How to reset to factory defaults your GE light bulb - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BU508A
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 12:07:34 pm
content: GE has published a video which explains how to reset one of their light bulbs.Yes.Resetting.A light bulb.https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/1BB6wj6RyKo?autoplay=1&auto_play=trueEdit: adding Twitter link:https://twitter.com/NumbersMuncher/status/1141564674749751297/photo/1

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 12:16:47 pm
content: There is nothing wrong with it. It's very good they have factory reset procedure because it allows using them further if you lost access to them and cannot reconfigure normally. If you want to complain about something, complain about people buying smart bulbs to begin with.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 01:11:06 pm
content: "Resetting lighg bulbs to factory default" is stupid beyound belief.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 01:22:40 pm
content: IMO it's stupid beyond belief you find it stupid. They are wirelessly controlled smart bulbs. If you design them without factory reset feature, you are really stupid because in that case you have 2 choices:1. Make them insecure so anyone can access them2. Make them secure, but have basically bricked bulbs if user loses control. Like if control device fails, lost password, etc...

author: Siwastaja
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 01:57:05 pm
content: I guess these guys mean they findsmart bulbsstupid beyond belief, but fail to express this properly.Of course, if smart bulbs were all that was available, it would suck beyond belief, but the opposite is true: most bulbs on the market are bog standard dumb devices, and you are very unlikely toaccidentallybuy a smart bulb, so you have the choice.

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 02:48:21 pm
content: I have a couple of smart bulbs, they may be GE. You clear the settings by turning them on and off 3 times in under 5 seconds, light then blinks twice to let you know it worked. Simple concept for a reset and better than climbing a ladder to reset a setting. The bulb always works from a switch no matter the setting.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 03:00:35 pm
content: I find the idea of a smart light bulb to be great, but funny, and to factory reset a lightbulb to be a cute part of how modernization is bringing us close to that 1960's dream of the future where everything is automated, and everything does everything for us.We've been dreaming of a future like this for probably a century now, and it gets here every day closer. The only risk I see is who can know when and where you turn that lightbulb on and off?

author: Iceberg86300
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 03:07:57 pm
content: I find the "we recommend counting using Mississippi"followedby an example of how to "count using Mississippi" to be frightening.How many people at customer service have had folks that couldn't count up to 8 seconds using any "rough" method to begin with, and then how many went "huh" when told to count to 8 Mississippi?I've never seen this in any instructions before.Never.On one hand I appreciate leaving nothing to chance in their instructions, OTOH, how many people buying these things have never played tag, touch football, hide & seek, whatever? How many have never been exposed to counting "thousand 1, thousand 2,........," Mississippi, or some other common quick & dirty method that may be used in whatever location/culture you may be from?Or using the stopwatch on the phone that is on your person practically 24/7?Like I said. Frightening.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 03:48:01 pm
content: I came across a garden garden floodlight like that over 10 years ago but it was basic and of course no wifi.It was some noname brand from B&Q.They didn't put the sensitivity control buttons on it. That had to be set by a number of timed pressed on the light switch.It had a mind of it's own and didn't last long.I have seen the led bulbs in the local shopS with "join with app on it" but I don't really want to put my lights (or my switching habits) in my home in charge of an some "app" or a cloud service. I would want them independent with a little controller to join them all up so i can adjust and time them easily over the wireless network.

author: dnwheeler
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 04:06:35 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on June 20, 2019, 01:11:06 pmIt's no worse than shipping tap water across the country to be put into a refrigerator next to a sink.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 04:13:09 pm
content: The only thing I find strange here is the delay necessary. Majority of other light bulbs need 2-3 second intervals. Much faster and easier to count.

