[Official] Home Automation Thread

[dareaper]

Updated my aqara m2 hub, and suddenly realized all my devices (switches) on alexa are "unresponsive". Can still be toggled via aqara home app though.

 

[dareaper]

Updated my aqara m2 hub, and suddenly realized all my devices (switches) on alexa are "unresponsive". Can still be toggled via aqara home app though.

Did nothing and seems to be working now. Maybe a server issue.

 

[klutch]

Excuse my noob question here. only recently tried to jump into the smart home pit..

I have Moes zigbee switches to control lights/fans and Somfy zipblinds installed around my home that's imported to Google Home.
Will like to create automation such that when no one is in the house, lights off and blinds close. However if someone is in the house, do nothing.

I tried using the Google home presence aware thing but it seems to only able to control lights. Is there a way i can also include my blinds, fans etc?
Also, I have a cheap Sony Android TV. Whenever i tell Google Assistant to turn off the tv, it responded okay but the TV is still on. I've to go open up the "remote" option in google home to manually turn it off..

 

[scenium]

Guys, I just gotten the Aqara M2 Hub and Aqara D1 Rocker switch to replacement my conventional switch. So far, i am using Aqara with Homekit which i tested it to be working well. Some question thinking to ask the experts here.

1. Can i add another hub since i feel that it with 1 hub and placing it beside my router on my TV Console, it seems like the signal at my master bedroom is abit weak

2. If i cannot add another hub, what is the solution to overcome the weak signal?

3. Can Aqara work with SmartThing? I presume it cannot be done since the app do not support Aqara?

4. Can the Aqara M2 hub be added into Mijia app?

 

[Hockster123]

Hi all,

Does anyone here who owns the Mitsubishi Starmex aircon and managed to control it via an app?

I saw Mitsubishi aircons in Australia can hook up with an Wifi adaptor but not sure if our Starmex can do the same. It doesn't look like it though. I couldn't find any mention of it on the Singapore website.

The solutions I have found so far involves using an Wifi controlled IR controller which emulates the aircon remote. But the thing is that transmits only, I won't know the status of the aircon, for eg. if it's even on or off.

Any suggestions or feedback welcome!

 

[Sunxperous]

Hi all,

Does anyone here who owns the Mitsubishi Starmex aircon and managed to control it via an app?

I saw Mitsubishi aircons in Australia can hook up with an Wifi adaptor but not sure if our Starmex can do the same. It doesn't look like it though. I couldn't find any mention of it on the Singapore website.

The solutions I have found so far involves using an Wifi controlled IR controller which emulates the aircon remote. But the thing is that transmits only, I won't know the status of the aircon, for eg. if it's even on or off.

Any suggestions or feedback welcome!

Ok I signed up to reply. If there have not been any new Starmex models with Wi-Fi in the past year, the only Wi-Fi module is via third-party that has an app (com.fermax.vida.cool on Android). You can read my review on Play Store (2020 Dec), and if you think it's still useful I don't mind selling my set to you. I did stop using it after a month (mainly because I moved), but I don't expect that the app got any better.

 

[dareaper]

Hi all,

Does anyone here who owns the Mitsubishi Starmex aircon and managed to control it via an app?

I saw Mitsubishi aircons in Australia can hook up with an Wifi adaptor but not sure if our Starmex can do the same. It doesn't look like it though. I couldn't find any mention of it on the Singapore website.

The solutions I have found so far involves using an Wifi controlled IR controller which emulates the aircon remote. But the thing is that transmits only, I won't know the status of the aircon, for eg. if it's even on or off.

Any suggestions or feedback welcome!

I can control my starmex with aqara m2 hub via the IR blaster. Status is reflected in the Aqara app, i.e. i can tell if it's on-off, and can adjust the temperature and fan speed. The shifting of the louver doesn't seem to work via the aqara app though.

 

[LiLAsN]

Hi all,

Does anyone here who owns the Mitsubishi Starmex aircon and managed to control it via an app?

I saw Mitsubishi aircons in Australia can hook up with an Wifi adaptor but not sure if our Starmex can do the same. It doesn't look like it though. I couldn't find any mention of it on the Singapore website.

The solutions I have found so far involves using an Wifi controlled IR controller which emulates the aircon remote. But the thing is that transmits only, I won't know the status of the aircon, for eg. if it's even on or off.

Any suggestions or feedback welcome!

