After spending quite some time experimenting with integrating my Philips Hue lights with the HM system, I wanted to share my journey and findings with the community. This might help others who are facing similar challenges or looking for a seamless integration solution.
Initially, I was frustrated with the one-way communication issue between HM and Hue. The DVs (Device Views) didn’t work as expected, and the built-in Hue integration in HM wasn’t bidirectional. This meant I couldn’t control my Hue lights through HM in the way I wanted. However, I stumbled upon a fantastic solution: the homematic-addon-hue by j-a-n. ThisAddon not only allows bidirectional control but also makes it incredibly easy to manage Hue lights through HM or any HM app. It’s been a game-changer for me!
Now, onto the main challenge I faced: controlling Hue lights with wall switches (Taster/Aktoren) without dimming or color changes—just on/off. I explored two main options:
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Using an Actor (e.g., HmIP-BSM): This involved setting the Hue lights to a default state in the Hue app and using the actor to restore power. While this worked, it had a significant drawback: I had to manually turn on the actor before using the dimmer from the j-a-n Addon. This felt cumbersome and broke the seamless experience I was aiming for.
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Permanent Power with Programs: This approach involved keeping the Hue lights permanently powered and using programs to control them via wall switches. For example, pressing a switch could trigger a program to turn the lights on or off. The advantage here was that I could always use the dimmer from the Addon without any issues. However, the downside was the Hue lights being permanently powered, which might not be ideal for everyone.
After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to go with Option 2. It provided the most straightforward and seamless control experience, even though it meant the Hue lights would always be under power. I also integrated this solution with my existing presence detector (HmIP-SPI), which automatically turns the lights on or off based on motion detection. This added an extra layer of convenience to my setup.
For those considering a similar setup, I highly recommend exploring the homematic-addon-hue. It’s a powerful tool that bridges the gap between Hue and HM beautifully. Additionally, using programs to control Hue lights via wall switches is a reliable method that ensures a smooth user experience.
I’d love to hear if anyone has tried a different approach or has suggestions for improving this setup. Happy integrating! 