Question

Took the plunge and bought a new hue hub due to hitting the limit of devices on "bridge 1" Hue app is a bit rubbish at management of devices spanning two hubs, but trusty SmartThings to the rescue. I even managed to add the extra devices from "bridge 2" to Alexa by exposing them through SmartThings. Had to re add my automations for the devices I moved from 1 --> 2, other than that all working well so far. Anyone else got hints /tips for me wrt using and managing 2 hubs?  

Answer 1

Don't suppose you're an Apple user? If so, apparently the iConnectHue app spans multiple bridges. Can't confirm as I don't use Apple

Comments

@terrie Thanksng no I'm an Alexa, SmartThings and Android (Samsung) user

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Bummer. Same here

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@terrie Thanksng I have iConnectHue on IOS and can confirm that it sees multiple Hue V2 Hubs. I run 4 hubs with no issues.  

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Having a play with Hue Essentials for Android at the mo. see where that takes me

Answer 2

No advice because i stopped buying Hue when my first hub maxed out. Frankly it's ridiculous in 2020 a premium product such as Philips Hue can only handle such a low amount of devices, yet they keep throwing 101 new lights at the market.  

Comments

@eucharist how many devices do they handle I was thinking about switching not so much any more

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@gaza3 The max limit is only 64, however hue recommend no more then 50 because dimmer switches and motion sensors take up more then 1 light slot, and the more scenes you have the more room it takes. 50 may sound like a few, but it adds up fast especially when you have 20 downlights just in the hall and kitchen alone. So many people are maxing out their hubs and Hue isnt addressing this and keep throwing out new light designs.  

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@eucharist yeah no I have over 200 devices no way!  

Answer 3

I have the same setup and so far all working well. I would suggest looking at the app hue essentials. More functionality than u get with the normal hue app plus it can control multiple bridges so you don’t have to keep going into settings and swapping. It does cost a few quid but my feeling was if I have spent enough to max out a bridge may as well spend a couple of quid to be able to control them all at once.  

Comments

@sawtelle Cheers for this. Having a look now. Haven't figured out how to combine zones yet with bulbs from both bridges and the brightness is a bit twiddley, but I had some Google opinion rewards to spend, so bought the bridge multi options in the app

Answer 4

What is the limit? I’ve about 18 lights on mine. Sometimes there is a delay and other similar issues. I feel I might be close.  

Comments

@byerly technically 64 lights but Philips recommend no more than 50. Dimmer switches and motion sensors take up more than one light position though IIRC

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@terrie Thanksng I’ve 5 dimmer switches too and didn’t count them. Thank god for smartthings. The colour control isn’t as good as the hue app but I find it fast and responsive.  

Answer 5

Running 4 Hue hubs through 2 SmartThings hubs with no issues whatsoever.