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    Thursday, September 17, 2020

    Home Automation Well thats one hell of a shot.

    Home Automation Well thats one hell of a shot.


    Well thats one hell of a shot.

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 01:53 PM PDT

    Good customer ... unlimited funds... wants something "cool"

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 07:38 AM PDT

    Title says it all. Money isn't really a hurdle and he wants "cool" stuff. Anyone with cool ideas ? That are think out of the box .

    Edit he's in love with alexa and iftt. And we will be probably adding an iPad in every room of the three homes and two barns on the property. (112 If my count is correct)

    submitted by /u/ptk2185
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    In China, smart locks are being used to track citizens and enforce lockdowns

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 08:58 PM PDT

    Make Intercom System Smart

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 06:55 PM PDT

    I have a Jeron 2001 intercom system which I want to make smart by detecting a buzz, sending me an alert, and allowing me to approve and buzz the guest in.

    The below article seems very helpful, but I'm running into the problem that I don't have a clue what I'm doing. Medium article

    First: how do I create the wiring that replaces the RY014B which doesn't appear to be available for sale? Second: is there a pre-made option that works without me building it? Third: How do I actually wire the stuff? Do I have to solder? Fourth: Do I need to have an external power source?

    I've debated a variety of options for pressing the button including a sonoff and a smartbot button, but both appear to have the same issue of detecting the DC current running through the wire when the guest presses the outside button (or detecting that a sound occurred).

    The ultimate goal is to make it so my wife and I can have an outdoor camera take a picture of the person at the gate and decide to allow entry to the yard.

    submitted by /u/DollarBillHokie
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    Passive/background NFC door lock?

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 11:20 AM PDT

    I am looking at implementing NFC door locks for common areas of a multi-tenant building. The tricky part is, I don't want to have to open an app and manually click it. The ideal use case is somebody gets close with their phone (registered as an approved device) and it just unlocks.

    It looks like iOS and Android are both pretty restrictive about background NFC - is the easiest thing to do right now a separate NFC sticker on the phone case? Is the new "CarKeys" API a workable solution?

    submitted by /u/noxpost
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    Prices coming down!

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 07:41 PM PDT

    I notice that prices for some Zigbee lights are coming down. I refuse to pay Hue prices!
    I noticed at Home Depot there are a pair of "EcoSmart" Zigbee bulbs fro $4.98, around $2.50 per bulb. That's about where high-end dumb LED bulbs are.
    Also, WalMart has WIFI bulbs for $4.94 each (white dimmable).

    It's amost the point where you can use these bulbs even if you don't actively control them.

    submitted by /u/stevenc88
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    Just got my first apartment and would like to add under-cabinet lighting. I also don't have any particular smart lighting ecosystem yet. Which would you all recommend for this?

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 09:17 PM PDT

    Suggestions to create a security routine with multiple triggers (e.g., motion detected on Ring camera during certain hours = lights on, music blasting)?

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 08:49 PM PDT

    Hi all, I'm trying to find a way to create a security routine for a friend's mom who has had break-ins before. Ideally, I'm looking to set up something that will react to motion on a camera, but only during certain times of day, which would lead to music, lights, etc.

    Alexa seems to give very basic options that can only have one triggering event, and Google Home's routines don't seem to do this very well at all. I'm very new to home automation, but hoping there is a good solution for a newbie :)

    submitted by /u/doctormaxvonsydow
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    Removing duplicates from Google home from smart things hub

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 05:01 PM PDT

    Apologies in advance for the long post ...

    Just added a smart things hub and when I linked it with/in the home app I got duplicates of all my lights from Philips Hue. I had linked Philips Hue to my ST hub first. Now I've watched several videos about this and apparently you can fix this from the ST app by going into settings/linked devices/Google assistant ( which I've since unlinked ) and then you can select the lights individually.

    I don't get the option to select things individually, when I follow the steps in the videos the only option I get is to delete google assistant connection. Am I doing something wrong?

    So for now I've disconnected the Google assistant in the ST app and unlinked it in the home app and that took away the duplicates so the questions I have are...

