rlanza1054 Posted May 31, 2018 Posted May 31, 2018 Hi, Not sure where I should post this question if this is the wrong place let me know or move it for me! Ok now that that is out of the way my question: I would like to control a couple of my wifi led lights. Right now I use the app (I'm on Android) that comes with a particular product. Example: led lights from the following companies called LIFX, Nanoleaf and Magic Home. All of these different companies and products are also integrated into Amazon Alexia (Echo). Everything works nicely. I love my ISY994 with Insteon and a few Z-Wave. Of course because of the work here by everyone the ISY can be also controlled by the Echo. However, there are times when I want the ISY to turn on a wifi device that is integrated with Alexa if a particular Insteon switch or Motion Sensor is activated or turned on. I'll use the Motion Sensor. If that is tripped off and sends the ISY an ON command have an Insteon light go on but I also want a particular wifi led to be turned on as well! I am not asking for the ISY to ask it to turn on the color blue just a simple on or off command. This could either be direct to the wifi device or send a command to Amazon Alexa/Echo. I think sending it to the Echo would be easier because the Echo interfaces with all these different products already. Maybe through IFTTT? OK hopefully I described what I would like to do! So if anyone knows if this can be done already please let me know the steps I need to take to accomplish this! Thank you so much! Rob Sent from my LG-LS997 using Tapatalk
larryllix Posted May 31, 2018 Posted May 31, 2018 (edited) I control four different styles of LED lighting from my ISY. Philips Hue bulbs via ISY network resources and a Philips Hub/Bridge to Zigbee protocol MiLights Bulbs and RGBW strips via ISY NRs or NodeLink to 2 x Hubs / bridges to proprietary 2.4GHz RF strip controllers & bulbs MagicHome / LEDenet LED strips via ISY NRs direct to RGBWWCW strip controllers. Insteon Switchlinc dimmers via Insteon protocol. I have avoided Insteon bulbs I don't control anything directly from my 4 Alexas or 3 Google Home minis. ISY passes everything. Edited May 31, 2018 by larryllix
dbuss Posted May 31, 2018 Posted May 31, 2018 You can also use Polyglot, https://forum.universal-devices.com/forum/111-polyglot/ and a Raspberry Pi to control these devices. There are node servers in the Node Server store for each of the lights you mention. here's a great video on installing Polyglot on a Raspberry Pi. https://forum.universal-devices.com/forum/111-polyglot/ I use this method for Lifx and other node servers it works very well.
MARCAO88 Posted June 2, 2018 Posted June 2, 2018 On 5/31/2018 at 10:52 AM, larryllix said: I control four different styles of LED lighting from my ISY. Philips Hue bulbs via ISY network resources and a Philips Hub/Bridge to Zigbee protocol MiLights Bulbs and RGBW strips via ISY NRs or NodeLink to 2 x Hubs / bridges to proprietary 2.4GHz RF strip controllers & bulbs MagicHome / LEDenet LED strips via ISY NRs direct to RGBWWCW strip controllers. Insteon Switchlinc dimmers via Insteon protocol. I have avoided Insteon bulbs I don't control anything directly from my 4 Alexas or 3 Google Home minis. ISY passes everything. Hello! How are you? Please, could you explain more about ISY NRs, what is that? I already have insteon devices, I am thinking about buying ISY and Milights... My wish is to click in a INSTEON button and activate a scene where lights could change the color. Please take it easy as I am new here... Sorry if this is a silly question.
