Zigbee 2-1 Switch (On/Off & Dimmer) | Project New Horizon (Blue Series)

[Eric_Inovelli]

I can explain more when I get in front of a computer, but I kind of talk about it here: Auxiliary Switch | Project Golden Rule - Projects & Roadmaps - Inovelli Community

At the beginning of the post.

[CHasenpflug1]

“near-instant”

That extra word seems highly unnecessary

[exces6]

@Eric_Inovelli

I think I’m following - I’m assuming the load is a smart bulb?

Edit: Or are you saying you’d want the switch to turn on/off via a time setting (so smart switch but dumb load) and at the same time, use your smart switch to control something other than the load it’s attached to?

The latter, dumb bulb in fixture, controlled via whatever hub/app you use (which would enable setting time conditions, or manual on/off or whatever else one could automate), then use the wall switch to trigger something unrelated.

[exces6]

@Bry

I think I’m following you. There are two protection modes (i.e. the ability to disable something from working), local and remote. If I disable local protection, the switch paddle will no longer control the load physically wired to it. But you can still control the physically wired load via the hub, using your app, a rule, etc.

The paddle can still be used to send button presses for scenes.

You can do this presently with the reds as well.

This sounds like exactly what I’m looking for! Remote control of the load maintained separately from whatever you choose to use the switch paddle to control.

[jonsmirl]

Mouser has SiLabs MG24 in stock, is this something different than what you need?
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Silicon-Labs/EFR32MG24A021F1024IM40-B?qs=MyNHzdoqoQKCRo%252bGoYUkkA%3D%3D
About 10 different RAM/flash configurations.

The Matter lighting demo for Silicon Labs is here:
https://github.com/project-chip/connectedhomeip/tree/master/examples/lighting-app/efr32
I don’t see any of the MG24 dev boards for sale yet: BRD4186A, BRD4187A
But this demo runs on the MG12 and MG21 too.

[jonsmirl]

Light Switch Matter demo is here:
https://github.com/project-chip/connectedhomeip/tree/master/examples/light-switch-app/efr32

[Eric_Inovelli]

@Darwyn_Inovelli - has your team seen this?

[Rxich]

With all the options, calling the Red Series a “switch” is a misnomer, it’s much more of a control center. I can setup rules to have the taps(s) of the switch do almost anything, from disarm the security sirens(secret unknown # taps), open/close the garage door, dim the porch lights on the other side of the house. I can also know if the basement fan is on or off by the color of the LED bar or if I left a door/window open.
Inovelli is really shaking up the market.

[red930]

@Eric_Inovelli

Anyway, to answer your question, yes, our ultimate goal is to release these with MG24 to allow OTA updates from Zigbee to Matter.

Just wanted to understand this better, does this mean the shipments of the Blue switches in July will not have the MG24 and won’t be able to receive OTA updates to Zigbee to Matter? Will they be upgradeable to Matter using some other method?

@CHasenpflug1

“near-instant”

That extra word seems highly unnecessary

I think “near instant” is the accurate way to describe what we’re seeing in the videos once the 500ms delay is removed. Its also probably the fastest any of us will ever get for a smart bulb switch. Instant would be how fast a dumb switch turns on a dumb bulb. I believe I can see a delay, albeit very small, between the Blue switch turning on the smart bulb vs a dumb switch turning on a dumb bulb.

“Near instant” is not a critique of the Blue Switch performance, I am very happy with what has been demonstrated and intend to buy a 10 pack.

[Eric_Inovelli]

@red930

Just wanted to understand this better, does this mean the shipments of the Blue switches in July will not have the MG24 and won’t be able to receive OTA updates to Zigbee to Matter? Will they be upgradeable to Matter using some other method?

Yeah great question – it’s buried in this thread a bit, but here’s the gist of it:

• MG21 (current design and what is initially shipping) will have OTA capabilities, but only Zigbee to Zigbee firmware (ie: Zigbee FW Version 1.0 can OTA to Zigbee FW Version 2.0). If you want to go from Zigbee to Matter (or Thread), you will have to use a serial port method (more on that below).
• MG24 (what we’re hoping to get in our next batch or at least sometime this year when the chip is ready) will be able to do Zigbee to Zigbee or Zigbee to Matter. No serial port required.

We’re still working through the logistics of the serial port method for customers, but how it’s done is that there is a cable that has a USB-A on one end (to plug into your computer) and a 5-pin header that plugs into the switch and you would update the firmware that way:

NOTE: The above is a prototype but the pin location is the same in production.

