[Official] Home Automation Thread

[youcantstopme]

any homey users can comment on whether the IR function works well?

 

[shacboi]

Cool. Will try the setup and see how. Any recommendation to buy the devices cheaper?

Yea, let us know the outcome!

I buy the RM Pro from Carousell user, around S$35-40.

you can try Shopee or Carousell app.

 

[Hellotherethere]

Anyone tried the broadlink tc2 light switch?
How is it?

Yea, let us know the outcome!

I buy the RM Pro from Carousell user, around S$35-40.

you can try Shopee or Carousell app.

 

[Hellotherethere]

Saw the video, is there a hack to let rm pro work with Alexa for "non-tv" device?

I only use Echo Dot (Alexa) before, guess i pretty much like it , for comparison with Google Mini mayb u can refer to this article ( digitaltrends.com/home/google-home-mini-vs-amazon-echo-dot/ ).

Broadlink RM pro (relatively cheap) right now can be controlled with 2 apps, e-remote and the newer IHC. Only IHC is directly compartible with Alexa BUT only the 'TV remote' template is recgonised by Alexa as of now, so you need to do some 'tweaks/hacks' to make it work with Alexa. Videos can be found on youtube such as ( youtube.com/watch?v=6qGGW8hcgOA ) Besides this, i think RM pro is quite value for it's price, as it is IR + RF (433/315mhz).

Generally TV remote, cablebox remote, ceiling fan remote, aircon remote can be controlled using the RM pro. (all needs to be configured on the app as 'TV template' as mentioned earlier)

After which, use Alexa to discover the devices and then you can use the voice command to control.

for me, i oso bought some brandless RF sockets which uses 433mhz remote, therefore im able to use rm pro to control the sockets too. The sockets i used on wall switch controlling lik bedlamps, floor lamps, etc.

currently things i control using Alexa are, 2 rooms ceiling fans (speed & light), bedside lamps, floor lamp, TV remote, cablebox remote. Thinkin of adding Alexa to my bedroom so can do the pairing of group play music, stream from international channels from TuneIn. And also mayb in future change my wall light switch to broadlink TC2 switches so can use rm pro control too.

Hmmm.. Not sure what else u want to know on rm pro. Hope this helps!

 

[shacboi]

Saw the video, is there a hack to let rm pro work with Alexa for "non-tv" device?

Currently nope. The only way is by the 'tv template' for now, hope the ihc app developers can do sumthing bout it.

Meanwhile share another video on how to link non-tv devices as a 'tv' in ihc, youtu.be/Lg4HQhN5KXo


The ihc will be pretty 'messy' as u may need to create duplicate/similar templates for the ON & OFF buttons using same tv template though.

Wat i did was i still keep the e-Remote app and use it solely for app control if needed, configuring the respective devices lik socket to app socket template, tv to app tv template in e-Remote so when controlling still able to enjoy the relevant functions.

As for ihc, i setup more like a 'bridge' to use Alexa via it only, not used mainly for app control (although still able to).

 

[Hellotherethere]

Hi, so u have 2 sets of the switches in e control and ihc?

Currently nope. The only way is by the 'tv template' for now, hope the ihc app developers can do sumthing bout it.

Meanwhile share another video on how to link non-tv devices as a 'tv' in ihc, youtu.be/Lg4HQhN5KXo


The ihc will be pretty 'messy' as u may need to create duplicate/similar templates for the ON & OFF buttons using same tv template though.

Wat i did was i still keep the e-Remote app and use it solely for app control if needed, configuring the respective devices lik socket to app socket template, tv to app tv template in e-Remote so when controlling still able to enjoy the relevant functions.

As for ihc, i setup more like a 'bridge' to use Alexa via it only, not used mainly for app control (although still able to).

