Automatic wake-up light

Hi everybody,

First of all sorry for my English and if I am not in the right category.

I would like to install an automatic wake-up light system, but I have a few questions…

I have 3 constraints, I want:

  • to be able to manage light intensity and temperature
  • to be able to turn on/off with a portable button
  • that my switch remains usable

Here’s the solution I’m considering:

  • Install a portable button (Aqara WXKG11LM)
  • Install a relay behind the switch (Sonoff ZBMINIL2 without neutral)
  • Install a connected bulb (Aqara ZNLDP12LM)

At first I wanted to do without the relay behind the switch, but I realize that it is necessary to be able to turn on the light even if the switch is off (which is impossible with only a bulb connected).

Don’t hesitate to tell me what you think about it and to offer me another solution if you have!

Thanks !

Jonathan

Sounds like this could work! I’m personally not such a big fan of relays, and a Zigbee Bulb behind a relay might not work (! - you’ll have activate the switch first, then the Bulb will have to reconnect) would you not consider replacing the existing switch with a Zigbee button (i.e. Aqara D1) and connect the wires internally behind the old switch (assuming it’s build into the wall).

Should you want to still use a Zigbee relay, you could also consider the Aqara H1 Without Neutral, but for me that loses connection with the Zigbee network when I connect (just one) Zigbee Bulb to it.

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you’ll have activate the switch first, then the Bulb will have to reconnect

It’s true ! I hadn’t taken that into consideration, I don’t want to have a lag between the switch and the light turning on…

I’m going to install a switch, I think it’s a good idea!
I am totally newbie about switches, I saw that there is a “wireless mode” which means, if I understood well: allow the bulb to be connected all the time and the switch can be used as a “remote control” for whatever we want, there is no “mechanical switch”, so it’s interesting option for me.
But also possibility to deactivate the “wireless mode” and allow the switch to act as a real switch with power cut !

I will learn about this.

Thanks for your help !

Rather than a swtich module, you could install a smart switch, but not actually wire it up, other than to give it power. Then, the wires that were running through the switch are just wired together, essentially giving the bulb permanent power.

When you press the switch it detects this and an automation then controls the light.

The other option is to get something like a cover plate over the existing normal light switch (then leave the normal switch on), to house a wireless switch like so:

Yes, that’s how that works. You could achieve that with the aforementioned Aqara D1 or others.

(btw: check on blackadder.com if your switch is/will be supported in your Zigbee integration before buying. I learned the hard way :wink:)

Clear !

I’m going to buy Aqara D1 because I can switch between control_relay and decoupled mode !

I saw that here: QBKG21LM or here QBKG23LM.

Moreover I like Aqara, in my eyes it’s better quality than a lot of others brands, but maybe I’m totaly wrong…

Thanks to you @samuel81 and @Rofo

Buy a Hue nightstand lamp, and a dimmer from Hue too. Forget the relay — keep the lamp powered with mains at all times.

I use exactly this to turn the light on gradually to full blast 20 minutes before my alarm sounds