    1. Do I need smart things linked within the home app?

    2. Do I need the Google assistant connected within the smart things app?

    I can already control everything by voice and everything's working as far as turning stuff on/off in the smart things app. So I guess I'm not sure why I'd need to link smart things in the home app and why I'd need the assistant connected within smart things?

    submitted by /u/osu-fan69
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    Reolink Cameras & NVR vs Blue Iris and Home Assistant (How-To)

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 10:33 AM PDT

    Reolink Cameras & NVR vs Blue Iris and Home Assistant (How-To)

    I got my hands on two Reolink cameras RLC-522 & RLC-520 as well as the Reolink NVR RLN8-410. As you may guess I will set these things up and I will compare the cameras, but that is not enough for me and I will also try to add them in Blue Iris and Home Assistant using ONVIF and RTSP.

    If you don't have the same cameras and NVR, don't go away, because most of the things will work with every RTSP and ONVIF enabled cameras out there.

    Here is how…

    The Video 🔴 🎥 https://youtu.be/Ql2PHgyfFBU

    Reolink Cameras & NVR vs Blue Iris and Home Assistant (How-To)

    If you prefer to read, this is the full Article ✍️📜 https://peyanski.com/reolink-cameras-nvr-or-blue-iris-and-home-assistant/

    And Web Story specially optimised for mobile devices (insta like) 📲

    ➡️ https://peyanski.com/stories/reolink-cameras-and-nvr-vs-blue-iris-and-home-assistant/

    Cheers,

    Kiril

    submitted by /u/KPeyanski
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    Separating lights on 1 circuit, what are my options?

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 11:57 AM PDT

    I have a large storage area with 3 distinct sections. There are 3 light fixtures in each section. There are 2x 3way switches that control all 9 lights together. I'm looking for a way to have a switch for each section without rewiring the whole space.

    My first impulse is to just use smart bulbs but each fixture has 4 E26 bulbs which is going to be expensive to populate with new bulbs.

    I also looked at something like using a Shelly 1 in each fixture but I'm not even sure if that would work (I think they're supposed to be used at the switch not the fixture?).

    Either way, If I manage to setup the groups, I can't figure out what switch/button I could use to turn turn the groups on and off reliably. What options do I have for that?

    FYI I'm running a Hubitat

    submitted by /u/Eljovencubano
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    Hue vs Lutron

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 08:21 PM PDT

    I setup Lutron switches throughout the entire house. I recently got a Hue Hub for pretty cheap and it came with two light bulbs. Using the Hue ecosystem....I'm regretting doing the Lutron switches everywhere. They work great and are rock solid, but it sure would be nice to have colored lights for all the scenes.

    Anyone else care to share their thoughts?

    submitted by /u/Free_Kashmir
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    Where to begin?

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 03:10 AM PDT

    Hi all!

    I'm about to move into a new place and really want to get started in making it a smart home. Currently I have a few google nest minis and some WiFi plug sockets and bulbs, but I'm hoping to get a range of door/window sensors, motion sensors and cameras.

    I'm struggling with where to begin in terms of hubs. I was initially looking at getting a Hubitat, but I'm now thinking of setting up Home Assistant on a raspberry pi as from my research, this seems to give me the best options in terms of automations and linking a good majority of devices. However, I'd like to know if Home Assistant will allow me to link zigbee devices and my google minis also?

    If there is something that may be better that I have missed, I am open to any suggestions! Thanks!

    submitted by /u/Ad_Cop95
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    I know it's played out, but I need help picking out my first budget RGB bulb for Google home

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 07:39 PM PDT

    Last time I looked at wifi-connecting RGB bulbs, LIFX had just done a big YouTube marketing push with the new innovation that was wifi connectivity built into the bulb. That was a few years back. Now, amazon is FLOODED with cheap, likely unreliable, knockoffs. So my question is: What are the reliable brands for smart bulb that function like LIFX?

    Details for my situation: I just graduated undergrad and my wife is still in school. We have quite a bit of debt to pay, so as much as I'd love LIFX, I currently dont love the price. I just want a bulb that can change lumens and temperatures relatively smoothly without disconnecting regularly. I'm in an apartment, so bridge is not an option :( I'm ordering to Canada, on amazon.com with other products, so anything goes.

