Smart lighting with smart light switches

[SAPABAP]

Hi guys,

I want to get my cinema lights controlled via Alexa, and currently I am planning to install a Ctec smart light switch (www.ctec.com.au), just wondering if anyone has used this product before?

 

Thanks

 

[blybo]

Can't comment on that switch but after trying Clipsal IR switches (2 failed) I pulled all that out and installed Lifx globes along with Flic switches. That worked for awhile but battery went dead in the Flic and couldn't get them to re-pair.

 

Pulled it all out and put in Phillips Hue globes and matching switch/dimmer which is portable but a magnet in it puts it back in the wall holder, a very well thought out design. Working flawlessly and works with my Harmony remote too. You can control Hue lights with Alexa although I haven't tried personally

[SAPABAP]

3 minutes ago, blybo said:

Can't comment on that switch but after trying Clipsal IR switches (2 failed) I pulled all that out and installed Lifx globes along with Flic switches. That worked for awhile but battery went dead in the Flic and couldn't get them to re-pair.

 

Pulled it all out and put in Phillips Hue globes and matching switch/dimmer which is portable but a magnet in it puts it back in the wall holder, a very well thought out design. Working flawlessly and works with my Harmony remote too. You can control Hue lights with Alexa although I haven't tried personally

Thanks for your reply. The problem with smart lights is people have to leave the wall switch on all the time otherwise they will lose the SMART

[blybo]

2 minutes ago, TSmith said:

Thanks for your reply. The problem with smart lights is people have to leave the wall switch on all the time otherwise they will lose the SMART

True but not a biggy. You could always tape them on, or a neater solution is to pop the switch back into the wall cavity and replace the switch plate with a blank one, then it's easily reversable. I'm going to do this with my phone line plate in the front bedroom before the NBN gets installed. Apparently they will only install to the nearest point to the street, whereas my current modem is towards the rear of the home.

[SAPABAP]

15 minutes ago, blybo said:

True but not a biggy. You could always tape them on, or a neater solution is to pop the switch back into the wall cavity and replace the switch plate with a blank one, then it's easily reversable. I'm going to do this with my phone line plate in the front bedroom before the NBN gets installed. Apparently they will only install to the nearest point to the street, whereas my current modem is towards the rear of the home.

that's a good point. my plan is to have both voice and physical controls to my lights instead of voice/smart phone app only. smart light switch might be a option suites me.

[groovem]

On 03/04/2019 at 2:50 PM, blybo said:

You can control Hue lights with Alexa although I haven't tried personally

Also the Apple Home app if you use an iPhone or iPad.

[tim_tam87]

Are you still looking for options?

[SAPABAP]

On 13/04/2019 at 10:51 PM, tim_tam87 said:

Are you still looking for options?

yes, have you got any idea?

 

 

[tim_tam87]

Not sure if it's what you're looking for...but it's a different option. Might be a little bit pricey but works really well though, I have it setup throughout my whole house...and it integrates with Alexa. It works on Z-Wave technology, kind of like wifi but on a different frequency.

 

Maybe Google these items for more info. At the heart of the system is a Z-Wave hub...Mine is a "Vera Edge Z-Wave Controller". That connects to your modem via ethernet cable and integrates with Alexa and you can connect to your mobile via the "Vera" app. All your Z-Wave devices connect to the Vera Edge hub. There are other hubs out there.

 

Now to get my lights integrated into the system I have a "Fibaro Z-Wave Micro Dimmer 2" for dimming lights and a "Fibaro Z-Wave Double Switch 2" for lights that don't require dimming. For example the lights in the theatre room have dimming, and you can tell Alexa to dim the lights to 60/80% etc. The Fibaro gets wired in behind your standard light switch and sits in the wall cavity. You can turn your lights on/off via the Vera/Alexa app, or ask Alexa, or even the normal way via the light switch like a common peasant! Flicking the switch off doesn't turn off the automation capabilities.

 

You can also setup scenes/routines via the Alexa app. For example, I can tell Alexa to "Start Movie Night". The projector screen will then come down, projector will turn on, lights will turn off and the Marantz Atmos receiver will then turn on and select HDMI 2. And of course the opposite for "End Movie Night" with the lights turning on to 60% to avoid being blinded.

 

With Z-Wave you can automate many other things like the air-con, ducted heating, TV, outdoor lights, etc.

 

I have about three different apps for everything but use the Alexa app as a master app. It works really well for home automation.

 

Sorry about the long-winded article. Any questions or if you want more information feel free to ask.

 

 

[SAPABAP]

15 hours ago, tim_tam87 said:

Not sure if it's what you're looking for...but it's a different option. Might be a little bit pricey but works really well though, I have it setup throughout my whole house...and it integrates with Alexa. It works on Z-Wave technology, kind of like wifi but on a different frequency.

