Jgoodm

On 9/26/2022 at 12:23 PM, Jgoodm said:

To clarify, I think I have the control4 side working. It’s the apple side that does not work. The driver says it’s for switches not dimmers and they show as accessory not available (with an exclamation point) in my HomeKit app. 

Any thoughts?  Thanks. 

8 minutes ago, Andrew luecke said:

G'day, if you're referring to the chowmain drivers, you must be running OS3.3. Then simply install the agent and auto setup, and it will configure everything properly 

To clarify, I think I have the control4 side working. It’s the apple side that does not work. The driver says it’s for switches not dimmers and they show as accessory not available (with an exclamation point) in my HomeKit app. 

I’ve installed the Lock and the Kasa dimmers and drivers. Now the dimmers appear in my HomeKit (auto found) but they say accessory is not responding in my HomeKit. Also, the Kasa drivers seem to be for switches but not dimmers. Any advice on this how to get the dimmers working?  Thanks. 

Since these are just additions to places that were going to be dumb switches anyway, I bought the Kasa switches for $16/each and will but the driver for C4.  It wasn't worth spending more.  If it works well, great, if it doesn't it was a worthwhile gamble.  Thanks for the advice.

On 6/22/2022 at 2:39 AM, Andrew luecke said:

We have a driver on: https://chowmain.software/drivers/control4-tplink which is actively being maintained (and also supports the new colorwheel capabilities of OS 3.3 too). 

Any questions, feel free to ask (as I actually did the rewrite)

Thanks.  I went ahead and ordered the Kasa's and told my installer to buy your driver.  Am I right in assuming that once installed and working in C4 with your driver, if I have homebridge set up, these devices will also show up in HomeKit?  Thanks.

54 minutes ago, RAV said:

Buy a driver for it, Chowmain, and others have one.

Got it.  And if I buy their driver and have a HomeBridge (Hoobs) set up, the HomeKit will see it via Control4 as well, right?  Thanks!

1 minute ago, therockhr said:

if you are looking for the cheapest way to integrate into C4 it is going to be Kasa. Dont really know if anything else comes close.

Thanks. And have to buy a private driver or is there a supported one to download?

1 hour ago, Andrew luecke said:

You'd need to decide if you want to spend more money, or not have Homekit. Keep in mind, Homekit is Apple proprietary, so won't work for anyone who has android or other platforms (Google Assistant and Alexa from my understanding tends to have better hardware support too), and if you do ultimately want to integrate with C4, you may still require a paid driver anyway. 

Yeah. I get it. Just looking for the cheapest way to accomplish the goal. I really don’t know who fits the need here, who has authorized drivers, etc. Was hoping for some recommendations since I don’t know what to even look for. 

2 hours ago, msgreenf said:

You keep adding more requirements and complain that the price goes up….I mean you are asking for a niche premium product now…

Where did I complain?   I’m asking for a recommendation. I don’t know the products out there and my google searching isn’t getting me far. 

Looks like the Kasa’s are not native for HomeKit, is that right?  

The most recent Kasa versions are also closer to $25 each.  Now I’m wondering if just getting something native to HomeKit that has a free supported driver for C4 makes sense for a little more money?  Any recommendations for another dimmer that fits the above?  (Caseta’s seem too expensive after the hubs required…)
 

Thanks 

Do the Kasa switches have a free driver or is it a third party paid driver?  Thanks. 

Hi All,

I am looking for a smart dimmer to use in all of the locations that I would not otherwise use a Control4 dimmer.  For example, I was going to put a dumb light switch in my kids closets (simple on/off).  These switches are like $5.00.  No real reason to have these integrated in my smart home (and spend $100 for a C4 dimmer/switch) at these locations but that being said, I am thinking I should just install a cheap smart dimmer anyway and if they work, great, if they don't work that well then I won't have lost too much money on them anyway.  In looking they range anywhere from $10/$15 all the way up to $60.  At $60 I won't bother but at $15 I might as well use them.  

What do you guys recommend as something that is simple and cheap and might be usable/reliable on C4 with a driver purchase?

I was warned to be careful that if I use a straight wifi only dimmer (rather than one that goes through a hub) it may make sorting my wifi devices overly complicated.  Not sure if this matters because I suppose I can set a vLAN just for these IOT devices, but if you think this matters, please let me know.  (I am using UI Dream Machine and UI wifi if that matters).

Thanks!

J

On 4/4/2022 at 12:12 PM, RAV said:

That's exactly the idea.

But you want a dimmer not a switch.
A switch only gets you two variable states, on and off.
A dimmer gets you 101.
You need 4 states at least for two way status.

Yes, you need an AppleTV, iPad or HomePod setup in the house to act as a HUB for Apple Homekit.
You do not need the Control4 to Homekit driver, or the associated Pi or other computer running the bridging server.

This is a simple way to bridge two systems that may not want to talk to each other, for programming a couple of simple state changes.

This method will work with anything that can set a lighting percent and react to a percent with Kasa.
Alexa, Google, Smart Things, Apple ...

 

Hi, sorry to bring this one back up but...  How are you getting the Control4 to see the Kasa dimmer?  I don't see how to make that compatible?

Thanks,

J

1 minute ago, Cyknight said:

as it's a door to door lock, I don't see how you would get a sensor in there - is the lock 'button' or mechanism is standard tumbler? if so an august wifi lock might work.

No, its just the latch.  Only a magnet type sensor placed in the lock would do it I think.

