Questions for Smart Home people

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Krispkiwi

55 posts

Master Geek

#279786 8-Nov-2020 23:03

Hey everyone,

I have two questions for those like me who have dived into getting a smart home.

First question: What products do you use in your smart home? I'd like to see what others are using as I've got my rented flat pretty well kitted out but I feel there may be one or two things I'm missing.

Second question: Do you use home assistant? I've started getting this sorted a few weeks ago and so far I'm liking it. Do you have any NZ based integrations, what does your user interface look like?

Here's my home assistant interface so far: https://imgur.com/a/xurmX6s

Here's the products I have so far:
( I can't find any spoiler commands for people to expand and unexpand this section)

Note I'm limited because of renting in what I can do, no smart locks etc. I'm currently looking for a cheap WiFi based temp sensor for my room.

Living Room:

Smart TV with LED light strip on the back
Broadlink mini to control my heatpump and the TV
Amazon Fire Cube, more control for the TV and the smart assistant for the lounge
4 Smart plugs from sonoff connected to my computer monitors
Streamdeck for macro commands on the PC and also smart home control
A Wyze camera pointed out the window (This causes problems at night, it picks up its own glare in the window)
Hue bulbs for the main lights
A motion sensor light under my desk for working on cabling
2 Hue bar lights for streaming
Xaomi temperature sensor, connects via bluetooth to my home assistant

Kitchen

Hue Bulb
Kogan Smart Kettle
Fire HD Tablet with the homehabit app interface linked to home assistant, very handy for cooking too can easily bring up recipes

Bathroom

Amazon Echo Dot on the wall for music and news in the morning
Xaomi motion light for low light when using the bathroom at night
Fitbit Aria Scale
Toilet LED light - this is just a bit of fun but it's handy at night

Bedroom

Amazon echo show 5
smart plugs connected to my electric blanket and lamps
Another wyze cam with the same issue as the one in the lounge
Another broadlink mini controlling the on/off of the bedroom tv
Xbox, for gaming, plex server and Netflix, also can be voice controlled
Xaomi Mi Vacuum
Hue colour bulb

Outside

Ring doorbell
B-Hyve smart sprinkler

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1841 posts

Uber Geek

#2600249 9-Nov-2020 06:52

Nice looking interface, mine is still very basic. Just a thought re the Wyze cam, turn off the IR light on the cam and get an external one from ALiexpress etc, they are cheap, give better illumination than the built-in one and you wont have the glare issue.

IR Light

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

davidcole

6029 posts

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#2600250 9-Nov-2020 07:06

Living Room

Old Samsung TV, with chrome cast, controlled by broad link rm3 mini. Chromecast online = tv online)
Xiaomi Temp sensor (zigbee)
Aeotec Smart Switch (lamp)
Fibaro Relay for outside lights
Aeotec Nano Dual for outside lights
Paradox Smoke Detector
Paradox PIR

Kitchen

Aeotec Smart Swtich (Lamp)
Aeotec Smart Switch on Rocket Espresso Machine
Aeotec Nano Dual for outside lights.
Xiaomi Contact Sensor on pantry door - more a test than anything else.
Paradox Smoke Detector
Paradox PIR

Dining Room

Aeotec Smart Sensor
Briilliant Smart plug (flashed as tasmota)
Rm3 Mini controlling the Amplifer. Connected to a Chromcast Audio (chromecast online = stereo online) and Raspberry Pi with Shairport (airplay)

Network Cupboard

Aeotec smart switch on Computer
Aeotec smart switch on outside amplifier
Xiaomi Temp Sensor for monitoring ambiant temp of computer
DHt22 sensor on a raspberry pi a mosfet switch controlling 2x 120mm fans for cooling network stack.
UPSs connected to raspberry pi for network notifications.
Paradox Smoke Detector

Bedrooms

Xiaomi Temp Sensors
DHT22/D1 Mini for wired Temp Sensor (Master and sons room)
Yeelight Lamp for sons room
Paradox PIR
Paradox Smoke Detector

Hallways

Aeotec Nano for hall light (glorified night light)

Garage

D1 mini with Contact sensor - garage door state

All PIR and Smoke detectors exposed to MQTT including controlling garage door.

All in OpenHAB, with certain items (most lights, applicance control, smoke detectors, PIR, alarm, garage door controll expose to Homebridge as well for IOS). I do have a home assistant running as well, but I haven't been in it for a while, having used that for testing new devices, a looksee.

The Homebridge/homekit means that I have a nice simple interface that works in or out of the house with simple switches for the basic things, and notications of the alarm.

For the full experience the openhab basic ui, does the trick....it's not as featured as the home assistant one, but its gets the message across.

