I am looking for suggestions for which outdoor floodlights which are supported by HE7. There are 4 and they are all connected to a single switch, so the control needs to be imbedded in the lights.
Any suggestions?
Just to clarify, you want to be able to turn these on and off separately? In other words, you don't want to replace your existing switch with a smart switch and turn them on and off all at the same time.
Do you want Zigbee, Z-wave, Matter, or Other? Dimmable? Any preference to style or form factor, replacing the fixture or even using a hidden relay behind existing fixtures?
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@neonturbo has a bunch of key points... another possible option (if they have the port for it OR an existing motion detector) is something like the Homeseer Z-Wave Floodlight Sensor. I have three of these that I retrofitted onto existing security lights. The overall lights are all on a single switch inside.
To make it even "stranger" the front ones above our garage have Sengled RGBW ZigBee bulbs in the fixture. So instead of having that sensor turn the power on/off directly, I have the Hubitat turn those bulbs on/off based on when the sensor detects something (this still allows me to have colors for particular holidays or other effects when needed).
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Adjacent to my patio I have two three bulb fixtures with flood lamps controlled by a single switch. I replaced the switch with an Inovelli VZM-31SN ZigBee smart switch. Using the button controller app we have multiple lighting scenes from all on 100% daylight to one on each fixture set to 30% warm white. The paddles dim up and down. Taps set the scenes. Lamps are Phillips Wiz PAR38 RGBW 120w equivalent WiFi but completely local control. About 1/3 the cost of a similar Hue light. I'm sure Hues would be more even but these are more than "good enough."
https://www.amazon.com/WiZ-Connected-Color-PAR38-Outdoor/dp/B0B2BGW8NF?th=1
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Correct... I will have them on each corner of the house and want to control them individually.
I prefer Z-wave, since that is what the rest of my HA devices are, but open to using other protocols. No need for dimmable. The house is under construction, so we haven't purchased the fixtures as of today.
Thanks for the suggestion but unfortunately in my situation, all 4 corner flood lights are controlled by a single switch.
All six of min are controlled by a single smart switch. Read carefully. If you want to leave them on a single dumb switch. You can control them individually from Hubitat with rules and or dashboards. Smart buttons, etc.
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Understood... that's why I'm searching for a solution where the Z-wave or ZigBee controller is attached and/or imbedded with each light.
Other than @snell suggestion to use the Homeseer Floodlight sensor, does anyone else know of such a device?
Since you’re still in the construction phase, this idea might work well.
You could wire each light fixture to something like this:
That’s an example of one of Zooz’s relays. Hiding it should be easy if the fixtures aren’t even installed yet.
I don’t think you mentioned if you want plain old white bulbs, or color changing RGBW bulbs.
@bbrannon’s method of using smart bulbs with a smart switch that has a “smart bulb mode” is actually pretty effective, if RGBW lighting is important.
You could even use smart bulbs with these hidden smart relays. Again, it all depends on your lighting needs.
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If at all possible, I would see if they could run more switches/wire to those fixtures. Even if the switches all were in the same spot, presumably someplace like the front hall, you could individually control them. One circuit that already exists could be split into 2, 3, or 4.
My preference for smart bulbs in those outdoor fixtures is that they are easy to replace. I use some similar in-the-fixture switches in my basement lights but they are easy to access rain or shine. That and you may eventually find dimmable to be more useful than you expect.
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All but a couple lights in my house are dimmable, the garage, the outdoor lights, baths, and even closets. There is no downside to dimmable, and like you say the ability to dim is very nice to have.
It sounds crazy on the surface, but not being blinded when you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night is amazing. Being able to have a tiny bit of ambient light outdoors without killing your night vision is terrific.
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Unfortunately, we are near completion and well past the time whereby I could run additional electrical wires.
@marktheknife that's an interesting solution but will look for another vendor. I've owned multiple Zooz devices and will never purchase one again (based solely on my experience).
Between Pico's, smart switches and scenes there are only a couple of lights in the house that are not dimmable. Basement comes to mind. A couple of closets, laundry room and the hallway that leads to the guest room and my office. Outside brightness varies with time of day and motion.
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