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    Home Unlabelled Home Automation I created a writeup on how I took a cheap and unreliable WiFi LED controller and flashed it with ESPHome to make it much more powerful and solid

    Home Automation I created a writeup on how I took a cheap and unreliable WiFi LED controller and flashed it with ESPHome to make it much more powerful and solid

    April 16, 2020

    Home Automation I created a writeup on how I took a cheap and unreliable WiFi LED controller and flashed it with ESPHome to make it much more powerful and solid

    I created a writeup on how I took a cheap and unreliable WiFi LED controller and flashed it with ESPHome to make it much more powerful and solid

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 01:45 PM PDT

    How I build my smart light system

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 06:49 AM PDT

    Hi everyone,

    I am on a quest to automate as much stuff in my home as possible (and actually useful^^). I started with my lights and honestly it is awesome. All lights turning on and off on their own, dimming up in morning to wake me up, listening to voice commands and much more.

    It has been quite a journey to get to this point so I would like to share how I did it... maybe it helps someone out there. Also please feel free to add your own ideas and tips in this thread here.

    Anyways, here is the first part about how to build such a system, explaining some general concepts. Part 2 (hardware) and Part 3 (software) will follow.

    Here is the very short overview:

    I have a setup consisting of

    • LED strips with h801 led controllers
    • IKEA light bulbs
    • Sonoff switches for reading lamps etc.
    • Xiaomi sensors for motion detection and brightness as well as a door sensor
    • some Xiaomi buttons for manual control
    • Alexa for voice control
    • (+ some more not light related stuff)

    On the software side I am using openHab 2 with a bunch of custom rules and integration for the alarm on my smartphone.

    submitted by /u/LastRedditSamurai
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    Hikvision. dang.

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 04:08 PM PDT

    BigAss Haiku Fan Users

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 11:46 PM PDT

    I installed several of these fans (Haiku L and regular Haiku) in my remodel - they don't include wall switches, and I believe only the L supports a wall switch. What are people doing for retrofit installs? I've put lutron dimmers and switches in, seems kind of silly to put the fan on a smart or dumb switch. I can't just fill the drywall in either since the fan wires are run through the box.

    submitted by /u/robsantos
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    Best smart lights switches to control dumb lights?

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 07:31 PM PDT

    Hey guys,

    Getting a sparky in to do a heap of electrical work over the next few weeks, and I was wondering, are there any smart light switches I can use with dumb lights? Most systems I can find seem to want to use smart bulbs and dumb switches, I think it would be easier to use smart switches and dumb bulbs (I don't need lighting ambience and colours and stuff)

    The few I could find looked rather dodgy and the documentation was poor.

    Edit: Australia, so 240V

    So what's the best ones in people's opinions that can work with Google.

    submitted by /u/Rumbuck_274
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    Suggestion for a physical button to turn on a few lights

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 10:55 PM PDT

    I am new to all automation. I do not currently have any assistant device.

    My goal is to simply add a few smart switches in my house and a physical button next to my bed for home protection reasons. I want to be able to flip on some light switches by pressing a button. Seems simple!

    I prefer the smart switches over the smart lights.

    But I've been looking for hours and can't figure it out.

    I think my best option is using Leviton smart switches with Alexa and then the only button I can find is Samsung SmartThings as the Alexa button is no longer available. Does this seem reasonable? Do I need a physical Alexa echo or SmartThings hub?

    Is there an easier solution?

    submitted by /u/daintree_parks
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    Lutron Casetas - Turn on NOT to Full Brightness?

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 01:08 PM PDT

    Is there any way so when you press the "on" button on the dimmers, it goes to some brightness other than 100%? I replaced my Wemos with Casetas as these are more reliable. However, with the Wemos, if I had the brightness set at, say, 50%, when I turned on the lights, it would go to 50%.

    submitted by /u/molder5
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    LED Strip for Stair-Rail + Motion Sensor

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 06:21 PM PDT

    So I know of a few brands of LED Strips (Lifx/Hue/cheaper brands) however I am not sure of a decent motion sensor that integrates with them. I am using Home Assistant to run all my other automations, but I am willing to pay more for "easy" integration.

    That being said there is not an outlet near my stairs, is there an LED Strip brand that's reliable that also has battery power support?

    Also is there any consensus which is best? I am leaning towards Phillips Hue since I like Phillips other HA options, plus I don't like that Lifx is all wireless.

    Thanks!

    submitted by /u/mercfh85
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    Do addressable LED strips need constant power on the data line? If I separately power the strip, can I deep-sleep the microcontroller?

