DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

We've moved in to an bungalow with a bedroom loft conversion.

The upstairs light switch I have swapped for a WiFi switch which works perfectly. (First photo).

At the bottom of the stairs I've left on the original switch but now all that can do is cut the power rather than switching anything on. As you can see, downstairs is older wiring and therefore, no neutral wire.

I'm wanting to have a wifi switch downstairs, either instead of, or as well as, the upstairs one (in a 2 way formation)

What would anyone recommend? Right now I'm thinking of just buying a no neutral required downstairs switch and just getting rid of the upstairs one (we have plenty of voice control in the bedroom), however, I'd still need to know how to wire together the unused wires behind the current wifi switch.

Thanks

You need a relay in the lamp. [attachment=3]DSC_6061.jpg[/attachment] this is the unit I used, it is a twin relay, so I split the light into two outer and inner, the inner works with both wall switch and phone, the outer is phone only.

The lamp [attachment=2]lamp-landing_1.jpg[/attachment] has a colour changing bulb in centre, and simple on/off in outer, so I can have loads of light when I want it, or a dimmer lamp to see stairs without waking others in the house.

The instructions are here [attachment=1]Landing-light-relay-instructions1.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]Landing-light-relay-instructions2.jpg[/attachment] the connection to switch is extra low voltage so can't be used if the line is shared, it is quite small, but will admit only been up for a week, so can't say how well it will last.

P.S. it used Smart life app, and a zigbee hub.

ericmark wrote:P.S. it used Smart life app, and a zigbee hub.

Thanks for the response.

It sounds like you have come up with a workaround rather than having it fully operational at both switches and wifi. I think I'll have to do the same.

I can't put the current wifi switch downstairs because no neutral.

I'll look in to relays and lighting since I've never heard of that as a solution. Sounds a bit of an added complexion though!

James35_1 wrote:It sounds like you have come up with a workaround rather than having it fully operational at both switches and wifi.

I'll look in to relays and lighting since I've never heard of that as a solution. Sounds a bit of an added complexion though!

It is a workaround, and it is often confusing using relays.
Speaking of relays, sonoff units do NOT require a hub.

"Smart switches" that do not require a neutral usually work by back feeding through the light fitting lamp, so if you use an LED lamp often these smart switches will not work properly.

Although far from ideal, the ultimate solution has to be rewire the downstairs switch, but since that is not going to happen have you considered "smart lamps" Yes, there will be no switch (You leave the switch in the on position.) But you can then have the lamp(s) controlled by app, voice, or routine, or any combination of these.

I also note that a smart lamp costs less than a smart switch.

If you have a smart lamp, do you really need two way? I made a mistake, the smart relay allowed me to split the lights so centre and outer independent, intention was smart control of centre lamp only, and but smart and switch control of outer lamps, but son got it wrong way around.

However simply saying hey google turn on hall lights turns them on anyway so no real need for switches.

Be it google mini or Alexa or any other smart device, one can control lamps with your voice commands today.

OK some times they behave like mischievous little boys, I would say hay google turn off and it would say turning off 5 switches and turn off lights instead of music, but that was my fault for not saying turn off music.

But why fit smart switches then not use the features?

Good question.

The reason is that our phones and Chromecast remote that can all do the voice activation are either usually upstairs or locked (I may make the phone automatically unlock at home). It won't activate the lights when locked because it needs to open another app called avatar controls.

The main issue is coming up the stairs in the dark. So I'm thinking of just using a 2 gang (no neutral required) WiFi switch downstairs instead.

Smart bulbs aren't an option, we have 8 halogen style gu10 (led's obviously) in the ceiling and about 10 small led's leading up the stairs (not removable or changable).

How about a nest mini? You could leave it plugged in downstairs. And ask it to turn the lights on for you.
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