Philips Hue Discussion

[chuyn]

Sort of (and it's my fault for not being clearer). The power supply and the separate electronics control box is in the middle (over the stove/fan). I spliced after the control box (sorry if that wasn't clearer earlier). One wire from the control box runs leftwards to the left strip and the other wire runs rightwards to the right strip. The two strips are, thus, independently connected to a single control box which, itself, connects to the power supply with original cable.


That would work too. The only drawback would be that if either set of solder joints is not perfect, then the strip furthest away from the control box would exhibit defects. It would be harder to troubleshoot.

Okay, I understand now. Thanks for the info

 

[stevemiller]

I'm so fed up with apple. I cannot use HomeKit/siri on my iOS 10.3 iPhone to control my lights 99% of the time. the lights almost always report not responding, even though they respond totally fine through the hue app on the same device. and whats more they respond to Siri commands just fine on my iPad running iOS 9.

I have already restored the device as new (which didn't help) and I don't want to have to set up Apple Pay for the nth time just to try signing in and out of iCloud. I also don't want to have to buy a new router when clearly it works just fine outside of apple's poorly designed home kit.

I've already given up on HealthKit's similar failings and gone the Fitbit route. I'm just exhausted *constantly* troubleshooting apple features and services and really questioning why I'm continuing with their products when I have to go 3rd party to get anything functional anyway. 🙁

 

[steve knight]

I'm so fed up with apple. I cannot use HomeKit/siri on my iOS 10.3 iPhone to control my lights 99% of the time. the lights almost always report not responding, even though they respond totally fine through the hue app on the same device. and whats more they respond to Siri commands just fine on my iPad running iOS 9.

I have already restored the device as new (which didn't help) and I don't want to have to set up Apple Pay for the nth time just to try signing in and out of iCloud. I also don't want to have to buy a new router when clearly it works just fine outside of apple's poorly designed home kit.

I've already given up on HealthKit's similar failings and gone the Fitbit route. I'm just exhausted *constantly* troubleshooting apple features and services and really questioning why I'm continuing with their products when I have to go 3rd party to get anything functional anyway. 🙁

Did you open the hue app then lights do you see any of these? The small puzzle light. I get these with some lights now and again. Unplugging or flipping the light switch will fix it.

 

[stevemiller]

never any exclamation marks or connection issues inside the hue app. but HomeKit and Siri are constant problems on my iPhone.

To be clear, I'm happy with my Hue system, its apple that is frustrating me.

I suppose I could go through the process of setting things up from scratch yet again to see if it helps, but this is becoming a frustrating trend with apple products requiring almost constant troubleshooting and resetting. 🙁

Did you open the hue app then lights do you see any of these? The small puzzle light. I get these with some lights now and again. Unplugging or flipping the light switch will fix it.

 

[steve knight]

never any exclamation marks or connection issues inside the hue app. but HomeKit and Siri are constant problems on my iPhone.

To be clear, I'm happy with my Hue system, its apple that is frustrating me.

I suppose I could go through the process of setting things up from scratch yet again to see if it helps, but this is becoming a frustrating trend with apple products requiring almost constant troubleshooting and resetting. 🙁

I just wanted to make sure you did not miss that. I have to have all the homekit stuff on my wifes phone so it works more reliably since she only uses voice control for the most part. myself the widget screen is the best way to control hue for me it is faster and more reliable then any other method.

 

[Arran]

never any exclamation marks or connection issues inside the hue app. but HomeKit and Siri are constant problems on my iPhone.

To be clear, I'm happy with my Hue system, its apple that is frustrating me.

I suppose I could go through the process of setting things up from scratch yet again to see if it helps, but this is becoming a frustrating trend with apple products requiring almost constant troubleshooting and resetting. 🙁

Sorry to hear all this.

I don't know what to suggest. I have about 30 hue lamps and use Siri on my watch to control them most of the time. I'd say it's about 95% reliable now. I sometimes have to tell siri twice. Can't remember the last time I had say a command three times.

