[Official] Home Automation Thread

[Christopher86]

Anyone used Broadlink TC2 switch or Livolo Switch? Does it require to run a neutral wire?

 

[dduskk]

Hi.. anyone using a z wave compatible sound bar?

Sonos is compatible but I feel that the sound quality is not worth the price tag of $2600 (sound bar + woofer).

 

[shacboi]

What i saw online from sellers, broadlink Tc2 is one of the few dat doesn't require neutral wire.

Anyone used Broadlink TC2 switch or Livolo Switch? Does it require to run a neutral wire?

 

[shacboi]

are there any other light switch alternatives for alexa? wemo seems to be on 110v only.

if u r lookin for direct Alexa-controlled light switch i think not much, but u can explore having 'controllers' such as google homekit, broadlink rm pro which can control more devices which in turn you will linkup the 'controller' to Alexa.

 

[shacboi]

the lite version is a trial..use it to confirm that the integration works with Alexa then need to purchase the pro version..

the bridge/plugin is quite troublesome, but luckily right now using RM Pro IHC app can direct linkup to Alexa, eliminate the bridge/plugin. But there are limitation too.

 

[rubbadubbaducky!]

How to configure my gf to automatically make me a sandwich when I arrive at the door step?

Do I need to program any custom triggers?

 

[shacboi]

Hi,
I need help on this.

I got my Echo Dot and Broadlink RM Pro.

I plan to have my Echo Dot and broadlink pro placed in the living room.

Does this mean that my Echo and Broadlink can only be used in the living room?

If I wish to also have it control my bedroom'a aircon and lights, do I need another set of Echo Dot and Broadlink RM Pro?

Hello there, im also a user of broadlink RM pro with Alexa integrated.

the RM pro is IR+RF, for IR u need the device to be line-of-sight with your RM pro in order to work, as for RF it can controll rf devices in other rooms as long that is not so far away, within 10m shld be fine.

so if u want to also control ur bedroom lights and aircon, depending on where u want to control it from, u may need a 2nd alexa in the bedroom to listen to ur voice commands (unless u just want to shout to ur alexa in the living),

2ndly is i believe ur aircon remote is IR, which needs to be in line-of-sight with ur rm pro else cant work, but this can be solve by getting either another rm pro or the cheaper broadlink rm Bean mini (only have IR function).

3rdly, ur bedroom lights is it rf-controlled using remote? if yes, then u need to check the RF is it 433mhz/315mhz bcos rm pro only supports this 2 RF.
or u can get broadlink tc2 wall switch(for ur bedroom light switch) , it works via rm pro, so u know it will work with ur existing rm pro.

 

[shacboi]

I was wondering if harmony can control my fan lol.

Anyone any ideas?

our ceiling fan remote mostly are IR, therefore i think harmony should be able to control ur fan, provided it is in line-of-sight with harmony.

 

[YoYoMa88]

Share some pics lah.

If wifi down still can control?

Cost for curtains, aircons, lights and tv control?

 

[shacboi]

Is there any way to change Echo's device location to Singapore? So that it will report the correct weather..etc?

Managed to only change the timezone to Singapore so that it reports the correct time

currently timing we can choose 'shanghai, china' as it is same timezone as singapore.

but location-wise no luck, unable to tweak to Singapore yet. however u can just say ""check singapore weather"" for now. , i have a SG weather skill enabled.

 

[shacboi]

Guys just remember if u are replacing your light switches with an intelligent switch, u need to pull a neutral wire to it. Anything electrical to function needs both a live and neutral wire. Our regular switches only open and close the live wire circuit so there's no neutral wire to your switch.
If you wanna avoid cabling, u need an intelligent light bulb. But each bulb costs nearly the price of a switch. Also your regular switch should always be in the 'on' position if u wanna go the smart bulb approach.
Cos if u off ur main switch, the bulb has no power so u lose control of it.

i oso wun recommend having a controllable-bulb, rather control the wall switch, as of now i think in the market broadlink tc2 and livolo wall switchdoesnt require neutral wire, maybe can consider these.