    Thanks for putting up with such an over asked question, but there are really too many budget options for me to get it straight.

    submitted by /u/MendelevandDongelev
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    Best way to attach sensors to walls?

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 09:02 AM PDT

    I'm currently moving apartments, and when removing my sensors (motion sensors, open close sensors, etc.) from the walls it peels off the paint on the wall with it. These sensors are so light, I can't imagine it takes much to hold them to the wall, yet the adhesive they came with is so strong it damages the walls when removed.
    What methods do you use for attaching lightweight objects, like sensors to walls? Looking on Amazon I see many options, like double sided tape, sticky putty, adhesive squares, etc., and I'm not sure what would work best and cause the least damage!

    submitted by /u/iam9827
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    Home Assistant; Device integration

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 11:08 AM PDT

    I have HA up and running on VirtualBox. Seems fine. Works on startup.

    Anyway, is there a quick way to import (or "integrate") my existing devices into HA. I have a bunch of switches and plugs (both TP-Link/Kasa), bulbs (Hue and Sengled), and Nest thermostats. I've been using Alexa routines for these; they're all added as Alexa devices.

    Is there a way to quickly import these existing devices into HA? I don't exactly see an "Auto Discovery" in Lovelace so I'm not sure how to proceed.

    Thx.

    submitted by /u/hardchargerxxx
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    Roborock S5 Firmware Version for root?

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 12:50 PM PDT

    So, I'd like to buy a Roborock s5. I plan on rooting it and then using Valetudo on it. However I was told that after a certain software update, rooting isn't possible anymore? Which firmware versions do I have to look for to be able to root my S5 before I buy it?

    submitted by /u/ChosenPrometheanKing
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    Sonoff Switch UK (no neutral) workarounds?

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 10:28 AM PDT

    Hello,

    I am looking to fit some Sonoff switches around the house as I use Control4 ones in the living room and master bedroom but doing the whole house would be rather expensive @ over £150 a pop!

    I found that Sonoff do a no neutral version which is called Sonoff T4EU1C (https://www.itead.cc/sonoff-t4eu1c-wi-fi-smart-single-wire-wall-switch.html) but for some reason they only do it in 1 gang and not 2 or 3.

    I need the switch to be compatible with Control4 so needs to be a Sonoff or similar.

    I could use a Shelly 1 or Sonoff Basic at the light fitting but would rather change all the switches unless you can operate the light switch remotely when its in the off position at the original switch? Can someone confirm that the switch will still work when the switch is set to off and it will follow the original switches state be it on/off please?

    If the above does not work then is there a (safe) hack/trick to use a normal one without a neutral as I was able to do so with the Control4 Zigbee switch/dimmer.

    Many thanks

    submitted by /u/womble123
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    New build -- what is the best smart garage door opener?

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 06:31 AM PDT

    Help with wiring please

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 04:46 PM PDT

    Help with wiring please

    I've got a couple sets of rooms I'm trying to change out the regular switches with smart switches. Currently, in one room there are two switches, each switch has only one set of wires so I assume the lights are wired in between the switches. The wire to the common screw is black, and then a red wire and a white wire. How can I identify which wire is which. In this case the white is not a neutral wire right? I know the green or bare wire is ground. The wire going to the common screw is black - is the common the same as line/live? Now I assume since there are two wires left one is the load and the other the traveler. Is there a way to identify what is what? The screws are not labeled, other than the common.

    I've got inovelli red series dimmer that does not require a neutral. I used it successfully in a single pole setup, but this wiring in the other rooms has me a bit confused. Inovelli says for a 3 pole setup without a neutral, I can use a GE Enbrighten add-on switch (even though it says neutral required, apparently it still works) at the other end, but the diagrams indicate switch to switch to light.

    Does anyone have any experience with this kind of setup, or am I just kind of out of luck if I want to use these z-wave switches?

    These pics are two different switches that both control the same group of kitchen lights. No other switches.

    (post edited for a little clarity)

    Kitchen light switch in the hallway

    kitchen switch in the kitchen

    submitted by /u/nodave
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    Help picking a smart doorbell - UK

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 01:38 AM PDT

    I know this probably a pretty common topic but I seem no closer in deciding on one given my requirements and want to get something in mind before all the end of year sales start coming up!

