Repeater for Hue
-
So, I just installed (not permanently, lucky me) a new outdoor light strip under my pool SPA. While I'm waiting for more creative ways to properly fix it, I noticed that it's not getting the signal, unless I open the nearest window and take a bulb outside - not properly the ideal solution.
Anyone has any tip or a decent repeater? I only have one bulb (it came free with Alexa, I don't like bulbs very much, I prefer zwave switches) and two light strips far away. The hub is centrally localed, but my outdoor walls are all concrete, plus brick on the inside, so I think the ZigBee signal is somewhat attenuated.
-
I am trying to get a better understanding:
What zigbee hub are you using? I suppose the hue is the bulb?
Hue are really a bit weird for zigbee and are not even fully ZLL compliant. They seem to have problems being repeaters on the network and do not properly update status and require a constant poll from the hub. It is generally preferable to use a hue hub for these. The only hub handling this really well it appears to be this:As far as repeaters, for generic zigbee, the old centralite (now belonging to eZLO) plugs were a life saver for me as the vera's zigbee antenna is very weak. I generally try to avoid having a dedicated repeater so maybe add any other regular zigbee device in between? Something like this?
This is what I used but got them for $6 back then.
https://www.amazon.com/Centralite-3-ZigBee-Appliance-Module/dp/B01CKKVX30/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=centralite+outlet&qid=1589222823&sr=8-2 -
The hue hub can do that too, albeit with 4 channels only: 11, 15, 20, 25. Other controllers can't. It's one of the reasons why I am considering switching to deconz... And why I avoid zigbee as much as possible. Others give you the choice to start at a certain frequency but you can't switch afterwards.
-
So, I moved it near a window and it's reaching the new strip outside. Previously it was in a central location, in the closet where I have all the stuff (Vera, Zway, modems, eth switch and so on). While I was sleeping
I had an epiphany and moving it under my desk (which is in front of the pool - hard to focus these days :D) worked out.
Now back to spend 50 EUR to buy new rails to hold a 30 Eur strip... crazy times we're living in!
Thanks for the help.