So, I want to set up a motion sensor for the hallway (it is only like 6 or 7 feet long). This hallway goes from the kitchen to the bathroom/bedroom area
What is the best way? I want to either use a Philips Hue light bulb, which is controlled by a motion-sensor. I don't need that light to be color though, just white is fine. (in the hallway is a small hallway closet for our towels)
My 13 year old daughter needs to switch on the hallway lights just to go from the kitchen to her bedroom, and then she doesn't switch it off. So if I make it motion-controlled, then she doesn't need to get frustrated when I keep on asking her to switch it off
What do you suggest? Which motion sensor? I saw the Aeotec, which are battery-operated, and which I can put it in the ceiling/wall corner.
I expect the choice of a motion sensor and light in a hallway is a fairly open question, on any HA platform. My preference, based on what I have adopted, is Hue for both lights and accessories like motion sensors, which can also be mounted in quite inventive ways due to the magnetic mount that comes with the sensor. But your options are not limited with HE. Others can and will hopefully chime in with other brands and models.
Similarly with lights.
The only other comment I would make is that a Hallway is a suitably small location to test out some products and approaches. So definitely ask the pertinent questions like you have, but be open to experimenting and changing tack based on your experience, to then apply those learnings in other parts of the house, and if needed re-using the failed devices elsewhere where they may be better suited. Just a thought....
I love that idea about experimenting. What I will do today, is diagram my ideal setup, and what I need, and then slowly work towards it, as the finances come in.
And like you said, experiment with the rules. I only really played around with the rules this week.
I am not sure why I never really got into it. I have had the HE C-7 for a little bit over a year now, and never really dug into it.
Even though I work in IoT, and BLE, as a cloud software developer.
While it wasn't a driving need, automating the path from my bedroom to the bathroom feels like the first thing I properly sought to automate, not with HE, just a pure Hue setup at the time. Since then I have tried to adopt a R&D style approach where I can to introducing new tech to my setup. That said, I rarely follow my own advice consistently... so no pressure
I suggest smart light switches (dimmers actually) instead of smart bulbs. They will work like normal if an automation is not needed, or if you want to override the automation for something like cleaning. Smart switches/dimmers also are good for guests, they look and work like people expect them to. Finally they just ensure someone doesn't flip the dumb switch by accident, and kill your smart bulb's power.
Another alternative, if you really want a smart bulb, and in the same being as neon's suggestion, would be grabbing a smart switch like Zooz that have a "smart bulb" mode. It essentially keeps the paddles from controlling the power relay in the switch, but still sends the on/off/dim commands to the hub. That means setting up a simple rule to control the light with a button press but prevents power from actually being removed from the light.
That does sound like it's is going to way overshoot what you're trying to do though. If you don't really care about color control of the bulb (even just adjusting the color temp for white) then a generic smart switch would fit the bill.
As for the motion sensor, pretty much any of them will do the trick. The real deciding factor is how often you want to change the batteries and even that depends on how 'busy' the sensor is. The vast majority of mine are the Aeotec sensors (technically SmartThings, but it's the same device that Aeotec sales now) and I have no complaints. They chum along nicely and I might have to change the battery once a year. I also have a few SonOffs for their very small size, but, they do have a "cool down" period between states (e.g., motion active, waits a full minute before going back inactive).
I have most of mine hung using Gorilla putty. Just a piece on each side to hang them in the corner. The stuff holds well and doesn't damage painted walls (I have one wall that was still 'builder painted' meaning it was basically bare drywall that did get damaged when removing).
Unless you think you are going to do any programming / mode based control on it, I would just get a dumb motion switch and dumb bulb from Home Depot/Lowes. They are less than the cost of any smart switch.
If you DO need programability I would probably get a Jasco Motion Switch 26931 and use a dumb bulb, unless the switch is in a location that wouldn't work for the motion sensor.
In my opinion, if you don't need color and the switch is in an accessible location then use a dumb bulb plus smart switch. Smart bulbs are just annoying over time - again, if you don't need color and the light switch is somewhere accessible.
But if you want a smart bulb, and want to keep the wall switch operable, you need:
Smart switch that supports smart bulb mode - Zooz 71, inovelli, or other - $$
Smart bulb + dumb switch + teenager = recipe for frustration, in my opinion. But, if budget is a concern or changing the switch is a no-go, A Third Reality motion sensor and a single Sengled bulb (both Zigbee) can be had for under $30 total. (Plus a couple bucks for a switch guard) Not a perfect setup, but the price is right.