larryllix Posted June 2, 2018 Posted June 2, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, MARCAO88 said: Hello! How are you? Please, could you explain more about ISY NRs, what is that? I already have insteon devices, I am thinking about buying ISY and Milights... My wish is to click in a INSTEON button and activate a scene where lights could change the color. Please take it easy as I am new here... Sorry if this is a silly question. Welcome to the forums!!! ISY NRs is an acronym for Network Resources module. This is a piece of firware that is built in to your ISY994 but needs to be enabled by UDI, the manufacturer. This costs about $49 (at one time, so don't quote me). The NR module allows Ethernet packets of almost any style to be sent out in order to control almost anything that can be controlled from an app, and then some. You just have to know the codes and style of protocol. Most manufacturers release an API (application interface) if they want others to use their hardware. Be careful with the word "scene". Insteon coined the word in reference to a particular Insteon group broadcast style, in order to control a group of Insteon devices, all at the same time. Inseteon alsouses it to describe a direct link between two Insteon devices, very commonly used before central intelligence controllers like ISY. "Scene" also has generic meanings, as well as Zwave has their own style and definitions. It can get confused without always using it with an adjective to describe which "scene" you refer. I have about 12 MiLight RGBWW LED strip controllers as well as some bulbs. I have now converted my RGBWW strips to LEDenet which can be controlled on WiFi / NR without any hub / bridge to their proprietary 2.4GHz protocol. MiLights are not WiFi compatible, no matter how much they attempt to scam the market with their implications. Their Hub is WiFi compatible but can only handle four addresses of devices from each Hub. I have one main Insteon SwitchLinc Dimmer switch that controls about 25 bulbs/strip using different styles of lighting in my Gathering room. Now I use Alexa commands to acttivate lighting schemes mostly, and only Alexa for different colour schemes. As examples I have TV Lights, Reading Lights, Bright Lights, Dim Lights, Movie Lights, Full On Lights, Halloween Lights, Autumn Lights, Christmas Lights, Party Lights, Perimeter Lights, and Sunset Lights which slowly dim the whites and bighten the sunset colours on the perimeter bulbs and strips. I also use some ISY sequences to flash one corner red while the garage door is open and run a sequence of red flashes across the room, behind the TV at midnight, because we are too stupid to go to bed at nights. LOL. ISY makes all this possible. Edited June 2, 2018 by larryllix 1
rlanza1054 Posted June 18, 2018 Author Posted June 18, 2018 Interesting, I am using Amazon Echo (I have a Google Home but really don't use as I invested heavily into Echo). I control all my lighting, correction all my LED lighting such as Magic Home, Nanoleaf, LIFX Beam (and LIFX Z Strips) and two other brands. Amazon Alexa now allows you to turn on or off items from the app itself if you don't want to interact verbally. But there are times when I want to get ISY involved in the operation. Here is an example (I'm just making this up): I have a doorbell module setup so when someone rings my door bell or opens my front door (via the Insteon Open/Close Sensor) I have it flash my foyer light and a light in my bedroom and then I have it send out a text message to my Android phone alerting me that someone came in the front door. I don't have to be even home for this. But I would like the ISY to turn on one of my LED'S lights that are connected to the network via a wireless module. Magic Home for example. You say there is a way to send an 'ON' command to that led wifi module. I have the ip address of that module. You said I need to use the Network Resources function. I currently use the ISY's Network Resources to send IR commands to my Global Cache - WF2IR iTACH - wifi to IR. I have one of these Global Cache units in each room. A total of 4 units. Each with its own IP address of course. So how do you send an ON command to the wifi LED controller assuming I have the IP address that. Which I do. What does the command string look like. Can you show an example I purchased a PI Rasberry but never did anything with it. It finally went into a box somewhere. At the time I got that Amazon came out with the Echo and my attention went there instead. Thanks! Rob
