Home Automation Advice

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Natjur

18 posts

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#251234 14-Jun-2019 14:19

With so many options, its hard to know the right path to go down, so I though I would list my current setup and what is works and what does not and see if I can get some advice on better ways from you guys.

Goals

(1) Control curtains

-Manually pull then and motor takes over

-Z wave per motor, so you can program each one via your hub

-Master wall switch so they can all be opened at once or all closed as once via the one wall switch

-Control via Cellphone (linked to a dashboard on the hub)

(2) Control lights

- Control the lights via both the light switch, app and hub

(this means the light switches have to be smart, not the light bulbs (so zigbee light switches or z wave relay behind the switch)

(3) Alarm system integration

Using the Alarms IP module

(4) Heat pump and other 'dumb' devices via wifi modules or relays

I went done the path of using a hubitat elevation hub since its seems faster when controlling units as it does not use the web, its all local and therefore reacts faster. The curtains were easy to get working even tho I got the wrong motor the first time (4 wires instead of 5 wire version)

The light, there are many zigbee light switches, but each have their own app and most have their own hub so its hard to find one that talked directly to the hubitat elevation hub, so if anyone is using the hubitat elevation hub and has a brand of zigbee light switches that work with it directly, I would love to know. Looks like I will be going back to z-wave relays for now.

The integration with the Alarm was simpler then I expected and worked out of the box with the version of the alarm system I got.

Using IFTTT, I got to control the heat pump once I added a wifi module to it, but I only have basic on/off commands so far, but working on that (need to learn to code better)

So if your controlling simpler things but know of better ways, please message me.

Regards

Nathan

amanzi

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#2258290 14-Jun-2019 15:50

I didn't have any specific goals in mind when I started down this route but have ended up with the following main use cases, all through Home Assistant running in Docker on an old laptop.

1. controlling lights - just using Hue bulbs for this.

2. presence detection - HA knows who's home based on devices being connected to WiFi by talking to my router.

3. door sensors - I have a few Xiaomi sensors around the house, but the door sensors are useful as an alarm system - I get notified if the doors open but nobody's home.

I have a bunch of other things loosely integrated: Xiaomi temperature sensors track the bedroom temps but I don't really do anything with this info, just log it to an influxdb database. I have a few Google Home devices through the house that we can use to control the lights and also turn on/off the Samsung TV. I have a WiFi controller for the heat pump but that doesn't really integrate into anything nicely and although I did manage to hack together an HA component for it, we really just use the app on our phones to control it.

davidcole

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#2258328 14-Jun-2019 16:34

I’ve gone the zwave. For lights etc it’s one of the only certified 240v method of doing it here. I don’t like the control the bulb not the switch method.

Then with a controller you can go vera and I think Samsung smart things are now certified here via Australia (ask @michaelmurphy). Those offer a more out of the box experience.

For a more diy solution that will ultimately be more flexible home assistant (certainly the most popular around here) or openHAB can control zwave well. And expose various items to your internet home. Via their remote control, or apples homekit (if applicable) or a fallback method via vpn can also be used.

Zigbee is good for cheap sensors, And I think hpm is offering a branded zigbee implementation, while pdl are offering a zwave range (which is rebadged and imo expensive) aeotec zwave solution.

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Natjur

18 posts

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#2258392 14-Jun-2019 18:48

Going full z-wave (using aeotec touch panel) would work for the lights (cheap panel with a zwave unit behind it) but the aeotec touch panel do not look as nice as the Lanbon panels. Will have to see if I can get the wife to allow me to use the not so sexy aeotec touch panel instead

davidcole

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#2258395 14-Jun-2019 18:52

Natjur:

Going full z-wave (using aeotec touch panel) would work for the lights (cheap panel with a zwave unit behind it) but the aeotec touch panel do not look as nice as the Lanbon panels. Will have to see if I can get the wife to allow me to use the not so sexy aeotec touch panel instead

For dimming? Do you want the touch panels?

For normal on off lights I'd just use any old switch (pdl 600 series or smarter looking).

Natjur

18 posts

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#2259428 17-Jun-2019 12:39

davidcole:

For dimming? Do you want the touch panels?