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 06:02 PM PDT

    Title. My goal is to make a very short (~15cm) strip of addressable LEDs that remain powered but only update their state every 15 min or so. It'll go into a project inspired by this recent post so battery efficiency is paramount.

    My idea is to power the microcontroller and LEDs separately from the same source, similar to how someone else has done it here but to deep sleep I'd instead use an ESP32 that deep sleeps between 15min updates.

    My concern is if the microcontroller goes to sleep, will the LEDs lose their state or will they remain constant until the next 15min update from the controller? Want to ask around before buying everything!

    submitted by /u/kojaengi
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    Looking for reliable BLE beacons to replace my fitbit.

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 02:12 PM PDT

    Hey guys, as the title states,
    I am currently looking for a reliable source ( And not a place where I need to order 50) for a couple of BLE beacons that I could strap around my ankle.
    It needs to be shower-resistant as I would like to wear it for extended periods for my room presence location.

    My firtbit does work okay (When the Bluetooth is off on my phone) but only pings every few minutes or so and sometimes don't for various reasons.

    I also thought about getting an Android watch and trying to get it to emit a BLE signal constantly.
    But this looks unlikely to be doable.

    So if you know any good BLE beacon, let me know!

    submitted by /u/maxi1134
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    Should switches be registered in Home Assistant?

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 04:30 AM PDT

    I am using Home Assistant for a year or two to automate some of my house. Being stuck at home for one more month, I started to think about how this setup evolved in time.

    Glossary (I am adding this as I am not sure if there are English words which differentiate both meanings of switch): - button switch: a device (usually on a wall) which sends a "I was clicked" message, usually to MQTT (though some proxy such as Zigbee2MQTT, or a RF433 one like the Sonoff 433 Bridge) - power switch: a device which opens or closes an electrical circuit (such as a Sonoff Basic, or a smart plug)

    I am looking for advice: should a button switch be registered in Home Assistant?

    I see Home Assistant as - a state machine, where the state of my devices is maintained (power switches for instance, or Xiaomi temperature sensors) - a useful UI to change or check the state of these devices

    At no time I interact in HA with the action of a button switch. All my automation is done in App Daemon (which receives the message from a button switch, and then alters the state of a device in HA)

    Is there therefore a reason for HA to know about the existence of my button switches?

    (if not I will disable autodiscovery in Zigbee2MQTT and remove all references to button switches in HA, which will simplify the setup)

    submitted by /u/WoJWoJWoJ
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    Lutron Lights in Home Assistant

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 11:25 AM PDT

    I'm trying to get my Lutron Lights into the Home Assistant app. Does it work with the regular bridge? Is there a tutorial out there?

    Also, is there anyway to have my lights turn on when my ring alarm goes off?

    submitted by /u/Free_Kashmir
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    Can someone make a smart ac plug with a solid state relay for me?

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 02:54 PM PDT

    Hi,

    I'd like to take a smart AC plug and switch out the mechanical click relay with a solid state one because I didn't see a prebuilt one with a solid state relay yet. I want to use it with an infrared heater that has no thermostat so that it's noiseless.

    I can't find a tutorial on this that covers all the steps of swapping out relays so that it's fully comprehensible to me and this whole thing stresses me out

    I just want a quiet radiator in my room that doesn't do clicking noises because I'm very noise sensitive, it makes me sick. Atm, I'm freezing at night and don't get proper sleep. (Can't put on thick blankets because I have hives and it will be very itchy)

    If someone can build me one I'll pay him parts + shipping + 40€. I'm from Germany so someone from Europe would be optimal for cheap shipping. I can buy it off of you from ebay because I have a lot of reviews there so it's kind of better than doing it just via paypal.

    The Osram Smart AC plug is a plug I'd like this to be done with.

    submitted by /u/ars4l4n
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    Smallest Z-Wave contact sensor?

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 02:42 PM PDT

    Short version; I need the smallest Z-Wave (or Zigbee but I would prefer Z-Wave) contact sensor possible

    Long version; I'm a coffee snob and prefer French press over drip or Keurig. To that end I am currently using an electric kettle with a smart plug in order to turn on the nettle remotely and begin the process of heating the water for my morning coffee.

    The kettle has safety features built in such that it can detect boiling and shuts itself off so it can't boil itself dry or become a fire hazard. Thankfully the system functions in a way that I can flip the switch on the kettle whether there is power or not so 1) Fill Kettle 2) Place on base 3) Flip switch to "arm" the system 4) Remotely apply power and Bob's your uncle

    When the kettle is removed from the power base the switch on the kettle automatically flips itself off cleverly using a mechanical switch inside that remains depressed so long as the kettle is sitting on the base. Pick it up and the "arm" switch defaults back to OFF.

