What Wall Switch Options are there?

Hardware
183

I’d recommend getting Sonoff T1 than TC2 for the obvious reason:

  1. No hubs required
  2. Get on/off state
  3. Also has rf

Don’t worry about flashing the firmware though, it’s actually a lot easier with new OTA method
You don’t need soldering or even connect ftdi. Just install the switch, turn it on, connect to wifi and follow the instruction here

Once that’s done, you can pretty much flash other firmware like espurna which I’m using since it works better with t1. This method also work for other non sonoff devices that’s the using itead chipset.

If you’re unsure about flashing the firmware, just hit me up on the discord.

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184

Thanks for the help.
I din’t know i could do an OTA update on Sonoff switch, know I feel much more o comfortable with buy those wall switches.

185

Any idea if Sonoff will release a European version of the T1?

186

But sonoff already have T1 switch EU version https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F182777803324

The only downside is that I could only find 1 gang switches for European version

187

What about this one?

https://m.ebay.com/itm/282696791344?_mwBanner=1&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F0%2F0%2F0%3Fmpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com%252Fulk%252Fitm%252F282696791344%26rvr_id%3D0&ul_noapp=true

It’s 3 gang, store might sell 2 gang version.
Doesn’t look like it needs neutral

And another one

https://m.ebay.com/itm/311977464943?_mwBanner=1&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F0%2F0%2F0%3Fmpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com%252Fulk%252Fitm%252F311977464943%26rvr_id%3D0&ul_noapp=true

188

Both of those show a Neutral connection.

189

Yeah, I can confirm the first link is neutral, seller just pm’ed me the schematics and also not using ewelink app (jinvoo Smart APP)
If anyone needs EU version, you could consider the 2nd link since it’s using itead chipset so you can still flash custom firmware on it.

190

I live in the UK, all the light switch wiring in the walls is only live wire (no neutral), re-wiring is not an option. I have also invested in Hive Home system a while back. Joining the home automation party a bit late, I don’t require a dimmable switch option, also at present control the lights through Amazon Alexa. So after doing some research on this forum and trusted google, I have the following conclusion!

So here it is, use a hacked sonoff basic connected inline with light fittings in ceiling. Then connect the two wires from the wall switch to GND and GPIO14 on the sonoff.
This together with Tasmota firmware flashed onto the unit should enable me to control the light through HA and MQTT, as well as the wall switch, the switch which will act in a similar way to a two-way switch.

This means no changing light switches or re-wiring, and cost is kept to a minimal £3 to £4 and time!!

Will the above work, if this has already been suggested else where my apologies.

1 Like
191

See this ESP8266 / Sonoff Controlled Ceiling Lights

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192

It’s essentially the same as what I described above but using a cannibalised RF socket.

193

Does everything fit I’m your standard light switch? Don’t think there is enough space in there?

194

sounds interesting, as I used something similar for an outside door light but without the switch. Do you have a photo please?

195

I replaced the original plaster box with a 50mm deep one and a gutted socket is about 60mm square and 15mm deep so plenty of room.

196

OK so back to the wall switches, I am looking for something that fits flush like a normal us switch and is cheap enough to replace my existing switches and be reprogramed with an mqtt program using the Arduino ide, I purchased this one on Amazon hoping for an ESP chip.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074QM1NDC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I got it and opened it up and found it uses an ESP8285 chip. I it has the vcc, tx, rx, gnd brought out to the edge of the board. I have it communicating on its normal boot at 74880 baud and can put it into flash mode by grounding gpio 0, but no matter which ide I use I cannot get it to flash.

I am looking for suggestion on what to try since it seems I have tried everything I can think of. The text below is what i get on the normal boot with with the ewelink provided software.

ets Jan 8 2013,rst cause:1, boot mode:(3,7)

load 0x40100000, len 2408, room 16
tail 8
chksum 0xe5
load 0x3ffe8000, len 776, room 0
tail 8
chksum 0x84
load 0x3ffe8310, len 632, room 0
tail 8
chksum 0xd8
csum 0xd8

2nd boot version : 1.6
SPI Speed : 40MHz
SPI Mode : DOUT
SPI Flash Size & Map: 8Mbit(512KB+512KB)
jump to run user1 @ 1000

rf cal sector: 251
rf[112]

I have used the arduino ide, the node mcu flasher, and the espressif flashing tool. None of them are able to open the communication to flash the chip. there is another thread on “smartthings” below.

Any ideas on how to make it so I can flash?

Thanks

197

Have you tried the OTA method?

Working well on ESP8285 chip devices (at least with the wall switch)

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198

Not sure if anyone in this thread has mentioned the Wink Relay, but I just installed one and it’s incredibly cool. $99 Canadian from Home Depot and you get two physical switches and an android tablet all integrated into a neat looking package that can even be mounted in a single-gang box. After rooting and installing a custom app, you can clear off all the Wink-branded stuff and run HADashboard or even Home Assistant on the tablet, have the physical buttons send MQTT messages, and control the two relays via MQTT as well. Temperature and humidity messages are also broadcast over MQTT.

You do require a neutral at the switch box, which I didn’t originally have, but worked around this by rewiring the light controlled by the former switch to be always on and then installing smart lights to be controlled by the MQTT buttons on the Wink Relay.

All in all a very good investment and because it’s a clean looking professional package, high WAF.

199

Very nice product for $99 US for a 2 pack.
https://www.wink.com/products/wink-relay-touchscreen-controller/
Shame its not available on other side of the pond (Europe voltage and zwave freq)

200

I have a bunch of these I will be posting on Ebay for sale. I plan on providing them pre-flashed with the Tasmota which is an excellent firmware for use with MQTT. It can also be used to emulate Hue devices which makes them directly compatible with Alexa. The Alexa app can be used to control the switches outside of your network. If you want to write your own code in the arduino IDE you can export the bin file and import in directly through the Tasmota. I am wondering how much interest there may be from the HA users? The manufacturer is getting their ETL certification currently. I plan on selling for $20 plus shipping, for a single I can ship first class for aprox $3.

201

I grabbed a couple, do you have a guide you followed for rooting? Or any pointers? Thanks.

202

@monkey_of_hill sure, here’s the guides to follow:

  1. Do all the steps under Rooting the Wink Relay here: http://thingsthataresmart.wiki/index.php?title=Wink_Relay. At step 34, I also disabled all services that had Wink in them except for Edison Wink (or Wink Edison, don’t remember the exact name but leave the service called Edison something enabled). I didn’t start the Wink app after the final reboot, as I’m not using it at all.
  2. Follow the steps here: https://github.com/mjg59/wink-relay-handler. Except, don’t worry about “Building” - there’s an open pull request on that repo to which I’ve attached a compiled version of wink-handler to save you having to compile it.
  3. Once wink-handler is up and running, install “WallPanel” from here: https://github.com/WallPanel-Project/wallpanel-android/releases. I use it to display HADashboard on startup, unfortunately there’s a bug in it that prevents it from loading the HASS GUI at the moment, but it’s great for HADashboard.
  4. Open Chrome, browse to your HASS IP, then hit the menu and “Add to Homescreen”. Launching HASS from that shortcut will open it in fullscreen mode and looks pretty good.

Any questions while you’re going through the process, just ask!

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