“Classic”/local scenes maybe, but most people with a hub didn’t use those and they tended not to work well in that configuration. In modern usage, these are Z-Wave Central Scenes, which get sent to the hub and can be interpreted however you want (on SmartThings and Hubitat, for example, they are interpreted as button events that you can use to control anything—I have mine on Hubitat start dimming my Hue bulbs when the down paddle is held and stop dimming when released; I have five taps down activate my “night mode” that turns off all lights, tells me the weather forecast, and changes my hub’s mode to restrict most lighting automations).
I’m not sure how voice control replaces this. You could use voice control to trigger the same end result if you want, and you could use a scene to trigger the same thing a voice command might (if your assistant has a way to integrate the two systems—Alexa doesn’t have native Z-Wave support, for example, and only motion and contact sensors can trigger Routines, but there are workarounds).
I don’t haven’t used any platform that actually allows Central Scenes to be used in this way, but I haven’t used a lot besides Open Z-Wave on Home Assistant, SmartThings, and Hubitat (the latter two of which I know don’t and it’s been a while since I tried the first). My understanding is that Z-Wave does allow “grouping” where this would be possible; it certainly is with Zigbee and group messaging. I just doubt that most people have an all-Z-Wave configuration where this works—except that the scene is indeed, a single command to the hub.
Also, this is with the dimmers right? How do you deal with the different dim levels on the hue bulbs and the dimmer switch? Is a scene event still sent if the dimmer switch level is at 100% and you’re holding the top paddle?
With smart bulbs, you’d have local control disabled and the dimmer set to 100% (technically 99 in Z-Wave terms, but whatever), so you don’t change that or “mirror” it to the bulbs. What you do instead is listen for button events–when the up paddle is held, start raising the level on the desired bulb(s). When it is released, stop raising the level. Similar for down. This works just as well on the swiches as it does the dimmers–you’re just responding to the “button” (Z-Wave Central Scene) events. I think it might require the Red Series, unless the Black also sends events on hold and release. You’ll have to check Inovelli’s docs for what button events their driver reports for these (I made a custom driver with what I’d consider more normal button events for mine, but that’s a different story).
Most dimmer and bulb drivers in Hubitat implement startLevelChange and stopLevelChange commands, which is how you achieve the effect above. Some things don’t (e.g., a Group from Groups and Scenes, as not all component devices may support it, and even if they did the effect is likely to not be uniform). In that case, you’ll need another workaround, maybe just using a button hold to step the level up/down by 15-20% or whatever.
That would be great - I need 6 dimmers, although probably only the black series ones.
Although to be honest since our house is largely equipped with flush-mount pot lights these bulbs probably wouldn’t be something very useful to me.
I look forward to seeing your site work with Canada though instead of havng just the one product I can buy through your Amazon.ca site
I’ll definitely keep this thread updated on any news around the dimmers on Amazon Canada. I know they shipped them out yesterday, so my best guess would be in a week or so. Likely, not in time for Black Friday
Will Amazon.ca also have the 4 dimmers package + RGB bulbs free that is currently running on your website? If not, any ETA on when you will sell direct to Canada?
I’m from Canada and have been waiting for these dimmers for a while, but I would love to try out your RGB bulbs as well.
@harjms could you provide your recommended aux switch for the new red series dimmer switch to be used in 3 or 4 way setup? I see homeseer and GE but don’t want to purchase the incorrect model. A link would be extremely helpful.
Thanks for the info. It would be awesome if @Eric_Inovelli can offer us Canadians the ability to get the RGB bulbs in the future (once they’re certified) by providing them with proof of us purchasing 4 dimmers on Amazon.ca when they arrive next week. I’ve been waiting for the dimmers and I honestly would prefer not to wait any longer. Or maybe we’ll get some good belated discount pricing on these dimmers on Amazon.ca which would be good as well.
Morning @Eric_Inovelli, I finally received my pre order switches! Thank you, I look forward to installing them asap. I originally ordered these to replace 3 of my existing 3-way switches as I thought they would solve my problem with my lights not turning off completely. (I currently have Leviton switches) When I read this about the Aeotec-Bypass-Resistor I thought you would be sending them out to the pre orders. Can you tell me what to do to receive 3 of them? Thanks
Hi @Eric_Inovelli, so I tried connecting 2 to single pole switches and because I have led pot lights through out the house they have the same problem of not turning off. When I turn it on it goes up, flickers and dims back down. Is it possible to get 5 of those bypasses. I thought these would have solved my problem but they didn’t.
@LongDono - I’m not sure if I understand your question completely. The On/Off switch won’t provide dimming function at all, but that is where I don’t understand. Are you wanting to install the On/Off switches in lieu of the Aux Switches?
You could use voice control to trigger the same end result if you want, and you could use a scene to trigger the same thing a voice command might (if your assistant has a way to integrate the two systems—Alexa doesn’t have native Z-Wave support, for example, and only motion and contact sensors can trigger Routines, but there are workarounds).
as I do.