Aeotec Dimmers and iOS integration

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Paul1977

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#271730 25-May-2020 09:24

In our new build we will be installing a bunch of Aeotec dimmer relays for controlling the lights.

For our mobile devices we are firmly in the iOS ecosystem, so what are the best options for controlling these devices via iPhones/iPads and Siri?

I hear good things about Home Assistant, but I understand that it doesn't natively support Apple HomeKit.

What are our options here?

Thanks in advance.

Paul

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lxsw20

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#2490884 25-May-2020 09:29

Home Assistant works with homekit just fine. https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/homekit/

Paul1977

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#2490887 25-May-2020 09:32

lxsw20:

Home Assistant works with homekit just fine. https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/homekit/

Thanks, not sure how I missed that. Maybe I was reading old info.

billgates

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#2490890 25-May-2020 09:38

I use Hubitat with my Aeotec gear and iOS devices. Requires a bit of work much like Home Assistant. If you want it dead simple but it is cloud dependent then Samsung Smartthings. Aeotec is currently testing Autopilot with select people atm that will be dead simple to use to setup rules, add hardware etc but not sure when this will be out.

Do whatever you want to do man.

davidcole

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#2490931 25-May-2020 10:28

What technology do the Aeotec dimmers use? Is it the zwave ones? Or are they something else.

So you need a zwave controller, attached to something like Home assistant (which can expose devices to homekit), OpenHAB can also expose devices to homekit, or homebridge, whcih definitely exposes items to homekit (I use it), but not sure the quality of the zwave integration.

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Paul1977

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#2490935 25-May-2020 10:32

davidcole:

What technology do the Aeotec dimmers use? Is it the zwave ones? Or are they something else.

So you need a zwave controller, attached to something like Home assistant (which can expose devices to homekit), OpenHAB can also expose devices to homekit, or homebridge, whcih definitely exposes items to homekit (I use it), but not sure the quality of the zwave integration.

Aeotec are z-wave. Looking at a Z-Stick plugged into an oDroid running HomeAssistant.

Paul1977

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#2490936 25-May-2020 10:36

Next question, only semi related.

Do most people using the Aeotec (or similar) dimmers find they need the dimmer bypass to prevent flickering?

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davidcole

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#2490937 25-May-2020 10:36

Paul1977:

davidcole:

What technology do the Aeotec dimmers use? Is it the zwave ones? Or are they something else.

So you need a zwave controller, attached to something like Home assistant (which can expose devices to homekit), OpenHAB can also expose devices to homekit, or homebridge, whcih definitely exposes items to homekit (I use it), but not sure the quality of the zwave integration.

Aeotec are z-wave. Looking at a Z-Stick plugged into an oDroid running HomeAssistant.

I haven't done zwave with HomeAssistant, but have exposed devices to homekit from HomeAssistant (Garage Door, temperature sensors, lights switches). Should work fine. I haven't tried a dimmer though, I don' thave any.

geekiegeek

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#2490948 25-May-2020 11:05

I have aeotec dimmers with a Vera Plus hub. I use Homebridge on a Pi to bridge to iOS which works flawlessly using a bunch of devices including Homepod.

I've only had one set of lights with the issue around flickering and even the bypass didn't sort it out so I have used Hue bulbs for those two but all my LED downlights work fine with no bypass. The bypass should only be needed if the load from the lights is to low.

Paul1977

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#2490954 25-May-2020 11:17

geekiegeek:

I have aeotec dimmers with a Vera Plus hub. I use Homebridge on a Pi to bridge to iOS which works flawlessly using a bunch of devices including Homepod.

I've only had one set of lights with the issue around flickering and even the bypass didn't sort it out so I have used Hue bulbs for those two but all my LED downlights work fine with no bypass. The bypass should only be needed if the load from the lights is to low.

Thanks. That's the bit I don't quite understand, the lower you dim the light the less load it's drawing right?