 

[shacboi]

Hi, so u have 2 sets of the switches in e control and ihc?

i maintain both the e-Remote & IHC app, so for example a RF socket controlling my floor lamp, and the RF remote is having separate ON & OFF button.

in e-remote, i will set it as the relevant socket device which the ON button in the app will be learning the code ON from RF remote, and OFF learn from remote OFF. when i want to use app control, i just use e-remote app as per normal.

in IHC, since we can only use 'TV template' (only one ON/OFF button) , therefore i created 2 'tv template', first one the ON button to learn the ON from the rf remote (give it a name floorlight 1), and second 'tv template' ON button to learn the OFF button from the rf remote(give it a name floorlight 2).

So when using Alexa, ur command will be 'Alexa, turn on floorlight 1' to turn on floorlight, or 'Alexa, turn off floorlight 2' to turn OFF the same floorlight.
That's the workaround for RM pro now.

however actually if u prefer to have only 1 'tv template' in IHC app for our example floorlight, u can still do it. Some people set the OFF button as 'mute' button on tv template instead.

So to turn on the floorlight, ur command will still be 'Alexa, turn on floorlight'(assuming u given it a name floorlight) , and to turn OFF the floorlight, ur command will be 'Alexa, mute floorlight', and it will OFF ur floorlight.

Hope this helps!

 

[Hellotherethere]

Did you change your light switch to broadlink tc2 light switch? Thinking of changing the switch instead of the Philips hue bulbs

i maintain both the e-Remote & IHC app, so for example a RF socket controlling my floor lamp, and the RF remote is having separate ON & OFF button.

in e-remote, i will set it as the relevant socket device which the ON button in the app will be learning the code ON from RF remote, and OFF learn from remote OFF. when i want to use app control, i just use e-remote app as per normal.

in IHC, since we can only use 'TV template' (only one ON/OFF button) , therefore i created 2 'tv template', first one the ON button to learn the ON from the rf remote (give it a name floorlight 1), and second 'tv template' ON button to learn the OFF button from the rf remote(give it a name floorlight 2).

So when using Alexa, ur command will be 'Alexa, turn on floorlight 1' to turn on floorlight, or 'Alexa, turn off floorlight 2' to turn OFF the same floorlight.
That's the workaround for RM pro now.

however actually if u prefer to have only 1 'tv template' in IHC app for our example floorlight, u can still do it. Some people set the OFF button as 'mute' button on tv template instead.

So to turn on the floorlight, ur command will still be 'Alexa, turn on floorlight'(assuming u given it a name floorlight) , and to turn OFF the floorlight, ur command will be 'Alexa, mute floorlight', and it will OFF ur floorlight.

Hope this helps!

 

[shacboi]

Did you change your light switch to broadlink tc2 light switch? Thinking of changing the switch instead of the Philips hue bulbs

i wanted to, but still waiting for 'approval' from wife cos is cosmetic change to hse liao.

think it is cheaper to use broadlink TC2 then philips lights, but i understand that broadlink TC2 doesn't have feedback, as in using the app unable to know whether it is currently ON or OFF, if that matters to u.

 

[shacboi]

Btw anybody tried purchasing amazon music unlimited before? Is it need us-registered credit card?

Tried with local credit card keep kana error say payment not same with country prompt.

 

[lazy666]

Btw anybody tried purchasing amazon music unlimited before? Is it need us-registered credit card?

Tried with local credit card keep kana error say payment not same with country prompt.

I tried with sg card and got rejected cos only avail for us countries...

Speaking about this, anyway to stream free music besides using amazon prime?

I saw somewhere can use tunedin

 

[shacboi]

I tried with sg card and got rejected cos only avail for us countries...

Speaking about this, anyway to stream free music besides using amazon prime?

I saw somewhere can use tunedin

ya, somebody update me that need us-registered credit card, even u manage to buy oso need VPN to stream as lik u mentioned, onli available in US. think give up.

u can use TuneIn, no need account, jus say sumthing like ''play [radio chn] from tuneIn'', e.g ''play jazz24 from tuneIn'' den can liao. TuneIn is mainly international radio channels.

if u want to select certain songs, or play from some bands, den u can try Sportify Premium acct, they having promo , 3mths subscription @ S$0.99 now, ( spotify.com/sg-en/premium/ ) quite good deal.

