I have a front porch, with two recessed light fixtures that would normally take a flood light. Then two light fixtures on either side of my garage. And a single recessed light fixture inside my front door, which would also normally take a flood light. These lights are all controlled by switches inside the front door, one switch for each lighting section, for three total switches.

I wanted the lights outside to be on overnight and not too bright, and the inside light to be somewhat dimmer than what was installed, so off to Lowes I went. I prefer daylight color temp LED bulbs. My intention was some sunrise / sunset bulbs for outside and a new, less bright bulb for inside.

I stumbled upon Feit smart Wi-Fi bulbs. These bulbs can change color temp, can be set to a timer, or sunrise / sunset and can be dimmed. I thought, "Perfect, these have everything I want. And at $9 per bulb, they are not much more expensive than regular LED flood bulbs."

I installed them and set them up. I realized right away that the one for inside would not work. I set it up, got it to the preferred brightness level and then turned off the switch. But when I turned the switch back on, it was full bright. It apparently does not save the setting. So, lack of control with the light switch, fatal flaw for this purpose and fixture.

The outside ones worked great for a few nights, until my daughter turned off those switches. I then had to reset all four bulbs the next day. They then worked fine for another 24 hours until we had a storm and the power got interrupted. When power came back on, the light bulbs were blinking like crazy, which is what they do when you set them up the first time. So, fatal flaw for these, power interruptions require a full reset.

I thought no big deal, I will go ahead with the sunrise / sunset bulbs and install dimmer switches. I am doing this because I do not want 800 lumens of light out of each of these 4 light fixtures. But when I get to Lowes, there are only a few sunrise / sunset bulbs, and they are all non-dimmable. I run across the street to Wal-Mart, all sunrise sunset bulbs are non-dimmable. I look on Amazon, I cannot find a single sunrise / sunset bulb that is dimmable.

I was able to find one sunrise / sunset bulb online at Home Depot that says it is dimmable, but I question how true this is since ALL of the other ones I could find say non dimmable. And that bulb has more one star reviews and five star reviews, so that isn't a good sign.

First question, why are sunrise / sunset bulbs all non-dimmable?

Would a sunrise / sunset bulb even work in my recessed lighting fixture on the porch?

I want only 100-200 lumens of daylight color temp light out of each of the four light fixtures outside. I want them to come on at dusk, off at dawn. And I do not want to hassle with them frequently like I was going to have to do with the smart bulbs. Can I achieve this?

I think you're going about this the wrong way. If you want to dictate brightness and color temp, as well as have them run during a specific timeframe, setup the app for whatever bulbs you ultimately use, and assign a schedule for the bulbs to operate on. Inside that setup, it usually allows you to also select all the other variables you want to use (i.e. brightness, color, temp), and since its a saved 'event', all of these selected options will be used each time that scheduled item runs. And that eliminates the need to use the old switches or install dinners. 'Or', you could opt to use regular non-WiFi LED bulbs that are dimmable, swap out your switches to WiFi switches, and then setup up your schedule(s) and options in them as opposed to the bulbs. Either way should work.

I have LED WiFi bulbs and WiFi switches all over the house (both inside and out) operating on a number of schedules to insure I get the lighting I want, when and where I want it. This process makes lighting a no brainer.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
I have LED WiFi bulbs and WiFi switches all over the house (both inside and out) operating on a number of schedules to insure I get the lighting I want, when and where I want it. This process makes lighting a no brainer.

So maybe I bought the incorrect brand. Because when they lost power, they lost all memory of what I had set up within the app. What brand are you running?

I'm pretty ignorant with the smart lights but take a look at Govee and Philips Hue.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/...36EFEAB?ref_=ast_bln

https://www.amazon.com/stores/...D95936E?ref_=ast_bln

I am using TP-Link for all my smart house electronics.

Everything has worked well except the three-way dimmer switch.

You can see their light bulb choices here.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tp-...116&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
I think you're going about this the wrong way. If you want to dictate brightness and color temp, as well as have them run during a specific timeframe, setup the app for whatever bulbs you ultimately use, and assign a schedule for the bulbs to operate on. Inside that setup, it usually allows you to also select all the other variables you want to use (i.e. brightness, color, temp), and since its a saved 'event', all of these selected options will be used each time that scheduled item runs. And that eliminates the need to use the old switches or install dinners. 'Or', you could opt to use regular non-WiFi LED bulbs that are dimmable, swap out your switches to WiFi switches, and then setup up your schedule(s) and options in them as opposed to the bulbs. Either way should work.

I have LED WiFi bulbs and WiFi switches all over the house (both inside and out) operating on a number of schedules to insure I get the lighting I want, when and where I want it. This process makes lighting a no brainer.