author: Iceberg86300
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 06:38:51 pm
content: Quote from: MrMobodies on June 20, 2019, 03:48:01 pmYou want a hardy/stout whole home integration/automation system like something from URC, Control4, lutron, leviton, etc.Unfortunately they tend to be crazy expensive & require "expert" programming. Control 4 is the absolute worst. I do A/V installs & calibrations & had a customer who was up a creek b/c they added a new component to their system, necessitating reprogramming services but their control 4 dealer went out of business. So, naturally, I tried to get the software so I could help this guy out along with folks who would definitely pop up in the future. I didn't want to actually offer their products. Control 4 got back to me with this:Minimum Dealer QualificationsMust currently own and operate a full time audio/video integration business – minimum (4) yearsMust have experience in designing, installing, and programming automation and control systemsMust have own installation team – not subcontracted laborMust currently do minimum $600k in annual audio/video integration businessMust be California licensed contractor - minimum C-7, insured and bondedMust have minimum (3) direct dealer agreements with leading manufactures in good standingMust have extensive experience in designing, setting up, and configuring enterprise networksMust have a commercial business location with company signage that incorporates an approved Control4 system for demonstration and testingMust have unique marketing plan/sales channels for commercial/residential projectsMust purchase minimum $75k Control4 products annually (3rd party products purchased through Control4 count as Control4 sales)Must successfully complete Control4’s Automation Programmer Certification training course in either Salt Lake City, Chicago or Charlotte (this is a 4 day technical course)Minimum opening order $7,500 (allows 1 person to attend Control4’s Automation Programmer Certification training course), products are intended to be used in showroom and upcoming projectsUuummmm, yeah, some of that is not a problem, but I was just trying to help one of your customers who has been effectively abandoned along with any others who were DEFINITELY going to pop up in the same area in the future, and you want me to sink a ridiculous amount of cash into your pockets to give me the "privilege" (their word) of using your software?  I wonder why your authorized dealer went out of business.  You guys can go f@$! yourselves!! The defunct dealer's software had not yet been turned off & thankfully I was able to talk him into using the software illegally to update this one customer's program.While URC doesn't have any ridiculous stocking or sales requirements, they do operate under the same model of a local dealer/installer performing the install & programming. However, there a fair number of dealers who will sell an end user gear & will give them access to the latest software so they can perform the install & do the programming themselves. Some users get exactly what they want out of this arrangement, but the majority come back for, at the very least, programming services. Once they get a working system many are able to take the program & figure things out like how to add/remove components & tweak stuff to their liking.This stuff, along with cost, presents a large barrier to entry & for the most part DIY is out of the question.And actually, most folks don't have clue that stuff even exists. It's straight to bulbs like these, NEST, Alexa, and whatever else is staring them in the face at Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon, etc, etc.Which is fine. At least until they want to do something more complex than a thermostat & a few lights. The saving grace when that happens is that most higher end control options support stuff like nest, z-wave, etc, etc.Regards,Steve

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 07:25:54 pm
content: Why not an open source home automation solution based on a Raspberry Pi or similar?

author: bsfeechannel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 07:39:01 pm
content: Quote from: BU508A on June 20, 2019, 12:07:34 pmI feel your pain. I'm from a time when telephone sets were all passive devices.Now I have to boot them. The ironic thing is that, as an engineer, I helped that to happen.I'm glad I don't have to provide a password to use a screwdriver (yet).

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 07:52:59 pm
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on June 20, 2019, 07:25:54 pmWhile I do not fully agree with Control4 install procedure, it actually just works. With Raspberry Pi you will be dicking around and wasting time. In the end, it is going to cost you more in wasted time and energy.What do you propose as a phone app in this scenario, for example?Even stuff like Wink Hub (or whatever companies like this that are not out of business yet) is much better. But they all go out of business eventually, since it is really hard to give a good experience. And Control4 manages to do this by staying very close and controlling all parts of the ecosystem.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 09:11:19 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on June 20, 2019, 12:16:47 pmNo there is nothing wrong with having a factory reset procedure, but the complexity of the procedure is hilarious.Then add the fact that they realized the first firmware version wasn't good, for whatever reason, so changed the procedure. Maybe to make it easier? But it just ended up causing more confusion.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 09:20:59 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on June 20, 2019, 09:11:19 pmIt's not a procedure you should do normally. Apparently it's made so it makes difficult to reset settings accidentally.QuoteIt's certainly easier because time intervals are the same. Just repeat the same operation many times and it will reset itself.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 10:04:44 pm
content: Quote from: Iceberg86300 on June 20, 2019, 06:38:51 pmThe requirements sound over the top.I know of such requirements for certain access control systems that are used in banks and building societies but for a home?