Hi All,

I have a sliding door that I can not add a smart lock to but I was wondering if anyone has thought of a solution to report to Control4 the status of a lock that is not smart (locked or unlocked)?  I am programing my Control4 to lock all of the doors that are smart when the alarm is set.  I would like to add a program to report back to me any door that is not locked when the alarm is set.  The lock mechanism is pretty simple (I am posting a photo of a similar mechanism to whats there). 

I would like to add some sort or sensor or magnet that would tell Control4 if the lock, etc is engaged. 

It wouldn't lock it, but at least I would know I have to go downstairs and set the lock without just having to manually walk the house to check it.

Also if it helps, I am posting a photo of the doors and the tracks.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

J.

On 4/4/2022 at 12:12 PM, RAV said:

That's exactly the idea.

But you want a dimmer not a switch.
A switch only gets you two variable states, on and off.
A dimmer gets you 101.
You need 4 states at least for two way status.

Yes, you need an AppleTV, iPad or HomePod setup in the house to act as a HUB for Apple Homekit.
You do not need the Control4 to Homekit driver, or the associated Pi or other computer running the bridging server.

This is a simple way to bridge two systems that may not want to talk to each other, for programming a couple of simple state changes.

This method will work with anything that can set a lighting percent and react to a percent with Kasa.
Alexa, Google, Smart Things, Apple ...

 

I so appreciate this!  Very helpful!  Any other good tricks you picked up for other items or use with this?

16 minutes ago, RAV said:

The dimmer (Kasa) is acting as a common variable.

Both systems can see it, react to it, and change it.

So you program the C4 to set the alarm and as part of the “alarm set program” you tell it to ‘turn on the kasa switch when the alarm is turned on’ then you program HomeKit, ‘if the kasa switch is on, lock the door?’  Is that the idea?

Then you would also program the kasa switch in HomeKit, ‘if the door is unlocked, turn off the kasa switch’ which would in effect, reset it so c4 can do the alarm program correctly next time it’s run?

If I got that right, this solution doesn’t even require a Homebridge since neither system needs to integrate for this?  They’re each operating independently and working with the switch?

It also seems to mean the kasa switch can be anywhere in the house as long as it can connect to wifi?  Does a server like an appletv need to be running or is this simple enough that just the switch and lock will work alone if installed?
 

Thanks!!

On 4/2/2022 at 7:12 AM, RAV said:

Yes.
The Kasa dimmer becomes a messenger, passing the lock status back and forth between the two systems.
Since both systems can be made to see Kasa, no other parts are needed other the the Control4 for TPLink driver.

I developed this solution as I wanted a Ring alarm to turn off and on lighting in Control4 based on armed status.
The only thing the Ring alarm will talk to is Alexa.
Alexa can work with Control4 lighting.
So a routine in Alexa to adjust the Control4 messenger outlet dimmer, now Control4 can react to arm state.

I’m sorry but I am new to this and haven’t even installed my system yet. House is due to be completed next month. 
 

Can you give some more clarity on how this works without the programming details?
 

When I tell Control4 to set the alarm and it runs it’s programs to lock all the doors and turn the alarm on, what’s the process that goes on here to make the lock lock itself?  What’s the system actually doing to get the Schlage lock to lock itself by using the dimmer status?  I don’t really understand. (I’d probably get the Control4 dimmer for extra reliability).
 

Thanks!

5 hours ago, RAV said:

Here's a cheat, depending on what you want it do in Control4....

Get a KASA light dimmer, don't connect it to a load.
Add it to Apple
Add it to Control4

(If you use the Homekit driver for Contro4, you can accomplish the same with a Control4 outlet dimmer)

Apple Automations
when lock is closed - set kasa to 40
when lock is open - set kasa to 30
when kasa is 20, lock door
when kasa is 10, unlock door

Control4
when kasa is 40, set variable lock to True, set kasa to 0
when kasa is 30, set varaible lock to False, set kasa to 0
Experience button Lock - set kasa to 20
Expereince button unlock - set kasa to 10

Control4 can lock and unlock the lock, and do stuff based on lock status.

(I've used similar programming to get Ring alarm status through Alexa)

Are you saying you can just set this switch as a relay so that the lock will work within Control4 by using Homebridge commands back and forth?  All I really want is for the lock to lock itself when I set the alarm at night through the Control4 app.  Its really the only functionality I need.  My alarm is completely controlled by Control4 and the lock is HomeKit, Google or Alexa compatible natively but no Control4 support.  Otherwise, are you saying you don't even need the HomeKit and you can somehow use this light dimmer or lock or unlock directly in Control4?  

Sorry for the ignorance.  Very much a newb on this...

Thanks,

J.

3 minutes ago, ekohn00 said:

I think that's backwards.  the HomeKit drivers like the Varietas Homebridge from @Veritaisallows C4 defined devices it supports to show up in the apple home app. 

I'm fairly sure It won't take devices in apple home kit and have them show up in C4. (which would be the case for Schlage). 

Oh. Thanks for that. Anyone know for sure?

Hi All,

I very much want to make this lock work with Control4. Does anyone know if there is a bridge or something that can get this to communicate with Control4?

I really love the idea of Apple Watch key on my garage door but it’s also important to me that when I set my alarm at night, I am able to automatically send a lock command to the door as part of the program. 

If it matters, my alarm is a DSC Neo. 

https://www.schlage.com/en/home/smart-locks/encode-plus.html

Thanks. 

J.