Got a Smart Home? - What's so Smart about it?

The high horse brigade · 05-01-2018 06:36PM

Caillte wrote: »

Im looking at getting google wifi but how do i bridge my vodafone router?

Login and set it to bridge mode and add the Vodafone pppoe details to your new router and connect it to a lan port. There have been plenty of threads on bridging here is you search the broadband forum with the model number of your router.

BobbyT28 · 21-01-2018 09:58PM

Have the Ubiquiti Networks UAP-AC-LITE WLAN in my basket as well. Need it for attic and upstairs. Have a POE Switch in the attic which is connected to the Lan downstairs.

Question, I take it that when you connect it from the POE port on the switch its just a basic setup (Download app) entre SSD of Network and and Password. I know that if you want to do more advanced things you need the software downloaded onto a PC.

THE ALM · 24-01-2018 11:58AM

Slowly but surely adding to the kit which now looks something like this:-

No broadband provider in area so currently using a 4g modem (have to be careful with data for now) which is linked to a network switch.

Two Reolink outdoor camera's poe'd (is there is such a term) from the switch.

Rpi3 running Home Assistant also connected to the switch. Also have node-red running on the same machine and am currently playing around with automations using this, barely scratching the surface with this mind you but certainly looks like a powerful tool.

Purchased a Hue starter kit with free Google Home from Argos which is currently with my Sis for collection. Was away for a couple of days and noticed the same deal on Monday when going through the airport although £20 cheaper, so picked up another set for £149, which I am currently playing around with although having a problem with a bulb which I will be seeking advice about. Have the Google home set up with Hive and Hue added for voice control, will probably put second in the bedroom.

Hive controlling the heating and hot water. Also have a few Hive bulbs, motion and door sensors all working great and all linked into the Rpi for automations etc.

Two Withings Home cameras used to monitor internally.

Denon AVR, Chromecast Audio and another Rpi running Kodi and again all linked back to Home Assistant.

Have a couple of 5m runs of RGBW light strips and currently keeping an eye for a balast controller for these to come down in price. Plan on adding these through the Hue hub and running them around ceiling when a bit of refurb work needs done.

Few other bits and pieces on the list but hopefully that will do me for a while.

randombar · 24-01-2018 02:11PM

What are those cheap Chinese wifi controlled switches that are going around, can't remember the name and thinking of setting them up with the hue sensor plus raspberry pi home assistant for the fan in the bathroom.

bk · 24-01-2018 02:20PM

SonOff

randombar · 25-01-2018 11:05AM

bk wrote: »

SonOff

Now looking at the Aeon Labs Multisensor 6, just wondering what hubs people recommend for this?

Have a hue and hive hub, just wondering if I have to go away now and get the smartthings one now too :mad:

bk · 25-01-2018 11:46AM

GaryCocs wrote: »

Now looking at the Aeon Labs Multisensor 6, just wondering what hubs people recommend for this?

Have a hue and hive hub, just wondering if I have to go away now and get the smartthings one now too :mad:

You will need a hub that supports z-wave for this. SmartThings is probably the cheapest z-wave hub.

BTW What are you going to use this sensor for? If you need it for just lighting, then Hue motion sensors will do it without needing a new hub.

randombar · 25-01-2018 12:19PM

bk wrote: »

You will need a hub that supports z-wave for this. SmartThings is probably the cheapest z-wave hub.

BTW What are you going to use this sensor for? If you need it for just lighting, then Hue motion sensors will do it without needing a new hub.

Moisture detection + raspberry pi + SonOff = Auto bathroom fan turning on, that's the plan anyways . . .

Have one for lighting in that bathroom already (Dims to nothing for the midnight trips) but can swap that out.

bk · 25-01-2018 01:56PM

GaryCocs wrote: »

Moisture detection + raspberry pi + SonOff = Auto bathroom fan turning on, that's the plan anyways . . .

Have one for lighting in that bathroom already (Dims to nothing for the midnight trips) but can swap that out.

Ah, cool idea. I didn't know it had a humidity sensor, nice

You'll have to double check if SmartThings supports humidity for this sensor and that it will do what you want it to do.

BTW another option might be a Z-wave usb stick and Home Assistant on the Raspberry Pi. Avoid the need for SmartThings then.

randombar · 25-01-2018 02:21PM

bk wrote: »

Ah, cool idea. I didn't know it had a humidity sensor, nice

You'll have to double check if SmartThings supports humidity for this sensor and that it will do what you want it to do.

BTW another option might be a Z-wave usb stick and Home Assistant on the Raspberry Pi. Avoid the need for SmartThings then.

That does sound like a better idea, z-wave usb stick recommendations? I see the Aeotec one but pricey enough.

Danbo! · 25-01-2018 02:30PM

– Nest for heating and hot water
– A few strategically placed Hue bulbs, more for security and convenience (all plain white) hooked into IFTTT for scheduling. Previous owners fitted light fittings in most rooms that have 6-8 bulbs each, hueing up the whole house would bankrupt me
– Ring Doorbell - some minor issues such as the odd missed motion alert, but for the most part seem to be doing well after reading reviews online
– Google Home in the kitchen, mostly a glorified radio/spotify machine. Sometimes used for heating/lights but Siri on the Apple Watch is a little easier to summon without interrupting music.

Considering hue led strips motion activated for under bed lighting and under kitchen cabinets - 3 x 8 bulb fittings in the kitchen currently, all GU-10s - think I need a new kitchen

bk · 25-01-2018 02:48PM

GaryCocs wrote: »

That does sound like a better idea, z-wave usb stick recommendations? I see the Aeotec one but pricey enough.

Sorry, I've no experience of any of them.

