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SonOff Low Cost Wifi Switches for Home Automation

12467…15

Comments

  • #152
    GryKyo
    Registered Users Posts: 50 ✭✭GryKyo


    There is not normally any neutral where your light switches are placed in the wall. The neutral usually just daisy-chains from one light fitting to the next. It is important that the neutral that is used for the light switch is on the same MCB circuit as the line you switch with the Sonoff as using a line from one circuit and neutral from an other will almost always start causing nuisance tripping of your circuit breakers. 40mA current difference between live and neutral on one circuit breaker is all it takes.

    HTH

    Garry


  • #153
    durtybit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 384 ✭✭durtybit


    The Black Oil wrote: »
    Would be interested in this for the boiler. Wouldn't have a clue on the electrical side, though.

    Just added mine a good few weeks ago and placed the cables according (like for like) to the new positions on the Sonoff. Works great also integration out of the box works with Amazon echo. (All this for less than the price of a new heating timer)


  • #154
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    GryKyo wrote: »
    There is not normally any neutral where your light switches are placed in the wall. The neutral usually just daisy-chains from one light fitting to the next. It is important that the neutral that is used for the light switch is on the same MCB circuit as the line you switch with the Sonoff as using a line from one circuit and neutral from an other will almost always start causing nuisance tripping of your circuit breakers. 40mA current difference between live and neutral on one circuit breaker is all it takes.

    HTH

    Garry

    Thats why i suggest take off his switch first. I had my neutrals behind the switch. A bit odd i know but i asked a few and some say they shouldn't be there and some say it doesnt matter. It worked nicely for me. Im going to use a light switch to switch my heating because they look nice. Ii have just added a 5amp switched fuse spur to replace my existing one. Currently a sonoff basic is there.

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #155
    afatbollix
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,082 ✭✭✭afatbollix


    Is the server still down for people?


  • #156
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    afatbollix wrote: »
    Is the server still down for people?
    Working for me,

    Maybe try reprogram

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



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  • #157
    Dermobrickie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 91 ✭✭Dermobrickie


    If ur using a 2 or 3 gang switch how many neutral wires do u need?


  • #158
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    Dermobrickie wrote: »
    If ur using a 2 or 3 gang switch how many neutral wires do u need?

    Im not electrician and havent seen the 2 gang, There maybe pic online to tell you.

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #159
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    Here is a pic.. Looks like 1

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #160
    kenmc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭kenmc


    What I can see from pics is that you need a neutral and live to power the switch itself, and then the live is also switched through to the relays to control the lights . So for the 3 gang you would need 5 wires I think. A live and a neutral, and then 3 going to the live of each light or lighting circuit. Neutral for the lights themselves goes directly there.

    (I'm not a sparks, have ordered a switch to verify the above)


  • #161
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    kenmc wrote: »
    What I can see from pics is that you need a neutral and live to power the switch itself, and then the live is also switched through to the relays to control the lights . So for the 3 gang you would need 5 wires I think. A live and a neutral, and then 3 going to the live of each light or lighting circuit. Neutral for the lights themselves goes directly there.

    (I'm not a sparks, have ordered a switch to verify the above)

    yeah 1 neutral and live in.. and the rest live out. same as single switch

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



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  • #162
    kenmc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭kenmc


    lochdara wrote: »
    Thats why i suggest take off his switch first. I had my neutrals behind the switch. A bit odd i know but i asked a few and some say they shouldn't be there and some say it doesnt matter. It worked nicely for me. Im going to use a light switch to switch my heating because they look nice. Ii have just added a 5amp switched fuse spur to replace my existing one. Currently a sonoff basic is there.

    Hang on, they're only rated at 2A per gang according to
    https://www.itead.cc/sonoff-t1.html


  • #163
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    kenmc wrote: »
    Hang on, they're only rated at 2A per gang according to
    https://www.itead.cc/sonoff-t1.html

    I can reduce the fuse, Burner and pump only runs at 250 watt, thats around 1 amp. If it fails i'll swap it out. I have 2 arriving soon so i can do a quick test and see how it goes.