For normal on off lights I'd just use any old switch (pdl 600 series or smarter looking).

The wife just want touch panels instead of normal switches, so might as well get one that are z-wave or zigbee at the same time and add some smarts to the lights.

Just the ones she likes the looks of are from lanbon which have there own 'hub'/master built into one of the switches, so you can not control it via your own controller so....useless to me. (Even if the wife loves the look of them) Plus they are pinging some IP in China all the time...which is worrying.

Aeotech ones are ok (they are just a touch panel that plugs into their z-wave relay, but they are not as nice looking as the landon ones. I guess I will keep looking and see if there are other providers who use New Zealand Z-wave freg (or Zigbee) that talks nicely to the hubitat elevation controller.

davidcole

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#2259429 17-Jun-2019 12:43

Natjur:

davidcole:

For dimming? Do you want the touch panels?

For normal on off lights I'd just use any old switch (pdl 600 series or smarter looking).

The wife just want touch panels instead of normal switches, so might as well get one that are z-wave or zigbee at the same time and add some smarts to the lights.

Just the ones she likes the looks of are from lanbon which have there own 'hub'/master built into one of the switches, so you can not control it via your own controller so....useless to me. (Even if the wife loves the look of them) Plus they are pinging some IP in China all the time...which is worrying.

Aeotech ones are ok (they are just a touch panel that plugs into their z-wave relay, but they are not as nice looking as the landon ones. I guess I will keep looking and see if there are other providers who use New Zealand Z-wave freg (or Zigbee) that talks nicely to the hubitat elevation controller.

Have a look over at smarthome.com.au as well. They might have something. And there is the PDL Nero stuff as well. I haven't looked at what they are doing for touch switches (if any) and if they're their own or just rebadged Aeotec ones.

billgates

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#2259460 17-Jun-2019 13:35

I am in 90% ZWave and 10% Zigbee camp for my home automation. ZWave has the best coverage out of Zigbee and WiFi and less interference due to not running on 2.4GHz unlike WiFi and Zigbee. I went with Aeotec for ZWave gear and Hubitat for the controller as it can do both ZWave, LAN and Zigbee along with Philips Hue hub and few their lightbulbs for lamps.

Things running on ZWave or planned to be put in

1. Aeotec nano dimmer behind WallSwipe units to control the dimming of LED lights

2. Aeotec WallSwipe touch sensitive switch to control LED lights dimming and blinds control

3. Aeotec nano shutter to control the blinds

4. Aeotec nano switch only in couple of power points to control the washing machine & dryer to RTS via speakers when laundry and drying have been completed but it also advises me of power usage for the lulz because why not.

5. Aeotec Multisensor 6 in rooms for motion, LUX to automate blinds and temperature. It also monitors humidity in bathrooms to auto kick the fan when required. The sensor can do temperature, LUX, humidity, UV, Vibration and motion so very cool but it needs to be USB powered for live data gathering else it only reports every hour on the battery so I use PoE injector unit that has micro USB cable output to power the sensor constantly along with Multisensor 6 recessed unit for clean in ceiling look.

6. Aeotec 5M LED strip and it comes with a ZWave controller

7. Aeotec garage door controller

8. Aeotec recessed door sensor for front entry door

9. Aeotec Wallmote Quad for wireless control for dimming of LED lights and blinds

10. Aeotec water sensor 6 with dock under dishwasher and washing machine

11. Dome ZWave water shut off valve from smarthome.com.au to shut off mains water supply if water leak is detected

The only things I have for Zigbee are non essential coverage items like Xiaomi motion sensor, LED strip lights and controller from Gledopto for wardrobes, hallway cupboard, Xiaomo temperature sensor for attic, fridge and freezer for the lulz because I want to see that data. Hue hub to control Zigbee devices which in turn is connected to Hubitat.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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Natjur

18 posts

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#2259517 17-Jun-2019 15:33

billgates:

I am in 90% ZWave and 10% Zigbee camp for my home automation. ZWave has the best coverage out of Zigbee and WiFi and less interference due to not running on 2.4GHz unlike WiFi and Zigbee. I went with Aeotec for ZWave gear and Hubitat for the controller as it can do both ZWave, LAN and Zigbee along with Philips Hue hub and few their lightbulbs for lamps.

