Wifi/HomePlug plug-through switches

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Wifi/HomePlug plug-through switches - simple interface

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#238189 6-Jul-2018 09:47

I would like to set up some basic automation, with simple relays, switches and sensors, avoiding any proprietary setups. I'm looking for longevity, not app controlled, or anything requiring third-party infrastructure.

Power switching is the most immediate requirement, but it seems everything requires an app these days, and Ethernet-connected PDU units lack the convenience of a plug-through solution. When I build my own place they may be an option, but for now I'm limited to plug-in solutions.

Are there any switching units available which I can control simply via HTTP(S) or other common protocols? I don't mind binary protocols as long as they are properly documented, but I'd prefer open standards. Security isn't a significant concern, the devices will be on their own network.

davidcole

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#2050375 6-Jul-2018 11:18

Z Wave? Devices. Quite expensive but pretty good. And Certified for here.

The protocol is open and is used by many manufacturers. Depends what type of devices you're after.

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2050537 6-Jul-2018 14:51

davidcole:

Z Wave? Devices. Quite expensive but pretty good. And Certified for here.

The protocol is open and is used by many manufacturers. Depends what type of devices you're after.

Looks interesting, but I'm not too keen on adding another networking technology in to the mix. I'm already using a mix of Ethernet, USB and serial interfaces for various devices. If anything breaks, I can swap out components and get something up and running again from various bits around the house.

I also try to keep my applications portable, so I can develop on Windows and deploy on FreeBSD. Avoiding any third-party libraries would help with that.

nickb800

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#2050554 6-Jul-2018 15:11

Sonoff plugs (e.g. S20)

Flash with ESP Easy

Connect to wifi

Access simple http website hosted on device to control or append strings to the URL to control

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2050666 6-Jul-2018 16:47

nickb800:

Sonoff plugs (e.g. S20)

Flash with ESP Easy

That looks like a potential solution. I'll just have to work on my soldering skills to flash the firmware.

PANiCnz

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#2051334 8-Jul-2018 10:34

I bought one of these recently, works fine with Home Assistant. It's just a re-branded Ankuoo Neo.

davidcole

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#2051372 8-Jul-2018 11:24

PANiCnz:
I bought one of these recently, works fine with Home Assistant. It's just a re-branded Ankuoo Neo.

Can you control it externally from their app and without needing any internet? Ie lan only control?

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2053073 11-Jul-2018 08:15

I have ordered a Sonoff S20 switch as a starting point. I will flash this with ESP Easy to give the required functionality. I note ESP Easy also supports a number of sensors, some of which I already have floating around, so may also look at breakout boards for the controller to give those a try as well.

I am still interested in any other suggestions however. I don't believe in being tied to one particular provider (You'll never see me sign up for an ISP/phone/TV bundle), so having more options is always good.

davidcole

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#2053074 11-Jul-2018 08:22

SirHumphreyAppleby:

I have ordered a Sonoff S20 switch as a starting point. I will flash this with ESP Easy to give the required functionality. I note ESP Easy also supports a number of sensors, some of which I already have floating around, so may also look at breakout boards for the controller to give those a try as well.

I am still interested in any other suggestions however. I don't believe in being tied to one particular provider (You'll never see me sign up for an ISP/phone/TV bundle), so having more options is always good.

TP Link do one for 240v

Aeotec, Fibaro do zwave ones, fibaro may do a homekit one also.

And jaycar I think has an aeotec type relay, must be re-badged, so they might have an wall plug also.

I love my zwave gear, but it's quite expensive ($80 - $140 for devices)...but the more you get the better it works since it's mesh.

But if I could get a standalone power monitoring/wifi wall plug (by standalone I mean no cloud and no bridge), for ~$40 I'd gets some of those also.

notesgnome

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#2053121 11-Jul-2018 09:06

SirHumphreyAppleby:

nickb800:

Sonoff plugs (e.g. S20)

Flash with ESP Easy

That looks like a potential solution. I'll just have to work on my soldering skills to flash the firmware.

I used this:

https://github.com/mirko/SonOTA

to flash my TH10

For my S22s I had to use the manual method, but some DuPont cables were all that were required. They held without requiring soldering.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2053125 11-Jul-2018 09:15

notesgnome:

I used this:

https://github.com/mirko/SonOTA

to flash my TH10

For my S22s I had to use the manual method, but some DuPont cables were all that were required. They held without requiring soldering.

Nice, another option. I will take a look at the Tasmota firmware as well and see which I prefer. Not too concerned with OTA updates, I'm also going to use a non-solder solution for updating.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2058556 19-Jul-2018 08:20

My first Sonoff S20 arrived this morning, but unfortunately it doesn't fit our power points. The CN unit has a flat back, so there is no allowance for our switches. It's disappointing I won't be able to use directly on the wall as I'd intended.

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nickb800

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#2058558 19-Jul-2018 08:24

Ah yes that's a bit of a gotcha. I've used something like this (have a few lying around) to get around that problem:

https://www.showtechnix.co.nz/store/pdl-940/

I tried to get the S26 model to overcome this, as the plug pins are on a protuding base, however the pins are over-sized to suit a different type of power point