KS230 Dimmer Support

[BrentWilliams76]

I've just upgraded to this Kasa-Python plugin. (Was previously using tplink-smarthome, but there seem to be concerns about whether that will be updated for HB2.0 compatibility and I don't think they have user/pass support for the newer hardware/firmware devices, e.g. HS200 hardware rev 5.26 firmware rev 1.0.3.)

Here's my environment:
Homebridge 1.8.5 (with UI 4.67.0) via Synology Package
Python 3.11.10 (via SynoCommunity Package)
Kasa-Python PlugIn 2.6.13

All of my devices are recognized, but the HS230 3-way dimmer kit does not seem to expose any dimmer functionality via the plug-in. It seems to operate strictly as an ON/OFF switch.

Have I missed a configuration option somewhere? Or is this a feature that needs to be developed?

[BrentWilliams76]

Update:

2.7.0-beta.16 seems to allow dimmer functionality to work in Apple Home, but the device shows as two accessories there, both with the same name. One is a simple ON/OFF switch and the other is a slider/dimmer. I cannot figure out what function the ON/OFF switch serves, but the slider does control the lights as expected, and turns the lights fully off when slid to 0 (zero). I wish the behavior matched the behavior of the physical buttons on the HS230: the main ON/OFF switch does exactly that, and the dimmer adjusts only brightness AND when the light is turned off while at 40% brightness, turning it on again will resume that same brightness level. But I can understand if limitations in HomeKit prevent that behavior.

However, there is a new problem. Some minutes after the initial discovery of the Kasa-Python devices, I periodically get various warnings ("Christmas Tree" line) and errors ("Exception" and "Office Fan" lines) similar to below. Note that the IP address in the Exception error is that of the Office Fan switch, so those two are definitely related.

[12/31/2024, 9:10:54 PM] [KasaPython] [Christmas Tree] Device is offline or platform is shutting down, cannot get value for characteristic On
[12/31/2024, 9:10:55 PM] [KasaPython] Exception during getSysInfo post request: Unable to query the device 192.168.xxx.yyy:9999: [Errno 104] Connection reset by peer
[12/31/2024, 9:10:55 PM] [KasaPython] [Office Fan] Error updating device state: TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'alias')
at file:///volume1/homebridge/node_modules/homebridge-kasa-python/src/devices/homekitSwitch.ts:37:81
at processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:95:5)

[BrentWilliams76]

And, the dimmer functionality, while exposed to HomeKit, does not seem to be exposed properly to Homebridge Alexa plug in. So my wife's killer feature ("Alexa, turn the Dining Table Light to twenty percent.") is not working. I'll keep troubleshooting this and update with any findings.

[ZeliardM]

@BrentWilliams76 Thank you for the feedback. I do not have a dimmer or any light device so this functionality has been touch and go for me. Learning along the way.

I can look into the functionality of retaining the brightness level when turning on and off, maybe it affects light colors as well, not sure if they stay or not either.

As for the two switches, when looking in Homebridge Web UI, under the accessories, do you see multiples of the same device? If so, could you go under the settings and remove single devices and clear out all of the dimmer and restart the plug-in to re-add them and see if they're combined now? Maybe an older residual accessory from the older plug-in? Maybe need to look at a different way to add services and characteristics to devices and see if it will combine them?

The exception issues I am working on still, they're coming up from the consistent connection I am leaving open. How many TPLink devices do you have in the plug-in?

As for the Alexa integration, I'm not sure what to do with that. I don't use Alexa, just Siri and HomeKit. Not sure if I can be much help here.

[BrentWilliams76]

I have 20 Kasa devices (including one 6-port power strip, so that's 25 controllable devices). I saw the discussion with plasticfist, so I recommend we let you follow up on that issue there. I will try to contribute if I see anything of note on that topic.

I'd forgotten about the ability to delete single accessories! Things have just worked for so long... until I make changes of course! I'll play with those options tomorrow and provide an update.

[BrentWilliams76]

I went through and deleted all of the individual accessories related to the dimmer, restarted HB completely and then performed a similar cleanup on the devices that Alexa knew about. I am happy to report that this has fixed both the "double switch" issue in HomeKit and the Alexa problem. And, Siri can now properly turn on and off the dimmable light WHILE maintaining the brightness.

It might be my New Years champagne talking, but for now, it seems that all my functionality is working as expected. Only remaining issue is the errors reported by plasticfist with beta16.

Thanks for the quick help!

[BrentWilliams76]

One last question... Am I correct that the dimmer functionality is not in 2.6.13 and that I need to stay on the beta track for that until 2.7.0 is released?

[BrentWilliams76]

Nevermind... saw the releast notes for 2.7.0 beta 0. Dimmer is clearly listed there.

[ZeliardM]

@BrentWilliams76 glad to hear it is working for now and once I get the other issues resolved, I will be making the beta the next official release. Yes, these functions are only available in the beta as it was easier for me to test adding the functionality with others since I do not have them in a beta than the official release.