    What I would like to do is use a small contact sensor in the base to detect the kettle being removed and turn off the smart plug via adding some magnets inside the bottom of the kettle so that no matter what orientation the kettle is in relative to the base (rotationally) there would always be a magnet engaging the sensor in the base.

    I am very confident that heat will not be a factor for the magnets as there is plenty of space internally (not to mention the bottom of the kettle is plastic and doesn't melt) during operation. But I'm less confident about the heat affecting the contact sensor hence my wish that it be in the base.

    Currently I have a teeny tiny little Wyze Sense contact sensor on hand but I would really like to use something that works with SmartThings natively (which Wyze unfortunately does not).

    That's where things get awkward because I don't have enough experience to have the faintest clue which sensors I should be considering so I'm hoping the group mind can help me out. Suggestions?

    submitted by /u/Venmaru
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    Spa control via Homekit

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 02:41 PM PDT

    I'm looking at buying a hot tub / spa and want to control it via my Homekit setup.

    I see manufacturers like Sundance have SunSmart with their own Wi-fi App. Anyone ever bridge one of these to Homekit?

    submitted by /u/mylopolis
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    Lockly Deadbolt review

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 01:59 PM PDT

    Question regarding LED strip lighting - Zwave

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 08:00 AM PDT

    Hi all,

    I spent a few hours yesterday reading and researching this topic, So I have read most of the posts on this and other forums regarding LED strips, which has furthered my understanding quite a bit, but i still have a few questions about how it all goes together.

    First, I have zwave throughout the house, mostly homeseer, and am planning on some sort of zwave implementation for RGB strip lighting (which seems to be harder to come by). I have a few use cases, throughout various bits of the house i would like to do ceiling up-lights (behind crown). In the kitchen, i'll probably stick with a higher CRI white only for under cabinet, and potentially an rgb either for ceiling, or under cabinet kick area.

    For the RGB stuff, i am looking at the LED strips themselves from superbrightled.com, an RGB + W (5 contact) led strip. That will go to the z-wave rgb controller (one of either the monoprice one link, the Qubino one looks identical to the monoprice controller, or the Fabrio, but that one is over twice the price of monoprice, so trying mono first.).
    and finally a 24V power supply.

    (haven't purchased any of this yet, my plan is to get one of each / small setup area and test before i'm ready to fully commit)

    My questions really come in around the power, dimming, and control.

    for the simple white strips, they are easy i think.. Strip to a dimable power supply hooked up to a zwave dimmer switch, and good to go.

    The RGB is a little more complex, as there is a RGB controller involved. If the z-wave rgb controller does the dimming, then realistically, the switch is going to be headless and relying on z-wave to tell the controller to dim. correct? I dont believe i want to be (or should i be?) dimming the source 120V ac to the power supply, cause then the controller looses its power too. If the switch is headless, i'm not 100% sure how to tie the dimmer into the controller, maybe just have to do pre-set scenes, in which case a switch vs dimmer might be better.

    Also regarding power, IF the controller is doing all the diming, would i be better off having a single larger 24V power supply for all the LED lights (I can easily locate in basement and run 24V up to kitchen and other locations..), vs individual power supplies attached to each run of LED strips. (Assuming the controller is able to dim to 0% / off )

    And for anyone who has done LED uplight, if the power supply has been local (near the LED), where / how have you located and hidden it? I dont think installing in the wall cavity would be good unless accessible.

    Footnote;
    I'm in Canada, which does complicate some of my purchase options. Aeotec looks nice, but out of stock. I've looked at Hue, but dont want to deal with adding a bridge in, and they are very expensive. Came across LIFX, which also look nice, but didn't see any z-wave options jumping out at me. I am kinda stuck on the zwave controllers to do things like motion at night in hallway, do 10% red lighting for a couple minutes (nightlight), or various other color - condition type settings.
    Currently using Smartthings as my controller, but planning on moving either to HS3/4, or HA. I've got a RP4 on the way to play with.

    submitted by /u/jgudnas
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    Suggestions for a (wireless) microphone/speaker combo that I can have multiple of around the house for use with Mycroft.ai and Home Assistant? (And no, I'm not looking for Alexa, Google Home, Siri, etc.)