 

[bullfrog]

are there any other light switch alternatives for alexa? wemo seems to be on 110v only.

I'm using the 110v wemo light switch at home. Bought from amazon. Have 7 of them. Had them for over 2 years already. No issues at all. Works perfectly with alexa and smartthings.

 

[daniel_83]

Bought 2 Google home mini to put in the rooms

Looking forward to buy the Max!

Sent from LGE LG-H870DS using GAGT

 

[shacboi]

Bought 2 Google home mini to put in the rooms

Looking forward to buy the Max!

how's the Google Mini ??
think Google is catching up with Alexa.

 

[bullfrog]

Share some pics lah.

If wifi down still can control?

Cost for curtains, aircons, lights and tv control?

Everything should be able to be controlled manually as well.

I have friends who see my home automation and after i tell them how the devices work will automatically laugh and criticise if wifi down, nothing works.
Then when i tell them if no wifi i can manually on/off my things as per normal, they will say why have a smart home then

Think they need to justify to themselves why a smarthome is unnecessary.

 

[shacboi]

Everything should be able to be controlled manually as well.

I have friends who see my home automation and after i tell them how the devices work will automatically laugh and criticise if wifi down, nothing works.
Then when i tell them if no wifi i can manually on/off my things as per normal, they will say why have a smart home then

Think they need to justify to themselves why a smarthome is unnecessary.

Yes, my wife oso ask the same, my reply is the same as yours, just manual override.

I intro my friend Alexa/RM Pro and guess they r not so keen on it too (however all of them have digital door locks except for me). Then the usual questions like if can manual why need auto?, if wifi down how?, i dunwan to waste $$ on it bcos its expensive (but they can spend money on non-HA stuffs which r more expensive).

So i think is really down to interest, it is easier to communicate to somebody with same interest in this area.

smart devices/setups are becoming more common, in near future maybe it will be part of the hse reno package by contractors i think.

 

[lvlaTr1X]

Hi guys,

I have fibaro working with RM pro via the IHC app. I am trying to get a scene to run via alexa (To turn off the light, which needs 4 press of the light switch), don't think its possible for the current IHC alexa integration?

 

[keigo22]

Yes, my wife oso ask the same, my reply is the same as yours, just manual override.

I intro my friend Alexa/RM Pro and guess they r not so keen on it too (however all of them have digital door locks except for me). Then the usual questions like if can manual why need auto?, if wifi down how?, i dunwan to waste $$ on it bcos its expensive (but they can spend money on non-HA stuffs which r more expensive).

So i think is really down to interest, it is easier to communicate to somebody with same interest in this area.

smart devices/setups are becoming more common, in near future maybe it will be part of the hse reno package by contractors i think.

same question go to got laptop then why need smart phone?
then got pay phone why need mobile phone?
Got public transport why need car?
Got cheap cloth why buy branded cloth all the material issit taken from mother earth?
so on and so for...

 

[shacboi]

Hi guys,

I have fibaro working with RM pro via the IHC app. I am trying to get a scene to run via alexa (To turn off the light, which needs 4 press of the light switch), don't think its possible for the current IHC alexa integration?

Alexa currently unable to detect IHC scene unfortunately. Im oso waiting for it to fix.

Right now you can use the alexa group to activate the few commands at one go, i setup a group in Alexa call 'living room' which i will ask Alexa to turn on. The 'living room' grp consists of on two standing lamps, on tv, on cablebox in livingroom.

 

[Tuakong]

Manage to integrate Harmoney Elite with Amazon Echo and Insteon.

The Harmony Elite open up a wide range of options since it can control most of my electrical appliances....

Wat appliances are managed by Harmony and Alexa?

I am trying to automate harmony and Alexa to switch cable channels
Dunno if it’s possible