Smart Lighting on recently built home

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Smart Lighting on recently built home

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12 posts

Geek

#2081941 31-Aug-2018 15:37

When I looked at smart lighting a year or two ago, I ended up buying about 20 RGB yeelights for about $8 each. For the price, they've been better than the other options I've tried (wemo, hue) and although some say they were too dim, it worked in my lighting requirements. Coupled them with HomeKit using homebridge with docker on a 24/7 storage server (considering most of my house runs apple stuff) they're automated via sensors and activities, and dimming/colour is done by voice/siri/phone or activity activation.

Probably not going to help in your situation, but my 2c

alasta

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#2081967 31-Aug-2018 16:18

Can anyone comment on the likely cost of putting smart light switches into a very small townhouse? I'm think it'll have 10 switches at most.

It's going to be built next year and I'm trying to get an idea of cost for budgeting purposes. I was thinking maybe $2k for all the switches and whatever hub is needed to tie them together but I know nothing about this type of technology so maybe I'm being a bit naive about the cost.

As discussed earlier in this thread I don't want a solution that makes standard light switches redundant (i.e. smart bulbs) because it will confuse guests and probably irritate me as well.

davidcole

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#2082007 31-Aug-2018 18:10

If it’s zwave it runs 99 to 130 for single or double circuit relays. Plus a controller.

Using the jaycar switch it’d be cheaper. But not sure if you are not stuck in their app. I saw some people on the home assistant forums trying to get it going, but not sure of their success.

Or you could try Xiaomi/sonoff/Shelly

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FlyingPete

112 posts

Master Geek

#2086886 10-Sep-2018 13:45

Quick update, apparently PDL will be adding network connectivity support to their Bluetooth modules and possibly a Zigbee based unit as well. This will integrate with most things.

If this is correct it will be the solution I am looking for, works with existing setup without having to replace the lights.

Will hold fire for announcements later this year just in case they don't end up supporting the current BlueTooth modules.

kryptonjohn

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#2086915 10-Sep-2018 14:09

This:

https://www.pdl.co.nz/Home-Owner/Products/Products/Smart-Home/Smart-Home-Solutions/Nero-by-Environexus

FlyingPete

112 posts

Master Geek

#2086930 10-Sep-2018 14:34

kryptonjohn:
This:

https://www.pdl.co.nz/Home-Owner/Products/Products/Smart-Home/Smart-Home-Solutions/Nero-by-Environexus

Maybe, hard to get hard info from the PDL site, certainly looks like it will do the job...

robfish

683 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2086979 10-Sep-2018 14:53

If there is a currently working lighting system I assume there is no urgency.

If you are even a bit "Geeky" I would recommend at least looking into Home Assistant.

I have a son and two work colleagues (and myself) in various stages of Home Assistant installations.

One is using a Raspberry Pi and three of us using old, cheap, low power "headless" computers hidden away in our garages.

The most advanced of us is using HASS to control home security, monitor Zoneminder, set and unset alarms, control lights and sprinklers. He has switched off his Fibaro system now.

EDIT: ......and blinds

Rob

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FlyingPete

112 posts

Master Geek

#2086982 10-Sep-2018 14:57

robfish:

If there is a currently working lighting system I assume there is no urgency.

If you are even a bit "Geeky" I would recommend at least looking into Home Assistant.

I have a son and two work colleagues (and myself) in various stages of Home Assistant installations.

One is using a Raspberry Pi and three of us using old, cheap, low power "headless" computers hidden away in our garages.

The most advanced of us is using HASS to control home security, monitor Zoneminder, set and unset alarms, control lights and sprinklers. He has switched off his Fibaro system now.

Yes no urgency, new build so dull things like curtains etc are more important.

Will check that stuff out...

davidcole

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#2086989 10-Sep-2018 15:14

That PDL nero stuff is just rebadged AeoTec zwave gear and some controller.

They listed the price of a lounge pack for about the $3k mark, that while installation was included, to me (with it's 3 relays, controller and a temp sensor), I worked out should cost abou $1k in parts - given a $500 controller, the rest you were able to compare against active automation/fusion automation (look up the PDL Nero Smart Switch and Temperature sensor against the Aeotec smart switch and MultiSensor).

malleyc

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2122699 9-Nov-2018 13:25

Am building new and dimmers/relays are something I have been looking into for a while, I run Home Assistant currently.
Current options are either Shelly's or Aeotec devices for the behind switch relays.

Stuck between the low cost of the Shelly's but no NZ certification vs the expensive but certified Aeotec's...

Noticed my electrician supplied the Nero system this was the response when I enquired about pricing.

Nero system

For a basic system which includes Gateway & 5x Nero modules (including dimmable) & installation it would be $2500 + GST,

extra modules could be added for $300+GST

Modules for Blinds added for $375 + GST (Per Blind, Need to be run through switch)

Needless to say, I won't be going with Nero.

davidcole

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#2122728 9-Nov-2018 14:09

malleyc:
Am building new and dimmers/relays are something I have been looking into for a while, I run Home Assistant currently.
Current options are either Shelly's or Aeotec devices for the behind switch relays.

Stuck between the low cost of the Shelly's but no NZ certification vs the expensive but certified Aeotec's...

Noticed my electrician supplied the Nero system this was the response when I enquired about pricing.

Nero system

For a basic system which includes Gateway & 5x Nero modules (including dimmable) & installation it would be $2500 + GST,

extra modules could be added for $300+GST

Modules for Blinds added for $375 + GST (Per Blind, Need to be run through switch)

Needless to say, I won't be going with Nero.

And you wouldn’t want to switch out a lot of the lighting to dc based and wire in a star configuration? Then Relays could exist on the distribution board

malleyc

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2122765 9-Nov-2018 14:21

I hadn't really considered this, what would be the advantages to relays behind each switch?

davidcole

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#2122782 9-Nov-2018 14:54

malleyc:

I hadn't really considered this, what would be the advantages to relays behind each switch?

They're not behind the switch for a start (ie centralised), and being DC their certification and power requirements are much lower. But in terms of standards and best practices I don't know where it falls.

I think there are very few behind the switch options....even less that are certified at 240v. And while I've gone zwave it's piecemeal and not whole house, and I'd imagine the cost being pretty high.

chevrolux

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#2122804 9-Nov-2018 15:37

I've just fitted 20-odd Sonoff's around the place.

No idea on the legality, but don't really care if I'm honest. Everything is still insulated, they don't get hot, and if they do catch fire hopefully the breakers do their job and the smoke alarms work.

$7/sonoff, about 15 minutes to solder on a header and a pull-up resistor to the spare GPIO, flash with Tasmota firmware. Connect to MQTT broker, set up switch in whatever home automation system. Profit.

Biggest downside, no dimming! Z-wave gear still seems to be the best option for that - I haven't anything decent with MQTT control.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2122819 9-Nov-2018 15:48

With a centralised system, you take a cable back from each switch (or daisy chain depending on system, and this is all low-voltage) to a central location, and also take all the lighting control groups back to that central location.

More cable, but you now have plenty of space for all the electronics, you can use a ten-ish channel controller instead of 10x 1-channel, and there's no radio to get interfered with or unpaired.

I usually see Phillips Dynalight used in commercial. Not sure on pricing.

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