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gcorgnet

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#280961 22-Jan-2021 06:35
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Hey guys, what's the state of the market for Smart Plugs that will be able to monitor Power Usage in Real Time?

 

I am currently using a Aeotec Smart Plug (Z-Wave) to monitor the Washing Machine and tell me when it's done. It seems to be malfunctioning and I'd rather not spend the $80+ to replace it if I can avoid it...
Are there any other solutions that will work locally via Home Assistant?

 

Thanks


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kiwikurt
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  #2639942 22-Jan-2021 08:01
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I use Samsung SmartThings smart plugs but gave up on using one on the washing machine because as it moves through cycles the wattage drops to 0 and that was triggering false notifications.



Ge0rge
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  #2639943 22-Jan-2021 08:02
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A Shelly 1 PM would most likely do the trick, if you're ok with something a little more technical than just "plug and play".

gcorgnet

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  #2639944 22-Jan-2021 08:03
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Forgot to mention: Keen on options ranging from Z-Wave, ZigBee, MQTT or otherwise Wifi...
No SmartThings, no HomeKit, please




gcorgnet

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  #2639945 22-Jan-2021 08:04
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Ge0rge: A Shelly 1 PM would most likely do the trick, if you're ok with something a little more technical than just "plug and play".

 

Yeah, I would rather not tinker with the internal wiring if I can avoid it... Not comfortable doing it myself for a 2kW appliance and not keen on getting a sparky either

 

 


davidcole
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  #2639949 22-Jan-2021 08:17
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Following with interest.    After having my own issues with zwave, I've started replacing zwave smart switches with Brilliant Plugs (flashed as tasmota).  Apart from being so ugly even it's mother wouldn't love it, there's no power monitoring.

 

I do see there's a kogan one, but that is even uglier and bigger (so ugly it's mum and Dog wont love it).

 

PbTech do have a brilliant, or arlec powerboard that might be flashible with tasmota (may not be OTA) that has power monitoring...but I haven't tried that....but i believe some of the guys on Wellington Home Automation hacker slack might have had some success with that.

 

Another less desirable are the Xiaomi smart Plugs...and either it's gateway for zigbee2mqtt.  But these are not certified for NZ.

 

 

 

 





Previously known as psycik

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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timmmay
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  #2639951 22-Jan-2021 08:21
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I use TP-Link Kasa WiFi timers, I have one with power monitoring, one without. They work well with the app, but I have no idea about integration. There's also (from memory) Arlec at Bunnings which I think the box said something about integration, they're cheaper and worth considering.


davidcole
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  #2639960 22-Jan-2021 08:36
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So not sure how flasible this one is: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SURBRS20925/Brilliant-Smart-Smart-WiFi-Wall-Plug-with-Energy-M  I've not tried one yet but if it works I've be keen to reintroduce power monitoring to my rocket, which I lost when I replaced the aeotech smart switch with the non monitoring brilliant (https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPBRS0002/Brilliant-Smart-Smart-WiFi-Wall-Plug-with-1-USB-Ch?qr=related-view)

 

I'm interested in this as well: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SURBRS0001/Brilliant-Smart-Smart-WiFi-Powerboard-with-USB-Cha?qr=related-view

 

Which might work for a washing machine dryer.

 

 





Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server
Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight 


kobiak
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  #2639963 22-Jan-2021 08:39
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KOGAN power plugs. 2 for $3x something. works with home assistant, google home. I'm using it with tuyan app

 

Click to see full size





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  #2639966 22-Jan-2021 08:44
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I've flashed three $20 Arlec PC389HA (non Power Monitoring version) with Tasmota OTA successfully. From what I've read, the Arlec PC399HA which has Power Monitoring requires a bit more tinkering to calibrate the Power Monitoring.


richms
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  #2639969 22-Jan-2021 08:47
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I have a few of the arlec monitoring ones, but have not flashed them. Even a recently bought one is offering firmware updates in the app so they are probably still flashable OTA, which is a good thing because they have screws I do not have a driver for to open to flash over serial.

 

Not had the time to mess with them and for now they are doing all I need which is seeing what the computers, aquarium and other junk are costing me to run.





Richard rich.ms

Ge0rge
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  #2639975 22-Jan-2021 08:58
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I'd be very loathe to use a power board for anything high-draw. The chances of a fire are far too high to risk it, regardless of how "good" said power board supposedly is.

I've been to far too many house fires which have originated at power/multi boards, such that I refuse to have any in my house.

gcorgnet

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  #2639977 22-Jan-2021 09:00
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kobiak:

 

KOGAN power plugs. 2 for $3x something. works with home assistant, google home. I'm using it with tuyan app

 

 

Thanks @kobiak, can you please confirm Home Assistant can get access to the Power Usage in real time?


kobiak
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  #2639982 22-Jan-2021 09:11
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gcorgnet:

 

Thanks @kobiak, can you please confirm Home Assistant can get access to the Power Usage in real time?

 

 

I did not add power consumption to my HA set-up for these, but there's a topic about it





helping others at evgenyk.nz


CokemonZ
1051 posts

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  #2639993 22-Jan-2021 09:20
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Got this spam the other day from Kogan/DSE

 

4 pack, with usb charging, smart with power monitoring for $55

 

AFAIK they are Tuya

 

Dick Smith NZ | Kogan SmarterHome™ Smart Plug With Energy Meter & 5V 2.4A USB Ports (4 Pack) | Smart Plugs (smart plugs with WiFi)


phrozenpenguin
840 posts

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  #2640000 22-Jan-2021 09:39
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I've only vaguely been following the trend to flashing Tuya devices, but from what I can gather it is a bit hit and miss, with often now needing to dismantle the device, solder flying leads onto tiny chips in order to serial flash them if you can get the right timing on bootup. Is this correct? If so, I would be loathe to do that especially for a "high" power device.

 

I use both the Z-Wave devices you are thinking of avoiding, and a "Currentcost" setup that does the power load in my house as well as numerous plugs. But I don't think this is readily available any more, and needs a bit more setup in HA.


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