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Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
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Handle9

11386 posts

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#2600254 9-Nov-2020 07:35

I started out with home assistant but have ended up just running everything into Alexa. It seems to work with just about everything, has high WAF and the kids like it. Routines are a bit clunky but work once setup.

I've got lots of IKEA Tradfri lights, a few Yelink ones as well. A few different RGB strips, a couple of Orvibo Homemade plugs, some other smart plugs, a Sonoff smart relay for the outdoor lights, a plex server, a couple of Echo Show 8s, a heap of echo dots and a full size Echo in the kitchen.

Krispkiwi

55 posts

Master Geek

#2600268 9-Nov-2020 08:15

peejayw:

Nice looking interface, mine is still very basic. Just a thought re the Wyze cam, turn off the IR light on the cam and get an external one from ALiexpress etc, they are cheap, give better illumination than the built-in one and you wont have the glare issue.

IR Light

Hows this set up, do you plug in the IR LED to the cam or put it outside in the field the camera is pointing into

peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek

#2600270 9-Nov-2020 08:17

No, its not plugged in to the cam, just set it up outside.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

Krispkiwi

55 posts

Master Geek

#2600272 9-Nov-2020 08:19

davidcole:

Living Room

Old Samsung TV, with chrome cast, controlled by broad link rm3 mini. Chromecast online = tv online)
Xiaomi Temp sensor (zigbee)
Aeotec Smart Switch (lamp)
Fibaro Relay for outside lights
Aeotec Nano Dual for outside lights
Paradox Smoke Detector
Paradox PIR

Kitchen

Aeotec Smart Swtich (Lamp)
Aeotec Smart Switch on Rocket Espresso Machine
Aeotec Nano Dual for outside lights.
Xiaomi Contact Sensor on pantry door - more a test than anything else.
Paradox Smoke Detector
Paradox PIR

Dining Room

Aeotec Smart Sensor
Briilliant Smart plug (flashed as tasmota)
Rm3 Mini controlling the Amplifer. Connected to a Chromcast Audio (chromecast online = stereo online) and Raspberry Pi with Shairport (airplay)
Network Cupboard

Aeotec smart switch on Computer
Aeotec smart switch on outside amplifier
Xiaomi Temp Sensor for monitoring ambiant temp of computer
DHt22 sensor on a raspberry pi a mosfet switch controlling 2x 120mm fans for cooling network stack.
UPSs connected to raspberry pi for network notifications.
Paradox Smoke Detector
Bedrooms

Xiaomi Temp Sensors
DHT22/D1 Mini for wired Temp Sensor (Master and sons room)
Yeelight Lamp for sons room
Paradox PIR
Paradox Smoke Detector

Hallways

Aeotec Nano for hall light (glorified night light)
Garage

D1 mini with Contact sensor - garage door state
All PIR and Smoke detectors exposed to MQTT including controlling garage door.

All in OpenHAB, with certain items (most lights, applicance control, smoke detectors, PIR, alarm, garage door controll expose to Homebridge as well for IOS). I do have a home assistant running as well, but I haven't been in it for a while, having used that for testing new devices, a looksee.

The Homebridge/homekit means that I have a nice simple interface that works in or out of the house with simple switches for the basic things, and notications of the alarm.

For the full experience the openhab basic ui, does the trick....it's not as featured as the home assistant one, but its gets the message across.

One issues with the xaomi sensors im running into is they don't reach my bluetooth tongle in my living room from the bedroom, does the hub you have do the trick at relaying them or picking up the data?

davidcole

6029 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2600298 9-Nov-2020 09:13

Krispkiwi:

One issues with the xaomi sensors im running into is they don't reach my bluetooth tongle in my living room from the bedroom, does the hub you have do the trick at relaying them or picking up the data?

I am using a bunch of the xiaomi smart plugs as zigbee repeaters.....but am replacing all that with zigbee2mqtt...but finding that it dies after 1-2 days, so it's reliability is a bit suspect. I never looked at the bluetooth, maybe you can get a raspberry pi or something that can read the bluetooth data and convert it to mqtt so you can put a bunch of them around the house.

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rogercruse

644 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2600339 9-Nov-2020 09:48

Krispkiwi:...A Wyze camera pointed out the window (This causes problems at night, it picks up its own glare in the window)...

Put a polaroid lens between the camera and the window... it worked for me... extracted the lens from a broken sunglasses.

rogercruse

644 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2600356 9-Nov-2020 10:22

Almost everything in our house is automated. Not fully integrated yet!

