Domoticz

Over the past weeks I have been struggling to get a stable installation for Zigbee, using the ZIgbee2MQTT plugin.
Started with an old installation, but that did not support my new PIR sensor.
So I upgraded to the latest python plugin (which turned out to be a Beta). Trouble.
Then decided to move back to an earlier release, not good.
Also tried the AutoDiscovery version. That seems to work OK for a while, but at some point it stops working. When I try to switch a Zigbee lamp, I get an error ("check hardware").

Unfortunately the author of these plugins is not available for support. When I look at his profile, I can see he is located in the Ukrain. So I worry about him, hope he is safe. Supporting the plugin is probably not a priority.

Brings me to the question: is there an alternative?
I even considered using Home Assistant for my Zigbee devices, but it may prove difficult to integrate that with my existing automation.
Any thoughts?

If you would go to the zigbee2mqtt wiki page you would see there are 2 options: plugin or MQTT Autodiscover. https://www.domoticz.com/wiki/Zigbee2MQTT

Another option is to leave zigbee2mqtt completely and use the zigbeeforDomoticz plugin.
https://www.domoticz.com/wiki/ZigbeeForDomoticz

You have too the deconz plugin, that work with this gateway https://phoscon.de/en/conbee2 But you need a Conbee or a Raspbee as gateway.

The Deconz gateway can be used on all home automation application like Z2M, and even with android application https://www.hueessentials.com/ (But avoid 2.19.X version)

I second that. The gateway is not expensive and the number of devices supported is huge. And if you happen to find a device that isn't supported the DeCONZ community (of which Thorgal789 is a part) is there to help you. I have quite a list of dubious ChingLing devices and DeCONZ supports them all

Sjonnie2017 wrote: ↑Monday 02 January 2023 15:49 I second that. The gateway is not expensive and the number of devices supported is huge. And if you happen to find a device that isn't supported the DeCONZ community (of which Thorgal789 is a part) is there to help you. I have quite a list of dubious ChingLing devices and DeCONZ supports them all

I already use a Conbee2, so that part is covered. Do you suggest Phoscon?

I am using Deconz and the Deconz plugin from Thorgal789.

It will depend if you want a middleware in between or not.

pipiche wrote: ↑Monday 02 January 2023 21:14 It will depend if you want a middleware in between or not.

Got it. I installed it according to the instructions. Works almost perfectly.
My smoke detectors paired OK, and so did the PIR sensor.
But my three Ikea lights throw an error, and show up in the list with an orange "x".
Strange: the lights work just fine! Should I worry?

Orange, means that the bulb is not known by the plugin. NOt a big issue, you can however report it with the information, so we can integrate them in the next release. You should have a link which explain that ( in the Dashboard - Optimized Devices graph)

pipiche wrote: ↑Monday 02 January 2023 22:35 Orange, means that the bulb is not known by the plugin. NOt a big issue, you can however report it with the information, so we can integrate them in the next release. You should have a link which explain that ( in the Dashboard - Optimized Devices graph)

I tried to do that, but in Git get the error "we donot support that file". (I created the export.json)

Bulb type is TRADFRIbulbE14WScandleopal470lm. It's a very common bulb, so I was a bit surprised it is not in the plugin yet.

You can zipped it

OK, good. Just submitted it.

Just one question, the Bulb seems to be only On/Off, Level Control and only White color, correct ? NO RGB Color

Excellent. After applying your latest changes, everything works perfectly!
Thank you for this very fast support!

To be honest, you have saved a soul for Domoticz. I have been struggling with Zigbee2MQTT and several plugins for Domoticz, whatever I tried it was never very stable, especially the plugin part.
I was really getting desperate, because I consider Zigbee to be my next step away from the good-old RF controlled devices. A stable Zigbee platform is essential.

So I considered moving to Home Assistant, even though that would mean a massive migration effort.
Now, with the ZIgbee for Domoticz plugin, I am very happy again!

After a few days I noticed something strange: dimming does not always work OK.
Switching on/off and changing color works, but when I move the slider the level does not always change.
Same is true when switching the lamps via a timer.

manjh wrote: ↑Monday 09 January 2023 9:55 After a few days I noticed something strange: dimming does not always work OK.
Switching on/off and changing color works, but when I move the slider the level does not always change.
Same is true when switching the lamps via a timer.

Works for me without problems.
Make a new topic so pipiche can look at it.

I am still on a dev version, after he applied the change to support the Ikea lamp.
Is there a quick and easy way to move back to the normal stable version?

Please make another topic!

OK, will do