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I'm just getting started on my HA setup, as I'm about to own a new home. So far I've got a Aeotec Z-Stick and a Schlage motorized deadbolt. I'm trying to decide how I want to do the lights in my house, and I saw a new kit by TCP Lighting at an outrageously low price compared to other HA options.
The kit is two dimmable LED lightbulbs and the proprietary embedded network server to communicate with the lights. Home Depot has the kit for $50 right now, so I got it to test things out. The bulbs are almost exactly like incandescent bulbs in light and appearance, don't make any nasty buzzing noise, and dim very smoothly. Extra bulbs are ~$17, and the system can run up to 250 of them. Turning these bulbs on and off, along with dimming can only be done through the local website that the TCP net device serves, or the iPhone/Android app. This is a big PITA because if you HAVE to leave the switch on, otherwise the app is useless, and if you turn the bulb off in the app, then don't have your smartphone with you, you have to turn the switch off, wait a second, then turn it back on to get light in the room. To make matters worse, this resets the dim level to 100%, and sometimes causes connectivity havoc next time you try to adjust the light in-app.
Tcp Connected Light Bulbs
I've determined that the entire system works with POST data, and tied that into my existing HA system, cutting out the need for the app/website. Here's the POST data, so you can see how simple it is.
Light on, <value>1</value> light off value is 0.
Light dim, <value>[0-100]</value><type>level</type>
cmd=DeviceSendCommand&data=<gip><version>1</version><token>1234567890</token><did>[DeviceID]</did><value>1</value></gip>&fmt=xml
Light dim, <value>[0-100]</value><type>level</type>
cmd=DeviceSendCommand&data=<gip><version>1</version><token>1234567890</token><did>[DeviceID]</did><value>80</value><type>level</type></gip>&fmt=xml
Connected By Tcp Light Bulbs
So controlling the lights can be done by any device that can send POST data to a local website, or through an action/event on whatever HA software. I need to figure out what I could use to function as a light switch. I've considered arduino or raspberry pi, but if each switch needed a controller with wifi, the cost skyrockets higher than just getting dedicated z-wave dimmer switches and standard LED light bulbs. Even then, with microcontroller, there needs to be some physical switch/dimmer device connected to it. The other option thought of was getting a super cheap android device and fixing into the wall somehow. Considering the cost of some android devices, this would work out to be cheaper, but there wouldn't be a tactile switch. I've done some basic searches for another device that might work, but I'm not seeing any other options that aren't more expensive.
Tcp Connected Light Bulbs Hack
Does anyone know of an alternative solution to this problem? And it isn't that I mind spending more money for Leviton dimmers and other LED bulbs, its just that I can't believe TCP would have released a product with no dedicated wall switch solution, and expect people to be ok with it.
Sorry for being all over the place, maybe I can organize my thoughts better after this semester is over. Kinda just wanted to throw the idea of these TCP Lights out there, since I haven't seen anyone on any HA boards talking about them.
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