LED dimmers and protocol to connect lights to HA - Wink/ISY994/Zwave/? - which is best? (need 240V)

[GregD]

I need some advice from the experts.

I now have HA connected to a range of WeMo devices (including some stuff I've built connected via WeMo Makers - a blind, a gate and a skylight), and Philips Hue bulbs.

I'm now thinking about connecting my normal LED lights They use 12V MR16 dimmable bulbs - so even if I could afford 30+ Hue bulbs - Philips don't make MR16 Hues. 

I have attractive switches - so would be reluctant to replace them with WeMo dimmer light switches - but in any case they don't sell 240V versions.

LightwaveRF do a similar switch/ dimmer product in the UK - but it doesn't currently integrate with HA, and the chat on their community board doesn't make me think the API is well supported.

The obvious solution is to fit small remote dimmers behind my current switches, but I don't know what system to go for. I've seen some small looking zwave devices - but the warnings about this being very new and trying to compile my own python on my main server (Windows), makes me worry a little.

I saw some mention about ISY994 and insteon which looks like a possibility,

That said I don't mind writing / debugging some python (I contributed some WeMo improvements to the latest release).

Looks like I have a choice of at least Wink, ISY994 and Zwave. So what do other people use, and what do you love / hate?

All advice welcome.

[Carlo Costanzo]

I’ve read a bunch about people using z-wave in-wall relay switches.  That will allow you to use your existing switches.  I’ve only read about the Fibaro ones but Amazon seems to have these as well.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Vision-Z-Wave-Micro-Switch-relay/dp/B00R883YKU

 

I’ve never used them but it might point you on the right path.

 

-CARLO

 

Check out my virtualization blog at www.vCloudInfo.com!

Follow me : Twitter: @ccostan | FaceBook

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[GregD]

Thanks Carlo,

So if I were to pick up a Vera controller, say http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/products/VeraEdge-Z-Wave-Home-Controller.html

This would integrate with HA.

And I could then something like the Fibaro http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/products/VeraEdge-Z-Wave-Home-Controller.html

or perhaps http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/products/Z-Wave-Dimming-Micro-Module-by-Qubino.html

To actually control the lights?

[Carlo Costanzo]

Hey Greg,

 

I don’t run Vera either but HA supports it.

https://home-assistant.io/components/vera.html

 

The relays should talk to the Vera and still allow you to use the actual light switches.

 

For me though, I just use Wink and Bulbs.  No light switches yet.

Check out my virtualization blog at www.vCloudInfo.com!

Follow me : Twitter: @ccostan | FaceBook

 

From: home-assi...@googlegroups.com [mailto:home-assi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of GregD

Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2015 4:39 AM
To: Home Assistant Dev <home-assi...@googlegroups.com>

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[Ryan Kraus]

I'm going to chime in to throw my hat in for the ISY994. It is a more expensive option, but I like Insteon switches and the ISY itself is pretty rock solid. I've never had an issue with my ISY. I've had one or two Insteon devices go out, but I have quite a few so that is not surprising.

ISY does also support Z-Wave (with an addon), but HA doesn't support Z-Wave through ISY. It is on my to-do list to add support for this, but it is a bit lower on a long list so I can't promise anything.

On Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 12:23:34 PM UTC-4, Carlo Costanzo wrote:

Hey Greg,

 

I don’t run Vera either but HA supports it.

https://home-assistant.io/components/vera.html

 

The relays should talk to the Vera and still allow you to use the actual light switches.

 

For me though, I just use Wink and Bulbs.  No light switches yet.

Check out my virtualization blog at www.vCloudInfo.com!

Follow me : Twitter: @ccostan | FaceBook

 

From: home-assi...@googlegroups.com [mailto:home-assi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of GregD
Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2015 4:39 AM
To: Home Assistant Dev <home-assi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [home-assistant-dev] LED dimmers and protocol to connect lights to HA - Wink/ISY994/Zwave/? - which is best? (need 240V)

 

Thanks Carlo,

 

So if I were to pick up a Vera controller, say http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/products/VeraEdge-Z-Wave-Home-Controller.html

 

This would integrate with HA.

 

And I could then something like the Fibaro http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/products/VeraEdge-Z-Wave-Home-Controller.html

 

or perhaps http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/products/Z-Wave-Dimming-Micro-Module-by-Qubino.html

 

To actually control the lights?

 

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[GregD]

Thanks guys - the ISY994 wasn't easily available here, so I've ordered a VERA Edge, and a fibaro dimmer to test out.

[Chirag]

I'm not sure if this is still relevant to you but I have Home Assistant running with my LightwaveRF controlling all the lights in my house.

If you'd like the file that makes this possible just let me know.

C

[GregD]

I went with Vera (which is working pretty well) - but I think LightwaveRF would be a great addition to HA if you're willing (I might have gone with that if it were supported).