larryllix Posted June 19, 2018 Posted June 19, 2018 (edited) On 6/18/2018 at 7:23 PM, rlanza1054 said: Interesting, I am using Amazon Echo (I have a Google Home but really don't use as I invested heavily into Echo). I control all my lighting, correction all my LED lighting such as Magic Home, Nanoleaf, LIFX Beam (and LIFX Z Strips) and two other brands. Amazon Alexa now allows you to turn on or off items from the app itself if you don't want to interact verbally. But there are times when I want to get ISY involved in the operation. Here is an example (I'm just making this up): I have a doorbell module setup so when someone rings my door bell or opens my front door (via the Insteon Open/Close Sensor) I have it flash my foyer light and a light in my bedroom and then I have it send out a text message to my Android phone alerting me that someone came in the front door. I don't have to be even home for this. But I would like the ISY to turn on one of my LED'S lights that are connected to the network via a wireless module. Magic Home for example. You say there is a way to send an 'ON' command to that led wifi module. I have the ip address of that module. You said I need to use the Network Resources function. I currently use the ISY's Network Resources to send IR commands to my Global Cache - WF2IR iTACH - wifi to IR. I have one of these Global Cache units in each room. A total of 4 units. Each with its own IP address of course. So how do you send an ON command to the wifi LED controller assuming I have the IP address that. Which I do. What does the command string look like. Can you show an example I purchased a PI Rasberry but never did anything with it. It finally went into a box somewhere. At the time I got that Amazon came out with the Echo and my attention went there instead. Thanks! Rob This depends on what kind of LED lights you have. The commands and techniques would vary a lot. If you are referring to MagicHome / LEDenet bulbs / RGBWW/CW strips controllers, there is a Polyglot project going on (see another thread) right now. IIRC NR can be used to control them. I use NR to send out encoded messages to my own python3 code running on my RPI3 to operate my dozen RGBWW strips. Most of them have been cracked now but I am not sure how other protocols work as I have no other brands of controllers that can be addressed directly with WiFi. I have MiLight bulbs that I control with the same software as well as using NodeLink with that particular node installed on the above mentioned RPi 3. As a side note: I use many Alexa boxes as well a three Google Home minis. Nothing hits directly on my lighting and everything goes through my ISY with decisions before turning one a few dozen lights to preset festive colours or various brightness levels. My doorbell notifies both of us in text messages only if we are not home. ISY is your friend. Edited October 3, 2019 by larryllix 2
BoomerangThree Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) Hi All, I'm about ready to upgrade my ISY configuration that has been rock solid for some 6 years. Will finally upgrade to the 5.x release and implement the Polyglot server. I have also preordered the Polisy. I only mention this to give some context that I'm a ISY centric user with the desire to become even more ISY centric with the v 5.x release for the devices and controls described below. 1. My main question is a request for advice on LED lights. I want to purchase some color LEDs that will be compatible with the ISY as well as Alexa. Of course I know about the Phillips Hue, but I see that I can go a lot less expensive with Mi Lights, or Lifx (about the same price as the Hue), any others that are less expensive and ISY compatible such as the Berennis Smart Light Bulb? 2. So, what is the forum's recommendation for LED Color bulbs that are ISY compatible, don't require a hub (looking to keep things simple and ISY centric). 3. The Mi Light 12w interests me because of 12w, which would be much brighter than the hue, 100w vs 60w bulb equivalent? Devices Insteon Lights via ISY / Alexa (19) Honeywell Alarm via Total Connect / Alexa Honeywell Temperature XL950 via Nexia / Alexa - (6 zones) Insteon Motion Detection via ISY (4) AeroGarden via Alexa Sonos via Alexa - PlayOne (2), Play 5, Play 1 (5), PlayBar TV / Logitech Harmony via Alexa (2) Yeelight Desklamp via Alexa Yeelight Color LED bulb via Alexa Controls Universal Devices ISY Mobilinc HD - (iPhone (2), iPad (3), Apple Watch (2)) Amazon Alexa - (Echo Dot (3), Echo Show 5 (4)) Sonos - PlayOne (2) IFTTT WebCams 1. Foscam (5) Edited October 3, 2019 by BoomerangThree
lilyoyo1 Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 Personally I prefer hue as it has a strong ecosystem outside of Isy (I cant wait for the hue box to be released). I also prefer using a hub vs WiFi for a variety of reasons. Especially when using a large number of devices. Lifx would be my second choice as I like that they are building a full ecosystem. I've also seen their customer support responsiveness first hand. Many people here like Milight for the price point. It fits all that you say so it may be you best bet 1
