Need a smart plug..

Scam

Scam

Scam

Soldato
Joined
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I have Google Homes and Xiaomi Mi LED smart bulbs. Unfortunately the one light we want to use on a timer is a bayonet fitting. I bought the smallest E27>B22 adapter I could find but it makes the bulb stick up over the shade too much and the boss-lady is not happy with how it looks. So I'd like to find a simple smart plug that I can use instead.

Problem is that Xiaomi don't seem to make UK plugs.. I don't really want to have to setup another 'home' app/hub just for this light, so are there any out there that will work out of the box with the Xiaomi Home app or just Google Home? :confused:

Thanks!
 
I have a Sonoff smart plug, a basic R3 (which requires you to wire an input plug and the output lead into your device) or a smart plug which is plug and play would do what you need. They apparently work with Google Assistant.

I bought these to flash the Tasmota firmware onto them instead of the stock one which makes them really powerful but you probably won't need to do that. A flash cable is about £3 if you are tempted :D.
 
I think you're going to have to install another smart home app.

Out of the ones I've tried, I find the TPLink Kasa switches the most reliable. All compatible with Google and Alexa of course.
 
Bug One said:
I think you're going to have to install another smart home app.
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Yeah. Very tedious...

Semple said:
Lots of smart Plug brands will work with Google assistant. I've got a tplink and a few made by meross.
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Yes, but I was after one that would work without having to install and register on another manufacturer's service. I don't particularly want to do that for one switch!

I think had I not already gone for Mi lights (I already had one) I would have tried TP-Link. Bit late for that now. Hmn :(
 
Scam said:
Yes, but I was after one that would work without having to install and register on another manufacturer's service. I don't particularly want to do that for one switch!

I think had I not already gone for Mi lights (I already had one) I would have tried TP-Link. Bit late for that now. Hmn :(
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Well you could set up a central hub so that you don't need to control it via other manufacturer apps/services. But that would require a lot more invested time than it would be to just download the app, set it up and then add to google home.
 
I have a few TP-Links and they've all worked well. As far as I'm aware all the smart plugs from reputable brands come with their own app, so I doubt you can avoid it.
 
Scam said:
I'm not sureabout the voltage etc. side but I don't really fancy using a plug adapter for something that will essentially be on 24/7 :(

EDIT: Or two adapters even! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfi98ngwz3E
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UK pins fit inside the euro plug recess so the adapter that side will be invisible...the other side to the wall will need one but it’s hardly a big deal, would add around an inch. Perfectly safe if you did want to stay with the brand :)
 
montymint said:
is this a lamp or mains? If mains why don't you change the fitting?
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Jez said:
UK pins fit inside the euro plug recess so the adapter that side will be invisible...the other side to the wall will need one but it’s hardly a big deal, would add around an inch. Perfectly safe if you did want to stay with the brand :)
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Well, we rent this flat so I don';t think the landlords would be too happy for me to start changing plug faces etc.Plus I honestly have no idea how to do any of that!

What's interesting me is that Xiaomi sell the Philips Wi-Fi Bulb E27 White which appears to work the same as their Mi LEDs (i.e. without hub or another app besides Xiaomi Home). It's a long shot but I wonder if Philip's Hue bulbs work the same; without needing to use the Hue app? :confused: Then I could buy a B22 Hue bulb.

On the Mi Home app when I go to add devices I can also add;
- Yeelight bulbs (various)
- Aqara LED light bulb

I wonder if either of those come in B22 *runs off to Google*
 
I have meross plugs too. I installed the app for the initial setup, but they are controlled through the alexa app/speakers.

They're about £10 each on Amazon, or £25-30 for 3 or 4 in a multi pack.
 
Can you change the fitting itself on the lamp holder, might need a bit of dismantling but shouldn't be too complicated?
 
Scam said:
It's a long shot but I wonder if Philip's Hue bulbs work the same; without needing to use the Hue app? :confused: Then I could buy a B22 Hue bulb.

On the Mi Home app when I go to add devices I can also add;
- Yeelight bulbs (various)
- Aqara LED light bulb

I wonder if either of those come in B22 *runs off to Google*
Click to expand...

Hue uses the zigbee protocol for communicating (new bulbs also use bluetooth, but you lose a lot of functionality without zigbee). So anything that talks zigbee could communicate with Hue bulbs. It's why Ikea tradfri bulbs can be integrated into Hue's app.

The problem you have is that if the Xiaomi bulbs only run via WiFi, then you're basically talking two different languages.
 
Here's a good starting point if you're interested: https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2017/09/zigbee-technology-wireless-networking-system.html

Welcome to the early days of smart tech. The problem is that there are various standards/protocols that devices use to communicate - WiFi/Bluetooth/Zigbee/Zwave are just the well known ones. Not every manufacturer uses the same protocols which then cases incompatibility issues across devices.

I think your options boil down to;
a) Buy a supported Xiaomi plug that can be added to your existing app (if they even do UK plugs)
b) Buy a different branded smart plug, setup with another app, but add to Google Home so you don't need to use the app (apart from firmware updates)
c) Scrap the Xiaomi bulbs, and buy a manufacturer that builds both plugs and bulbs that can be added to one app.
 
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