Rule Machine - Initiate Zigbee Discovery

📢 Feedback Feature Requests
1

This may be a fringe case, but...

I have some Zigbee bulbs that drop off the network every few days. If I turn them off and back on, then discover devices, they almost always get rediscovered and then work fine.

These lights are connected to a Zigbee switch. So, what I wanted to do was to have a rule to toggle the switch, then initiate a Zigbee discovery, and run it daily. That would be much better than having to do that by hand every few days.

However, I don't see a way to initiate Zigbee discovery from within Rule machine. It also seems to be called Zigbee join mode and Zigbee pairing mode in some places, but still don't see how to do it. Am I just not seeing it? Assuming that capability doesn't already exist, any chance that could be added in the future?

Thanks...

2

Since the bulbs are controlled by a Zigbee switch already, why not just use dumb bulbs and be done with it? :wink:

What type of bulbs are these? The only bulbs I know of that are designed to be power cycled without causing mesh network issues are Sengled bulbs.

1 Like
3

Sorry I didn't explain in my original post, but I need to be able to dim the bulbs. Otherwise, great point! :slight_smile:

These are Sylvania LEDVANCE bulbs.

I suppose I could replace the switch with a Zigbee dimmer switch and use dumb bulbs. That would actually allow me address another complaint I have, which is that all of the smart bulbs I've tried, the lowest dimming setting isn't really that dim. I've seen that with other LED bulbs (smart or not) but with dumb bulbs I would have more options to get ones that dim better.

I could also try some different Zigbee bulbs in the hopes that they would be more reliable and not drop off the network regularly. I've read that Philips Hue bulbs dim well, but I've not tried those because I don't have a Hue bridge and have read that connecting them directly isn't very reliable (which brings me back to my current issue).

Thanks for the comments!

4

Just adding my 2 cents. Got rid of all my Sylvania Bulbs about 2 months ago. Bought Sengleds. No more problems since. Smooth as silk!

4 Likes
5

To which let me add - the colors with the Sengled RGBW bulbs are way "richer" than what I get with the Osram Lightify bulbs. I really like them.

4 Likes
6

Why not wire line and load together at the switch, and just use the switch as a signal to the hub? That would leave the bulbs continuously powered so they shouldn't fall off the network.

1 Like
7

For sure ditch the smart switch smart bulb combo. And if you find dumb bulbs that dim to your liking.... please update the post. Would sure like a recommendation.

8

I had this problem with GE bulbs. The best solution was the trash :slight_smile:

9

Just over the kitchen TV, we have a light that makes it very difficult to watch. The main lighting in the kitchen is controlled by a Zwave motion dimmer switch. I replaced the light over the TV with a Hue bulb. Even though that light is off most of the time, it has never fallen off the mesh. An added benefit to Hue bulbs is their ability to dim to very very low levels, something I would equate to a birthday candle.

1 Like