Apart from Siri, I use about a dozen hue Tap switches/dimmers and a handful of timed routines. They're 100% reliable.

Maybe your wifi has issues or something? It really shouldn't be this difficult.

 

[gsmornot]

Sorry to hear all this.

I don't know what to suggest. I have about 30 hue lamps and use Siri on my watch to control them most of the time. I'd say it's about 95% reliable now. I sometimes have to tell siri twice. Can't remember the last time I had say a command three times.

Apart from Siri, I use about a dozen hue Tap switches/dimmers and a handful of timed routines. They're 100% reliable.

Maybe your wifi has issues or something? It really shouldn't be this difficult.

Same here. I have 9 Hue bulbs in lamps that run routines and for two are triggered in the afternoon by IFTTT so they come on 45 minutes before sunset. I also have Lutron and Ecobee in the mix. Only time I have seen any issues was after a storm that turned the power on and off several times in short order. A reset of several devices and I was back in service. I plan to keep expanding and looking at Leviton Smart switches next. The Hue bulbs have been fantastic.

On a side note, ready for either Apple or Hue to update so I can select color on my Ambiance bulbs from the Home app.

 

[stevemiller]

Sorry to hear all this.

I don't know what to suggest. I have about 30 hue lamps and use Siri on my watch to control them most of the time. I'd say it's about 95% reliable now. I sometimes have to tell siri twice. Can't remember the last time I had say a command three times.

Apart from Siri, I use about a dozen hue Tap switches/dimmers and a handful of timed routines. They're 100% reliable.

Maybe your wifi has issues or something? It really shouldn't be this difficult.

wifi issues can tend to be a bit of a black box, but when the hue app from the same phone with the same router can control the same lights that HomeKit can't, makes me feel like the lacking party here is apple. I've even tried erasing all my HomeKit stuff and starting from scratch, but all that has accomplished is an empty HomeKit profile that can't see any hue devices to even add them. 🙁

but thank you for the feedback. I'm glad apple/hue stuff is working for some people, my phone 6 has just been an unbelievably disappointing product the entire 2+ years I've owned it even beyond this issue. so I don't know if I have a bad unit, incredibly bad luck or what.

 

[hokiepokie07]

Did you open the hue app then lights do you see any of these? The small puzzle light. I get these with some lights now and again. Unplugging or flipping the light switch will fix it.

You seem to have a bunch of Hue lights, what switches do you use or how do you have hem set up? I'm facing the issue with my switches and being able to keep my lights always "on".

 

[steve knight]

You seem to have a bunch of Hue lights, what switches do you use or how do you have hem set up? I'm facing the issue with my switches and being able to keep my lights always "on".

you can get simple switch covers that keep you from flipping them. after awhile we stopped needing them. but it is good to have access to the switch when the bulb needs reset. here are several.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=light+switch+protector

 

[Debauch]

Anyone having issues where the light strip will sporadically not respond to automations? I have my light strip set up to turn at 7 pm then change color at 7:30, 8 and 8:15. Most days one or more of these automations doesn't trigger. It's completely random which ones trigger and which ones don't! Any ideas how to fix this? Thanks.

 

[steve knight]

Anyone having issues where the light strip will sporadically not respond to automations? I have my light strip set up to turn at 7 pm then change color at 7:30, 8 and 8:15. Most days one or more of these automations doesn't trigger. It's completely random which ones trigger and which ones don't! Any ideas how to fix this? Thanks.

first remedy to try with a hue product is to unplug it and plug it back in.

 

[hokiepokie07]

you can get simple switch covers that keep you from flipping them. after awhile we stopped needing them. but it is good to have access to the switch when the bulb needs reset. here are several.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=light+switch+protector

I like that, but I'm looking for a clean look. What I recently purchased was a three-piece faceplate and the Lutron Connected Bulb Remote. My idea is to use the Remote on the faceplate for use of my hue lights and then I'm going to purchase in-wall HomeKit switches (probably Lutron Caseta) for my ceiling fan and ceiling lights (non-Hue). For the Remote I'm going to hardware them behind the plate so they are always "on".