larryllix Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 MiLights take a hub for every four groups of bulbs and I see no RGBWW strips for that protocol. By Groups, I mean addresses. So you can have as many bulbs as you want but only ever four different colours or levels at one time. Colours are the best I have seen and very good power output on all colours. Prices were good. I have many in my junk box now. Hue put out many bulbs that cannot do green. Philips tried to create a bulb with only three LEDs inside and without a real blue LED green isn't possible. As a matter of fact, the bulbs cannot do blue either but only an indigo/violet version of blue. They can never match any other brands , giving different colours around the room. I have a about 6 in a junk box now. They require a Hue hub. Easy protocol to work with. Newer versions of Hue may produce all the colours but I don't trust them to be capable until after purchase and returns are not likely. MagicHome bulbs can produce all the colours without any hub. I have 25 Chinese knockoffs, and 10 RGBWW strips, all mostly compatible and very close colouring match. Bulbs were under $10 each. I use custom software on a RPi 3, co-existing with Polyglot. Colours are weak compared to white. Ratings are always for the white LED and colours are whatever power level they feel like. My RGBWW strip controllers can mix white and colours, for pastels, but my cheaper bulbs cannot. The MagicHome protocol has many variations and not all knockoffs may be completely compatible. Some require an On signal to address them before setting colours. Some can do it opposite, avoiding the initial full on flash. With WiFi lighting you end up with an IP address for every bulb. You need a capable router. Unless your software does a keepalive pulse every minute or so, the bulbs will be slow to respond from their sleeping state. This gets annoying when turning on banks of them and may crowd your WiFi airwaves with a lot of units. I thought that mixing colours and white was important. After using many brands I have discovered you just need a good white, suitable for the area (working surface vs. TV watching) and good deep colours. When you turn on colours you want them very deep and intense. Pastels are a waste of effort. Also colours do not show unless they shine against a wall or object. Pots lights in the ceiling are barely noticeable when coloured, unless you looks directly at the bulbs. Above/below cabinet RBWW strips look very good. 1
BoomerangThree Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) I know I could count on y'all for some advice, thanks! So, with anything else, looks like the following and some questions. Hue, more expensive, hub based, much better ecosystem, lower wattage bulbs, Ok. color. MiLights, as expensive as Hue, hub based, limited ecosystem, higher wattage bulbs, great color MagicHome, much less expensive, hub based, growing ecosystem but limited ISY capability at the moment, lower wattage bulbs, Ok. color capability. Comments on: Leaning toward MiLights because; cheaper, higher wattage, looks like a hub will be required for better control, higher wattage bulb availability, great color ISY control is available via Polyglot and capability increasing. Notice my requirement for higher wattage. With no experience, I assume higher wattage will provide brighter light and possibly better color, just thinking that higher wattage will flood larger room better with light. It appears that the Hue has the most ISY control available, smooth ramp up is a general requirement for me, and the other bulbs don't appear to have that available via ISY / Polyglot yet? Edited October 3, 2019 by BoomerangThree
simplextech Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 Rule of thumb... if you buy cheap you get cheap.... LiFX and Hue are the best smart bulbs on the market currently that have good ISY support through Polyglot. Newer Hue bulbs have good color and do have proper blue/green color display/contrast. The LIFX standard A19 bulbs are still brighter and have great color. Next up would be Sengeled but they are not supported by ISY currently. In general I dislike Wifi bulbs because of the delay from going out to the cloud and back to turn on a light. This is just stupid. LIFX has a local API which avoids this so I like LIFX. Otherwise Zigbee specifically ZLL is the "king" of smart bulbs. Bottom line go with Hue or LiFX they are both great bulbs/ecosystems. 1
