". Voice-activated, with the option of using the wall-switch if I want to be quiet.
Anyone done that?
In my living room I have 3 banks of LED lights for a large (14' x 6') display cabinet all plugged into a 4 way extention that is in turn plugged into a single WeMo. They all act as a single set of lights.
I've used the Aeon Labs dimmer to control stuff I don't want a UK plug on, such as my under counter lights: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00JGSDJ8W/ref...
very easy to wire up and does not require wiring into the switch (so you have greater control over placement, I have some in the ceiling rose, some directly under the top cupboards for example), but you must have a switch for that device before the spur if I have understood the UK regs correctly.
The Aeon labs worked out cheaper than the Fibraro and had a direct profile in my Smartthings hub so was a doddle to pair.
If you want colour lights I'd suggest going for Phillips Hue, its a bit easier to control them via Alexa for colour choice/scene IMO. If you are going just white then Hue is a bit expensive.
I understand what you've done, you're switching your LEDs like an appliance. I want slightly different - What I'm after is to have my LEDs switched from a smart wall switch by the door. So I can either press it with my finger like a normal light switch, or talk to it with Alexa.
Is there a 2-gang wall-mounted smart light switch out there?
Is there a 2-gang wall-mounted smart light switch out there?
ean21 said:
I understand what you've done, you're switching your LEDs like an appliance. I want slightly different - What I'm after is to have my LEDs switched from a smart wall switch by the door. So I can either press it with my finger like a normal light switch, or talk to it with Alexa.
Is there a 2-gang wall-mounted smart light switch out there?
Smart Light Switch,WIFI Light Switches Wall Work With Amazon Alexa And Google Home,Tempered Glass Touch-Screen,Wireless Remote,Timing Function,Overload Protection,No Hub Required(Switch 2 Gang) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077Z27MJH/ref=cm_sw_r...Is there a 2-gang wall-mounted smart light switch out there?
This was just the first one I found.
If you can wire up the switch to the switch inputs (not the power output) on the Aeon Labs and the power output/light direct to the Aeon Labs then you can use any momentary switch, for example this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075YQ6JYC/ref=sspa_dk...
That way you don't need an expensive z-wave compatible wall switch. Doing it my way is ~£60 a socket, and can be extended to any lights in the room for ~£35. Most UK available and compatible z-wave switches are ~£90.
You can then set the light that switch turns on to be followed by the other lights, so you turn on/off one light directly with the switch but the others all turn on at the same time (and off again). This is trivial to do in Smartthings as long as the light you are monitoring is not a Hue bulb as Smartthings only polls the Hue hub every 5 minutes, which is too slow.
Only issue for some people with this approach is that they are retro fitting, and the power and switch wiring all terminates in the same wall box (you need both at exact same physical point for a relay to work with the switch unless you start laying down cable) and the wall box just won't fit the relay and the switch. The Aeon Labs ones are fairly small, but not small enough for me.
That way you don't need an expensive z-wave compatible wall switch. Doing it my way is ~£60 a socket, and can be extended to any lights in the room for ~£35. Most UK available and compatible z-wave switches are ~£90.
You can then set the light that switch turns on to be followed by the other lights, so you turn on/off one light directly with the switch but the others all turn on at the same time (and off again). This is trivial to do in Smartthings as long as the light you are monitoring is not a Hue bulb as Smartthings only polls the Hue hub every 5 minutes, which is too slow.
Only issue for some people with this approach is that they are retro fitting, and the power and switch wiring all terminates in the same wall box (you need both at exact same physical point for a relay to work with the switch unless you start laying down cable) and the wall box just won't fit the relay and the switch. The Aeon Labs ones are fairly small, but not small enough for me.
You'd have to check that these are the right size, but ...
https://www.banggood.com/SONOFF-AC90-To-250V-400W-...
Also available on Amazon
https://www.banggood.com/SONOFF-AC90-To-250V-400W-...
Also available on Amazon
nyt said:
You'd have to check that these are the right size, but ...
https://www.banggood.com/SONOFF-AC90-To-250V-400W-...
Also available on Amazon
Do they work with Smartthings directly yet without having to flash firmware manually? All my scene management is in Smartthings as it is more sophisticated than Alexa.https://www.banggood.com/SONOFF-AC90-To-250V-400W-...
Also available on Amazon
I think I found my answer - Lightwave.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KBXU5QA/ref...
Designed for UK wiring, Alexa-compatible, can be used as a normal switch. What's not to like? (I don't work for Lightwave!)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KBXU5QA/ref...
Designed for UK wiring, Alexa-compatible, can be used as a normal switch. What's not to like? (I don't work for Lightwave!)
Lightwave is RF rather than Z-Wave, so you'll be tying yourself into that or needing more than one hub if you want to add z-wave later.
Unless they have changed things last time I looked RF had shorter range, smaller number of devices, and couldn't receive back from the devices. This may not be an issue to you but I'm too used to the data I get back from mine as parameters for my scenes.
Unless they have changed things last time I looked RF had shorter range, smaller number of devices, and couldn't receive back from the devices. This may not be an issue to you but I'm too used to the data I get back from mine as parameters for my scenes.
tankplanker said:
Lightwave is RF rather than Z-Wave, so you'll be tying yourself into that or needing more than one hub if you want to add z-wave later.
Unless they have changed things last time I looked RF had shorter range, smaller number of devices, and couldn't receive back from the devices. This may not be an issue to you but I'm too used to the data I get back from mine as parameters for my scenes.