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 10:16:10 pm
content: I like the traditional system. I flip a switch in the wall and the light turns on.To reset the light to the factory state (OFF) I flip the same switch again the other way.A very simple and convenient system.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2019, 10:58:40 pm
content: Quote from: soldar on June 20, 2019, 10:16:10 pmAny smart bulb connected to a normal wall switch will work in the same way, you just have access to more features once its on (dimming, colors, etc.).If you don't need those features that's fine, some people find them useful.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2019, 12:48:44 am
content: Freaking hilarious. It feels like a parody.There's got to be a better way such as a switch or button to put it into a reset mode.I hate this IoT crap in general though, it's all proprietary and wireless just for the sake of it because wireless is basically just a buzz word at this point. Would be much better if it was an open standard and wired. Ex: PoE light fixtures and a new bulb base standard that has either RGB pins, or maybe just a serial interconnect (some bulbs could potentially have more features, maybe even act as a camera or smoke detector etc)Eventually most lighting would just be PoE and the possibilities would be endless as long as there is a standard protocol.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 21, 2019, 12:57:00 am
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on June 21, 2019, 12:48:44 amAnd now think where you would put that reset button and how would you access it while bulb is in a socket. Not to say you would need to tinker with bulb while in this case it does not need even to be accessed in any way.I like this comment in youtube:Quote

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2019, 01:29:22 am
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on June 21, 2019, 12:48:44 amIn the videoQuote55 seconds totalturn on 5 times and off 6 times.Quote41 seconds totalturn on 7 times and off 6 times.So they increased it to 41 seconds to 55 seconds with longer waiting times but one less press.It appeared as if the video was going through a loop at first.We are in the 20th century and yet trying to communicate with these things by some form of morse code (that if it responds) by cutting its power requiring time and effort.Not very "smart" at all.Quote from: wraper on June 21, 2019, 12:57:00 amI can see that may be a problem if it is high up in a ceiling but no problem in a desk lamp.A lot of timed presses though or maybe they were trying to make it so that it is not accidentally reseted if the switch is reachable and meddled about by children.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2019, 01:33:17 am
content: Resetting to default is an operation that MUST happen with physical interaction. Your hub could have died, or was stolen, for example.The sequence is excessive. I worked on the firmware for one of the smart bulbs. We did (2 seconds on - 2 seconds off) repeat 5 times. It would blink at the end, so you could just cycle the power like this until it blinks, no need to count anything.If you think you've got a better solution - propose it. This method of resetting is industry standard, every smart bulb manufacturer does it the same way.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2019, 11:05:00 pm
content: That sounds more reasonable. Though a small switch makes the most sense, you turn the switch to "reset" mode and turn it on. If the fixture is awkward to get to the base and does not allow you to do it live, you can take it out, flip the switch then put it back in.If it's high up in a ceiling, well you needed a way to get there at some point to put it there in first place, so you just do the same.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2019, 11:11:05 pm
content: There is no need for a switch. 99.99% of the people will never need to perform this procedure. This market is highly competitive, the switch will be an unnecessary expense.Similar style of reset procedure was present on all smart bulbs ever since smart bulbs were invented. Philips used to not even publish it, and just give details when you contact the support. After seeing the reaction to this video, I start to see why.This is not an issue at all. The procedure may be a bit more complicated than it needs to be, but it is quite possible that simpler procedures resulted in false triggers. There are areas where flickering electricity is a norm.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 22, 2019, 07:39:04 pm
content: Say they did as some people suggested and added reset button. Then there would be other and maybe many of the same people ridiculing GE for having bulbs with reset button. Like: "OMG their bulbs are so crappy they need a reset button"

author: Siwastaja
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2019, 08:10:31 pm
content: People don't think about it very deeply when they comment on things they actually have zero interest in.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2019, 08:53:01 pm
content: That's a point I didn't think about it deeply but I am curious and so it is not economical for the price of $12 per bulb.I wouldn't criticise it myself if it did include a reset button in addition to the other reset mechanism for convenience for whether it is in a ceiling or a desk lamp.As from one post inHow many GE engineers does it take to reset a light bulb?Quote from: wraper on June 21, 2019, 11:04:20 amWouldn't they have to isolate it and make it something like class II compliant that will increase the price.A pack on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Starter-kit-Life-bulb-Sleep/dp/B01IO1SM2Y/$24.95 a pack$12.50 a bulbWith the excessiveness of the GE reset for the amount of effort it did make me question at first wouldn't a reset button easier.No, just find another manufacturer that does make it easier.Now Sengled's bulbs from the one I found that did have a reset hole also make them like that but not as excessive.https://support.sengled.com/hc/en-us/articles/219648347-How-do-I-reset-a-Sengled-Smart-LED-bulb-QuoteIt's simple I wouldn't think about a reset button.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2019, 09:02:25 pm
content: Many manufacturers have much simpler procedures. I assume GE had a reason to make it more complicated.Another thing that people don't think about is support. Previously all those "dumb" bulb manufacturers did not need to have any support staff, light bulb is a very simple device.So now they need to have a call center, and that costs a lot of money. So most design decisions are made to minimize the number of support calls.Having a simple procedure means that you have a higher chance of the bulb resetting on accident. I live in San Jose, and even here light flickers from time to time. Imagine how it is in rural, hurricane-prone areas.Do they want to have a flood of "all my light bulbs stopped working" calls? No, not at all.This procedure is not necessary most of the time. It may be more useful for very high end bulbs that have resale value. But $12 GE bulb is not one of those