THE ALM · 25-01-2018 03:19PM

GaryCocs wrote: »

That does sound like a better idea, z-wave usb stick recommendations? I see the Aeotec one but pricey enough.

I see this one as listed to work with HA

randombar · 27-01-2018 11:03AM

Anyone have any recommendations for a cheap oil level reader? Thinking of a pi solution but out of the box obviously easier

garion · 27-01-2018 12:34PM

GaryCocs wrote: »

Anyone have any recommendations for a cheap oil level reader? Thinking of a pi solution but out of the box obviously easier

OilPal works well for me...

randombar · 27-01-2018 08:06PM

garion wrote: »

OilPal works well for me...

100 pounds isn't bad I guess, wonder if the raspberry pi version is actually accurate:

https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=83808

https://www.modmypi.com/blog/hc-sr04-ultrasonic-range-sensor-on-the-raspberry-pi

http://www.raspberry-pi-geek.com/Archive/2014/07/PHP-on-Raspberry-Pi

Metric Tensor · 28-01-2018 02:42PM

GaryCocs wrote: »

Now looking at the Aeon Labs Multisensor 6, just wondering what hubs people recommend for this?

I have one of these. It's a great bit of kit.

I use it with a raspberry pi and home assistant. I have an aeotec usb dongle for z wave too. Fibaro also do a battery only multi-sensor and it's very good but does not measure relative humidity. Its a bit neater looking than the Aeon one. Oomi also make a mulitsensor which has the exact same hardware as the Aeon one but a different firmware which caused me tremendous problems during set up.

P.S. - I have used a Fibaro Z Wave switch as opposed to the WiFi Sonoff one and it's brilliant. It's not cheap though. Have two more in the box to use on the central heating system as soon as I can get the electrician around.

Wossack · 29-01-2018 01:15AM

GaryCocs wrote: »

Moisture detection + raspberry pi + SonOff = Auto bathroom fan turning on, that's the plan anyways . . .

Have one for lighting in that bathroom already (Dims to nothing for the midnight trips) but can swap that out.

aeotek multisensor over kill for this imo - check out the xiaomi temp/humidity sensors

randombar · 29-01-2018 09:59AM

Wossack wrote: »

aeotek multisensor over kill for this imo - check out the xiaomi temp/humidity sensors

Nice one, with the multisensor I can get rid of the activity sensor too though so I can have activity for the lights and humidity for the shower.

randombar · 29-01-2018 10:22PM

Can the Samsung sensor work without the
Hub? I.e. direct to pi

bk · 29-01-2018 11:23PM

GaryCocs wrote: »

Can the Samsung sensor work without the
Hub? I.e. direct to pi

I don't know, but I can tell you that it uses Zigbee if that is any good to you. You would at least need a zigbee usb dongle for the pi.

randombar · 30-01-2018 10:37AM

There's a guy on donedeal selling samsung smart things hubs and sensors for those that are interested.

https://www.donedeal.ie/adview/view/17550431

No affiliation obviously, I was just onto him about sensors and the likes.

Q: What phones do people have on this thread? Am I talking to an android world? Currently have the iPhone 10 but since the move to google home I'm seriously considering the move to oneplus/pixel.

Q: Any decent home security replacements yet? Looking at the samsung door sensors but since I've an old alarm wired up it would be great to do something with this.

AndyBoBandy · 30-01-2018 10:39AM

iPhone user here since 2010, so any/everything smart I have is iOS

bk · 30-01-2018 11:04AM

iPhone myself. I find all this stuff works very well with iPhone. In fact I find most of it works better on iPhone. The one exception is native Google Assistant on Android phones, but in terms of apps, etc. they tend to be a lot better on iPhone (e.g. iConnectHue, etc.).

On the security thing, there aren't really any decent security replacements in the Irish/UK market yet. Lots of interesting stuff out or just coming out in the US at the moment which I'd guess will make their way over here over the next year or so.

BobbyT28 · 30-01-2018 04:35PM

iPhone 8 Plus user and an Apple user since 2009 on and off, I always comeback to Apple!!:D

I find I have no issues since moving to IOS and as BK said above, I find IOS works better with most of the apps.

randombar · 30-01-2018 05:46PM

Surprised with the results. I thought there would be more Android with the google home trend on this thread also thought geofencing and getting and the phone itself would be more beneficial (Making calls, finding phone etc.)

The high horse brigade · 30-01-2018 06:49PM

Android user here. Unlike the iPhone users we're not compelled to tell you we have one ðŸ˜‚

I had an iPhone 6 for work, don't think the home automation stuff is any better on it other than iConnecthue, but all4hue on android is doing the same thing for me.

BobbyT28 · 30-01-2018 07:00PM

The high horse brigade wrote: »

Android user here. Unlike the iPhone users we're not compelled to tell you we have one &#55357;&#56834;

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

The high horse brigade · 30-01-2018 07:33PM

BobbyT28 wrote: »

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Was a joke, the laughing emoji didn't format correctly, no need for rolley eyes

bk · 30-01-2018 07:34PM

GaryCocs wrote: »

Surprised with the results. I thought there would be more Android with the google home trend on this thread also thought geofencing and getting and the phone itself would be more beneficial (Making calls, finding phone etc.)

I think it comes down to how dominate iPhone is in the US. As a result HA tech companies seem to focus on iPhone first and at best the Android app seems to be an after thought.

That is based on my observations of installing the apps on my iPhone and my OH's Android phone (Moto G5) of the various HA tech we have.

In general Googles software and services work extremely well on iPhone. I use Google Maps, Mail, photos, search, etc. on iPhone/Mac. Makes for a pretty nice combination.

Don't get me wrong, Android is mostly fine too, but you aren't really losing much by using iPhone either.

Got a Smart Home? - What's so Smart about it?

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