Family Room, Media Room

Samsung TV, purchased in 2018, so most functions are build in. Still use the remote.
Vodafone TV, controlled using remote to change channels,etc
Philips Hue lights (hoping for a big win on the lotto to afford a Hue Sync)

House

Ata Touch - controlled via phone app (and in future to link to Alexa)
- low voltage LED lighting - everywhere, inside and out
- heating / cooling / ventilation
- temperature, movement, lighting sensors
- smoke alarms - hallway, bedrooms
- security system
- additional items - fans, towel rails, garage door
Sonos Speakers - everywhere
Connect Grid Smart Plugs for additional lighting and control over other devices, e.g Kettle
Cavius smoke alarms - garage, kitchen
Amcrest Security Cameras covering the garden and access to the house
Amazon Echo devices - Show 2, Hub, Dots - kitchen, bedroom
Google WiFi devices around the house providing a mesh network and connected together using ethernet cabling
Ring Video Doorbell Pro - front door

Krispkiwi

55 posts

Master Geek

#2600441 9-Nov-2020 12:39

rogercruse:

Almost everything in our house is automated. Not fully integrated yet!

House

Ata Touch - controlled via phone app (and in future to link to Alexa)

heating / cooling / ventilation
temperature, movement, lighting sensors
smoke alarms - hallway, bedrooms
Cavius smoke alarms - garage, kitchen

What type of temperature sensors are they? Also can your smoke alarms be voice controlled?

rogercruse

644 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2600517 9-Nov-2020 15:04

Krispkiwi:...What type of temperature sensors are they? Also can your smoke alarms be voice controlled? ...

To better answer your question about sensor types, it make sense to explain what sensors available:

The sensors are part of the AtaTouch system and currently this a 'closed' environment. A future promised release of AtaTouch will allow integration with Amazon Alexa, etc to open up its functionality.

The sensors are included in a 'smart' wall switch. And a room can have as many wall switches ('smart' or 'simple') as you want. Each wall switch can be programmed to control multiple devices (not just lights in the room!). A 'smart' switch will have all three sensors - temperature, movement & lighting while a 'simple' wall switch won't have any sensors. This is to reduce installation costs rather than a function constraint.

I don't know the type of temperature sensor it is. Its part of the AtaTouch system and currently only accessible to the AtaTouch system. I do have a Netatmo home weather station with sensors in three rooms. The Netatmo devices can be linked to other devices such as the Amazon Echo devices. A future promised release will integrate it with Amazon Alexa and open up the functions.

The smoke alarms are very simple without any direct control. Therefore, no voice control.

peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek

#2600527 9-Nov-2020 15:22

Krispkiwi:

What type of temperature sensors are they? Also can your smoke alarms be voice controlled?

If you have a soldering iron you can easily make your own with a few cheap parts and integrate them into Home Assistant with ESPHome.

Have a look at this web page. Version 2 is the one to follow if you have access to a 3d printer.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

rscole86

4973 posts

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#2601197 10-Nov-2020 18:11

@krispkiwi - I use an ESP32 board as a wifi/bluetooth Hub. It is mirco usb powered and connects all of my bluetooth temperature sensors to the HA. I am using ESPHome Dev intergration on the wemos as my sensors are not yet supported with ESPHome.

Living Room

Sony smart TV
Xbox One
Mitsubishi heat pump (via ESP8266 D1 mini)
Alexa echo dot
Sony HT
Enigma2 STB

Rest of house

4x Xiaomi temp/humidity sensors - LYWSD03MMC
2x TP Link smart switches
2x personal phones
1x ESP32 wireless bluetooth hub
Limitless LED hub to control wifi bulbs (no longer working)
Sensibo - replaced by ESP8266, but to be repurposed on 2nd heatpump
Alexa echo dot

Krispkiwi

55 posts

Master Geek

#2601273 10-Nov-2020 19:38

rscole86:

@krispkiwi - I use an ESP32 board as a wifi/bluetooth Hub. It is mirco usb powered and connects all of my bluetooth temperature sensors to the HA. I am using ESPHome Dev intergration on the wemos as my sensors are not yet supported with ESPHome.

Living Room

Sony smart TV
Xbox One
Mitsubishi heat pump (via ESP8266 D1 mini)
Alexa echo dot
Sony HT
Enigma2 STB
Rest of house

4x Xiaomi temp/humidity sensors - LYWSD03MMC
2x TP Link smart switches
2x personal phones
1x ESP32 wireless bluetooth hub
Limitless LED hub to control wifi bulbs (no longer working)
Sensibo - replaced by ESP8266, but to be repurposed on 2nd heatpump
Alexa echo dot

So do your bluetooth sensors go to the ESP and then the ESP shoots the information off via wifi to your home assistant?

rscole86

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#2601326 10-Nov-2020 20:46

Basically, yes. The ESP is just listening for BLE devices. The home assistant has an ESPHome integration, from there do what you want with the information.

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