I think Home Assistant can set all that up and works with a lot of different models of bulbs.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
I have LED WiFi bulbs and WiFi switches all over the house (both inside and out) operating on a number of schedules to insure I get the lighting I want, when and where I want it. This process makes lighting a no brainer.

So maybe I bought the incorrect brand. Because when they lost power, they lost all memory of what I had set up within the app. What brand are you running?

All my stuff is TP Link KASA given it requires no hub. I live here in sunny Orlando too , so we have power outages almost weekly with no issues loosing settings. They just work.


Switches


Bulbs

I can honestly say I've learned something in this thread. I didn't even know these things existed. The only smart thing in my house is my dog. My lights have 2 positions, on and off. Same as the switches. Seems easier that way.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:
... Seems easier that way.

It's not.

All mine are dual designed. For me it’s switches that are on/off. My wife has a remote, me!

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
I think you're going about this the wrong way. If you want to dictate brightness and color temp, as well as have them run during a specific timeframe, setup the app for whatever bulbs you ultimately use, and assign a schedule for the bulbs to operate on. Inside that setup, it usually allows you to also select all the other variables you want to use (i.e. brightness, color, temp), and since its a saved 'event', all of these selected options will be used each time that scheduled item runs. And that eliminates the need to use the old switches or install dinners. 'Or', you could opt to use regular non-WiFi LED bulbs that are dimmable, swap out your switches to WiFi switches, and then setup up your schedule(s) and options in them as opposed to the bulbs. Either way should work.

I have LED WiFi bulbs and WiFi switches all over the house (both inside and out) operating on a number of schedules to insure I get the lighting I want, when and where I want it. This process makes lighting a no brainer.

I think Home Assistant can set all that up and works with a lot of different models of bulbs.

I would also prefer smart switches over smart bulbs. When you manually turn off a wifi bulb, it looses power & doesn't properly shut down. A switch still has power available & can still be controlled/connected*. As bigdeal said, with a smart bulb - leave the switch on & let the bulb control the schedule/brightness. It's a trade-off for cost/ease of install.

*Switches need a neutral in the box to function. If that box doesn't have, go with a bulb & block the switch 'on'.

I have a few Kasa devices (dimmer switches, wall plugs) as well as Home Assistant & Z-wave/Zigbee setup (1 zone zigbee, 2 zones z-wave). I don't use the kasa app anymore, except to initially setup. I probably won't buy more Kasa, unless it is the only option that fits the use case (don't want internet connected devices).
Homeassistant integrates Kasa well & is easier to schedule (once you get used to it).

Kasa is the easiest/cheapest option I have found & it works well. I have plugs I bought 6+ years ago that I use 1 month out of the year - they have been plug in & go for most of that time. "Alexa, turn the fucking Christmas tree off" after 1 too many times getting ordered out of bed to un-plug the damn thing. I would recommend Kasa for a beginner or small install (like the OP).
Zwave is usually more expensive, but more solid function & I have complete control. It is marginally more difficult to setup, but now that I have 2 zones, I can see the overhead door status in my shop from my couch - no more forgetting to close the 16' door when it's 5* out.
zigbee is cheaper than zwave & some devices it shows. I have a temp/%RH sensor that eats batteries, but it was 1/3rd the cost of a zwave device. It was slightly easier to get setup & working with HA.

I have a dedicated home server that runs Home Assistant with a Nortek USB stick with Z-wave/Zigbee radios & a Rpi with a Zwave board in the shop. It was a pain in the ass to get them setup (linux console commands from splicing several internet how-to writeups), but now they work well. I can mix & match devices from many brands, yet see status on a single page (and phone app). I have 4 wall plugs in the same 'control panel' on HA - 2 are Kasa wife & 2 are Zwave, different MFGs, different capabilities, but they look the same & have the same controls.

Also, just noticed Kasa dimmers are still 3/$46 on Amazon. That's a helluva deal for home automation - cheap, dumb dimmers aren't much less $.

quote:

Originally posted by snidera:

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
I think you're going about this the wrong way. If you want to dictate brightness and color temp, as well as have them run during a specific timeframe, setup the app for whatever bulbs you ultimately use, and assign a schedule for the bulbs to operate on. Inside that setup, it usually allows you to also select all the other variables you want to use (i.e. brightness, color, temp), and since its a saved 'event', all of these selected options will be used each time that scheduled item runs. And that eliminates the need to use the old switches or install dinners. 'Or', you could opt to use regular non-WiFi LED bulbs that are dimmable, swap out your switches to WiFi switches, and then setup up your schedule(s) and options in them as opposed to the bulbs. Either way should work.