BoomerangThree Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) 14 minutes ago, simplextech said: In general I dislike Wifi bulbs because of the delay from going out to the cloud and back to turn on a light. This is just stupid. LIFX has a local API which avoids this so I like LIFX. Otherwise Zigbee specifically ZLL is the "king" of smart bulbs. Bottom line go with Hue or LiFX they are both great bulbs/ecosystems. I didn't know / realize that WiFi based LED bulbs have to go out the cloud, holy crap, that's ridiculous, but I guess everyone these days wants to lock you into their cloud. That's why I want to lean toward ISY centric with no cloud other than ISY cloud. Appreciate the education. 1. Concerning the brightness, would I be able to tell the difference in brightness or would it be so minimal that my concern for brightness is actually not an issue to be concerned about. I have a Yeelight RGB in my office and it just seems a bit on the low side on brightness. 2. Hue lights are 800 lumens, Yee lights are 600, Mi Lights are 1100. I see the point of Hue capability overriding the lumens. 3. Hue lights definitely have more bulb variations, ect. Will be important as my LED light ecosystem grows. Edited October 3, 2019 by BoomerangThree
lilyoyo1 Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 I personally don't use "smart" bulbs for main lighting. Hue bulbs are about 800 lumens which is more than sufficient for me. If you're looking for blinding light then it probably wouldn't be suitable. I reserve smart bulbs/strips for lamps and accent lights. For 1, it's cheaper to use a switch with regular bulbs and 2, I want to avoid anything that needs to go through something to work. If my hub or isy fails, my lights will still work. If my hue hub fails or router goes out, I'm left in the dark. When it does happen, we all know it'll be 10 at night when I need it working the most. If lamps or accent lights fail to operate, I won't lose any sleep. I can get to it when I get to it. But if my regular lights go out, I have to drop everything and do it then 1
lilyoyo1 Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 9 minutes ago, BoomerangThree said: I didn't know / realize that WiFi based LED bulbs have to go out the cloud, holy crap, that's ridiculous, but I guess everyone these days wants to lock you into their cloud. That's why I want to lean toward ISY centric with no cloud other than ISY cloud. Appreciate the education. 1. Concerning the brightness, would I be able to tell the difference in brightness or would it be so minimal that my concern for brightness is actually not an issue to be concerned about. I have a Yeelight RGB in my office and it just seems a bit on the low side on brightness. 2. Hue lights are 800 lumens, Yee lights are 600, Mi Lights are 1100. I see the point of Hue capability overriding the lumens. There's a big difference between 800 and 1100 lumens. 800 lumens are standard 60w equivalent led bulbs. This is what I use throughout my house. My flood lights are 1600 each bulb (3200 total) and those are plenty bright. I couldn't imagine having that much light in a single room (6600 in my bathroom ceiling alone if using milights)but to each their own. 1
BoomerangThree Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) 12 minutes ago, lilyoyo1 said: I personally don't use "smart" bulbs for main lighting. Hue bulbs are about 800 lumens which is more than sufficient for me. If you're looking for blinding light then it probably wouldn't be suitable. I reserve smart bulbs/strips for lamps and accent lights. For 1, it's cheaper to use a switch with regular bulbs and 2, I want to avoid anything that needs to go through something to work. If my hub or isy fails, my lights will still work. If my hue hub fails or router goes out, I'm left in the dark. When it does happen, we all know it'll be 10 at night when I need it working the most. If lamps or accent lights fail to operate, I won't lose any sleep. I can get to it when I get to it. But if my regular lights go out, I have to drop everything and do it then I hear you and that is a concern of mine also, but I have overhead lights that can be manually controlled and Insteon controlled for main lighting. So just like you, accent lighting for smart bulbs in the form of table lamps only. 1. I'm liking the Lifx over Hue due to 650, 800, and 1100 lumen capability. 2. It appears ISY Polyglot supports ramp up capability too? Edited October 3, 2019 by BoomerangThree
