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Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

home-assistant.io

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Re: Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

#101
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lutron devices don't form a mesh network, though? And a limit of only one range extender. And only 50 devices? http://www.casetawireless.com/Pages/faqs.aspx I'll stick with Z-Wave, even though it's not perfect. And it's true that there's some terrible Z-Wave hardware but there's also better (and pricier) gear.

I've tried both Z-Wave and Insteon, and have settled on Insteon. It forms a mesh network over both powerline and RF and it's been extremely reliable so far. With Z-Wave, I had quite a few range problems.

zwave is unfortunately VERY dependent on the devices you use.

If you get high quality devices across your whole network, it works great. It's fast, it's reliable, and it'll work over pretty long distances with the mesh networking stuff.

But even one shitty device can bring a whole network down, not to mention that you tend to gamble the first time you buy a device if you are gonna get a good one or not.

Things are MUCH better now if you stick to zwave-plus only as the zwave people are taking a much more "hands on" approach to ensuring that you can't sell garbage with the zwave name on it, and they've added a ton of really nice improvements to the system.

But unless you are just starting out it's gonna be tough to get a full zwave-plus network.

Re: Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

#102
post #92

Since this comment thread involved a lot of people talking about their smart devices, I’ll just put out a PSA: don’t bother with cheaper zwave light switches and dimmers :) if you’re looking for a high quality decent price option, just get Lutron Caseta. Or if you want higher end / better style, get Lutron’s RA 2 Select hub (basically Caseta++) for $100 more and then you can use Caseta dimmers or higher end Maestro d…

The range of the smart hub is what concerns me. I see you can buy the plug-in dimmer switch to extend, but only one is allowed per hub. Otherwise the reliability of Caseta is attractive. Do you also have the hub integrated with other things like a thermostat? I'm curious as to how that's working out.

Z-wave is designed to be repeated by any device with constant power. So door locks won't act as repeaters, but switches, plugs, light sockets, etc. will.

The home-assist docs link to this blog post [1], which is a great walk through on some common pitfalls when building a zwave network.

1. https://drzwave.blog/2017/01/20/seven-habits-of-highly-effec...

Re: Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

#103

I have a question for the home automation crowd. Are there any wifi switches (wall-wart style that don't need to be embedded in the wall) with an open spec or open source that I don't need a custom app with a weird protocol to talk to? I'd really like to wire up some automated switches but after days of research, found that just about every wifi-enabled switch requires some bullshit android app that requires phoning…

This doesn't answer your question but I've been reliably using 433Mhz rf outlets[0] with homebridge and now with homeassistant with millisecond response times using Siri or browser at almost 100% success rate for years. I'm using twelve of them, and adding another is just adding one line to my config file.

[0]https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Household-Appliances-Unlimit...

Re: Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

#104

I have a question for the home automation crowd. Are there any wifi switches (wall-wart style that don't need to be embedded in the wall) with an open spec or open source that I don't need a custom app with a weird protocol to talk to? I'd really like to wire up some automated switches but after days of research, found that just about every wifi-enabled switch requires some bullshit android app that requires phoning…

You're probably going to have a hard time finding consumer networked light switches that run on anything that isn't a wireless protocol. It's been a minute since I did any of this kind of work, but as I recall it, most US building codes forbid high-voltage (for residential values of the term, meaning ~120V wall supply) and low-voltage cabling from being run in the same conduits or boxes. That makes Ethernet and any other wired protocol (that isn't powerline) impossible, at least unless you're OK with risking your network cabling becoming live at mains voltage, and/or not getting a payout from your fire insurer if your house ever burns down.

In any case, good luck!

Re: Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

#105
This might be what I'm looking for, but the components page is broken. I need small, affordable temp+humidity sensors that multiple people can monitor via a web page or app. I did something similar years ago with a solution from a company called "One wire" and a lightweight PC interface, but it's pretty dated now and new components are tough to find. Any suggestions?

Re: Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

#106

I have a question for the home automation crowd. Are there any wifi switches (wall-wart style that don't need to be embedded in the wall) with an open spec or open source that I don't need a custom app with a weird protocol to talk to? I'd really like to wire up some automated switches but after days of research, found that just about every wifi-enabled switch requires some bullshit android app that requires phoning…

This doesn't answer your question but I've been reliably using 433Mhz rf outlets[0] with homebridge and now with homeassistant with millisecond response times using Siri or browser at almost 100% success rate for years. I'm using twelve of them, and adding another is just adding one line to my config file. [0] https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Household-Appliances-Unlimit...

Thanks! I actually have these already, I didn't even think they could be automated though. What do you use as the transmitter (I'm assuming you don't have a robot arm pressing the button on the remote ;))?

Re: Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

#107
post #4

This project is far and away becoming the standard for Home Automation. Incredible to watch over the last couple years.

I really wanted to love this project, but it had all sorts of odd problems with finding devices reliably. Had another weird issue where the "delay" had to be hacked in the config to recognize dimming properly.

I tried out HomeSeer and it has worked flawlessly. The downside is it is written in VB Script, yes you read that right so its nearly impossible to extend with your own plugins.

I really wish this project worked as reliably as HomeSeer so I can actually contribute and extend it. Maybe thats changed in the last year ?

Re: Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

#108

I have a question for the home automation crowd. Are there any wifi switches (wall-wart style that don't need to be embedded in the wall) with an open spec or open source that I don't need a custom app with a weird protocol to talk to? I'd really like to wire up some automated switches but after days of research, found that just about every wifi-enabled switch requires some bullshit android app that requires phoning…

You're probably going to have a hard time finding consumer networked light switches that run on anything that isn't a wireless protocol. It's been a minute since I did any of this kind of work, but as I recall it, most US building codes forbid high-voltage (for residential values of the term, meaning ~120V wall supply) and low-voltage cabling from being run in the same conduits or boxes. That makes Ethernet and any o…

I'm looking for something like this: https://www.amazon.com/RockBirds-Required-Function-Control-A...

Except, doesn't require a custom android/ios app. I do want wireless protocol, but once the switch is networked, I want to be able to control it without some middle-man app that is phoning home outside of my network.

Re: Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

#109
post #105

This might be what I'm looking for, but the components page is broken. I need small, affordable temp+humidity sensors that multiple people can monitor via a web page or app. I did something similar years ago with a solution from a company called "One wire" and a lightweight PC interface, but it's pretty dated now and new components are tough to find. Any suggestions?

Xiaomi Gateway + Xiaomi temperature sensor (it records temp and humidity). They have a bunch of other stuff like lights, switches, window/door sensors etc. Easiest way is to use Mi Home app, but you can also use Homebridge to have data in Apple Home (if you are a fan of that), or Home Assistant.

Re: Home Assistant: Open-source home automation platform running on Python 3

#110
I've been running Home Assistant for a while in Docker on my home NAS server. It runs great, is reliable, very scriptable, and so easy my wife can use it! I run it on my LAN without needing any additional online services and I VPN when away from home if I want to check anything out.
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