Smart Lights or Switch

lky2k23

I have 2 banks of GU10 led's in my kitchen, but the light switches aren't in the places they should be.

I want to move the switch without rewiring if possible.

I know about ikea and philips smart lights, but is there any solution to make the switch 'smart' and relay it with a new switch? Any I've found are US based only.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Not a cheap solution, but you could replace the existing switch with a LightwaveRF dimmer switch (as long as your existing lights support trailing edge dimming) and buy an additional wireless switch to pair with it which you can put wherever you want.

lky2k23

Quite sure they're not dimmable. Is it still doable?

TheCyclingProgrammer

lky2k23 wrote: »

Quite sure they're not dimmable. Is it still doable?

Possibly. You can get a non-dimming LightwaveRF inline relay which looks like this:
https://www.megamanuk.com/lightwaverf/products/inline-switching/jsjslw821/

You would need to wire that up in place of your existing switch and put the relay in the switch backbox so it would need to be deep enough to accommodate (35mm backbox needed). You would then pair a wireless switch with the relay and put the switch where you want.

The existing backbox can be covered with a blanking plate, or another wireless switch (the wireless switches can be screwed into a normal back box or simply stuck up on the wall with sticky pads).

Alternatively you could replace your existing bulbs with dimmable LEDs (assuming they are mains voltage, otherwise you'd need to check the transformers too).

TheCyclingProgrammer

I did something similar with the switch in our spare bedroom - even though we had good access above the room in the loft, getting a new cable into the stud wall where I wanted to relocate the switch (because the existing switch was behind the door when it was opened) would have been difficult. In this case, I disconnected the old switch cable and installed a dimmer relay in the loft, blanked off the old switch plate and put a wireless switch where I wanted it.

lky2k23

Thanks. Annoying it doesn't work with Logitech Harmony, but I've seen a very techy work around.

TheCyclingProgrammer

lky2k23 wrote: »

Thanks. Annoying it doesn't work with Logitech Harmony, but I've seen a very techy work around.

If you're that way inclined, I have all of my LightwaveRF switches and sockets hooked up to a home automation system running on a home server. I don't use the official LightwaveRF wifi hub - I have one of these transceivers connected to the server:

https://www.uk-automation.co.uk/rfxcom-rfxtrx433e/

This can control lots of different things on that frequency (including my doorbell). The software I use is called Domoticz. I have my Nest thermostat, the lights, even my Harmony remote connected up to it.

Not sure about directly controlling the lights with a Harmony remote, but I do have additional software that exposes all of my devices using Apple HomeKit and I can control them all from my iPhone using the Home app and Siri. You can also by LightwaveRF remote controls.

lky2k23

how can I learn more about this???

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

If you're that way inclined, I have all of my LightwaveRF switches and sockets hooked up to a home automation system running on a home server. I don't use the official LightwaveRF wifi hub - I have one of these transceivers connected to the server:

https://www.uk-automation.co.uk/rfxcom-rfxtrx433e/

This can control lots of different things on that frequency (including my doorbell). The software I use is called Domoticz. I have my Nest thermostat, the lights, even my Harmony remote connected up to it.

Not sure about directly controlling the lights with a Harmony remote, but I do have additional software that exposes all of my devices using Apple HomeKit and I can control them all from my iPhone using the Home app and Siri. You can also by LightwaveRF remote controls.

bm147

Philips Hue offer a wireless "light switch" - I cant post a link, but a quick google search for Philips Hue Dimmer Switch will bring it up.

Its available in the UK from the likes of amazon, currys etc...
Obviously only works with the Hue bulbs, which aren't cheap imo as GU10's, but their other bulbs are reasonable as smart bulbs go..

Hue will also work with the logitech harmony elite remote control, and can even run scenes if you have them setup...

All you would need to do with the HUE setup is to leave your mains switch ON, and then use the HUE dimmer switch to control the HUE GU10's, be it on, off, or dimmed.

Honestly, I wouldn't use anything but Philips Hue now, I have found them really easy to setup and super reliable. Can even control them from anywhere in the world, setup things like living room lights to come on when I arrive home, or at the press of a button to switch all the lights in the house off for bedtime... Oh, and if you are an Apple fan, you can control them using Siri too!

Vampgirl

We have a similar quandry in our kitchen - we have a pendant light, 9 GU10s, and under-cupboard lights which are all controlled from a 3 gang switch. I want to replace them with smart bulbs and whilst Hue looks great, it'll cost a few hundred £s to do it all (and require totally replacing the under-cupboard lights as there isn't a suitable Hue bulb). I recently found this wifi light switch that looks like it could do the job. The reviews I've found so far are mixed - but seem to be mostly related to the fact that it needs a neutral wire in the switch (apparently not all switches have this) and that its difficult to fit all the wires into the back box. I'm still undecided but as I can use Alexa to integrate the different systems I think I might give it a go.

TheCyclingProgrammer

lky2k23 wrote: »

how can I learn more about this???

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