    Requirements:

    • Battery powered- It's just easier than wiring in a powered one.
    • Chime over Google home speakers - We have them throughout the house so it seems a waste not to use them for this.
    • HomeAssistant integration - I use HA quite extensively throughout the house so something that I can integrate with this would be ideal. Motion alerts would be perfect but at least a stream will do.
    • Ideally no subscription model - We pay for enough of these.

    Interested to see if all of the above features even exist with an off the shelf smart door bell. Thanks!

    submitted by /u/burg9
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    Looking for Alexa compatible switch for pool pump

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 10:21 AM PDT

    I'm looking to get a switch that is compatible with Alexa for my pool's waterfall pump.

    It's currently hooked up to a 208V, single pole switch and all the switches I've seen online are for lights and only rated for 120V.

    The pump is a Hayward model K48A76A04 1.56kW 207V, 1-Phase 17.4 / 10.6 - 8.5 amps

    Thanks!

    submitted by /u/falcore000
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    Some success here with Survey for school project, but still need a little more help with interview questions, please :) Thank you!

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 12:54 PM PDT

    I've had some success with the survey I posted, but now I need a few interviews. (in DM if you prefer) These 7 questions allow for a long form feedback. Please feel free to help me by answering these questions. Since I can't actually meet anyone face to face I figured this would be the next best thing. Thank you in advance, Community! Only need a couple more. You can leave them in a DM to me if you prefer.

    1) What comes to mind when you hear the words "smart home"?

    2) What processes can you currently automate?

    3) What processes do you wish you could automate?

    4) Do you have any concerns with automating these processes in your home?

    5) What are the most important considerations that influence you using home automation tools?

    6) How much of a concern is individual privacy and privacy of your guest while using Home automation systems? What concerns you the most about privacy?

    7) How would you rank the interfaces with which you control the system? (phone app, in-home control screen, Voice) Please give reasons you ranked these interfaces the way you have.

    submitted by /u/lifebytheminute
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    Proximity Shut Off?

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 06:20 AM PDT

    I need to figure out a way to do a proximity shut off. My mother is living with me, and I need a way to shut off appliances and other electronic things when I am not in the house (something I can shut on and off).

    I dont know what the best way to do this is.

    I am a programmer so i am comfortable making something custom... i just dont know what I need to get to pull this off.

    submitted by /u/Sh-t_Shower_Shave
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    Smart bulbs and non smart bulbs

    Posted: 16 Sep 2020 12:30 PM PDT

    Anyone got up to date recommendations for bulbs? I've now had 3 Cree bulbs die way earlier than I'd expect. 2 of which are dumb bulbs which lasted no more than 2 years each. These are the flow through designed ones. Also a Cree Connected died last night, prob my oldest bulb but at most 4 years old. I wouldn't say hours were all that long, just typical bulb use. The 2 dumb bulbs are on from sunset to midnight, outside but protected.

    Looked up the warranty on Cree and while it is 3 years their hours state '6 hours 7 days a week for 3 years' as the normal usage. That is just over 6000 hours. Looking at Philips Hue their warranty is 3 years and 25,000 hours. Now I get it, 25k hours is pretty much 24/7 running...but thats a little better than just over 6k from Cree.

    I didn't expect the bulbs to die so frequently from one of the main manufactures of LED components.

    But what smart bulbs do people use these days? On ST, but about to go down the rabbit hole of HA I think. I have Hue and wish more things paired with their bridge. Or just cheaper bulbs. Been on ST now 4+ years and its been 'fine'. But app change has made it no longer 'it just works' so if Im futzing with it this much I might as well explore 'better' routes.

    My main concern is quality of 2700k light including pattern, and almost more importantly brightness. The Cree's are very bright and put off a good light, but this failure rate is getting bad, I shouldnt have this many dead already (not counting a couple others I forget about these 3 have died in short order). So one, a zigbee bulb (is there even a zwave bulb?) and two; a dumb bulb is what Im looking for reco's for. No not swapping switches and using all dumb bulbs, some places it doesnt make monetary sense and I dont want to change the whole house to decora switches which would drive the price way up.

    submitted by /u/bowlcut
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