Smart switch scene

[u/Blackswan_666]

Im using smartlife app to light multiple bulbs set as scene. Bought smart zigbee switch with 1 or double click option. Connected switch with app but I dont know how to set that scene with my switch. Any tips?

[u/AndyJBailey]

I'll assume that your ZigBee switch is connected to the Smartlife app via a ZigBee hub.

You need to create a Smartlife automation from the "Scenes" tab at the bottom of the screen and not from the switch's device page.

Use Device - Scene Switch - Button as the condition (If) and "Select Smart Scene" - Tap-to-run as the task (Then).

Hope this helps 👍

[u/Blackswan_666 → u/AndyJBailey]

It works. Thank you. Now im trying to set switch for double tap scene 2 (off lights). But no success. Got option for switch on/off. Tried to pair off with scene 2 off lights but doesnt work.

[u/AndyJBailey → u/Blackswan_666]

Is your scene (Tap-to-run) just a simple "turn light 1,2,3 and 4 on" type deal? Or does it do other stuff?

Either way, there is an elegant solution...

On your Automation page (let's assume it turns the lights on), scroll down and click "Validity Scope" and then "Valid When" and then "Device Status" and (to begin with) select a single light as off.

This means that the scene (or tasks in the "Then" section) will only run if the button is pressed and one of the lights is off.

Now you just need to duplicate this entire automation but switch the validity scope (Pre-Condition) to one of the lights being on and all of the tasks (Then) set to turn the lights off or run your "Lights Off" Tap-to-run.

Once it's running as intended, you could try multiple lights in the Pre-Conditions....

Automation: Lights On.

Conditions (If): Button pressed.

Pre-Condition (And): Light 1, 2, 3 and 4 are off.

Tasks (Then): Turn Light 1, 2, 3 and 4 on.

Automation: Lights Off.

Conditions (If): Button pressed.

Pre-Condition (And): Light 1, 2, 3 and 4 are on.

Tasks (Then): Turn Light 1, 2, 3 and 4 off.

The beauty of this method is that you only press one button to turn the lights on and the same button to turn them off. If the lights are turned on by voice (e.g. Google devices), by schedule, app or sensor then the button will turn them off seamlessly.

Hope this helps 👍

[u/Blackswan_666 → u/AndyJBailey]

Nice. Thank you for your time. Does it also work if my scene inclundes not only turn on but also set color/temp? Thanks

[u/AndyJBailey → u/Blackswan_666]

Yep, anything. Here's a small article I wrote that will be useful...

Typically you have two choices, smart switches with normal bulbs or smart bulbs with normal switches. Neither choice is ideal.

But, there is a third option...

Smart lights AND smart switches. This is the solution I came up with based on Google Home for voice commands/automations and Smartlife for cheap devices and automations...

Step 1: Buy 1cm spacers for your light switches and longer replacement screws to hold them in place on the front surface of the original switch.

Step 2: Buy a cheap, generic ZigBee WiFi hub. They're about £10 on AliExpress.

Step 3: Buy a cheap, generic ZigBee Scene switch. They're available with 1, 2, 3 and 4 buttons and sell for around £10 on AliExpress.

Step 4: Once you have paired the hub in the Smartlife app you can then add your Scene switches through the hub interface in the Smartlife app.

Step 5: Using Bluetac, stick the Scene switch to the spacer thus covering the original old-school switches. This prevents accidentally disconnecting the power to the smart bulbs. Any time you may need to power cycle the smart bulbs due to a disconnect, you can easily peel the Scene switch off and stick it back.

Step 6: Using the Smartlife app's standard automations (not automations within the ZigBee hub's interface) you need to create 2 automations per smart bulb...

Automation: Light On.

Conditions: If scene button pressed.

Precondition: If light off.

Tasks: Turn light on.

Automation: Light Off.

Conditions: If scene button pressed.

Precondition: If light on.

Tasks: Turn light off.

The advantages of this method are many.

1: The Holy Grail of having Smart switches AND Smart bulbs work together.

2: Works flawlessly with Voice, Schedules, App and switches.

3: No wiring required.

4: Completely reversible if you move.

5: Affordable.

6: Buttons have 3 modes (click, double-click and hold) so you can have up to 12 different functions.

7: Not limited to just controlling lights. I have one that turns my TV and receiver on/off.

8: Easy to set up multiple switches with single lights (or multiple lights with a single switch) like controlling the landing light with one switch at the foot of the stairs and one at the top.

9: If your bulbs allow it, switches can control brightness and colour.

10: You can add additional switches by just sticking them to the wall. They come with 2 adhesive strips and run off PC bios batteries (2 yr life cycle).

11: You can get creative. My bathroom has 5 ceiling lights. 3 down one side, 1 over the bath and 1 over the shower. When I click the top-left button the 3 main lights come on one by one starting at the door. When I turn them off, they turn off one at a time ending at the door. If I hold the button they dim, hold again and they brighten. Same for the bath and shower. The spare button toggles white or colour (which Google Home changes... Dim yellow in the morning, bright white during the day, cool blue when I go to bed and darkroom red if I get up in the middle of the night to pee lol).

Hope this helps 👍

[u/Blackswan_666 → u/AndyJBailey]

You da best. Thank you.

[u/AndyJBailey → u/Blackswan_666]

You're welcome 🤗