 

[azing]

So I bought my first HomeKit device over the weekend and it's started an addiction, safe to say my wife isn't overly impressed. I'm thinking about buying in to the whole Hue system but I was wondering if some here could answer some questions.
Once I've bought my starter kit and set everything up correctly is it possible to control all the lights using the iOS home app, as in not just turn on and off but also change the colours and brightness?
Also, I don't think it's possible in the home app but is it possible in the hue app to set up automation so that when I arrive home and it's after sunset that the lights will come on automatically? I know I can set it up in the home app for either of those conditions but I don't think I can do both unless someone can enlighten me.

 

[hokiepokie07]

So I bought my first HomeKit device over the weekend and it's started an addiction, safe to say my wife isn't overly impressed. I'm thinking about buying in to the whole Hue system but I was wondering if some here could answer some questions.
Once I've bought my starter kit and set everything up correctly is it possible to control all the lights using the iOS home app, as in not just turn on and off but also change the colours and brightness?
Also, I don't think it's possible in the home app but is it possible in the hue app to set up automation so that when I arrive home and it's after sunset that the lights will come on automatically? I know I can set it up in the home app for either of those conditions but I don't think I can do both unless someone can enlighten me.

You can change the color on the Home app. I don't think it is as detailed as other apps, but you can. One thing you can do is if you want a certain color, set a scene with that color and then you can tell Siri to set that scene.

I set up the automation within the Home app to have my lights cut on after sunset when I arrive. You can do it in the Hue app as well, but I try to keep all my automations in the Home app.

 

[azing]

You can change the color on the Home app. I don't think it is as detailed as other apps, but you can. One thing you can do is if you want a certain color, set a scene with that color and then you can tell Siri to set that scene.

I set up the automation within the Home app to have my lights cut on after sunset when I arrive. You can do it in the Hue app as well, but I try to keep all my automations in the Home app.

That's great thanks! I didn't think the home app could handle two conditions at a time. Time to go and spend some dollar.

 

[hokiepokie07]

That's great thanks! I didn't think the home app could handle two conditions at a time. Time to go and spend some dollar.

What do you mean two conditions?

 

[gsmornot]

You can change the color on the Home app. I don't think it is as detailed as other apps, but you can. One thing you can do is if you want a certain color, set a scene with that color and then you can tell Siri to set that scene.

I set up the automation within the Home app to have my lights cut on after sunset when I arrive. You can do it in the Hue app as well, but I try to keep all my automations in the Home app.

You can only change the color of the full color bulbs at this time. The White Ambiance bulbs that provide the full range of white can only be adjusted in the Hue app. In addition, if you ask Siri to turn the light on it will come on at whatever color it was at last time it was turned off. I use a high kelvin to wake so about an hour after getting up I have a routine to change the color to a lower temperature then 5 minutes later to off. That way in the evenings, Siri gives me a color I want.

Not making a corrective statement here, just adding to the reply. Some point in the future they will add White Ambiance and the answer will simply be yes, you can change the color.

 

[azing]

What do you mean two conditions?

So the lights come on when I arrive home AND it's after sunset. I wouldn't want them coming on when I arrive if it's still daylight. Is that possible?
[doublepost=1494402742][/doublepost]Looks like today was my lucky day. Amazon UK had £30 off the richer colours starter kit. £120 for three richer colour bulbs and the hub ain't bad! Getting delivered tonight!

 

[gsmornot]

So the lights come on when I arrive home AND it's after sunset. I wouldn't want them coming on when I arrive if it's still daylight. Is that possible?
[doublepost=1494402742][/doublepost]Looks like today was my lucky day. Amazon UK had £30 off the richer colours starter kit. £120 for three richer colour bulbs and the hub ain't bad! Getting delivered tonight!

Yes, when you use the Home app to turn lights on upon arrival, you will see a slider for only after sunset. I don't use it so I cannot add anything specific. My lights are automated based on sunset.

