Hello,
Is there a z wave module and app for control of RGB lite strips via Vera? Looking for something that will control color choices and dimming.
Ok, I found the FIBARO RGBW Controller and that answers my question.
NEW QUESTION: I’m trying to install a system, I have 5 balconies that I want to put RGBW light strips on, I want them all controlled by one FIBARO RGBW Controller thru my Vera system but I want each balcony individually controllable via a zwave dimmable wall switch for off/on and dimming.
I’m having a hard time figuring out how to do have each balcony have it’s own zwave dimmable switch when they are after the FIBARO RGBW Controller. Any suggestions?
I’m not an expert myself but you will probably need to have some devices to repeat the signal from the Fibaro RGBW controller to your 5 balconies. The 12volt signal may not reach each and every balcony without a repeater.
I never used an RGBW in-wall switch so I don’t know what inputs they have. Maybe you can use for inputs what the Fibaro RGBW outputs…
One other option maybe to use MiLight RGBW controllers with the optional wifi device and use those with the MiLight plugin. I’ve seen these having 4 different “rooms” but I’m not sure you can fit a 5th room/balcony. You will have remote controls instead of in-wall switches.
I hope this helps, even if not directly answering your question.
I was looking for a similar solution, and while the Fibaro setup looks pretty solid, its price tag is a little too solid for me.
I eventually found the Magic Home Magic UFO RGBW strip controller. It’s a wifi setup, allows app control via their app, and I wrote a UI7 plugin to handle the ins and outs of the TCP packet API that goes along with it.
$29 on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/LEDENET®-Controller-Android-Smartphone-Control/dp/B00MDKOSN0/
I’m apparently still waiting on approval for the plugin (atleast I was at last check), but if you decide to go that route, here’s a link to the files:
Here’s the documentation file: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bx7-gkmA-6mLZThrVXV3WTh2UUU
Additionally, I found this unit after trying to setup the MiLight RGBW setup. The lack of more than 4 groups is what drove me away from it, plus the additional wifi bridge. I ended up sending the bridge and the RGBW controller back to Amazon and using the structure of the MiLight Vera plugin as a guide to building the MagicHome plugin. I figured I would have much more flexibility by having each of my light strips addressable in Vera rather than having to group them through the bridge and the app.
I haven’t gotten very far in putting these up in the house, as I’ll find out in a month whether or not we’ll need to move within the next 4 months (medical residency match process), but I have big plans… eventually 
[quote=“tcasey75, post:2, topic:191146”]NEW QUESTION: I’m trying to install a system, I have 5 balconies that I want to put RGBW light strips on, I want them all controlled by one FIBARO RGBW Controller thru my Vera system but I want each balcony individually controllable via a zwave dimmable wall switch for off/on and dimming.[/quote]The number of RGBW strips that you can control with a single RBGW controller is going to depend on the strip length and distance between strips. The Fibaro RBGW controller has a maximum output amperage of 12 amps for all output channels combined. This translates to 144 watts with a 12VDC power supply and 288 watts for a 24VDC supply. See the manual. You will probably want to use 24VDC if you are going to have long wiring runs between strips.
While the electrical limitations of the Fibaro RGBW would likely require you to use multiple controllers, your desire to have individual manual switch control of the LED strips will mandate that you use 5 controllers, One for each balcony and wall switch.
I'm having a hard time figuring out how to do have each balcony have it's own zwave dimmable switch when they are after the FIBARO RGBW Controller. Any suggestions?You should not wire the LEDs in this way. You'll need a Fibaro RBGW contoller for each balcony and you'll need to connect at least one momentary wall switch to the Fibaro RBGW controller.
The RBGW controller has four inputs, a switch for each color. However it can be reconfigured so that a single momentary switch can be used to adjust the RGBW controller manually in one of two possible ways. Brightness mode allows you to use the wall switch to dim the LED strip up and down, but it does not allow you to change the color or actions. Rainbow mode will allow you to change the colors from the wall switch, but not adjust brightness. This is all explained, not so clearly, in the Fibaro FGRBGWM-441 Manual. The wiring will have to look something like this:
AC Mains =====[Power supply]=======[FGRBGWM-441]=======[LED Strip]====[LED Strip]
||
||
[Momentary Wall Switch]
I was just thinking, there is a common on the RGBW stripes, could I hook up that common to the dimmable wall switch? So I would run the RGBW wires from Fibaro RGBW Micro Controller to the RGBW on the strip and run the common to the dimmer then to the strip? Thoughts?
It may be possible to put a LED dimmer on the common of the strip. This might allow additional dimming below whatever level the Fibaro was set at. But, it would not allow On/Off control, color selection or anything else.
As indicated in the diagrams, when using the Fibaro the intent is for the Fibaro alone to control the strip. By attaching one or more switches to the inputs of the Fibaro, you can then exert manual control of the Fibaro, but the Fibaro is still controlling the LED.
I cannot see a dimmer working on the common. The dimmer works by cutting off parts of the sine wave (leading or lagging types). As RGBW is PWM controlled DC I think you would get very stange effects.
This is my suspicion as well, but I’ve not tested it hence my response; “it may be possible”. Probably not. Probably should follow the manual.
I still think that rather than buying all those dimmers it would be better just to get multiple RGB controllers.
The RBGW controller has four inputs, a switch for each color. However it can be reconfigured so that a single momentary switch can be used to adjust the RGBW controller manually in one of two possible ways. Brightness mode allows you to use the wall switch to dim the LED strip up and down, but it does not allow you to change the color or actions. Rainbow mode will allow you to change the colors from the wall switch, but not adjust brightness. This is all explained, not so clearly, in the Fibaro FGRBGWM-441 Manual. The wiring will have to look something like this:
AC Mains =====[Power supply]=======[FGRBGWM-441]=======[LED Strip]====[LED Strip]
||
||
[Momentary Wall Switch]
[/quote]
Yes, I read about the other configurations for the inputs, but whatever configuration I select, it will control everything connected to the Fibaro controller, not the individual strips on each balcony. There would still need to be a separate switch between the Fibaro controller and each balcony, at least that’s what I’m trying to do.
I’m looking to install this into a new construction home we’re building. We’re right at the electric rough in and I was hoping to figure this out so I can get it all wired up while the walls are open.
I could put a Fibaro controller on each balcony, but along with the LED strips and power supply, that would get expensive.
Perhaps I’m not being clear. You cannot do what you wish.
In order to have separate control of each balcony, you must use separate Fibaro RBGW controllers, one for each balcony. You cannot connect 5 strips to a single controller and then also manually control the strips individually.
That you feel the price is too high is irrelevant.
I’m not very familiar with these products so that’s why I thought I’d try this message board. All your help is appreciated.
You mentioned using z-wave fimmers on each balcony. These would cost as much as the RGB controllers anyway. If you use 5 Fibaro you won’t need the dimmers