 

Maybe Google these items for more info. At the heart of the system is a Z-Wave hub...Mine is a "Vera Edge Z-Wave Controller". That connects to your modem via ethernet cable and integrates with Alexa and you can connect to your mobile via the "Vera" app. All your Z-Wave devices connect to the Vera Edge hub. There are other hubs out there.

 

Now to get my lights integrated into the system I have a "Fibaro Z-Wave Micro Dimmer 2" for dimming lights and a "Fibaro Z-Wave Double Switch 2" for lights that don't require dimming. For example the lights in the theatre room have dimming, and you can tell Alexa to dim the lights to 60/80% etc. The Fibaro gets wired in behind your standard light switch and sits in the wall cavity. You can turn your lights on/off via the Vera/Alexa app, or ask Alexa, or even the normal way via the light switch like a common peasant! Flicking the switch off doesn't turn off the automation capabilities.

 

You can also setup scenes/routines via the Alexa app. For example, I can tell Alexa to "Start Movie Night". The projector screen will then come down, projector will turn on, lights will turn off and the Marantz Atmos receiver will then turn on and select HDMI 2. And of course the opposite for "End Movie Night" with the lights turning on to 60% to avoid being blinded.

 

With Z-Wave you can automate many other things like the air-con, ducted heating, TV, outdoor lights, etc.

 

I have about three different apps for everything but use the Alexa app as a master app. It works really well for home automation.

 

Sorry about the long-winded article. Any questions or if you want more information feel free to ask.

 

 

Thanks for your suggestions. Looks like Z-Wave is a great option. I might give it a try later once I have chance.

 

PS. Ctec is on promotion on Amazon at the moment and I just purchased 1 switch to give it a try.

https://www.amazon.com.au/s?me=A21JOPXG2AQAHA&marketplaceID=A39IBJ37TRP1C6

[tim_tam87]

Seems pretty decent. The Australian standard is a bonus...A lot of them aren't.

 

The main hurdle is being lucky enough to have a neutral cable available at the light switch, as opposed to the standard two-cable hard active/switched active.

 

Mainly newer houses have a neutral cable at the light switches, not so much older houses. Most smart switches need the neutral cable in order to operate.

[SAPABAP]

16 hours ago, tim_tam87 said:

Seems pretty decent. The Australian standard is a bonus...A lot of them aren't.

 

The main hurdle is being lucky enough to have a neutral cable available at the light switch, as opposed to the standard two-cable hard active/switched active.

 

Mainly newer houses have a neutral cable at the light switches, not so much older houses. Most smart switches need the neutral cable in order to operate.

Yes that's right. Luckily we got neutral wire. Will report back our experience.

[tim_tam87]

Look forward to seeing how it all goes!

[SAPABAP]

Being using Ctec for over a year,work great. highly recommended.

 

 

[Hagsi]

How have you got it set up? Does it work with Alexa? I’m looking for a smart switch

[hewfish]

I tried the c-tec switches and didn't like them. They don't integrate with home automation platforms very well. Crappy wireless  support (only 2.4ghz ala other crappy IoT devices). I started  to disassemble their API to work through it and just realised I shouldn't even bother. I did work out basic API calls in the end but then had switch state information issues between the switch and the hub as the state wasn't pollable.

 

Mine is now Z-Wave Aeotec Nano Switch + Swipe in-wall switch replacement + Hue GU20 downlights. The Hue lights are set to a specific state on power return. Then can be changed. I link it all together on my home automation platform on OpenHab, but you could do the same with any home automation platform, I.e. Smarthings, Hass, etc.. I'm using Razzberry with Z-Wave.me as the Zwave HUB integrated via MQTT. All devices are discovered by Alexa etc, so really its a great setup.

 

Happy to discuss.

Cheers

Edited October 27, 2020 by hewfish
wrong word

[Flash]

I’ve been using Phillips Hue for a few years now, and they are brilliant. I’m in a wheelchair, and it’s super convenient for me. I use both iPhone Home app with Siri for manual/voice control, and basic automation, and the Hue app for more custom applications. Hue allows you to gradually fade lights on/off, whereas Apple is more basic. 
I also use EVE Aqua to control my garden watering system. 
 

I had planned to use Alexa as well, but you can’t control directly through the hub, but instead have to give Amazon access to your Hue account. I wasn’t too keen on this, so just use Apple. 

[Guest]

On 27/10/2020 at 3:13 PM, hewfish said:

Swipe in-wall switch replacement

 

Old thread, but which in-wall switch did you use specifically?