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Physical user interface (lemmy.world)
submitted 9 months ago by to c/homeassistant@lemmy.world
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I am fairly new to home automation and I am looking to add a few physical wall switches to devices that don't have a specific wall switch of their own. I have a couple rooms where I want to put a light on a smart bulb/plug/relay but want to be able to turn the light on/off via a physical interaction at the door, like a normal light switch.
The only solution I see right now is to expand the hole for the existing light (ceiling fan actually) switch, add another smart switch that doesn't actually have a load, and then set it up so if that switch is turned "on/off" then I have a automation that triggers the smart relay.
But that seems like gross overkill. I honestly don't care about cutting holes or wiring stuff up, but somehow paying full price for a smart switch and then using it as nothing more than an alternative user interface for yet another smart device seems really wrong.
Currently I have several kaso/tapo switches installed and have been looking at some smart relays/plugs/bulbs to turn on a lamp, or trigger the light on the fan separately from the fan itself.

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[–] 8 points 9 months ago* (7 children)

I just took some Zigbee buttons and stuck em on the wall. I rent though, so I can't mess with the wiring. Works well. I have Zigbee bulbs so I just put little 3D printed covers on the real switches to keep the power going to the smart bulbs.

But can't you get a smart switch with physical controls? What tech do you use to control your lights/switches/relays? Zigbee? WiFi? Matter/Thread?

I'd do something like this: https://a.co/d/022pOcJo if I could. (Not recommending this brand... Didn't research it.)

WiFi ones exist too but I wouldn't want to permanently install WiFi smart home stuff. If you're going this far invest into a Zigbee or Matter over Thread radio. It works great with Homeassistant.

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago (4 children)

    I also just want to add the batteries in most of those zigbee buttons last on the order of years

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  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago

    There are Zigbee buttons that don’t even need batteries. They produce the necessary energy to send a signal from the energy you put into clicking them. Incredible stuff out there.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 9 months ago (1 child)

    Just a basic wifi setup so far. I was thinking I would need to rewire the original switch to hardwired and skip the switch part. But, I really like your idea of a 3D printed cover, that way I can still kill the power if needed. And depending upon the control I end up going with I might even be able to integrate it into that cover... That's awesome.
    That switch you linked me to is pretty sweet also. Not only would it eliminate the need to change or charge batteries for remote type devices, but I also would not have to cut into the wall or do anything drastic to add switches to the current single gang switch.

    The existing switches operator fans with a light. The fan may be on but the light off, so you currently have to cross the room to get to the pull switch to turn the light on. And in my bedroom, if my wife is asleep with the fan on, I would like to turn on a small lamp that won't wake her up. It's easy enough if I have my phone on me, but otherwise I'm trying to make it across the room without tripping on the dog.

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago*

    I have a button on my bedroom wall and two others one on each nightstand.

    Pressing the one on the wall once turns on the main lights. Double press controls the lamps.

    On the nightstands it's opposite. One press for lamp, two for main light. Long press any of them to turn everything off.

    My living room has a similar setup, but like you I have a dual light/fan. I keep the fan controlled by the pull chain and the lights are smart bulbs that are controlled by the wall button.

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