Smart light switches

Dolby said:
I thought you were comparing it to Tuya / SmartLife?
Can you hide rooms or devices in Tuya ?

Anyway - if the screen is too busy, why not add a custom photo black / dark / text / icons or whatever you want ?
You can then duplicate that same photo / icon etc across every room ?

I know you can hide devices in the app, but I'm not sure about rooms yet.
Click to expand...

I did say I’d rather have Tuya but my final statement was that I’d rather not need any of them at all and just have it all in HomeKit.

Tuya is lacking don’t get me wrong, it could do with more data on it’s tiles, but I hardly use it anyway so a bit pointless for me. It’s only there as an interface until their v2 HA integration allows me to pull the data across into HomeKit.

Never used Shelly so wouldn’t have any clue what you can and can’t do, I just don’t like the way I saw it there.

I’m always a less is more kind of guy.
 
I installed some Meross smart switches. They only come with a 1 gang cover plate. Does anyone know of a cover plate that fits the Meross switch? Apparently, they are a standard Decora size...but that is not something we use locally.
Took me the whole day to try and make it fit a 2 gang plate I bought..and it still looks crappy.
 
Basquiat said:
I installed some Meross smart switches. They only come with a 1 gang cover plate. Does anyone know of a cover plate that fits the Meross switch? Apparently, they are a standard Decora size...but that is not something we use locally.
Took me the whole day to try and make it fit a 2 gang plate I bought..and it still looks crappy.
Click to expand...
Have a look here might help

Smart Plugs & Switches

Buy Smart Plugs & Switches online at the Best Prices! Door to Door and Overnight Delivery. Voted the best online store in SA. View Here
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za
 
Snyper564 said:
Have a look here might help

Smart Plugs & Switches

Buy Smart Plugs & Switches online at the Best Prices! Door to Door and Overnight Delivery. Voted the best online store in SA. View Here
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za
Click to expand...
Yes, that's where I got my Meross switch from.

If you are only replacing one switch, that's perfect. You just replace the switch and use the cover plate which comes with it.

But if there are 2 light switches in the wall (even if you only want to make the one smart) then you'll then need a cover plate that accommodates both switches. Your existing old one won't work since the smart switch won't fit.
And I've been unable to find any cover plates locally that fits the Meross smart switch since it is not a standard size in South Africa.

My question is, did anyone else find a 2 pole/2 gang cover plate that fit the Meross switch?
Or find a different solution.
 
Last edited:
Basquiat said:
Yes, that's where I got my Meross switch from.

If you are only replacing one switch, that's perfect. You just replace the switch and use the cover plate which comes with it.

But if there are 2 light switches in the wall (even if you only want to make the one smart) then you'll then need a cover plate that accommodates both switches. Your existing old one won't work since the smart switch won't fit.
And I've been unable to find any cover plates locally that fits the Meross smart switch since it is not a standard size in South Africa.

My question is, did anyone else find a 2 pole/2 gang cover plate that fit the Meross switch?
Or find a different solution.
Click to expand...
Try below. You could check measurements.

2Gang/3Gang Light Switch Plate 5 Pack+Smart Dimmer Switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BVQ2P5K/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_GESZ0J32JJ2FWSGE38JZ
 
Basquiat said:
Yes, that's where I got my Meross switch from.

If you are only replacing one switch, that's perfect. You just replace the switch and use the cover plate which comes with it.

But if there are 2 light switches in the wall (even if you only want to make the one smart) then you'll then need a cover plate that accommodates both switches. Your existing old one won't work since the smart switch won't fit.
And I've been unable to find any cover plates locally that fits the Meross smart switch since it is not a standard size in South Africa.

My question is, did anyone else find a 2 pole/2 gang cover plate that fit the Meross switch?
Or find a different solution.
Click to expand...
Is it certified for use in SA?
 
Basquiat said:
Yes, that's where I got my Meross switch from.

If you are only replacing one switch, that's perfect. You just replace the switch and use the cover plate which comes with it.

But if there are 2 light switches in the wall (even if you only want to make the one smart) then you'll then need a cover plate that accommodates both switches. Your existing old one won't work since the smart switch won't fit.
And I've been unable to find any cover plates locally that fits the Meross smart switch since it is not a standard size in South Africa.

My question is, did anyone else find a 2 pole/2 gang cover plate that fit the Meross switch?
Or find a different solution.
Click to expand...

They seem to suggest it’s a 3-way system in one switch?

So isn’t the idea to only have one switch that does 3-gangs smartly.
 
SauRoNZA said:
They seem to suggest it’s a 3-way system in one switch?

So isn’t the idea to only have one switch that does 3-gangs smartly.
Click to expand...
3 way refers to controlling one set of lights from 2 locations.
For example; one switch at one end of a passage and another switch at the other end of the passage, both controlling the same passage light.

3 switches grouped together are called a 3 gang.
For example: you have you bedroom light, bathroom light and dressing room light all grouped together.
3 switches against the wall,with one cover plate, each controlling their own set of lights.

So in my case I have a 2 gang.
One switch for the scullery lights and another for the outside lights (which happens to be a 3 way switch)

I replaced the switch for the outside lights with a 3 way smart switch.
I don’t really care whether the scullery lights are smart or ‘dumb’ but I choose to leave them on a ‘dumb’ switch.

After fitting the switched you to place the cover plate over them…and you need a 2 gang cover plate. So I bought the closest fit I could get and then started cutting and filing the plastic to get the cover plate to fit.
Muuuuuuch bigger job than anticipated and definitely not up for it again.

By the way the Meross switch is really easy to connect and works well.
 
Basquiat said:
3 way refers to controlling one set of lights from 2 locations.
For example; one switch at one end of a passage and another switch at the other end of the passage, both controlling the same passage light.

3 switches grouped together are called a 3 gang.
For example: you have you bedroom light, bathroom light and dressing room light all grouped together.
3 switches against the wall,with one cover plate, each controlling their own set of lights.

So in my case I have a 2 gang.
One switch for the scullery lights and another for the outside lights (which happens to be a 3 way switch)

I replaced the switch for the outside lights with a 3 way smart switch.
I don’t really care whether the scullery lights are smart or ‘dumb’ but I choose to leave them on a ‘dumb’ switch.

After fitting the switched you to place the cover plate over them…and you need a 2 gang cover plate. So I bought the closest fit I could get and then started cutting and filing the plastic to get the cover plate to fit.
Muuuuuuch bigger job than anticipated and definitely not up for it again.

By the way the Meross switch is really easy to connect and works well.
Click to expand...

Makes sense.

A brief look at the wiring seemed to suggest it was in fact 3-gang they just replaced with the wording 3-way.

But I didn’t read that deeply into it to figure out what’s happening or how.
 
I actually have some smart 3 way switches as I only used one. May need another one. Only one of the old 3 way switches needs to be changed to this smart switch.


3 Way Smart Switch, Treatlife 2.4Ghz WiFi Smart Light Switch 3 Way Switch Compatible with Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings, Remote Control, ETL, Schedule, Neutral Wire Required 4 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZSF554...t_i_X41JVB9Y9EYSKK92RCZV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 
Dolby said:
Those actually look good too
Click to expand...
Yep I love the tactile click of the switch, yet its smart wifi and voice controlled. Switch on other side of passage still a dumb switch. No need to change it.

Pity its not SABS certified. Would replace all my switches with these.

Using qualitel switches because they are certified AND relatively cheap.

 
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