I was just about to order some Broadlink TC2 switches and a RM2 Pro, when I read about the fact HA can’t translate the state of the switch. I’m sure a state can be marked as “on” when you click to send the command but if the command doesn’t send you would have an incorrect reading in HA. I know Z-wave is another alternative but far more expensive and they don’t even have 2/3 gang switches… what gives?
So I’m wanting to know from the community what other alternatives are out there that are wireless based and not RF?
I hope this helps other people in future as well, thanks guys.
I use GE’s zwave wall switches. They fit in standard boxes, whether you have 1,2,3,4… I have both toggle and ‘decora’ style (ie paddle) switches in all of those configurations. They work with a standard n-gang cover.
This wall switch installs over your existing switches and is battery powered and communicates via ZWave Central Scene Command Class to HA (not officially supported yet).
I use it to control Limitless LED bulbs that are color temp and RGB controllable. The physical switch always remains on, this switch mounted over the physical switch sends zwave commands to HA which then sends commands to the limitless led bulbs.
Ive made my own, (not the finished in picture but you get the idea) using a blank face plate and push buttons with a esp8266 wifi board on the back. You would need a 5v supply in the ngang back box to power the esp. The buttons are cheap enough, and you can programme the esp/HA to do what you like.
I would like to be able to do long presses for different functions but havent worked that out yet, any ideas people?
Total cost for me was
ESP £6
Stainless Steel Buttons - Free
Staineles Steel double back plate (screwfix) £5.xx
Like I wrote… These are single switches, but fit in standard US electrical boxes, so if you have a 2 gang box, you can fit 2 switches, just get a dual switch plate.
You can also pick these up at local HW stores such as Lowes.
Note, that if you have a 3-way switch set up, you also need to replace the other switches which control that light with the add-on switch (12723).
Correct, when I recabled my house some years ago now, I brought all the feeds and switch wires back to a central location so I had options when technology in the HAuto sector took off. I wanted freedom from the norm, so I wouldn’t be restricted to off the shelf (usually expensive!) products. All my lights are controlled by esp switches/HA via industrial relay controls.
