Cafe lights

💬 Lounge
1

I am looking for cafe lights, I would like them to be power by solar since I don't have any place to plug them.

Something like:
https://www.amazon.com/-/en/gp/product/B075NS8YXG/
Btw, I don't really care about this model, just as a guide of what I am looking for.

I would like the lights to be able to connect with hubitat. So the requirements:

  • string lights
  • zigbee or z-wave
  • solar powered

If the light has the possibility to change color, the better but It is not a priority.

I can't find anything similar, my theory is that the battery can go down and this can mess with the network or just this need is not common at all.

I prefer to get a solution that works out of the box, but I also accept some DIY proposals.

2

I'll start.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YP25QPP

1 Like
3

The solar powered part is going to complicate things. If that is indeed a must, then you will likely have to go the DIY route if you also want it to support ZigBee or Z-Wave. You would need something like what @rcjordan suggested, plus a solar generator, and a compatible solar panel. The generator would need enough battery life to prevent the relay from losing connection.

You might be able to convert an out of the box solution as well by splicing in the relay, but it will likely lose power and connection frequently due to either the battery or if there is a light sensor control. Also, you will need to make sure the voltage of the string matches the relay.

For mine, I just bought a cheap AC powered warm white set from Walmart and am using a ZigBee outlet to control it. Cheap and simple.

3 Likes
4

I think I will look into something like this as a starter
I have a light outside that I can unplug, not an ideal solution.

5

There is a zigbee 'switch' (surface-mounted actuator) made my Third Reality that is battery-driven, so it would not be dependent upon the solar panel for power. It'd be a DIY, and require wiring a paddle switch into the solar output, then overlaying the paddle with the Third Reality.

https://www.amazon.com/THIRDREALITY-Smart-Light-Switch-1PACK/dp/B07K3TRG6W

1 Like