You better ask for the opinions of the installers. They will recommend you not to add the aircon adaptors. It will open a new can of worms for you. Issues may pop up like PCB failure issues of the WiFi adaptor and so on.
Not to mention, their apps can be quite clunky and dumb. No triggers based on temperature and so on. It's just a glorified phone controller.

So it is recommended to go for the Home Automation route. Something like the Broadlink RM Pro 4 which has the temperature sensor. This way, you can trigger your aircon using IR just like your remote but at the same time, it allows you to do cooler things like setting a temperature of when to trigger the aircon to turn on while you sleep while turning off your fan temporarily. Then once the temperature is cold enough or the aircon is turned on for several minutes, you can have the automation to turn the aircon off and then turn your fan back off automatically. Without you having to wake up and do it manually because you feel hot. That's what I do with my home automation. I've changed air conditioning brands from LG to Daikin and now to Toshiba and I don't have to buy a new Home Automation device because the Broadlink will just work with any device since it can record your remote button presses and it has a long list of database of remotes as well.
It can also send Radio Frequency signals which is what my Fanco ceiling fans use. So my 1 Broadlink hub in my bedroom can send the RF signal all the way to the other far end of my house, basically throughout my whole house to control the ceiling fans. All from that 1 hub. A lot more cost saving and way cheaper as it doesn't exceed even $100 as compared to the WiFi adaptors which costs way more than $100 for sure.

 

[batniss]

You better ask for the opinions of the installers. They will recommend you not to add the aircon adaptors. It will open a new can of worms for you. Issues may pop up like PCB failure issues of the WiFi adaptor and so on.
Not to mention, their apps can be quite clunky and dumb. No triggers based on temperature and so on. It's just a glorified phone controller.

So it is recommended to go for the Home Automation route. Something like the Broadlink RM Pro 4 which has the temperature sensor. This way, you can trigger your aircon using IR just like your remote but at the same time, it allows you to do cooler things like setting a temperature of when to trigger the aircon to turn on while you sleep while turning off your fan temporarily. Then once the temperature is cold enough or the aircon is turned on for several minutes, you can have the automation to turn the aircon off and then turn your fan back off automatically. Without you having to wake up and do it manually because you feel hot. That's what I do with my home automation. I've changed air conditioning brands from LG to Daikin and now to Toshiba and I don't have to buy a new Home Automation device because the Broadlink will just work with any device since it can record your remote button presses and it has a long list of database of remotes as well.
It can also send Radio Frequency signals which is what my Fanco ceiling fans use. So my 1 Broadlink hub in my bedroom can send the RF signal all the way to the other far end of my house, basically throughout my whole house to control the ceiling fans. All from that 1 hub. A lot more cost saving and way cheaper as it doesn't exceed even $100 as compared to the WiFi adaptors which costs way more than $100 for sure.

depends also. At my current house, using broadlink triggers all of the aircon at a go - that's how bad the wall partition are.

If your rooms and broadlink are properly positioned, you will be ok. Mine arent.

 

[LetterL]

hi all, I'm currently looking to dive into making my home smart. Its a BTO and I have pulled neutral to all my switches beforehand.
question:
1) is aqara the most simplest solution? eg: all aqara switch with M2hub
2) what switch should I use to replace heater switch, does aqara have any swtich that lights up when its turn on?
3) what is the difference between D1, E1 and H1. this confused me slightly.
4) I have pre-purchase some Switchbot using Alex's promo code (Thanks alex). Would it be easy to set up some schedule in google home via my aqara switches to my switchbot?
5) If I were to use a ST hub does it mean I wont need any other hubs anymore? eg:switchbot hub/aqara hub

I thank you all in advance for those who will answer me.

 

[ferbulous]

hi all, I'm currently looking to dive into making my home smart. Its a BTO and I have pulled neutral to all my switches beforehand.
question:
1) is aqara the most simplest solution? eg: all aqara switch with M2hub
2) what switch should I use to replace heater switch, does aqara have any swtich that lights up when its turn on?
3) what is the difference between D1, E1 and H1. this confused me slightly.
4) I have pre-purchase some Switchbot using Alex's promo code (Thanks alex). Would it be easy to set up some schedule in google home via my aqara switches to my switchbot?
5) If I were to use a ST hub does it mean I wont need any other hubs anymore? eg:switchbot hub/aqara hub

I thank you all in advance for those who will answer me.