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #164
    JaCrispy
    Registered Users Posts: 628 ✭✭✭JaCrispy


    afatbollix wrote: »
    Is the server still down for people?

    Still down for me, cannot perform remote switching at all even though the sensors are reporting back fine.


  • #165
    CGI_3
    Registered Users Posts: 299 ✭✭CGI_3


    or 'network unavailable'

    Probably third time in the last week.

    You'd be wondering why.

    They say it is hosted on AWS.

    That has an ongoing cost. How's this paid for I'm wondering?

    Fair enough, they'll have factored in a cost on the initial purchase cost to us,

    But the AWS fees will always keep rolling in...


  • #166
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    EWELINK posted on facebook their servers are getting hammered with new devices so are implement more storage space.

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #167
    JaCrispy
    Registered Users Posts: 628 ✭✭✭JaCrispy


    lochdara wrote: »
    EWELINK posted on facebook their servers are getting hammered with new devices so are implement more storage space.

    Thanks.
    For reference : https://www.facebook.com/EWeLink-1194108247346790/


  • #168
    tweek84
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 341 ✭✭tweek84


    CGI_3 wrote: »
    or 'network unavailable'

    Probably third time in the last week.

    You'd be wondering why.

    They say it is hosted on AWS.

    That has an ongoing cost. How's this paid for I'm wondering?

    Fair enough, they'll have factored in a cost on the initial purchase cost to us,

    But the AWS fees will always keep rolling in...

    AWS fees will keep rolling in.....sonoff sell more and more devices you will probably see a subscription fee in the future when we become more dependent on them, i hope that doesn't happen but it would seem likely.


  • #169
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,984 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    tweek84 wrote: »
    AWS fees will keep rolling in.....sonoff sell more and more devices you will probably see a subscription fee in the future when we become more dependent on them, i hope that doesn't happen but it would seem likely.

    Thing is, for what they are doing, simple on/off commands, the amount of data and resources they are using are insanely small per device. Really no reason why it can't be built into the price of the device.

    Even €1 a year sub would be high for this.

    By comparison something like Google Home would use WAY more data and IP cameras like Logitech Circle would be another massive jump above that.

    It sounds more like that they simply didn't write their server software with scaling in mind. I'd guess they wrote it as just a single server and now need to update the code and configs to support cross server load balancing, etc.


  • #170
    getoffthepot
    Registered Users Posts: 746 ✭✭✭getoffthepot


    So based on the above posts if I have a tp link smart plug and set a schedule on it, it is dependant on the tp link server?


  • #171
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,984 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    getoffthepot wrote: »
    So based on the above posts if I have a tp link smart plug and set a schedule on it, it is dependant on the tp link server?

    I don't believe so. I can't guarantee it, but it looks like the plug itself has it's own server and it is using p2p between the app and the plug. I'd say they are only using the cloud servers for dydns and IFTTT/GH integration.


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  • #172
    getoffthepot
    Registered Users Posts: 746 ✭✭✭getoffthepot


    Thanks for the info. Are all sonoff switches dependant on a server?
    i.e. is the basic switch as would hate to end up with unsupported switch down the road!

    https://www.itead.cc/smart-home/sonoff-wifi-wireless-switch.html


  • #173
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    getoffthepot wrote: »
    Thanks for the info. Are all sonoff switches dependant on a server?
    i.e. is the basic switch as would hate to end up with unsupported switch down the road!

    https://www.itead.cc/smart-home/sonoff-wifi-wireless-switch.html

    They switch on and off manually in the house. You can customise firmware which many has done and get your own web interface. thats my next project so i dont have to rely in ewelink

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #174
    CGI_3
    Registered Users Posts: 299 ✭✭CGI_3


    SuperHouse #27: Visit to the Sonoff factory

    https://youtu.be/uZjZZKiKlNY


  • #175
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    This post has been deleted.


