Lightwave RF vs ??

MassiveJim

MassiveJim

MassiveJim

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22 Feb 2014
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Looking to get some smart switches to replace our current downstairs switches
Currently looking at the lightwave RF kit
I would need
2 x 2 Gang smart switch
1 x 4 Gang smart switch
1 x Link Plus Hub
That little lot will set me back somewhere around the £500 range
(smart bulbs not really an option, considering that currently I have 18 GU10 bulbs in the kitchen, 8 in the living room plus 6 more SES bulbs in the living room that would all be controlled with these switches.)

Are there any alternatives that should be considered ?
Its important that as well as smart capability, that I can retain "normal" light switch ability as well.


Worth nothing that I have live+neutral at all switch locations already which I know opens up a few more options.
 
The Lightwave app is tosh, massively over complicated. Think google do something much better now.
 
SupraWez said:
Check out https://www.vesternet.com/ for smart home supplies.

Gen1 lightwave was only oneway, no confirmation back that the commands completed successfully, I believe gen2 resolves this.
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Lightwave Gen 2 is 2 way, and the app is massively improved from before.

Edit: I would make sure your current LED's are dimmable.
Additionally it is worth phoning lightwave RF directly as they can sometimes offer discount.
 
Depending on how technical you want to get you can run domoticz on a raspberry pi with a transceiver.
This will then control lightwaverf and various other protocol products.
I've been using this setup for the past 5yrs and its been rock solid
 
Another option is OpenHAB, has plugins for lightwave, zwave, hive, Sonos and tons more.

If you want to get creative you can even build your own IoT modules and interface them with OpenHAB using things such as MQTT or basic HTTP calls etc.
 
AlphaMale1 said:
Edit: I would make sure your current LED's are dimmable.
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+1 I think that is a critical problem, I had wanted dumb bulbs and smart dimmers/switches, but,
led bulbs that dim reliably ( to zero stepless no flicker/noise) I can't find any, there's a spreadsheet I had posted that shows bulb behaviour with the best in class varilight dimmer.

so, smart bulbs predominate the market, Im trying the sengled zigbee ones, and would like to try domoticz too, from a PC,
but, for some bulbs folks have not been able to reverse engineer the protocols to control all of their smart features, from a 3rd party hub/app,
so that is a minefield too.
 
SupraWez said:
Screwfix have lots of normal dimmable LED bulbs available :-
Click to expand...

several comments/reviews about the screwfix ones not dimming (as I feared/commented) ... ok you can take them back easily.
whose dimmer have you used them with ?

" It starts flickering when try to dim or increase the brightness. On high brightness it keeps on flickering. Doesn't work with lightwaverf dimmer switch "
" I bought these to use with an LAP LED-compatible dimmer. With halogen bulbs the dimmer was fine, but when I fitted the LAP LEDs they would not dim below about 50% output. Dimmable was the key feature for which I bought these, and its questionable whether they are. "
 
jpaul said:
whose dimmer have you used them with ?
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I have used first first gen Lightwave light switches with LAP dimmable bulbs, GU10 and BC fitting without any issue.

Also used the GU10 bulbs with zwave dimmer modules without issue.

The advantage of the Lightwave products is the ability to replace normal light switches without any rewiring being required, ie they work off just the switched live where as most if not all other products require a live and negative which isnt always possible, I have not looked at any 2nd gen switches yet which apparently add 2 way comms, ie confirmation the command has been carried out and what current switch state is, 1st gen you send the command and hope it works, 99% it does but there is no confirmation and cannot show current state.
 
AlphaMale1 said:
Isn't lightwave gen 2 the only 2 way communicating switch in the market?
Click to expand...

For direct replacement without re-wring, I would guess yes, although I have not looked into home automation in a while.

There are lots of other modules and switches but as mentioned above they require live and neg at the switch location, check out these zwave units as an example, zwave has always been 2 way but is not a simple install.

https://www.vesternet.com/collectio...wave-tkb-single-paddle-wall-dimmer-tz55s-gen5
 
SupraWez said:
The advantage of the Lightwave products is the ability to replace normal light switches without any rewiring being required
Click to expand...
isn't that down to needing some bye-pass current on the bulbs, or having a dummy bulb in parallel, as opposed to say a rechargeable battery in the switch, so ... some bulbs can flicker no ? ... or, I need new L/N wiring on the house lighting.

SupraWez said:
Also used the GU10 bulbs
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do you use any/whose b22/e27 dimmables for the living room ?
I like 4000k everywhere, but a 2700k switchable option, without needing a smart bulb would be my wishlist ... so I'm currently playing with zigbee sengled smart bulbs, and ikea
smart dimmer switches (with their coin cells)
 
jpaul said:
isn't that down to needing some bye-pass current on the bulbs, or having a dummy bulb in parallel, as opposed to say a rechargeable battery in the switch, so ... some bulbs can flicker no ? ... or, I need new L/N wiring on the house lighting.[/qoute]

Not with lightwave switches, they are direct replacements and work off just the live and switched live wires.

do you use any/whose b22/e27 dimmables for the living room ?
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Yes, B22 is also known as BC large bayonet and E27 is ES or large screw fitting, I have used mixtures of both as well as small BC and ES for wall lighting etc, as long as they are dimmable you should be OK.
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screwfix have some contradictory information, on lightwave

https://www.screwfix.com/images/CAT110/lightwave/Lighting_Compatibility_Information.pdf

Each gang requires a minimum load to function. This is generally 40w but can be lower with some lamps. This is generally the case with LEDs where a load of 14W can be enough to have the switch operating.

As there is no standard set for LEDs at present, we cannot state that every dimmable LED will work with LightwaveRF equipment. Even if exceeding the minimum load, certain LEDs will not function on their own. In these situations wiring a dummy load* in parallel across the circuit will correct the issue.
Click to expand...

I have one principal 9W/850Lm uplighter in the living room
 
I have different dimmable bulbs in every room. They all flicker to some degree when dimmed.
If you look at our dog wagging his tail when dimmed it has a strobe effect. But you don't really notice it otherwise.

As I said in the OP I have neutral at the switch so that opens up more options. But it sounds like lightwave might still be the ones to go for.

Also fwiw I have spoken to lightwave directly and they don't offer discount outside of their sales
 
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