[Socnfoot]

@Eric_Inovelli

Dang! First, welcome to the community, we’re glad to have you and I hope you feel welcomed and enjoy some of the discussion. I really can’t wait until we have some product in stock so there is more to talk about bc when things are humming along product-wise, this community is vibrant and so many cool ideas come out of it. I love it!

Thanks so much for putting your faith in us and going all in on the contractor pack. What would you say you’re most looking forward to on your new journey in home automation?

I would like to have the same control I had from Insteon. Not sure if it is possible yet or if maybe I just need to look deeper into advanced settings or programs. I miss turning on lights after a set time and they turn on to the preset level of 15-20% when switch is pressed normally but then during daytime hours the same push on the switch turns them on to 75%. The other thing I’m looking forward to is more reliability in regards to quick feedback on if a device is on or off from apps. Insteon was very reliable but maybe it was my setup and it wouldn’t always update quickly to show if something was off or on. I also since I had little z-wave had a hard time getting locks to show accurate and quickly.

I really look forward to having the light bar show status of other devices. I did also purchase 4 RGBW bulbs from here and am trying to figure out where to put them currently. I like the ability to have Alexa turn them on and change the color but I don’t want to always have to ask Alexa to do this which another reason I’m excited for the blue series I purchased. Recessed light bulbs I’d be all over and would have bought more but standard I don’t have many areas in use.

[jpoet]

If I want to use one of these in the garage to control high wattage “shop” LED lights, are there limits I should be aware of? I want to get the highest lumens I possible. TIA.

[Eric_Inovelli]

@Socnfoot

I would like to have the same control I had from Insteon. Not sure if it is possible yet or if maybe I just need to look deeper into advanced settings or programs. I miss turning on lights after a set time and they turn on to the preset level of 15-20% when switch is pressed normally but then during daytime hours the same push on the switch turns them on to 75%.

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

Good news… you can absolutely do this with the Blue Series (and even with the Red Series).

There’s a parameter in the switch that is called, “Default Level” (or something like that) in which you can set the default level that the switch comes on. From there, you can schedule a timeframe for that default level. For example, I have a Red Series in my bathroom that between the hours of 2-6am, if I turn on the light, it will come on to only 5% as to not blind myself if I have late night bladder issues lol. Then during other times, it will just go to 100%.

Looking forward to hearing how you like them once you get everything setup!

@jpoet

If I want to use one of these in the garage to control high wattage “shop” LED lights, are there limits I should be aware of? I want to get the highest lumens I possible. TIA.

Great question – I haven’t released official specs yet as the product is going through UL, but what we submitted was the following, which we feel confident we’ll achieve.

Single-Gang: 600W Incandescent, 300W LED/CFL
Double-Gang: 500W Incandescent, 300W LED/CFL
Triple-Gang: 400W Incandescent, 300W LED/CFL

I was a bit shocked we had to lower the wattage given there’s no heat sink tabs on the switch, but apparently they’re concerned of overall heat in the box if there are two or three switches.

[harjms]

@Eric_Inovelli

From there, you can schedule a timeframe for that default level

Keep in mind, schedules are driven by the hub and not on switch itself.

[mraz.camren]

Is the zigbee binding feature with hue bulbs going to be supported on Hubitat?

[Eric_Inovelli]

I’m like 99% sure this is possible with Hubitat. I’ve been meaning to test it myself to make some tutorial videos, but have been finishing up the Home Assistant ones.

@mamber, @BertABCD1234, @harjms or @EricM_Inovelli - I can’t remember which of you have tested binding g on Hubitat, but if so, there were no issues, right?

[mamber]

Actually I think it was @adamkempenich who drafted up a Hubitat app to do bindings. Ive used it and it works but its still beta right now

[Mith]

@Eric_Inovelli

There’s a parameter in the switch that is called, “Default Level” (or something like that) in which you can set the default level that the switch comes on. From there, you can schedule a timeframe for that default level. For example, I have a Red Series in my bathroom that between the hours of 2-6am, if I turn on the light, it will come on to only 5% as to not blind myself if I have late night bladder issues lol. Then during other times, it will just go to 100%.

When you say in the switch you mean something we can control from SmartThings or the hub we use? Is there a link maybe to follow instructions?

[Eric_Inovelli]

You looking for the Red or Blue Series (or both)?

I can try to write something up real quick! It may be challenging with Edge Drivers, but I can do it with groovy if that’s ok?

[Mith]

Blue Series