Agreed, a device with a separate hard on/off for the current load to the light as an emergency option would be really nice. I haven’t seen one.
Lutron and Hue both introduced their first battery operated switches for smart bulbs this fall, which do give you dimming for a group of lights (but no color temperature control) from a switch. But their idea is that you leave the old power switch turned on, and put the battery-operated switch wherever it’s convenient. They haven’t combined load control and automation requests in a single device.
Maybe next year, I agree there’s a definite need for it.
all very interesting. it’s funny, the temperature control was what initially drew me to getting into some automation, i really like the idea of getting the interior lighting warmer and dimmer as bedtime approaches, so the lightify and lifx both caught my eye. also, i love my wakelight and want to program my bedroom lights to do the same thing. i’m starting out with the wemo system for the lightify bulbs and trying a lifx for my bedroom, i expect to eventually move to a smartthings hub once there is a good answer for the switches.
thanks for your input and advice, it’s much appreciated!
Hello. I just picked up a couple of the tunable white bulbs at Lowe’s. I paired one of them with SmartThings. It didn’t identify the device type automatically, so I went into the API and changed the device type to “OSRAM LIGHTIFY LED Tunable White 60W”. But it’s acting really weird. It seems like the properties displayed in the app are incomplete, and I can’t seem to control the bulb. Tapping the on/off button makes the button flicker to the opposite state, then back to the previous state, and nothing happens on the bulb.
Sounds like the zigbee join process didn’t take fully. Maybe due to distance or interference. I’d suggest resetting and re-pairing the bulb closer to the hub.
Well, I did get it working, even though it was still a bit bumpy. Took the first bulb downstairs (which is the same floor as the hub) and reset it. Ran through the pairing again. It still didn’t seem to complete setting up the device properly (it kept spinning in the ST app after the light blinked to indicate pairing) but this time when I backed out the “to be configured” device was properly identified as the right type. I finished configuring it, and the properties showed up correctly and I was able to turn it off and on and manipulate the color temperature.
Then I put the second bulb (which I hadn’t get done anything with) into the same lamp and tried setting it up. It did the same thing the first bulb did. After the first pairing, it only came up as a generic thing. I reset it like the first bulb, and it paired successfully the second time, but with the same caveat as above of not completing the configuration on its own.
Not sure what that’s all about, but in the end, my bulbs are working. Thanks again for the help!
I have one Cree bulb connected right now with you any issues for about a year. The one issue I had just like most of all my issues I jack around with the setup and mess something up, then I have to go back and fix it. I just installed 6 Osram mini garden lights to the front of my house. They look great and work great! I have them on a schedule for the past 2 months and no problems.
I’m doing just that with a devolo paddle switch which is set to change mode between the automated mode…I.e. Various instances of smart lights smartapp and manual which leaves them off so GF doesn’t get annoyed when they randomly switch on (based on motion) when she is sat reading in the day time…
Not fitted a luminance sensor yet so have the various smartapp instances set against sunrise/ sunset and then lower levels at set times
@Simon_Goldberger thanks, i’ll dig around and see if i can find something like that here in the states.
i’m pretty set at this point on ditching the wemo and lifx and just getting smartthings and some dimmer switches, but it would be good to have on/off by my bed as a button/switch.
Thanks, that helps. I’ve installed Circadian Daylight. I think that’s the kind of thing I was looking for. I checked out Rule Machine, which could be interesting, but it doesn’t look to do color temp yet, only full color changing bulbs.
Thanks for letting us know your experiences @Kristopher i was a bit reluctant to upgrade all the bulbs so this was great to know. just over half done now - really wish i had switches (and your script to simplify the process!)
I just got my first, and only Osram bulb. I was wondering if there is a way to have the light turn on when a presence sensor returns home. Basically I’d like the light to come on in the hallway for X amount of minutes when presence sensor A or B or C have arrived and if it dark outside (sunset, or specified time)
Use the Smart Lighting app to turn on when someone arrives after Sunset. The only limitation is that you can’t turn it off after a certain amount of time.
The Smart Rules app on iOS also can provide similar features and turn it off after a delay.
I don’t see a way to turn the light off after x min after being turned on after arrival. That might be a suggestion for ST to add that feature. You can turn the light off after it stops seeing motion, but it would have to be triggered on with motion. Any help here from anyone else?
Second, don’t put the Osram bulb on a controlled switch because you’ll have competing programs trying to manage the light. Either use a smart bulb or a smart switch.
Finally, if you do want to add bulbs or switches, try to stick to the same system, so if you use Zigbee bulbs (like the Osram), then try to find Zigbee switches. Some Zigbee and Zwave devices “repeat” the signal and can extend your wireless range for that type of device. It is OK to mix and match, I have several of both kinds, so they all are repeating and reach as far as my detached garage!
There’s nothing built into ST to do complex stuff like this. @Tolik, take a look at Rule Machine and Trigger Happy threads. You’ll have to sign-up for the IDE access as a developer, and be able to copy-paste code from Github; but there are lots of FAQs that will walk you through it. Both those apps are very flexible and powerful, and there’s a thread dedicated to helping folks get the logic correct.
I completely agree about choosing bulbs or switches not both, and to stick to one protocol for the benefit of a stronger mesh if possible.
