==== Smart Lighting Migration Plan (TP-Link Replacement) ====

This page documents the migration away from TP-Link KL430 LED strips across the home and outlines recommended replacements, focusing on local control, high light quality, and long-term reliability for TorresVault 2.0.

===== Overview =====

Due to ongoing concerns around TP-Link’s potential U.S. sales restrictions and cloud-dependency, all remaining TP-Link KL430 strips will be phased out.

This plan provides:

A comparison of Aqara T1 LED Strips vs SK6812 (WLED)

Recommended replacements for TV backlighting and bathroom under-cabinet lighting

Selection guidance based on light quality, CRI, brightness, effects, and Home Assistant integration

A standardized implementation plan (hardware + HA approach)

The goal:
Move everything to Zigbee or fully-local WLED, reduce Wi-Fi load, and increase reliability of the home’s lighting environment.

===== Current Landscape =====

KL430 strips are used in multiple places:

TV backlighting (various rooms)

Bathroom under-cabinet and accent lighting

Misc accent locations around the home

Requirements for replacements:

Local control (Zigbee or local Wi-Fi)

High light quality (especially for white light in bathrooms)

Strong Home Assistant integration

Reliable hardware with long-term availability

Easy to service or expand

Minimal Wi-Fi client count where possible

==== Replacement Options ====
=== Option 1: Aqara LED Strip T1 (Zigbee + Matter) ===

Type: RGBIC + CCT (tunable white)
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 (local)
Use Case Fit: Accent lighting, under-cabinet, bathroom, low-effort installs

Pros:

Local Zigbee control

High CRI (~90) white channel

Tunable white (warm ↔ cool)

Acts as a Zigbee router

Simple install (prebuilt power supply & controller)

Cons:

Not extremely bright

Less flexible than WLED for effects

Fixed controller form factor

Ideal For:
→ Bathroom under-cabinet
→ Bedroom accent lights
→ Areas where you want good white quality without DIY wiring

=== Option 2: Zigbee LED Controllers + 12/24V LED Strips ===

Examples:

GLEDOPTO Zigbee Pro (RGBW / RGBCCT / CCT)

MiBoxer FUT037Z (Zigbee 3-in-1 controller)

Pros:

Best white quality when paired with high-CRI 24V COB CCT strip

Very bright, smooth, and professional look

Fully local Zigbee

Controller is mains-powered → strengthens mesh

Extremely flexible layout

Cons:

Requires power supply and wiring

Slightly more DIY than Aqara

Ideal For:
→ Bathroom under-cabinet lighting
→ Long runs (kitchens, shelving, hallways)
→ Areas where light quality > color effects

=== Option 3: SK6812 RGBW + QuinLED-dig2go (WLED) ===

Type: Individually addressable RGBW pixels
Controller: QuinLED-dig2go running WLED
Protocol: Local Wi-Fi (can be isolated on IoT VLAN)

Pros:

Best effects, transitions, and animation

Strong brightness capability

Very smooth low-brightness fades (great for bias lighting)

Full integration with Home Assistant

You already use QuinLED/WLED in your show ecosystem

Cons:

More DIY

Requires PSU + sometimes diffusers

Slightly higher Wi-Fi load (still low bandwidth)

Ideal For:
→ TV backlighting
→ Desk and entertainment accent lighting
→ “Fun” areas where effects matter

==== Light Quality Comparison (T1 vs SK6812 RGBW) ====
=== White Light (CRI, Color Temperature) ===

Aqara T1:

CRI ~90 for white channel

True tunable white (warm ↔ cool)

More natural "home lighting" white

Better for faces, grooming, bathrooms

SK6812 RGBW:

CRI depends on strip manufacturer

Generally CRI ~80–90

Still fine for TV bias light

Good for accent, not ideal as your only “functional” bathroom light

Winner (White Quality):
→ Aqara T1 (or better: COB CCT strip)

=== Brightness ===

SK6812 RGBW:

Often the brightest addressable strip available

Can fully light a room if needed

Usually run dimmed to 5–15% for bias lighting

Aqara T1:

Moderate brightness

Good for accent, not task lighting

Winner (Brightness):
→ SK6812 RGBW

=== Smoothness & Effects ===

WLED (SK6812):

Best-in-class effects

Smooth fades at low brightness

Per-LED control

Aqara T1:

Limited effects

Mostly “static color + tunable white”

Good but not WLED-level

Winner (Effects):
→ SK6812 + WLED

==== Recommended Setup Per Location ====
=== 1. TV Backlighting (ALL TVs) ===

Recommended:
→ SK6812 RGBW + QuinLED-dig2go (WLED)

Reasons:

Best effects + smooth low brightness

Good enough white quality

Matches your existing QuinLED ecosystem

Easy to isolate on Unifi IoT VLAN

Flexible, expandable

Familiar workflow (since you run WLED in your light show world)

=== 2. Bathroom Under-Cabinet Lighting ===

Option A (Best Light Quality):
→ 24V High-CRI COB CCT Strip + Zigbee CCT Controller

Option B (Simpler Kit):
→ Aqara LED Strip T1

Reasons:

High CRI white for mirrors/grooming

Lower brightness needs

Local Zigbee routing

Good temperature and color rendering

=== 3. Kitchen / Shelving / General Accent ===

Depends on purpose:

Want clean, functional white?

→ 24V COB CCT + Zigbee controller

Want fun color & effects?

→ SK6812 + WLED

Want minimal install effort?

→ Aqara T1

==== Migration Notes ====

Remove KL430 from Wi-Fi network → reduce broadcast noise

Replace with Zigbee-based strips and WLED where appropriate

Add Zigbee routers (Aqara strips, Zigbee controllers) → strengthens mesh

Place WLED devices on IoT VLAN with blocked internet for security

Keep naming consistent:

light.tv_backlight_living_room

light.bathroom_cabinet

light.tv_backlight_master_bedroom

etc.

==== Final Recommendation Summary ====
Location	Best Choice	Why
TVs	SK6812 RGBW + QuinLED-dig2go (WLED)	Best effects, smooth fades, bright, local, matches ecosystem
Bathroom under-cabinet	COB 24V CCT + Zigbee Controller	Highest CRI, best functional white lighting
Secondary accent areas	Aqara T1 OR WLED	T1 for simple / high-quality white, WLED for fun