Controlling garage lights 2 circuits

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Wondering if someone could recommend a more budget-friendly option than 2 smart switches (over $100 CAD) for my garage lights?

I have 4 light sockets, 2 on each circuit. One is a single pole and the other is a 3way. I looked at the zooz zen52 but the load is too low.

I’ll have 4x 60W garage lights so that’s 240W total.

Because it’s the garage and I anticipate it almost always just being motion controlled, I’m not nearly as fussy about the physical switch setup (but still want it to work to manually turn on)

I guess I could wait for a sale and try and get 2 cheap switches, though most of the switches would require an addon for the 3way which negates most savings.

Note that while I haven’t checked the wiring, I am 99% sure the power for the 3way is coming into the same gang box as the single pole switch

I also thought about just going with like zigbee/zwave light sockets but those seem to borderline not exist/not be cost effective for 4

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Have you considered changing the bulbs? I assume 60W incandescent - maybe getting the equivalent in LED would allow the purchase of a cheaper switch, and might also add some electricity cost savings…

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3

What kind of lights are they? The ZEN 52 can handle 500w of incandescent.

https://www.support.getzooz.com/kb/article/970-zen52-double-relay-specs/

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They’re led. “Super bright” garage lights - says they’re 6000 lumen. Those ones with the multiple panels that fold to direct the light

So they’re 60w led

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5

Oh yes, I’ve seen those - didn’t realize they used that much power!

6

How deep down the automation path do you want to go with these lights?

If the goal is just motion control, there are plenty of motion controlled switches that don't even have any smarts (beyond motion control).

If it is fairly basic automation, TP-Link Kasa has some in wall switches that use Wi-Fi and can talk to Hubitat - just a bit slowly compared to Zwave or ZigBee. I also believe the 3 way on those can be basic dumb switches, but I'd have to double check.

Otherwise there are plenty of in wall switches that go on sale periodically. I believe the ones from Zooz can even work with the existing 3 way dumb switch.

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Are the switches (single and 3way) in the same gang box or different locations? If they are in same box and desire is to have them all come in at the same time you could change wiring to have them all controlled with the same switch.

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8

Zen52 rating is 150W LED per relay. Sounds like your are good to go.

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I confirmed with them and unfortunately it’s 150W total not per channel :frowning:

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That is bizarre, as it indicates "per channel" and "per relay" on both the product page and manual. I would be shocked (no pun intended) if that was total.

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From them:

Yes, I checked with our technicians that it's total, the only thing per channel is 1/4 HP fan motors per channel.

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I thought about this and while it could always be undone, I was hoping to keep things still working “as wired”. While I don’t currently see a need to only turn on 1 circuit, that may end up the case.
But yeah it’s a 2gang box both switches in same box.

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