Lightwave 2 is meant to be 2 way but I'm not sure if it's out yet. I have the Lightwave smart plugs and hub and they are basic but fine. The only issue is that I have side lights plugged into them but can't change the type from plug to light in the Alexa app so the "turn off the lights" command doesn't work.Unless they have changed things last time I looked RF had shorter range, smaller number of devices, and couldn't receive back from the devices. This may not be an issue to you but I'm too used to the data I get back from mine as parameters for my scenes.
Tycho said:
Lightwave 2 is meant to be 2 way but I'm not sure if it's out yet. I have the Lightwave smart plugs and hub and they are basic but fine. The only issue is that I have side lights plugged into them but can't change the type from plug to light in the Alexa app so the "turn off the lights" command doesn't work.
Do they show up in yonomi? If they do you might be able to create a scene in yonomi and then just trigger than via Alexa. Downside of that means you can't use the new alexa lights on/off command and need to remember the scene name. I use Smartthings for a similar binding of devices that Alexa doesn't support in a scene, but it also allows me to plug in other values. For example I can turn stuff off and on with a single scene (e.g., main light off while turning bookshelf lights on, via alexa turn bookshelf on), where as with Alexa alone that would need to be two scenes. Then with smartthings I can refuse to turn on a space heater if the door or windows are open, turn off the heater after 30 minutes, and all sorts of other clever stuff.
Edited by tankplanker on Friday 9th February 11:17
Finally got round to program Control4 to work with Alexa.
I can now get the TV to switch on, with the Humax setting the channel, and turn the lights on with one word to Alexa. When I get up I can get Alexa to play Radio2 in the kitchen.
When I go to bed I can get the TV to turn off, to Standby and have the lights go of 2 minutes later.
I can basically with Control4 get it to do whatever I want in my home.
I can now get the TV to switch on, with the Humax setting the channel, and turn the lights on with one word to Alexa. When I get up I can get Alexa to play Radio2 in the kitchen.
When I go to bed I can get the TV to turn off, to Standby and have the lights go of 2 minutes later.
I can basically with Control4 get it to do whatever I want in my home.
Thanks, yes I saw the Z-wave stuff but like most other switches I've seen it requires a neutral at the switch. I don't have that.
tankplanker said:
Lightwave is RF rather than Z-Wave, so you'll be tying yourself into that or needing more than one hub if you want to add z-wave later.
Unless they have changed things last time I looked RF had shorter range, smaller number of devices, and couldn't receive back from the devices. This may not be an issue to you but I'm too used to the data I get back from mine as parameters for my scenes.
Unless they have changed things last time I looked RF had shorter range, smaller number of devices, and couldn't receive back from the devices. This may not be an issue to you but I'm too used to the data I get back from mine as parameters for my scenes.
tankplanker said:
Tycho said:
Lightwave 2 is meant to be 2 way but I'm not sure if it's out yet. I have the Lightwave smart plugs and hub and they are basic but fine. The only issue is that I have side lights plugged into them but can't change the type from plug to light in the Alexa app so the "turn off the lights" command doesn't work.
Do they show up in yonomi? If they do you might be able to create a scene in yonomi and then just trigger than via Alexa. Downside of that means you can't use the new alexa lights on/off command and need to remember the scene name. I use Smartthings for a similar binding of devices that Alexa doesn't support in a scene, but it also allows me to plug in other values. For example I can turn stuff off and on with a single scene (e.g., main light off while turning bookshelf lights on, via alexa turn bookshelf on), where as with Alexa alone that would need to be two scenes. Then with smartthings I can refuse to turn on a space heater if the door or windows are open, turn off the heater after 30 minutes, and all sorts of other clever stuff.
Edited by tankplanker on Friday 9th February 11:17
El stovey said:
These Ikea bulbs are great. Seems odd that you have to buy a colour bulb with the dimmer unit and can’t get them on their own though. The website is rubbish too.
It's fine if you have one local to you, otherwise it's £7.50 for delivery. So that's £42.50 for a colour bulb.Philips Hue colour bulb on Amazon £34.99 delivered. Innr £29.99 delivered.
B17NNS said:
El stovey said:
These Ikea bulbs are great. Seems odd that you have to buy a colour bulb with the dimmer unit and can’t get them on their own though. The website is rubbish too.
It's fine if you have one local to you, otherwise it's £7.50 for delivery. So that's £42.50 for a colour bulb.Philips Hue colour bulb on Amazon £34.99 delivered. Innr £29.99 delivered.
ean21 said:
I saw it - It was your post that got me thinking!! If I understand correctly you are using a simple wall switch with the smartness in the relay? Is that because there is no smart switch with dimming?
The principle for switching or dimming should be the same. You install the Fibaro (or others - there is at least one other manufacturer of these sort of actuators) relay or dimmer in the ceiling space next to your light fitting. Then you give it a permanent live and neutral AND the switched/dimming signal from the wall switch/dimmer instead of that going to the light fitting. Then you have an output from the Fibaro actuator that goes to the light fitting. Watchman said:
^^^ I’m in the process of doing exactly that with a Fibaro relay but I need a z-wave controller first.
Also, check out my post at the top of the prev page for cheaper WiFi controllable LED strips.
Also, check out my post at the top of the prev page for cheaper WiFi controllable LED strips.
Now you have the same wall switch control as before AND remote/voice control.
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