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 01:44 PM PDT

    Need Suggestions on cheap lighting automation

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 09:41 AM PDT

    My father just built a new detached 24x36 garage and we are doing the wiring now. Not trying to do much with the automation other than making sure interior lights in ceiling are off at end of night and having exterior lights on for a timer. 8 switches total. debating on doing 2 sonoff4 channel and using the sonoff bridge for sensors. I run home assistant at my house but trying to keep this as easy for him as possible. Looking for suggestions that aren't 8 smart switches.

    submitted by /u/jordantwothree
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    New house, blank canvas. Starting with recessed downlighting. Hue? Halo? Other?

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 06:15 AM PDT

    I purchased a home in December of last year. The first step was to replace the windows since the house is close to the freeway and the old single pane windows weren't cutting it. The lighting in this place is HORRIBLE and needs to be updated. The location, quantity and quality of lights in this house baffles me. I'm going to start from scratch and begin replacing the recessed lighting room by room starting with my bedroom.

    For now all I have are several echos around the house and some smart TVs. Nothing else automated and no hubs. I'm happy to procure things as needed to help with integration and overall ease of use. Bonus points for expand-ability to control other things.

    I'm looking for something I can control via an echo, smartphone app and switch. I prefer to have the ability to do this while I'm not at the house as well. I'd like it to be expandable so that I can control the entire home inside and out with one app. I like the look of a smaller 4-5" fixture but don't want to sacrifice overall light output. It looks like the hue is a good bet but I want to know if there is something else out there that would be better. What are you all using? Do you like it? What would you do differently?

    ​

    EDIT: Thanks for the responses. What if I wanted a bulb with multi-color functionality. Is there a way to do that without a smart bulb and tie it into a smart switch?

    submitted by /u/SuckFalt
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    Recommend setup for GPIO

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 12:50 AM PDT

    I have an existing home with legacy ademco alarm panel. The previous owners and first occupants never used the alarm and as a result never went through the setup process. The battery was disconnected and AC transformer never wired.

    Unfortunately the cables to two doors and a PIR sensor are broken. I pulled the sensors and verified a lack of continuity using a multi-meter. I'm guessing that the wires were damaged during installation and never checked. The cables don't pull freely so replacing them without damaging ajacent cables is an expensive proposition.

    My plan was to use z-wave sensors and then use an embedded controller to take signals from a hub and drive a pin high simulating a completed circuit.

    Right now my setup consists of homebridge running on an i7 Alienware laptop and a Hubitat hub. I also have 3 first gen raspberry pies lying around, a couple Arduinos and 2 ESP32 Arduino clones.

    Is there a recommended stack for bridging to a gpio device for input and output? I'd like to both emulate devices but also poll status until I replace the alarm panels/controllers.

    Should I go all in with home assistant? Any war stories with tonesto or going full MQTT?

    I'm a developer with some embedded experience, but I'm more comfortable in the data-infrastructure/AI layer of the stack and don't have a lot of free time.

    submitted by /u/MrRhar
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    Need advice regarding connecting RGB LED light strips

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 10:53 AM PDT

    Hi there, I want to span RGB LED lights along the diameter of my bedroom. This would roughly take 75' of light strips. I understand voltage and the amount of power has to be considered when connecting multiple light strips together, and I don't know a thing on how that works. I also want to only use a single remote to control them. Do I just purchase 2 40' led strips and connect them? Will I need to purchase a power supply?

    submitted by /u/Dunkthedood
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    Activate Plug Based on Temp

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 09:16 AM PDT

    I'm currently in the Echo ecosystem but I really don't care if it integrates. I'm looking for something that can turn on a plug based on the ambient temperature. I have a well house outside with a small electric oil heater in it that we normally have to remember to turn on or off based on the temperature. I'd like to just have it automatically power on or off based on the temperature outside either via a local temperature sensor or just pulling it from the internet. Anyone doing anything like this?

    submitted by /u/fw2a
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    Battery Power for Fibaro Smart Implant?

    Posted: 15 Apr 2020 09:02 AM PDT

    I'm using an old Fibaro sensor that works with a temp probe. I needed a replacement last year and Fibaro told me that was no longer available and told me the only option left was to upgrade to the Fibaro Smart Implant. I picked that up over the winter and am getting ready to use but I cannot find a battery solution for it. It takes 9-30v and I tried a 9v battery but it was dead in a day.

    I use it as a pool temperature sensor and wiring power to it will be difficult (at least safely). Are there any options for powering this with a battery? I am thinking potentially a 12v battery like my kid's power wheels use. I could mount something like that under the diving board inside a vented case - any idea on how much time that would buy me before needing a recharge?

    submitted by /u/The1hangingchad
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