Smart / Wifi controlled USB power

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openmedia

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#280335 9-Dec-2020 15:08

I've noticed some of the "smart" power boards allow control of the USB power as well as the mains, but it appears to be all/nothing.

I need individual control over a bunch of USB devices and it seems a bit crazy to use a USB mains adapter per device in a smart powerboard. Has anyone seen a USB charger with remote control over individual ports, or a smart main board with individual USB power control?

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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#2618753 9-Dec-2020 15:42

A device link this that had USB control as well as mains control would be perfect for half my usecases

Sadly the control is only for mains.

This comes a bit closer but doesn't appear to be available in NZ

https://mirabellagenio.net.au/power-board-1

One Option is a bunch of these for the USB devices

https://www.cnx-software.com/2020/03/12/sinilink-wifi-usb-power-switch-works-with-tasmota-firmware-supports-up-to-20v-5a/

Any other options out there?

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

tchart

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#2618756 9-Dec-2020 15:43

I've been after something similar for a long time. Following this thread.

tchart

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#2618792 9-Dec-2020 16:16

I've ordered one of the generic ones mentioned on that last link.

richms

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#2618812 9-Dec-2020 16:46

I have some of these. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000548530118.html - the sinilink app is trashfire hell unreliable, but they reflash with tasmota easily enough.

Richard rich.ms

openmedia

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#2619042 10-Dec-2020 04:29

richms:

I have some of these. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000548530118.html - the sinilink app is trashfire hell unreliable, but they reflash with tasmota easily enough.

Thanks for the guidance. Tasmota is definately the way to go. I might order a couple to play with.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

technician14

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#2619705 10-Dec-2020 21:20

How many devices etc are you doing 1 device per control or multiple USB devices with 1 control?

openmedia

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#2619872 11-Dec-2020 09:51

I'm after individual device control. Ideally 3-5 managed USB devices.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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jonathan18

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#2619961 11-Dec-2020 10:42

I have also been looking for a power board with individually controlled USB ports; the closest I’ve found is this one from Kogan, but it appears all USB ports are controlled as a single unit. It came down a decent amount the other week, so certainly wouldn’t pay the current price.

https://www.kogan.com/nz/buy/kogan-smarterhome-smart-power-board-with-usb-ports-energy-meter/

And here’s the evidence from the manual:

openmedia

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#2620051 11-Dec-2020 11:40

Yes I considered that board as well, but I really need individual power control on the USB ports.

If it wasn't for their high postage charges I might consider getting one to play with. Have to see if they addition of Mighty Ape's logistics arm helps change things here.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

siyuan

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#2620130 11-Dec-2020 14:12

I got someone to bring me back a couple Xiaomi Wifi Smart Plugs from China and you can control mains/USB power separately, you can also buy them on Aliexpress (e.g. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001555401038.html). Connectivity wise they work okay, not 100% reliable when using the Xiami cloud service, can be quite slow at times. But there are other alternative offline solutions like Home Assistant Xiaomi integration addons, somewhat convoluated to setup, but once working, works quite well.

technician14

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#2621032 13-Dec-2020 21:03

You could use smart plugs with a phone charger with usb with a usb multi port for 4,5 devices

tchart

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#2638090 19-Jan-2021 13:18

My generic ones arrived from Aliexpress. The app is terrible and requires you to create an account incl phone number.

A bit of reverse engineering and the initial config is done over http via local hospot. The relay appears to be toggled via MQTT.

The initial config takes several parameters including Wifi name/password as well as a MQTT host/port. However even when setting the MQTT host/port to something else its still trying to reach "mq.sinilink.com".

tchart

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#2663409 27-Feb-2021 16:37

Finally got around to flashing one of these with Tasmota as it wasnt storing the MQTT config I was trying to use on the OOTB firmware.

Anyway it works great with Tasmota.

If anyone wants some of these flashed Im happy to help flash them for you if you aren't keen.

richms

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#2663442 27-Feb-2021 19:49

tchart: Finally got around to flashing one of these with Tasmota as it wasnt storing the MQTT config I was trying to use on the OOTB firmware.

Anyway it works great with Tasmota.

If anyone wants some of these flashed Im happy to help flash them for you if you aren't keen.

Did you figure out a way to flash over the air or using the header pins on them?

Richard rich.ms

tchart

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#2663448 27-Feb-2021 20:02

richms:
tchart: Finally got around to flashing one of these with Tasmota as it wasnt storing the MQTT config I was trying to use on the OOTB firmware.

Anyway it works great with Tasmota.

If anyone wants some of these flashed Im happy to help flash them for you if you aren't keen.

Did you figure out a way to flash over the air or using the header pins on them?

No I couldn't find a way to update OTA so I had to flash using header pins.

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