  • #176
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    Patww79 wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    you can turn on any device you like. i have one on heating and fridge that isnt used so much.
    lots of tutorials if you are any way ok with electrics. but the server may be offline. my kit is offline anyway tonight. they still work manually. look up superhouse on youtube.

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #177
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    This post has been deleted.


  • #178
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    Patww79 wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.
    you send commands via their app. To work on your wifi you will need to load a different firmware. That is more complicated but possible.

    Mine works with alexa no problem. you add the sonoff through alexa app. I even have a robot vacuum working through alexa..

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #179
    mcbobbyb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 242 ✭✭mcbobbyb


    Here's an update on the server issues.


    We'd like to give you some additional information about the service disruption that occurred in the European Union Region recently.
    The cloud server was deployed on Amazon AWS Germany since mid 2015. With the rapid growth of users and devices, the servers load are under high load.
    Upgrading the server and server shortly after the New Year holiday was planned. Unfortunately the server went down on 1st Jan, 2018.
    When the servers came online again 4 hours later, millions of devices request https connection?n at the same time.
    The servers were working under considerably high load. What makes it worse was the servers were under DDOS attack during these few days.
    We found some bugs that cannot be found under low load. Coordinate mechanism between the server and the devices should be upgraded as well.

    After been full tested, the EU server will be upgraded in Mid Jan.
    Come along with More powerful AWS servers, upgraded server architecture, improved attack protection, and better coordinate mechanism.

    Finally, we want to apologize for the inconvenient caused for our customers.
    We will do everything we can to learn from this event and use it to improve our availability even further.


  • #180
    kenmc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭kenmc


    If you reflash them with tasmota or espeasy, you're the master of your own destiny. And there's no worry about future subscription charges coming down the line


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  • #181
    JaCrispy
    Registered Users Posts: 628 ✭✭✭JaCrispy


    kenmc wrote: »
    If you reflash them with tasmota or espeasy, you're the master of your own destiny. And there's no worry about future subscription charges coming down the line

    Would tasmota or espeasy allow you to reprogram the function of buttons on the sonoffs? I'm specifically thinking about programming the R1-R4 buttons on the 4 channel switch to perform a 1hr boost function for my boiler.


  • #182
    CGI_3
    Registered Users Posts: 299 ✭✭CGI_3


    From:

    https://www.itead.cc/blog/explanation-on-service-disruption-on-eu-region/
    "Jerry Shi Mod • 6 hours ago

    IFTTT and scene functions are temperately suspended, they will come back when the server architect upgrade is ready.

    In addition to the server upgrading, LAN control is under developing. Here is a small demo video."

    https://youtu.be/1pC-ovOfD_0


  • #183
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    kenmc wrote: »
    If you reflash them with tasmota or espeasy, you're the master of your own destiny. And there's no worry about future subscription charges coming down the line

    how difficult is it to build your own web interface and then integrate into amazon echo?

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #184
    kenmc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭kenmc


    Dunno about echo, but you can control tasmota switches using openhab which gives you a couple of different guis. Google home can talk to openhab using ifttt, presume Alexa similar


  • #185
    kenmc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭kenmc


    JaCrispy wrote: »
    Would tasmota or espeasy allow you to reprogram the function of buttons on the sonoffs? I'm specifically thinking about programming the R1-R4 buttons on the 4 channel switch to perform a 1hr boost function for my boiler.

    So you want the r1 button to latch for an hour say, to boost the heating?


  • #186
    mcbobbyb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 242 ✭✭mcbobbyb


    Is the only way to reflash them the solder and arduino route. Also can you do it to the plugs and bulbs


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  • #187
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    This post has been deleted.


