Time2Jet Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 Wasn't sure which topic to put this under, so I picked this one. I'd like some well-thought opinions on the subject of adding switches to my project. I have approx 40-45 Lutron Caseta Pro dimmers/switches in my project now. I have had zero issues with them and I "sometimes" use the Lutron app for control (or renaming and definitely adding) and definitely use Alexa for lighting. The Caseta Pro Bridge will now support 75 items, it was 50 when I started the project. I want to add automation all of my dumb bathroom switches (15) and 10 Lamps (these are now Hue Bulbs which aren't cutting it in my layout). Do I even bother with the added cost of C4 switches? I can program timers, etc in Composer for Caseta, correct? I realize, depending upon the switch, I would gain some additional automation with the C4 switches (button presses, keypad buttons etc, depending upon the switch model). Whichever way this goes, I do want to enhance my zigbee mesh, but it seems the added cost of C4 switches versus Caseta Switches will allow me to add 2-3 zigbee repeaters. I will be saving $1500.00 with Caseta on the switches. The lamps are a separate thing. I was going to use Caseta plugs, but I I have the TP Link Driver from Chowmain, so I can go a lot of ways on the plugs. I just think it's best to try to stay all one ecosystem? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollerAgent Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 If you are happy with Caseta, by all means stick with it, but just be aware that you will be topping out your device limit (75). Also keep in mind that the hub and each Pico also count as one of those 75 devices. You can program timers, etc in Composer HE. You can also use the Caseta loads directly in Advanced Lighting Scenes (sometimes there are reasons why you wouldn't want to do this). With C4 switches - you get the nifty LED's, double/triple tap and of course the Zigbee mesh benefits. I chose to use Lutron RA2 Select throughout most of my home. I supplement them with Control4 keypads in several rooms which help with my Zigbee mesh. You can call lighting scenes from the keypads, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time2Jet Posted August 14, 2019 Author Share Posted August 14, 2019 9 minutes ago, LollerAgent said: If you are happy with Caseta, by all means stick with it, but just be aware that you will be topping out your device limit (75). Also keep in mind that the hub and each Pico also count as one of those 75 devices. You can program timers, etc in Composer HE. You can also use the Caseta loads directly in Advanced Lighting Scenes (sometimes there are reasons why you wouldn't want to do this). With C4 switches - you get the nifty LED's, double/triple tap and of course the Zigbee mesh benefits. I chose to use Lutron RA2 Select throughout most of my home. I supplement them with Control4 keypads in several rooms which help with my Zigbee mesh. You can call lighting scenes from the keypads, etc. @LollerAgent I started my project never knowing I would end up with C4, so if I had to do it over, I would probably have done C4 lighting, if not RA2. The Keypads are a good idea, considering a repeater serves no other purpose. Thanks for the response. I always like to hear your opinion on things. LollerAgent 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollerAgent Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 No prob! We really like our keypads. We use them to control various lighting scenes (that include both Hue and RA2 loads), and to control music in each room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time2Jet Posted August 14, 2019 Author Share Posted August 14, 2019 which keypads are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollerAgent Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 10 minutes ago, time2jet said: which keypads are you using? KD-120. They are keypads that can also can control a local lighting load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time2Jet Posted August 14, 2019 Author Share Posted August 14, 2019 If I install one of these in each bathroom, I can load one light, but also program the buttons to operate the other Caseta switches? This would be ideal for my mesh, as the bathrooms are located precisely where I'd want to repeat zigbee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 24 minutes ago, time2jet said: If I install one of these in each bathroom, I can load one light, but also program the buttons to operate the other Caseta switches? This would be ideal for my mesh, as the bathrooms are located precisely where I'd want to repeat zigbee. correct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollerAgent Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 25 minutes ago, time2jet said: If I install one of these in each bathroom, I can load one light, but also program the buttons to operate the other Caseta switches? This would be ideal for my mesh, as the bathrooms are located precisely where I'd want to repeat zigbee. Yep - that is correct. The other buttons on the keypad can virtually do anything you want. Time2Jet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time2Jet Posted August 14, 2019 Author Share Posted August 14, 2019 Very nice. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdougray Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 You could also keep your hue bulbs and just replace your dumb switch with the C4 keypad.would work well together. Time2Jet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time2Jet Posted August 14, 2019 Author Share Posted August 14, 2019 1 minute ago, tdougray said: You could also keep your hue bulbs and just replace your dumb switch with the C4 keypad.would work well together. If I can ever get them to work! Hue just called me to troubleshoot. I'm on the road this week however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdougray Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 I haven’t invested heavily in hue but do have them alongside native C4 dimmers and haven’t had a problem touch wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time2Jet Posted August 15, 2019 Author Share Posted August 15, 2019 Afterthought. Do I have any button control with Caseta in C4. I never really looked. Like, can I double tap the off button on a certain Pro Switch to turn off the entire room? Because if this is the case, I’ll just finish out with Caseta and add a few zigbee extenders to enhance my C4 mesh. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollerAgent Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 No - I don't believe you can do that. But, I believe you can apply custom programming to Pico remotes (still don't think there is double/triple tap functionality).. although, I could be wrong. Time2Jet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time2Jet Posted August 15, 2019 Author Share Posted August 15, 2019 No - I don't believe you can do that. But, I believe you can apply custom programming to Pico remotes (still don't think there is double/triple tap functionality).. although, I could be wrong.Picos will definitely program to control anything Caseta on the system. But I don’t think it will allow tap programming. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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