Can I get smart dimmer modules that I can tie into HomeKit? (UK)

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1

Hi all,

While there's all kinds of stuff I'd quite like to link together in terms of home automation, fundamentally the biggest issue is the lighting in my house. Google has mentioned Hubitat a few times when looking for solutions but I don't know anything about it but I figure it's worth a shot asking. I'll keep it simple for now and talk about one specific case that I'd really like to sort out.

Our lounge has a set of three dimmers (a previous version of the "FP2183BB" that Google will show you - it's just a double wide UK plate with three rotary LED compatible dimmer modules inside). Two dimmers each control 8 bulb chandeliers with Philips Dimmable LED filament type candle bulbs (Philips model 8718699773373). The third dimmer is wired to some floor/side table level lamps around the room all with Philips dimmable LED lamps in. There are also two lamps that I wish was wired into this dimmer but are not and I can't practically run a wire to these without ripping up the floor.

In a perfect world, I would like to get all three dimmers working with HomeKit and I'd like to 'digitally' pair the two standalone lamps in with the dimmer for the other floor level lamps. I'd like to carry on using the facias of our switches, hence dimmer modules (not that there seem to be many alternatives anyway). So functionally, for someone unawares, the dimmer switches would work as they do now except all floor lamps would function with the third dimmer switch, not just the ones physically wired in. I'd also, obviously, like to be able to control the dimmers with Siri and HomeKit so that I can dim the lights without getting up off the sofa.

I have a feeling there's a way that I could do this with a Hubitat hub, some kind of Homebridge box and some Aurora dimmer modules. Possibly either 3 or 5 Aurora AOne modules (3 to replace the existing dimmers and then maybe 2 (or some other module) to control the two stand alone lamps that are to be somehow slaved in (they're currently plugged in inside cabinets so I could live with some kind of project box solution for those).

Does this sound feasible? Am I barking up the right tree? If yes, then could any of you suggest how I'd go about actually putting this together?

2

If the Aurora AU-A1ZB2WDM Aone 250w Smart Dimmer Module fit your switch plate then that would get you smart to what is hard wired.
You could then get some smart bulbs in the lamps that are not hard wired and sync them to via a rule to the hard wired dimmer.

No idea about the apple side as that's a dirty word in our house.

I use fibaro dimmer 2's and schneider grid retractive Switch's for my lights, I then use the s2 output on them to control devices that are not hard wired. All my mood lighting is controlled this way 5 different led strips and 2 nanoleaf setups.
That all auto dim depending on how bright it is out side and whether we are moving around. Welcome to the rabbit hole

3

Thanks, so maybe I should just buy a set of three dimmers and a Hubitat and then see how it goes.

4

Just a few things to consider your need a min of 35mm deep back boxes for the Auroras.
I cant find much information as to if you can swap out the dimmer on your face place and if theres room to fit 3 of them as I'm guessing the Aurora modules and wider than what u currently have.

I'm also not sure you can link homekit to hubitat with out a an in-between server :thinking: you might what to have a good surch of the forum for that info

5

So I got my stuff into Homekit, there is a post on here somewhere that explains it. Basically I am using a Raspberry Pi running HOOBS which was $10 I think to download the image. Put that on an SD card. The HOOBS runs in between my AppleTV and the Hubitat.

Hubitat controls everything, runs Homebridge plugin
HOOBS talks to Hubitat through Tonesto plugin and creates bridge
AppleTV talks to HOOBS and pairs bridge and all devices show up

The HOOBS also lets me bring along my Ring cameras and Ring alarm stuff. That is another plus of that system.