  • #188
    kenmc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭kenmc


    mcbobbyb wrote: »
    Is the only way to reflash them the solder and arduino route. Also can you do it to the plugs and bulbs

    Initially yes, but then they can be done over the air for updates. Yes to plugs, think not for bulbs, but yes to bulb adaptor "slampher"


  • #189
    JaCrispy
    Registered Users Posts: 628 ✭✭✭JaCrispy


    kenmc wrote: »
    So you want the r1 button to latch for an hour say, to boost the heating?

    Yep


  • #190
    kenmc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭kenmc


    JaCrispy wrote: »
    Yep

    You'd need to rewrite the code in tasmota to have that behavior I think. Better to use something else to control the switch like openhab, then if you decide you want 2 hours or 1.5 hours it's a simpler change than having to reflash the sonoff


  • #191
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    Is there a way in sonoff using the th16 where i can set a schedule to turn on heating monday 5am to friday evening with a setpoint of 20 degree and at weekends leave it permanently on but reducing the setpoint to 16 degrees automatically.

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



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  • #192
    tweek84
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 341 ✭✭tweek84


    lochdara wrote: »
    Is there a way in sonoff using the th16 where i can set a schedule to turn on heating monday 5am to friday evening with a setpoint of 20 degree and at weekends leave it permanently on but reducing the setpoint to 16 degrees automatically.

    Stringify and IFTTT might be able to do it for you, the th16 is next on my shopping list.:D i plan on doing similar so i hope it works for you


  • #193
    air
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,830 ✭✭✭air


    lochdara wrote: »
    Is there a way in sonoff using the th16 where i can set a schedule to turn on heating monday 5am to friday evening with a setpoint of 20 degree and at weekends leave it permanently on but reducing the setpoint to 16 degrees automatically.

    You might be able to use IFTTT as tweet84 has said but the TH version will be of no advantage to you over and above a regular SonOff if you do it that way.

    The Auto functionality in the TH versions is very limited, you select upper and lower temp ranges and the device switches on and off to maintain that. There's no timer functionality in conjunction with the auto functionality and no way to change the setpoints automatically.


  • #194
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    air wrote: »
    You might be able to use IFTTT as tweet84 has said but the TH version will be of no advantage to you over and above a regular SonOff if you do it that way.

    The Auto functionality in the TH versions is very limited, you select upper and lower temp ranges and the device switches on and off to maintain that. There's no timer functionality in conjunction with the auto functionality and no way to change the setpoints automatically.

    i better start learning more about ifttt

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #195
    tweek84
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 341 ✭✭tweek84


    lochdara wrote: »
    i better start learning more about ifttt

    Don't research IFTTT too much, just use it to use stringify you can use that to set your timers to to turn on and off your heating at set times with stringify.


  • #196
    tweek84
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 341 ✭✭tweek84


    Have a look at this

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=105501324

    It solved my problem with lack of timers on the sonoff units


  • #197
    lochdara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭lochdara


    Thanks.. I'll look at that. I never heard of stringify. Something new to play with too.

    ______________________________________________________

    Currently fundraising for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

    In Memory of my fab Wife www.sinsin.ie



  • #198
    mcbobbyb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 242 ✭✭mcbobbyb


    Can the th 10 or 16 connected to the mains and powered be used to switch other devices through Wi-Fi rather than having a load after the device.


  • #199
    air
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,830 ✭✭✭air


    You'll have to have another go at that mcbobbyb, not sure what you're asking.


  • #200
    mcbobbyb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 242 ✭✭mcbobbyb


    I think it can be used to switch other smart devices on and off. So say you set the temperature to 20 and that will switch on x or y. I Don't want it just to switch on a bulb that is hard wired into the th10 itself.


  • #201
    air
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,830 ✭✭✭air


    Yes you can do that no problem using a scene. Another device can be triggered if the temperature is above or below a set value.
    You could probably use the standalone sensor instead though, might be a bit easier to locate and wire up.


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