Home Automation Questions

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Cogenate

45 posts

Geek

#238188 6-Jul-2018 09:43

Anyone got any experience with Wifi Light switches & dimmers? I have LED down lights in my apartment, so I can't easily install bulbs like Phillips HUE without retrofitting the light socket.

My goal is to be able to control lights with Google home.

My second question, does anyone have any experience with Carrier Heatpumps and wifi integration? I have a Carrier heatpump and info is scarce on options in this department.

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281 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#2050341 6-Jul-2018 10:33

You can't install these?

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/philips-9w-aphelion-hue-led-downlight_p00029157

Bit expensive I think.

As for the heat pump, if it has an IR remote control you can probably control it with the IR library here:

https://github.com/ToniA/arduino-heatpumpir

Cogenate

45 posts

Geek

#2050347 6-Jul-2018 10:43

Nice, didn't know you could get those. I will see if they are compatible.. Also have an IR remote for the heatpump yeah!

Awesome :)

rp1790

504 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2050385 6-Jul-2018 11:28

For the heatpump you have a few options. The Pebble Air is available in NZ but is rather crude and I don't think can be controlled by Alexa, Siri or Google home.

The Sensibo (circa $100USD) works well and also integrates with Alex and Google.

A Broadlink RM Mini 3 is cheap and also works well. I think, but am not 100% sure, that these can work with Alexa. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/High-Quality-NEW-Upgrade-Version-Broadlink-RM-Mini-3-Black-Bean-Smart-Home-Wifi-Universal-IR/32829046108.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_10342_10547_10343_10340_10059_10341_10548_10696_100031_10084_10083_10103_524_10618_10307_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_12,ppcSwitch_4&algo_expid=bf547452-dd41-4ac5-9747-49ca5deee9a3-0&algo_pvid=bf547452-dd41-4ac5-9747-49ca5deee9a3&priceBeautifyAB=0

Mattmannz

470 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2050393 6-Jul-2018 11:38

I use a Tado for controlling my Toshiba heatpump, works reasonably well and is integrated with Google Home. Also have a Nexx Garage unit to control my Merlin garage door.

There doesn't appear to be any magic bullet for controlling lights via Google Home in NZ. Ideally you want push button light switches with a controller integrated so that you can use Wifi or the physical button to control them.

Cheers

Matt

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2050395 6-Jul-2018 11:53

I tried and failed to control our Mitsubishi heat pump - with both BroadLink and Harmony hub devices. The remote sends a longish packet of data with each button press, not just an IR code for the button. So whenever you press anything it sends the on/off, temperature preset, operating mode, fan mode, vane mode, date/time, timer settings etc.

As it happens, there's a wifi module available for the heat pump so I'm resigned to forking out $200 for it if I go down the automation path for it.

huckster

435 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

#2050432 6-Jul-2018 12:36

kryptonjohn:

I tried and failed to control our Mitsubishi heat pump - with both BroadLink and Harmony hub devices. The remote sends a longish packet of data with each button press, not just an IR code for the button. So whenever you press anything it sends the on/off, temperature preset, operating mode, fan mode, vane mode, date/time, timer settings etc.

As it happens, there's a wifi module available for the heat pump so I'm resigned to forking out $200 for it if I go down the automation path for it.

Don't have one myself, so no need for me to try this but....

https://nicegear.nz/blog/hacking-a-mitsubishi-heat-pump-air-conditioner/

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2050433 6-Jul-2018 12:41

I don't think I'd be allowed to pull the heat pump apart - especially in winter!

On the other had, it's always easier to get forgiveness than permission...

jat80

196 posts

Master Geek

#2050438 6-Jul-2018 12:59

I control my Mitsubishi heat pump fine with the Broadlink RM Mini 3. I'm using homebridge with this homebridge plugin. I also use this homebridge plugin to expose it to Alexa (along with all my other homebridge plugins) and it works great!

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2050441 6-Jul-2018 13:04

Hi @jat80, that's good to know.

Were you able to capture the heatpump code sequence with just the RM Mini3 and phone app?

Have you run in to the issue I had that the remote doesn't operate via discrete key codes? If so how have you packaged up your commands?

Cheers

JohnO

jat80

196 posts

Master Geek

#2050443 6-Jul-2018 13:20

kryptonjohn:

Hi @jat80, that's good to know.