Or if u wan to subscribe to Amazon-Prime membership, den u will be able to access 2million songs online via their Prime Music which Alexa can utilise. the membership is USD$10.99 per mth i think. got annual package too.

 

[stussyking]

Anyone has experience with installing skybell ? It requires a transformer , looks complex.. Pardon me this is my first first into home automation

 

[bullfrog]

Anyone has experience with installing skybell ? It requires a transformer , looks complex.. Pardon me this is my first first into home automation

I'm using it. Bought skybell and doorbell chime from amazon and the low voltage transformer from RS components. Need to dig up the links to show you what I purchased.. Will update this post with them later.

Edit:
OK here's what I got..

I used this 16V AC transformer
https://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/plug-...upply/2304073/

And the wired chime is this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Since the chime looked so much like a lamp, I went sim lim tower and had them make me an led board that could fit under the chime's glass to light it up when I turn on my wall switch

Just plug in the V AC transformer into your wall socket and follow the wiring from skybell. I did all the running of wires myself.

The skybell comes with a built in battery but it's purpose is to address the problem of the really low power used by the door chime. It's not enough for the skybell so the low voltage charges the battery slowly and skybell runs off the battery.
The first day you set up skybell, it will be unstable. But that's cos the battery hasn't fully charged. Let it charge overnight before forming an opinion. My skybell only started operating fine for me the next day

 

[stussyking]

I'm using it. Bought skybell and doorbell chime from amazon and the low voltage transformer from RS components. Need to dig up the links to show you what I purchased.. Will update this post with them later.

Edit:
OK here's what I got..

I used this 16V AC transformer
https://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/plug-...upply/2304073/

And the wired chime is this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Since the chime looked so much like a lamp, I went sim lim tower and had them make me an led board that could fit under the chime's glass to light it up when I turn on my wall switch

Just plug in the V AC transformer into your wall socket and follow the wiring from skybell. I did all the running of wires myself.

The skybell comes with a built in battery but it's purpose is to address the problem of the really low power used by the door chime. It's not enough for the skybell so the low voltage charges the battery slowly and skybell runs off the battery.
The first day you set up skybell, it will be unstable. But that's cos the battery hasn't fully charged. Let it charge overnight before forming an opinion. My skybell only started operating fine for me the next day

ok thanks alot i will ask a fren to see if he can help me out on this lol

 

[YellowFellow]

Leviton Decora Smart switch (US switch for Singapore use?)

Guys, need advice.
I wanna buy the Leviton Decora smart dimmer switch for use in Singapore.
But they are using 120VAC, not sure what that means. Looks not compatible with our 220v?

My user case is for me to enter the living room, tell Google home to dim the lights. Simple and straightforward... don’t wanna spend too much.

Other suggestions very welcome.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4F487U/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

 

[Hellotherethere]

Any good wifi plug to recommend? For switching on power. Wanna know the status as well. Can match with Alexa or rm pro

 

[shacboi]

Smart Plugs

Any good wifi plug to recommend? For switching on power. Wanna know the status as well. Can match with Alexa or rm pro

Hi there, someone asked almost same question on other thread just now. haha.

if you lookin for a trustworthy brand, personally i think tp-link u can consider, i see quite a number of IFTTT app dat supports tp-link product, so ease of integrating with many forms of smart automation is there, works with Alexa. (although i hav yet to wait for my tp-link to arrive )

 

[Sausage]

where can we get the cheapest smart plugs?
i just need one so that i can ask alexa to turn fans on and off

 

[shacboi]

where can we get the cheapest smart plugs?
i just need one so that i can ask alexa to turn fans on and off

Try shopee or Carousell app.