I think I will be copying your setup, since going mostly Zwave seems to be the way to go.

I might not do the aeotech Wall Swipe touch sensitive switch, just get 'non smart' touch switches and put a zwave controller behind them.

There are lots of 'nice looking' non smart touch switches out there (livolo looks nice)

Talkiet

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#2259612 17-Jun-2019 16:06

I have everything you put in your first post working today. A little bit of advice...

Use non Zwave touch controllers where possible. This way if the HA goes down, or you move out, everything still works. My blinds and curtains for example are controlled via 2.4G RF. I have a wall controller that can open, one, some or all, at a touch - and a RM pro bridge that can similarly open one, some or all from Homeassistant.

SO when I say "Alexa, turn on the movied"... The blinds and curtains close, lights dim, projector and Amp turn on, screen drops and Shield input is selected.

I can also do all of this from a Harmony remote as well - in case Alexa isn't listening.

That's the approach I took. NOTHING should be hard to use if the HA system isn't working.

Cheers - N

ps. Oh,I don't have alarm integration and Aircon is via IP control. Alexa config at the moment is limited to "Alexa, turn on the aircon" (or off)

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

redfiat

57 posts

Master Geek

#2280934 21-Jul-2019 20:04

amanzi:

I didn't have any specific goals in mind when I started down this route but have ended up with the following main use cases, all through Home Assistant running in Docker on an old laptop.

1. controlling lights - just using Hue bulbs for this.

2. presence detection - HA knows who's home based on devices being connected to WiFi by talking to my router.

3. door sensors - I have a few Xiaomi sensors around the house, but the door sensors are useful as an alarm system - I get notified if the doors open but nobody's home.

I have a bunch of other things loosely integrated: Xiaomi temperature sensors track the bedroom temps but I don't really do anything with this info, just log it to an influxdb database. I have a few Google Home devices through the house that we can use to control the lights and also turn on/off the Samsung TV. I have a WiFi controller for the heat pump but that doesn't really integrate into anything nicely and although I did manage to hack together an HA component for it, we really just use the app on our phones to control it.

where did you get the xiaomi sensors from? cant see them on pbtech site.

davidcole

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#2281033 22-Jul-2019 03:21

They come from China direct. Pbtech only sell a Bluetooth variant and only the temp. Not water, temp, contact or motion

amanzi

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#2281080 22-Jul-2019 08:41

davidcole: They come from China direct. Pbtech only sell a Bluetooth variant and only the temp. Not water, temp, contact or motion

Yep - Aliexpress.

Yoban

447 posts

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#2281159 22-Jul-2019 09:52

davidcole: They come from China direct. Pbtech only sell a Bluetooth variant and only the temp. Not water, temp, contact or motion

Something like this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32966216308.html from the Aqara range?

dolsen

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#2281302 22-Jul-2019 12:44

Talkiet:

Use non Zwave touch controllers where possible. This way if the HA goes down, or you move out, everything still works. My blinds and curtains for example are controlled via 2.4G RF. I have a wall controller that can open, one, some or all, at a touch - and a RM pro bridge that can similarly open one, some or all from Homeassistant.

I'm using the aeotec zwave dimmers and touch panels in my setup. If HA goes down, you can still use the devices with no change in functionality. You can still turn on / off and dim the devices as needed from the panel, or, a momentary switch.

I believe that you can also program the dimmer module to broadcast on events so you could have it still control nearby devices as well (although I haven't used / tested this functionality).

robfish

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#2281307 22-Jul-2019 13:06

I too use Home Assistant for:-

Switches (lights, towel rails, under tile heaters) (I use Shelley WiFi switches with MQTT
Temperature, humidity, illumination, motion sensors (Xiaomi Gateway)
Cameras
Weather
People/Device tracking (useful with automatons and alarms)

Home Assistant is always a work in progress with new integrations being added frequently.

Rob