How to Add Gentle Morning Wakeup Lighting to Your Grandma’s Bedside Lights
Issue #61
The Problem:
Your grandma has appreciated that you’ve been adding smart lights to her home, but one of your solutions is bothering her. She enjoys having her bedside lights turn on when it’s time for her to wake but doesn’t like that they turn on very brightly… it’s kind of a wake-up shock.
You have tried setting them to a lower level, but then she says they are not bright enough for her to walk around.
She also didn’t like it when she had a power outage during the night, and when the power came back on, her lights went to full brightness!
If there was only a way to have some gentle wakeup lighting simulating a sunrise, say over a period of 15 minutes…
The Solution:
Here is an animated YouTube video of it.
I’m going to show you three methods I have used:
If you are an iPhone user, I have two solutions for you:
Solution #1: Replace existing bulbs with Tapo bulbs (smart bulbs)
Solution #2: Use a Tapo smart dimmer plug with existing ordinary dimmable bulbs (do NOT use smart bulbs)
(This can be useful if the existing bulbs are not a standard size. It also offers a bedside button)
Solution #3: If you are currently an Amazon Alexa user, you can use aTapo Smart Bulbs
Solution #1 Using an iPhone with Tapo Smart Bulbs.
Equipment needed:
· iPhone
· Tapo app
Step 1: Install the Tapo app
Install the Tapo smart bulb using the manufacturer’s video instructions
Note:Here is the setting to ensure no lights on after a power outage during the night
Step 2: Create Tapo Automation
Testing: You may want to pick a time other than tomorrow morning to run a quick test
Solution #2. Using an iPhone with Tapo Dimmer Plug.- uses exiting dimmable (non-smart bulbs)
Equipment needed:
· iPhone
· Tapo app
· Tapo P135KIT (Includes a bedside button for manual control)
Note: Any dimmable (non-smart) bulbs should work. I have had success with Sylvania and Philips dimmable bulbs, but occasional flicker with GE dimmable bulbs
Step 1:
Install the smart dimmer plug using the manufacturer’s video instructions
Note: This is the setting to ensure no lights on after a power outage during the night
Step 2:
Create a Shortcut and a Personal Automation. If you are not familiar with Apple Shortcuts, see Article # 28 “How to Create Simple Apple Shortcuts for Your Elderly Parent’s iPhone or iPad”
Click here to install a Sample Shortcut
Modify the Shortcut to your preferences and tap the Shortcut once to be sure it runs properly.
You will have to approve it running the first time
Note: The small button can be a bedside control for both on/off and dimming. Although the button contains a magnet that firmly attaches to a metal surface such as a fridge and works excellently, there is no easy way to rotate the dimming dial, even using two hands.
The best way I have found to use it on a non-metallic surface, such as a bedside table, is to use a separate metal plate.
Testing:
You may want to pick a time other than tomorrow morning to run a quick test
Solution #3 Uses an Alexa Routine with Tapo smart bulbs
This solution relies on a special feature of Alexa Routines called “Ramp Brightness” that is supported by a Tapo smart bulb
Equipment needed:
· Smartphone
Step 1:
Install the Tapo app and create an account per the manufacturer’s video instructions
Note: This is the setting to ensure no lights on after a power outage during the night
Step 2:
Add the Alexa Routine shown below
Click here for a sample Alexa Routine
If you want to create the Alexa Routine yourself, here are the steps. Open the Alexa App:
· Tap More
· Tap Routines
· Tap the “+”
· If you can’t think of a name for the Routine, one will be auto created, and you can modify it later
· Tap “+” in the “When” section
· Here you are given a list of “triggers” for your Routine. Choose Schedule, Tap Next
o Note: The time you pick is the END of the lighting ramp-up, not the START
· Tap “+” in the “Alexa Will” section.
· Tap “Smart Home”
· Tap “Lights”
· Tap on your Philips Hue lights, Tap “next”
· Tap “Power” and “Brightness”
· Tap “Ramp Brightness” and pick your duration, Tap “Next”
· Tap “Save”
Testing:
You may want to pick a time other than tomorrow morning to run a quick test