Question

I am looking for a solution to something I am most likely making more complicated than it needs to be so any suggestions are welcome. I have a room that only has one light switch and depending how you enter, you have to go through a dark room to turn the light on. It would be nice to have a 3 way switch but I am not looking to rewire the room at this time. So something battery powered is ideal. The closest thing I have been able to find is the Lutron Casseta pico remote but i dont need all the buttons for dimming control. It looks like they used to have one that was just on off but I dont see them anywhere for sale. Is there another product out there like that? If its not possible to find something that looks like a normal light switch, is there a smart button that you all would recommend? Any other clever ideas are also welcome.  

Answer 1

The Samsung button is pretty good. I've got those in a few places. But I tend to solve the problem of dark rooms using a lux sensor, motion sensors and smart bulbs. So, in our kitchen, some of the lights come on at 10% when the lux drops to a certain value. Then when you walk in those plus others come up to 60% and stay like that until no motion is detected.  

Comments

Thank you! Those are some great ideas. I hadnt thought of using a motion sensor. I will look into the Samsung buttons. I really like your idea of the lux sensor in the kitchen. I may have to do something like that.  

Answer 2

Just to add, I'm going to IKEA today and I heard they have some new buttons that are really cheap. I might pick one up to see what they're like

Comments

Let me know how it goes with the Ikea button.  

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@lamellirostral94 Just set it up. Piece of cake. I've only set up on and off at the moment. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether holding the button will work. You can assign an action to a hold. But you can only tell it to go to a certain brightness from what I can see. So a long press of the top might set the brightness to 100% and a long press of the bottom to 50%, for example

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@womanhood2397 Which button did you get? The $6. 99 dimmer?  

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@mullin Yes. Well, £6 over here

Answer 3

I went with Hue and the Hue Dimmer Switch suits this situation perfectly

Comments

Thank you! Do you have to have a Hue bridge or can you connect it directly to ST.?  

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Apparently you can go direct to ST but using the Hue Bridge adds so much more versatility and functionality. I recommend the bridge

Answer 4

Hue or lutron

Comments

Thank you! I will take a better look at both.  

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@lamellirostral94 I’ve had them both for a while so there are advantages to each. If you have any questions I’ll try to help

Answer 5

Ikea button works great

Comments

@mullin Filas Hope so. Got one in my trolley and waiting to pay  

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Does Ikea's system connect directly to ST or do you have to have their bridge?  

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@lamellirostral94 it connects directly. No device handler or bridge needed. It supports up pressed and held or down pressed and held so it's essentially 4 buttons.  

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@lamellirostral94 it also has a magnet inside so I have it stuck to the side of the fridge. But it comes with a mounting plate and screws so you can attach it to the wall anywhere.  

Answer 6

Lutron Caseta Smart Home Dimmer Switch and Pico Remote Kit | for Single-Pole and 3-Way Use | Works with @bea6exa, Apple HomeKit, and The Google Assistant | P-PKG1WH-WH-C | White

Comments

Thank you! Lutron makes a really nice system. Its pricey but you get what you pay for. The pico remote here has a little more functions than I need for this situation. Do you know if you can still buy a 2 button pico remote?  

Answer 7

Motion sensor and smart bulb, or smartthings button and smart bulb. Smart bulb less than $10 Motion sensor less than $30 ST Button less than $20

Comments

Thank you. There seems to be a few people that have suggested this now. I think its a great idea!  

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I have a mudroom the same as your describing and I installed a GE dimmer switch (easier on the eyes when the the light fades to on) and have a motion sensor. In my situation a switch with a motion sensor wouldn't have worked because walking by would turn on the light, but that would be another option.  

Answer 8

You could build a "virtual" 3 way. If there's already a switch controlling something else on the side of the room you're entering, you could move it from a single gang to a dual gang box and install a second switch. Hook up power and neutral and then use zwave association to associate it with your existing switch on the other side of the room.  

Answer 9

Sounds perfect for Hue and Hue switches

Answer 10

Perhaps "@bea6exa, turn off ___ light"?  

Answer 11

Thank you! Its always a possibility

Answer 12

If you replaced the existing switch with a simple motion/occupancy sensor, would it be able to see a person entering the room from either side? Is there a reason you are looking for a "smart" solution? I have a lot of smart switches, bulbs, motion sensors, etc. but for certain use cases, I just have simple occupancy switches or dimmers (bathrooms, closets, pantries, garages)

Answer 13

I assume you are not using @bea6exa/Home? Voice command and wall switch would alleviate the need to cross the room