Hi all,
How would you guys make floor lamp (or any device with a manual switch) smart? For me having for example a smart switch at the socket and only using it over this smart switch is not “smart” any device should work manually as well.
Are there any solutions / great ideas on how to solve this issue?
Best,
Mike
Cut the switch out and use a Shelly1 in a Shelly button case.
Thanks Tom, now we’re talking!
Any product alternatives out there which run on Zigbee? Or do you know if the Shelly button runs on ZigBee?
Might not fit as easily, but you could just use a Zigbee module in there. Probably need a Zigbee module that needs a momentary switch for it to work.
Shelly runs on 2.4GHz wifi — why would that not be even better than Zigbee?
I could think of some reasons…
I don’t say it has no advantages, but I do get why somebody would like a Zigbee solution.
The original Sonoff Basic was designed specifically for this application and it can be flashed with Tasmota. I believe they also now do a Zigbee version.
We’ve had good luck just using smart plugs, and leaving the on/off switches in the lamps alone. This gives you back-up if HA fails or if you have guests who don’t want to use it.
We haven’t bothered with smart bulbs yet. I’m sure there are good use cases, like in a device which isn’t really needed because there are other, manually-controllable light sources nearby.
I’d also vote for Zigbee over WiFi. This opinion has evolved over the past couple of years of using HA. At first I thought WiFi was the answer; it’s already there, I understand it, I can manage it, etc. The reality (for me, anyway) was that it’s less reliable. Devices are fussy about having a less-than-perfect connection in some parts of my house, and the management is a pain in the neck compared to the self-configuring, independent Zigbee network. Each WiFi device vendor wants you to set up an account on their cloud servers. You need a different integration for each. And the vendors can knock the whole thing out with one OTA firmware update (see: TP-Link threads.)
If you really want to use that switch and not cut it open, you could try a switchbot.
Agree, I kind of like the idea of having an independent network for all my smart devices. A big plus for me as well is the “passiv scan” and only reacts when it’s needed. Not like in WiFi where you have traffic all the time.
Only using smart plugs doesn’t work for me. If you have guest, kids or at some point you want to turn it of right when you stand next to it - I want have the option to do it manually. But next time still turn it on over HA.
Most smart plugs have a button to toggle the state.
Cutting it open would be an option like the option of using the Shelly - but I would like to explore an alternative running on ZigBee.
Like Jonah said. The sonoff BASICZBR3 is what you want.
Edit: if it is zigbee it is of course local
I’ve had a lot of success with Sonoff switches and they do make a ZigBee one:
SONOFF BASICZBR3 - Zigbee Smart switch DIY Module
You can use the Sonoff Integration or pair them through ZHA.
Okay nice, thanks @Syntox and @Jonah1970. That seems to be what I am looking for.
I’m using the Sonoff BASICR3, which is not Zigbee, but Wifi, and does not need to be flashed, when using the Sonoff integration. Then of course, internet is needed. To work locally, it can be flashed. And yes, this one also has a push button on it.
I’ve been testing the Sonoff Mini ZB, which works with ZHA and my Zigbee USB stick right out of the box. That’s another advantage to Zigbee - no flashing required. Every Zigbee device I’ve tried so far is totally plug-and-play, no connecting to some vendor’s cloud. Virtually zero configuration or management issues. I will add that I don’t use dimmers or dimmable/changable bulbs. Those seem to generate a lot of threads here.
I agree that having a push button on a smart plug is a huge advantage. One you do pay extra for. I’m finding I don’t really need that for, say, a floor or table lamp which has a regular rotary or pull-chain switch built in.
In those cases, the smart plug “lives” in the outlet, where nobody would go looking for an on/off button anyway. Especially if it’s behind furniture.
When guests are around, we leave them “on” in HA and control them with the switch. When it’s just us, we control them with HA. When we’re away, I have some automations which run them in a sort-of-random pattern to give the appearance of occupancy.
I have over 100 Wifi devices, all running Tasmota. Sonoff, Shelly, Tuya, Sinilink, home-brew. It does not have the way you describe it.
Good point, sorry if I didn’t explain it well enough. Each manufacturer requires its own integration, and often their own cloud account, unless you want to flash each device with Tasmota.
Personally, I want to be able to do that. I have some of the components now, and I’ve done a little testing. But frankly the time and justification for building a “flashing lab” just hasn’t come up yet. Buying plug-and-play Zigbee devices is hard to beat, from the perspective of time and convenience.
I would look into IKEA Tradlos and use a Conbee II for the server.
