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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

#131

Post by Lightbody »

bradfitz wrote: post #72
Lightbody wrote: post #54

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…

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.

Caseta is 50 devices. RA2 Select is 100 + 4 extenders and is backwards compatible with Caseta dimmers, so that's your upgrade path.

After that, you go with RadioRA 2 and an installer, which is no fun for DIY.

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

#132

Post by Lightbody »

bcrescimanno wrote: post #96
Lightbody wrote: post #54

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…

I’ve had the opposite experience. Just had a Caseta switch installed to control some LED recessed lighting. * the switch itself feels very flimsy and low quality. * dimming only sort of works. * the control is extremely laggy. Hit the buttons and wait up to a second before something happens. * sometimes, the lights just don’t turn on. I’ll watch the LEDs on the switch light up, and then turn off. And then try again.…

Strange. Definitely haven't had any of the lag issues or random on/off issues. Bummer.

The dimming could be two things:

1) The high/low trim may need to be adjusted, which is IMO way way easier on Lutron than others.

2) If you have LED bulbs, the brand makes a huge huge difference. FWIW I found that Parmida LED retrofit kits are the best, by far. No buzzing and dims down to 1% (most are 10%).

As for the buttons, I agree actually. That's the one thing I like about some of my zwave switches. BUT, even better than both are the Lutron Maestro buttons, which you can get for ~$125 if you go with RA2 Select (vs Caseta). They are really nice.

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

#133

Post by Lightbody »

wjp3 wrote: post #92
Lightbody wrote: post #54

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.

Range has been pretty solid for me, in a pretty good sized home. But you can also go with RA2 Select and get 4 range extenders, which should make it a non issue for most people.

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

#134

Post by Lightbody »

electrograv wrote: post #88
Lightbody wrote: post #54

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…

My problem with Caseta is all of Lutron’s smart switches have INDREDIBLY flimsy physical buttons. A $35 General Electric ZWave switch is actually pretty sturdy, yet paying 2x as much for Caseta gets a device that feels far cheaper. Lutron is generally considered a lower quality brand for their non-smart switches and outlets, and that does seem to apply to the physical build quality of their smart switches as well. An…

Flimsy isn't quite what I'd describe -- but I agree that the four buttons are clumsy and that my lower cost zwave buttons are nicer in some ways. But I haven't found any zwave switch that ties nicely into my wall plates as cleanly as Lutron dimmers.

My solution for when I want a really nice sturdy single button is Lutron Maestro dimmers, which are even nicer (but now 2X the Caseta costs).

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

#135

Post by my_usernam3 »

balloob wrote: post #34
kop316 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First, I wanted to say I really enjoy Home Assistant! I was wondering, how has development been since you have been with Ubiquiti?

Being paid by Ubiquiti to work full time on Home Assistant is awesome. I no longer work early mornings, late evenings and weekends. It has allowed me to start larger projects (user system, Lovelace) and able to break them down in smaller pieces that can then be picked up by both me and contributors. Still struggling a bit with finding the right work/life balance now that my hobby has become my job but it's going in t…

Try going the left direction. Way more fun.

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

#136

Post by prplhaz4 »

bradfitz wrote: post #72
Lightbody wrote: post #54

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…

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.

The two biggest drawbacks of Caseta for me were the vendor lock-in, and the cheap feeling switches.

With Z-wave you can pick your hub and devices. If things don't work how you want out of the box, chances are someone has already written the code you need for whatever hub you're using. If not, you can write it yourself.

I am currently using (and pretty happy with) all GE switches with SmartThings hub (soon Vera?), Schlage Locks, Visonic door sensors, Ecobee Thermostats and Harmony remotes for control/automation overrides.

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

#137

Post by clutchdude »

balloob wrote: post #7

Founder of Home Assistant here. Happy to answer any questions.

Not much to add other than thanks!

Home Assistant was a key piece of not having to fiddle with lights while moving to a living room to do an early morning feeding for a baby.

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

#138

Post by platz »

I wish automation platforms were language agnostic. That way you can mix scripting/programming langauges and take advantage of the libraries that exist in each platform. some vendors only release integration APIs in certain languages; they are hard to predict and also may not be the language you want to use for your backend logic, as opposed to your job logic.

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

#139

Post by snapetom »

alias_neo wrote: post #93

I've been using Home Assistant for a couple of years now. I won't go too much into what I use it for, there's a bunch of info about that, and the guys on the Discord have entire public repos full of all their cool automations (on Github). What I would share is that in the couple of years I've been running it, I've been through a dozen Sandisk and Samsung MicroSDs on my Pis _even though_ I was running my time-series d…

Man, so glad it isn't just me. I've had so many problems with my SD card corruption on my Pi/HA setup, it's ridiculous.

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

#140

Post by monocasa »

mv4 wrote: post #121
alias_neo wrote: post #93

I've been using Home Assistant for a couple of years now. I won't go too much into what I use it for, there's a bunch of info about that, and the guys on the Discord have entire public repos full of all their cool automations (on Github). What I would share is that in the couple of years I've been running it, I've been through a dozen Sandisk and Samsung MicroSDs on my Pis _even though_ I was running my time-series d…

Have you tried using special "high endurance" SD cards on your Pi?

"Industrial" is the keyword you want for the premo shit.
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