 

[azing]

Yes, when you use the Home app to turn lights on upon arrival, you will see a slider for only after sunset. I don't use it so I cannot add anything specific. My lights are automated based on sunset.

I just tried this in the home app, thanks!

 

[hokiepokie07]

So the lights come on when I arrive home AND it's after sunset. I wouldn't want them coming on when I arrive if it's still daylight. Is that possible?
[doublepost=1494402742][/doublepost]Looks like today was my lucky day. Amazon UK had £30 off the richer colours starter kit. £120 for three richer colour bulbs and the hub ain't bad! Getting delivered tonight!

Yep, that's exactly what I have mine do. I have them set up to automatically come on when I arrive at home if it is after sunset.

I have the Lutron Connected Bulb remote for my switches that are for my Hue bulbs. I have wired them to always be on. For bulbs that I'm not using for Hue, I'm slowly converting to Lutron Caseta.
[doublepost=1494441659][/doublepost]

You can only change the color of the full color bulbs at this time. The White Ambiance bulbs that provide the full range of white can only be adjusted in the Hue app. In addition, if you ask Siri to turn the light on it will come on at whatever color it was at last time it was turned off. I use a high kelvin to wake so about an hour after getting up I have a routine to change the color to a lower temperature then 5 minutes later to off. That way in the evenings, Siri gives me a color I want.

Not making a corrective statement here, just adding to the reply. Some point in the future they will add White Ambiance and the answer will simply be yes, you can change the color.

Is there a way to know or a setting that I know is 2700K, like an old incandescent light bulb? I'd like to make that a scene and just name it normal or default.

Thanks!

 

[gsmornot]

Yep, that's exactly what I have mine do. I have them set up to automatically come on when I arrive at home if it is after sunset.

I have the Lutron Connected Bulb remote for my switches that are for my Hue bulbs. I have wired them to always be on. For bulbs that I'm not using for Hue, I'm slowly converting to Lutron Caseta.
[doublepost=1494441659][/doublepost]

Is there a way to know or a setting that I know is 2700K, like an old incandescent light bulb? I'd like to make that a scene and just name it normal or default.

Thanks!

Well, the only way I know at the moment to set the white color on White Ambiance bulbs is through the Hue app itself. Setting a Home scene would only ask for the light to (in this case) be on. It will come on at whatever color you were at last time in my experience. The temperature in the Hue app is called Read for @2700k. Relax is lower, something like 2100 or 1800, I forget but you can set a scene there if you like. That is all I know to do at the moment. Like I said earlier, I have my lights, through the Hue app routines, set themselves to Read 5 minutes before my Home app turns them off. That way each time I ask for them to be on they will be @2700.

I also have the 4 button accessory with scenes available by pushing the on button until you reach the color you like. We normally use 1 push for 2700, 2 pushes for the much warmer and dimmer Relax and do not use the others.

 

[azing]

Got my starter kit all set up last night. Very impressed with the simplicity of everything. Got my scenes all created and automation on. I was asked to sign up to a hue account to control my lights away from home, but am I right in thinking this isn't necessary with HomeKit and the Apple TV 4? Or is it best to make an account?

 

[gsmornot]

Got my starter kit all set up last night. Very impressed with the simplicity of everything. Got my scenes all created and automation on. I was asked to sign up to a hue account to control my lights away from home, but am I right in thinking this isn't necessary with HomeKit and the Apple TV 4? Or is it best to make an account?

Up to you but I setup an account myself. Through the Home app you will be able to see the status of your lights, assuming there are no issues. Honestly, HomeKit is not perfect. Most of the time its great but every so often I need to go to the Hue app to do something because HomeKit says a device is unreachable.

Another reason to setup an account is services like IFTTT. If This Then That. I use the service to turn some lights on 45 minutes before sunset, something you cannot do with the stock app. I do it by telling IFTTT my weather location is 500 miles roughly east of where I am which has a sunset 45 minutes before me. Imperfect but works until Apple gives us an offset.