While the image above contains 4 dumb switches, I hope that it conveys what I’m looking for, i.e. a mount or switch that allows me to keep the functionality of my two dumb switches, while simultaneously adding two digital switches that can by tied to a HA automation or light.
Does something like this exist? Or would you suggest something else entirely?
Unfortunately I cannot simply mount a smart switch right above the dumb switches, as I rent my apartment and am not allowed to do so.
@TH3xR34P3R I’m aware that I could install a relais or two smart switches, but I’m not looking for a way to make the current dumb switches smart. I’d like to keep their functionality as is, and add two extra (smart) switches in the same location / mount. I believe none of the products you mention fulfill that requirement, is that correct?
You will need to take off the current switch from the wall to install either option as is since you need to get access to the live and neutrals for each light that is connected to the switch that is currently installed.
The first option is a sample to look up for a smart switch to replace the current switch that you can then reinstall before you move out after your renting period is over, the relay is to add the function to control the lights using the existing switch and it connects between the lights and the switch that again you can remove and take with you after your renting period is over.
I swapped all my light switches in my FACS housing unit myself to this style personally:
Without replacing the switches (or putting a relay in), I don’t think any device like what you want exists (anymore). Osram had a switch cover years ago that was discontinued. That’s the closest I think you could get.
With that said, you might be able to attach a Flic button somewhere near the paddle rocker (or even on the paddle rocker itself) and use that.
Personally, I would just put a relay in. Super simple and allows the dumb switch to still function while making it smart. I’m guessing you are in a rental or something like that?
@TH3xR34P3R I’m not looking for a smart switch that just replaces the 2 currently installed dumb switches, and makes them smart.
Instead, I’m looking for some kind of switch with 4 buttons, of which 2 buttons should replace the behavior of the dumb switches that are currently installed, and the 2 other buttons should be able to control HA automations (e.g. via Zigbee or WiFi).
Or do I misunderstand you, and are the products that you linked able to provide this functionality?
Then get a 4 way light switch that is zigbee based and connect the two lights to two of the buttons and tie the automations to the other two spare buttons, you will be replacing/removing the current switch in order to allow you to do what you want as there isn’t any other way to do this that you want to achieve.
or get a two way switch like linked previous and get a smart button to use in various rooms that is tied to said automations since you need either a relay or a switch to control the lights in the first place to setup your automations and scenes. There is no magic solution that lets you do this setup without taking off the current switch from the wall in order to get setup.
This is the simplest solution to what you are trying to setup, there is no need to overcomplicate things since for any lights that you don’t use switches with you can install say hue bulbs that link directly to Home assistant and just need to be always on when installed to a light stand; which is how I have things setup at this time.
@TH3xR34P3R thank you. I don’t mind taking of and replacing the current switches. If I replace them with the following product (i.e. the switch that you linked, but the 4 gang version):
Would 2 of the switches be able to control the dumb lights, and the other 2 my HA automations?
My apologies for overcomplicating my question, I haven’t worked with smart switches before (only relais, e.g. the Sonoff ZBMINI-L2) hence my confusion.
It’s why we are here making sure its simplified based on our experience and yes the switch is added as a single device when paired to HA so you just wire in the lights to 2 of the buttons then use the other two as triggers for your automations.
This is what the dual gang version comes up as in my setup since I have the one setup for my kitchen and one lounge room ceiling light:
I updated the names once I installed it and checked what light was being turned on with what switch
edit: to add to this, there is an option to use switchbots or finger bots but that just adds an item you need to track the battery for and since you need an extra two buttons for your scene automations you want to setup it would not fit those requirements so those are best for other tasks (in my case I use one to control the hdmi switch for the top monitor in my setup to swap the input to the wireless hdmi receiver when I am working on another machine and I need to plug in a display to see the output).
