OT. HOME AUTOMATION

MaskedMarvel

danhoo said:

I've had TP-link / Kasa for couple of years and they are quite reliable. setting schedules with multiple off times ( off at 11pm, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm ) is worth it for the lights that get turned on and left on by the kids.

I have a number of smart plugs mostly for lamps. I put a smart plug on a less reliable wifi device so I could remote power cycle it with the smart plug.
I have three way switches, and you only need one TP-link to make it work.
I have a couple of the dimmers and they work well also.

I have a number of wifi enabled devices that I didn't want Alexa managing as I didn't want to deal with mistaken commands going to the HVAC etc.

for example:
[ME]: Alexa, turn up the TV
[Alexa]: OK, turning up heat to 80 degrees.
[ME]: Alexa, turn off the heat
[Alexa]: Did you mean Table Lamp

100%

there is a “language” you develop when talking to these things that makes everything work. 

I have certain Alexas action word as “Alexa.”
some are “computer.”
And I have one that’s “ziggy” - mainly because I think that mancave audio controller should be in outer space, man…

But! telling her to do **** gets creative. 

“Alexa, play the band “P-H-I-S-H” on pandora everywhere.” 

I frequently have to spell it out for her. 

Zones have gotten REALLY specific. I’ll see if I can throw a screen cap in here. I have “upstairs,” “downstairs,” “inside,” “outside,” ummm… you get the deal. 

Starting your home automation with REALLY specific zones will behoove you in the long run. Start with thinking long term. It’s way easier than redoing everything after the fact. 

Think basic. It’s a “bedroom.” Where is it? I have a “spare bedroom,” an “upstairs bedroom,” and a “spare room.” Etc… bathrooms, whatever. 

And I know I’m going way too into this,  but this works for me for lights, audio, and security. They all use the same language. So I can turn cameras on and off. Music or radio. Lights. Whatever. Super easy once I’ve gotten the language down. 

Sorry. I know this is somewhat outside your topic. 

fishlessman

opens refrigerator door

ALEXA turn on refrigerator light.

grabs beer....shuts door

ALEXA turn off refrigerator light

opens door....lights still on....damn ALEXA

i think i got this now

alaskanassasin

Though I can respect it, this is a long list of problems I didn’t know I had and impossibly complicated solutions and for that reason I’m out.  Fwiw I thought that is what kids are for, growing up, “turn on the lights, off the lights, lock the door, shut the garage door, haul in firewood, do the dishes, go outside and turn the tv antenna, change the tv channel” I think the key word was “NOW!”

paqman

My home is 100% smart/automated and that includes closets/storage areas.

Lutron Caseta is the way to go.  They are rock solid and I never had to reboot the bridge (on their own, they aren’t connected to wifi, you need a separate bridge/box to connect them to your network).  They use a proprietary bidirectional wireless protocol (you can also get status).  When you turn ON/OFF a dimmer, they automatically gradually turn ON/OFF.  The one thing to know is that they can be finicky with single bulb installations if you don’t use a bulb on their compatibility list but they have been working fine for me for multiple bulbs regardless of brand (but I am partial to Philips).  They have integration with all the major players (Alexa, Google, Apple Homekit).  I use Apple homekit exclusively.

As far as sensor goes, I am very happy with Aqara.  They have water leak, temperature/humidity, movement, vibration, magnetic door, etc… The sensors also need a bridge that relies on the zigbee protocol.  They also have curtain motors but I think that they connect directly to wifi.

If you want to use Homekit, you will need a homepod or Apple TV.  I am partial to homekit for privacy reasons but Apple messes up the updates at pretty much all major versions that they release.

Gulfcoastguy

A Roomba would probably be about the limits of my home automation because then at least the dryer lint wouldn't catch so much dog fur. I chose a dumb versus smart charger for my car since we don't have demand charges. I am considering a ring door bell so that I can see if I want to open it or who isn't picking up after their dogs.

saluki2007

Never understood the smart bulb thing for home automation . Just easier to buy smart switches. I understand if you are wanting color options but to buy a bunch of smart bulbs seems like to many weak links. I had my previous house controlled by C4 and everything was on a switch.  

Canugghead

paqman said:

My home is 100% smart/automated and that includes closets/storage areas.

Lutron Caseta is the way to go.  They are rock solid and I never had to reboot the bridge (on their own, they aren’t connected to wifi, you need a separate bridge/box to connect them to your network).  They use a proprietary bidirectional wireless protocol (you can also get status).  When you turn ON/OFF a dimmer, they automatically gradually turn ON/OFF.  The one thing to know is that they can be finicky with single bulb installations if you don’t use a bulb on their compatibility list but they have been working fine for me for multiple bulbs regardless of brand (but I am partial to Philips).  They have integration with all the major players (Alexa, Google, Apple Homekit).  I use Apple homekit exclusively.

As far as sensor goes, I am very happy with Aqara.  They have water leak, temperature/humidity, movement, vibration, magnetic door, etc… The sensors also need a bridge that relies on the zigbee protocol.  They also have curtain motors but I think that they connect directly to wifi.

If you want to use Homekit, you will need a homepod or Apple TV.  I am partial to homekit for privacy reasons but Apple messes up the updates at pretty much all major versions that they release.

You need to add some LaserPeckers to your home security system