larryllix Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) 35 minutes ago, BoomerangThree said: I didn't know / realize that WiFi based LED bulbs have to go out the cloud, holy crap, that's ridiculous, but I guess everyone these days wants to lock you into their cloud. That's why I want to lean toward ISY centric with no cloud other than ISY cloud. Appreciate the education. 1. Concerning the brightness, would I be able to tell the difference in brightness or would it be so minimal that my concern for brightness is actually not an issue to be concerned about. I have a Yeelight RGB in my office and it just seems a bit on the low side on brightness. 2. Hue lights are 800 lumens, Yee lights are 600, Mi Lights are 1100. I see the point of Hue capability overriding the lumens. 3. Hue lights definitely have more bulb variations, ect. Will be important as my LED light ecosystem grows. MagicHome and most WiFi units do NOT use the cloud. Mine don't. They like to encourage their cloud services but I don't use them. I have 15 bulbs outside and I can animate them with rotating colours at almost any speed. My WiFi talks at almost 1Gbit/second. There are no delays, except if you use PolyGlot. MiLights require a hub every four bulb addresses. Hue bulbs require a hub also. I was about to buy a third MiLight hub when I decided other bulbs were cheaper than a new hub. When I bought my MiLight bulbs they ran about $10 each. That is changing! The MiLight bulbs have better brightness and colour than the Hue bulbs, even the newer ones. I have a Hue Bloom that does all the colours if you like a 2Watt equiv. I spent about $300 on Hue things. Two have been replaced under warranty already. Better interface but all bulbs ramp somewhat...just at one speed. It is overrated as long as they don't jump instantaneously. That is annoying but available on all bulbs for animation apps. Edited October 3, 2019 by larryllix
BoomerangThree Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) 34 minutes ago, larryllix said: I was about to buy a third MiLight hub when I decided other bulbs were cheaper than a new hub. When I bought my MiLight bulbs they ran about $10 each. That is changing! The MiLight bulbs have better brightness and colour than the Hue bulbs, even the newer ones. Trying not to be too thick and confused and I appreciate the feedback. Can you clarify a couple things: 1. The MiLights and hubs, you said "I was about to buy a third MiLight hub when I decided other bulbs were cheaper than a new hub.". What other bulbs did you go with? 2. Your experience with MiLights, the brightness and color is great to hear. 3. I find that I use Alexa in combination with the ISY so that flexibility is a plus. My question is your experience with ISY / Polyglot and the MiLights. Good enough support, stability and enhancements to satisfy you? 4. I really like the idea of WiFi control along with ISY and Alexa, plus the brightness and color and cost directs me to the MiLights, but the four addresses per hub (this DOESN'T equal 4 bulbs per hub) BUT what are its limitations? If I'm just looking to control say 2-3 lights in 2-3 separate rooms, I only need one hub or? Again, thanks for taking time to support me and hopefully this thread will assist others in the future. Edited October 3, 2019 by BoomerangThree
larryllix Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) A MiLight hub can address four bulb addresses. You can address any quantity of bulbs or devices to each MLight group address. To address more MiLight devices, you need a second hub with a new IP address that ISY can talk to. I believe there is a new Hub that can address eight groups of bulbs now. You can use NRs but if you share a NR for multiple bulbs you require a Wait 1 second between each bulb command because ISY only does variable substitution at sending time and your variables may have changed. Using Hue with NRs has the same problem. Polyglot may alleviate some of these problems. My own software does it better without the delays. I have created pre assigned groups and it spreads the command to all bulbs in each list addressed. None of this is seen until using multiple devices. Sent using Tapatalk Edited October 3, 2019 by larryllix 1
lilyoyo1 Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 33 minutes ago, larryllix said: A MiLight hub can address four bulb addresses. You can address any quantity of bulbs or devices to each MLight group address. To address more MiLight devices you need a second hub with a new ip address that ISY can talk to. You can use NRs but if you share a NR for multiple bulbs you require a Wait 1 second between each bulb command because ISY only does variable substitution at sending time and your variables may have changed. Using Hue with NRs has the same problem. Polyglot may alleviate some of these problems. My own software does it better without the delays. I have created pre assigned groups and it spreads the command to all bulbs in each list addressed. None of this is seen until using multiple devices. Sent using Tapatalk If you turn on hue bulbs you'll run into this problem. However if you control the hue scene itself you do not. This is with NRs or nodeservers 2
Recommended Posts