Home Automation

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Discussion about general home automation ideas and projects, home automation protocols like Z-wave, Zigbee, Matter, etc, and home automation software and hubs like HomeSeer, Home Assistant, OpenHAB, Homey.

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Advice for making entryway light motion sensing? 3-way switch and two ceiling fixtures. (lemmy.world)

submitted 6 days ago by pageflight@lemmy.world to c/homeautomation@lemmy.world

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I'd like to make our front entryway lights motion sensing. However the wiring is a little complicated. And I'd like the lights to be operable normally if the automation doesn't work for some reason.

There are three light switches: one by the front door, one up the staircase at the landing, and one at the back of the entryway at another interior door. My favorite switch is the CloudFree motion sense switch, running Tasmota, but I don't see it or a similar switch available for three-way wiring.

There are two light fixtures: One hanging lamp, and one track light. The bulb in the hanging lamp is hidden, so although I could swap it out with something smart, it wouldn't be easy to just put a motion sensing bulb in there. And the bulbs in the track light are some small/unusual base, not something I can upgrade.

How would you automate the lights? Grateful for any ideas!

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[–] solidgrue@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Are you looking for a system that is strictly motion sensors, or do you have a smart assistant that supports other wireless protocols than Wifi?

My strategy as a home assistant user has been to lean on smart switches and dumb bulbs to the extent that I can, so that I can locally control fixtures without having to rely on the assistant being awake and healthy. I do have a few instances where I have dumb switches and smart bulbs, but only where I also want to control the light colors and where the bulb is controlled right at the fixture.

That said, there does appear to be a tasmota 3-pole switch by Martin Jerry on Amazon. You'd probably just replace one of your 3-pole switches with the Tasmota and leave the other switch alone. You could pick up one of the Everything Smarthome presence kits and use that for your motion sensor.

Hope any of this helps!

[–] pageflight@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

Nice, ordered one of those switches!

Yeah, I like the smart switch/sensor + dumb bulb approach too.

[–] aniki@lemmings.world 2 points 6 days ago

Ditto this. I use zwave motion sensors and in-wall zwave switches

[–] fhqwgads@possumpat.io 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Do you need more automation than regular 3 way motion switches you can get at the hardware store? They're relatively cheap and cover a surprising amount of needs without having to rely on anything other than the switch.

[–] pageflight@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Yes -- should've described that aspect. The shape of the entryway means that none of the existing switches has a good view of all the area I'd like a motion sensor to trigger on. Otherwise that would be the way to go!

[–] fhqwgads@possumpat.io 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Ok, that makes sense. In general for switches I recommend the Caseta ones from Lutron. They also make a motion sensor, which would mean you wouldn't need a hub if you don't already have one. Downside is they're much more expensive than other switches, upside is they work so much better it's worth the price difference.

[–] pageflight@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Maybe I'll give them a go for my next automation! Thanks for the recommendation.

I do have a hub — using HomeAssistant with AppDaemon.

[–] fhqwgads@possumpat.io 3 points 5 days ago

If that's the case then yeah, probably not the best option. They need their own hub and run on weird 433mhz band radios.