I have LED WiFi bulbs and WiFi switches all over the house (both inside and out) operating on a number of schedules to insure I get the lighting I want, when and where I want it. This process makes lighting a no brainer.

I think Home Assistant can set all that up and works with a lot of different models of bulbs.

I would also prefer smart switches over smart bulbs. When you manually turn off a wifi bulb, it looses power & doesn't properly shut down. A switch still has power available & can still be controlled/connected*. As bigdeal said, with a smart bulb - leave the switch on & let the bulb control the schedule/brightness. It's a trade-off for cost/ease of install.

*Switches need a neutral in the box to function. If that box doesn't have, go with a bulb & block the switch 'on'.

I have a few Kasa devices (dimmer switches, wall plugs) as well as Home Assistant & Z-wave/Zigbee setup (1 zone zigbee, 2 zones z-wave). I don't use the kasa app anymore, except to initially setup. I probably won't buy more Kasa, unless it is the only option that fits the use case (don't want internet connected devices).
Homeassistant integrates Kasa well & is easier to schedule (once you get used to it).

Kasa is the easiest/cheapest option I have found & it works well. I have plugs I bought 6+ years ago that I use 1 month out of the year - they have been plug in & go for most of that time. "Alexa, turn the fucking Christmas tree off" after 1 too many times getting ordered out of bed to un-plug the damn thing. I would recommend Kasa for a beginner or small install (like the OP).
Zwave is usually more expensive, but more solid function & I have complete control. It is marginally more difficult to setup, but now that I have 2 zones, I can see the overhead door status in my shop from my couch - no more forgetting to close the 16' door when it's 5* out.
zigbee is cheaper than zwave & some devices it shows. I have a temp/%RH sensor that eats batteries, but it was 1/3rd the cost of a zwave device. It was slightly easier to get setup & working with HA.

I have a dedicated home server that runs Home Assistant with a Nortek USB stick with Z-wave/Zigbee radios & a Rpi with a Zwave board in the shop. It was a pain in the ass to get them setup (linux console commands from splicing several internet how-to writeups), but now they work well. I can mix & match devices from many brands, yet see status on a single page (and phone app). I have 4 wall plugs in the same 'control panel' on HA - 2 are Kasa wife & 2 are Zwave, different MFGs, different capabilities, but they look the same & have the same controls.

This is a good place to get pre-flashed components: https://cloudfree.shop/

They replace the firmware with open source firmware to avoid obsolescence when the company shuts down their cloud services. Which does happen.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
This is a good place to get pre-flashed components: https://cloudfree.shop/

They replace the firmware with open source firmware to avoid obsolescence when the company shuts down their cloud services. Which does happen.

That dude is a hoosier & Boilermaker-light (IUPUI), so he can't be all bad. I'd be leery of any '3rd party open source' services - it might be well-meaning, but it will be difficult to sort out support/warranty/guarantee/responsibility (IE, there is none). He will likely try to do the right thing for issues, but eventually there becomes a 'fuck it' point & there's no recourse. Someone slips him a modified source & there's no detection. Unlikely, but severe issues.
Just my opinion, but if you can't flash open-source replacement firmwares, you have no business using open-source replacement firmwares. I've tested a bunch of custom Tomato builds, one of which caused the white plastic above the CPU on the router to turn brown & that router was forever lobotomized afterward, even using basic Tomato. You have to know what you are getting.

Supposedly, the Kasa stuff can be run w/o cloud access if you have a local setup like Home Assistant. You just block the device's IP from anything on the WAN side of your router - I will likely do this at some point.
I had the Kasa stuff before Home Assistant & used the Kasa app. I don't care if someone can hack my christmas tree plug that is used for less than 10% of the year, but it did make me shy away from additional home automation. Zwave/Zigbee is local by default.

It's tasmota. It's well trusted and vetted. Being leery is fine and even suggested but look toward the trackers in all the chicom hardware and firmware.

quote:

Originally posted by snidera:
Kasa is the easiest/cheapest option I have found & it works well.

Hence the reason I suggested it given the Ops current level of experience/knowledge on this topic. Zigbee and/or Zwave coupled with Home Assistant is a whole other layer of complexity many people don't need (or want) to simply control some lights.

quote:

Originally posted by snidera:
Supposedly, the Kasa stuff can be run w/o cloud access if you have a local setup like Home Assistant.

That is correct, and part of the reason I chose KASA products to start with. In the future I intend to run Home Assistant on an Android tablet on the wall in my Family Room utilizing existing KASA and new Zwave devices.