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 10:23:50 am
content: Heck, for the ones with simple reset procedures, even just a 2 year old who's discovered how to climb on the sofa and play with the light switch could be enough to accidentally reset it. It makes sense to have it be a very, very deliberate procedure that's hard to do by accident, since a reset isn't something you'd need to do often, if at all. Accidental resets could cost afortunein support calls and people returning them to the store as "defective".

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 10:32:46 am
content: Quote from: MrMobodies on June 22, 2019, 08:53:01 pmPinhole in device where all electronics are under mains voltage is a "smartest" idea ever.QuoteI also watched their video. When I was a child, I would reset them at least a few times in a year. I guess they have tons of accidental resets.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 07:13:31 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on June 23, 2019, 10:32:46 amThat's a point on the clearance and how they design the hole if it allows the pin to go around it and touch the primary side in other mains electrical things.QuoteIt makes sense to me now.It was made difficult to child proof the reset mechanism.

author: GromBeestje
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2019, 07:27:32 pm
content: This almost makes me want to create a device that performs these reset patterns.

author: Iceberg86300
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2019, 02:04:55 pm
content: Quote from: GromBeestje on June 23, 2019, 07:27:32 pmBut how will your device know what reset pattern it needs to use to reset the device that happens to be plugged into.......your device?And what pattern will your device use when it needs to be reset? Or would you use your device to reset your device?Regards,Steve

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2019, 03:42:08 pm
content: Quote from: Iceberg86300 on June 24, 2019, 02:04:55 pmYou can use the device to scan a bar code on the bulb package.Seriously though this could make an interesting niche product, you just telnet to it to program a on/off sequence and can have different presets for various bulbs. Maybe these reset schemes arn't so crazy after all if you use a helper device to do it as long as all the manufacturers agree to keeping it an on/off sequence with no additional things needed. You plug the bulb in, input the model/firmware (ideally they should put this on the bulb) in a menu and it does it's thing. Stores that sell these bulbs could maybe even just have them in store as a self serve thing.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2019, 04:56:59 pm
content: You all are really overestimating the need for this procedure. Most people will never need it. And the ones that do, will spend a minute flicking the switch on and off rather than going to the store or buying a device.

author: SkyMaster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 02:23:58 am
content: What is the purpose of a "smart light bulb"?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 02:25:26 am
content: A light bulb that can be controlled with a phone and other devices. This includes remote and automatic control. But you really just want to show how hip and cool you are, are not you?A lot of people find them very useful.But unfortunately DIY systems kind of mediocre, and Control4 stuff while excellent, it super expensive.

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 12:28:29 pm
content: Quote from: SkyMaster on June 26, 2019, 02:23:58 amThey have their uses. I live in a rural area and without outside lights you cannot see your hand in front of your face on nights without moonlight. The home has floodlights around the perimeter but they are all wired so each side of the house has a switch in a different part of the home. I like to turn them all on when I take the dogs out at night (we have coyotes), which meant switching on multiple switches in different rooms. I could re-wire them but it was easier to replace the bulbs with smart ones and now I can control them from anywhere in the home with one button or voice command. I didn't want motion lights because I don't want them triggering with every rabbit or deer that walks through the yard and I don't want them on all the time so smart bulbs works for me.The lights I use are not wifi because I didn't want to try to cover the outside with wifi, instead they are based off the 915Mhz setup that uses a hub, currently wink, which works with multiple standards.