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Home Assistant waters my plants

finnian.io

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Re: Home Assistant waters my plants

#3
> I think I need more Zigbee repeaters to get a reliable mesh network, but to date I haven’t found any consumer-grade devices certified for use in NZ.

Since many devices are also Zigbee router (it's a mesh network after all), maybe some additional lightbulb for exterior would suffice ?

Re: Home Assistant waters my plants

#4

> I think I need more Zigbee repeaters to get a reliable mesh network, but to date I haven’t found any consumer-grade devices certified for use in NZ. Since many devices are also Zigbee router (it's a mesh network after all), maybe some additional lightbulb for exterior would suffice ?

Pretty much all mains powered Zigbee devices also act as routers in the mesh.

Re: Home Assistant waters my plants

#5

> I think I need more Zigbee repeaters to get a reliable mesh network, but to date I haven’t found any consumer-grade devices certified for use in NZ. Since many devices are also Zigbee router (it's a mesh network after all), maybe some additional lightbulb for exterior would suffice ?

Pretty much all mains powered Zigbee devices also act as routers in the mesh.

Exactly! I prefer the small power plugs that lets me control fans and other power systems as relays. Family has a habit if switching of light bulbs using light switches and i have not gotten the change approval to disable the physical switches in the house :)

Re: Home Assistant waters my plants

#6
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty much all mains powered Zigbee devices also act as routers in the mesh.

Exactly! I prefer the small power plugs that lets me control fans and other power systems as relays. Family has a habit if switching of light bulbs using light switches and i have not gotten the change approval to disable the physical switches in the house :)

For me the best solution was to use smart switches (mainly dimmers) and dumb lightbulbs. People can use the switches like any other if they want, but I can still have my automations and remote control.

Re: Home Assistant waters my plants

#7
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty much all mains powered Zigbee devices also act as routers in the mesh.

Exactly! I prefer the small power plugs that lets me control fans and other power systems as relays. Family has a habit if switching of light bulbs using light switches and i have not gotten the change approval to disable the physical switches in the house :)

I wouldn't recommend anyone to yank out physical controls for accessibility purposes.

Re: Home Assistant waters my plants

#8
I wanted home assistant compatible plant watering solution that works on a solar panel and does not require being connected to the water line and is Zigbee compatible. Unfortunately, I could not find any. So I did a DIY solution: a big barrel which I manually fill with water, a 12V pump (usually sold for camper vans), some rechargeable batteries, 10W solar panel, a solar charging controller, and Tuya ZG-2002-RF switch.

Re: Home Assistant waters my plants

#9
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty much all mains powered Zigbee devices also act as routers in the mesh.

Exactly! I prefer the small power plugs that lets me control fans and other power systems as relays. Family has a habit if switching of light bulbs using light switches and i have not gotten the change approval to disable the physical switches in the house :)

It seems like quite the hassle to have to pull out one's phone every time one enters or leaves a room just to turn on lights?

Let's hope you don't have to get to the bathroom quickly late at night...

Re: Home Assistant waters my plants

#10
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty much all mains powered Zigbee devices also act as routers in the mesh.

Exactly! I prefer the small power plugs that lets me control fans and other power systems as relays. Family has a habit if switching of light bulbs using light switches and i have not gotten the change approval to disable the physical switches in the house :)

I can recommend Shelly for light switches over smart bulbs. It's a relay that fits inside the wall switch with zigbee to sit between the light and the switch.
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