Were you able to capture the heatpump code sequence with just the RM Mini3 and phone app?

Have you run in to the issue I had that the remote doesn't operate via discrete key codes? If so how have you packaged up your commands?

Cheers

JohnO

The broadlink homebridge plugin enables you to capture the codes and then use them to create accessories like an on off switch but there are many different options on how you can configure it. Have a look at the links I've provided as they go into a lot more detail one what you can do. I haven't run into your problem but I've kept it pretty simple for my setup. I have an accessory called "heat pump" (consists of turning on the unit, setting to 30degrees heat fan on full) and have an accessory called "aircon" to cool down the room (turn on, 18 degrees, cooling, fan on full) but you can configure it in a lot more detail than that.

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2050460 6-Jul-2018 14:10

Ok cheers. I think it would meet my needs to just capture a few IR snippets for 'Cool to 20' and 'Warm to 23' and 'Off' so will take another look. I'd like to be able to switch it on and off with Alexa and also be able to ensure it is switched off at night by Vera.

Cogenate

45 posts

Geek

#2050464 6-Jul-2018 14:20

I have ordered one of the RM Mini's , seems like that is exactly what I want. Bypassing a wifi kit seems like the dream!

Will be purchasing some of the Philips HUE downlights providing they are compatible...

Anyone done any integration with AAP alarm systems?

LisaM77

51 posts

Master Geek

#2051003 7-Jul-2018 11:30

Mattmannz:

I use a Tado for controlling my Toshiba heatpump, works reasonably well and is integrated with Google Home. Also have a Nexx Garage unit to control my Merlin garage door.

There doesn't appear to be any magic bullet for controlling lights via Google Home in NZ. Ideally you want push button light switches with a controller integrated so that you can use Wifi or the physical button to control them.

Cheers

Matt

Quick question: how did you get your Tado to NZ? I ordered a dual pack of the AC control V2 from the UK (only available there and some European countries at the moment) and sent it via Youshop. It arrived at Youshop yesterday and has a description of 'AC Control (includes lithium battery)' and they won't ship. I've contacted Tado to find out if there really are lithium batteries, because I didn't remember seeing anything on the specs, and had a closer look and still couldn't see anything. It would seem strange that they would list it as having them when they don't but I'll likely have to wait til Monday/Tuesday before hearing back.

Cogenate

45 posts

Geek

#2080086 28-Aug-2018 09:41

rp1790:

For the heatpump you have a few options. The Pebble Air is available in NZ but is rather crude and I don't think can be controlled by Alexa, Siri or Google home.

The Sensibo (circa $100USD) works well and also integrates with Alex and Google.

A Broadlink RM Mini 3 is cheap and also works well. I think, but am not 100% sure, that these can work with Alexa. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/High-Quality-NEW-Upgrade-Version-Broadlink-RM-Mini-3-Black-Bean-Smart-Home-Wifi-Universal-IR/32829046108.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_10342_10547_10343_10340_10059_10341_10548_10696_100031_10084_10083_10103_524_10618_10307_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_12,ppcSwitch_4&algo_expid=bf547452-dd41-4ac5-9747-49ca5deee9a3-0&algo_pvid=bf547452-dd41-4ac5-9747-49ca5deee9a3&priceBeautifyAB=0

BUMP: RM Mini 3 is working perfectly - the dream! Thanks for suggestion.

As for the lights I ended up getting Lifx LED Down Lights, as the philips HUE ones don't do colours. They were also the exact same cut out from my original Down lights.

Link to light here:

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/BULLFX58013/LIFX-Colour-WiFi-Smart-LED-Downlight-Kit-800-Lumen

Both Lifx bulbs and the RM mini 3 work flawlessly with Google home.

soolaroo

43 posts

Geek

Subscriber

#2080131 28-Aug-2018 10:35

I replaced 8 of our LED downlights with the Hue Aphelion downlights - 4 in the lounge and 2 in each bedroom. Best purchase this year! I've got a google home in the lounge and can now turn off individual lights and dim the lights as necessary. And in my room, I can tell google to turn off the lights from the comfort of my bed, and I have an automatic scene that comes on before my alarm to gently wake me up.

I use Tado to control the Mitsubishi heatpump - I ordered it form Amazon and it shipped directly (but it doesn't seem to be available on Amazon anymore)

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