Hi everyone, I wanted to share my experience integrating smart lights like Yeelights and Tradfri with my existing wired PLC setup. At first, I was a bit overwhelmed by the complexity, but it turned out to be a rewarding project!
The Setup
I have a house controlled by a PLC where each wall switch sends a signal to turn on a specific light. I wanted to add smart bulbs without having them powered on all the time to save energy and extend their lifespan. The Yeelights were a great choice since they turn on with their last state when powered back on.
The Challenge
My existing MQTT setup worked well for switching lights on and off, but I needed more control—RGB colors and brightness adjustments. I considered using Node-Red to bridge the MQTT commands to the Yeelight bulbs. It took some research, but I figured out how to send the right commands for color and brightness.
The Solution
I ended up creating two MQTT items: one for the PLC switch and another for the Yeelight. Node-Red acts as the intermediary, forwarding commands from the switch to the bulb and vice versa. It was a bit tricky setting up the flows, but there are great tutorials online that helped me out.
The Outcome
Now, I have fully controllable smart lights that respect my energy-saving goals. The setup was a bit time-consuming, but the result is worth it. If anyone has questions or needs help with a similar project, feel free to reach out!
Cheers,
[Your Name]