1) generally all are simple & straightforward now (includes tuya, sonoff). if you want fully local control, go for homeassistant, which requires some learning curve
2) not sure about aqara, but other brand got, i think someone mentioned can integrate tuya somehow to mihome
5) each hub is proprietary. on homeassistant, can just use cheap esp32 to control any switchbot around the house at any location.

 

[LetterL]

1) generally all are simple & straightforward now (includes tuya, sonoff). if you want fully local control, go for homeassistant, which requires some learning curve
2) not sure about aqara, but other brand got, i think someone mentioned can integrate tuya somehow to mihome
5) each hub is proprietary. on homeassistant, can just use cheap esp32 to control any switchbot around the house at any location.

thank you so much for ur reply! i will do abit of research on homeassistant

 

[wishxtreme]

Recently i came across Orvibo smart switches which is similar to Aqara. Very interested in the new Aqara S1 digital switch. Anyone has install the S1 in their home?
Wondering if the dimmer and the changing of light colour function can be compatiable with other brands of lights? I saw the demo of Orbivo which they use the function to control magnetic light strips.. thanks

 

[wishxtreme]

Hi all,

Does anyone here who owns the Mitsubishi Starmex aircon and managed to control it via an app?

I saw Mitsubishi aircons in Australia can hook up with an Wifi adaptor but not sure if our Starmex can do the same. It doesn't look like it though. I couldn't find any mention of it on the Singapore website.

The solutions I have found so far involves using an Wifi controlled IR controller which emulates the aircon remote. But the thing is that transmits only, I won't know the status of the aircon, for eg. if it's even on or off.

Any suggestions or feedback welcome!

you can use Sensibo to control your aircon. It has the same exact function as your remote and add it to your home automation.

 

[ferbulous]

Excuse my noob question here. only recently tried to jump into the smart home pit..

I have Moes zigbee switches to control lights/fans and Somfy zipblinds installed around my home that's imported to Google Home.
Will like to create automation such that when no one is in the house, lights off and blinds close. However if someone is in the house, do nothing.

I tried using the Google home presence aware thing but it seems to only able to control lights. Is there a way i can also include my blinds, fans etc?
Also, I have a cheap Sony Android TV. Whenever i tell Google Assistant to turn off the tv, it responded okay but the TV is still on. I've to go open up the "remote" option in google home to manually turn it off..

Did you install Moes Smart fan controller as well?
I got a humming sound when the fan turned on.

 

[ferbulous]

Hi all,

Super new to smart home automation, do excuse the rookie questions!

Not planning to do anything super crazy, just
- A bunch of smart light switches - rocker type (eg Tuya)
- A couple of smart water heater switches
- Environment is 2 levels, with Unifi APs on both levels

I was aiming to avoid needing a Zigbee hub, and go WIFI only, but design options for switches are quite limited.
Question:
a) For the no-neutral required switches, many requires a capacitor wired at the bulb/light fixture.
b) So if I have 1 switch that controls 3 downlights, which downlight should the capacitor be wired to?


And as I'm reading more about the Zigbee hub, I might have read myself into a corner and got myself confused.
Question:
1. I can get a Zigbee hub, and place that near my router, correct? Location of router is at front of house, near TV console. (If I select a wireless hub, i can place it anywhere. But I'd like to hide the hub)
2. Because the hub is not centrally located, it may not reach the upper level.
3. So best to get another hub, correct? If yes, I plan to place the 2nd hub at the upper level. (or maybe even a 3rd, at the rear of the house)
4. For the additional 2nd/3rd hub, does it need to link to the first hub? If so, is it via WIFI?
5. Can I conceal the 2nd/3rd hub? Eg place it in on the plaster ceiling?
6. Or am I overthinking this, and 1 hub is really all that is required? Layout is around 6m x 15m


Thanks for your patience!

1. Doesn’t have to be close, as long as within range.
3. Optionally get zigbee switch (with neutral), or zigbee power plug that acts as zigbee repeater

for the capacitor:
1) need to be installed on L1
2) now got moes switch with no neutral & no need capacitor. However this can’t act as zigbee repeater but someone mentioned it still can (when checking zigbee2mqtt maps apparently)

 

[Scorpion10]

Hi,
I followed Alex Teo video to set up smartthings hub with aqara switches. I cannot get it to work. It keep appearing connected
But it is under smartthings. Any idea what I did wrong.

 

[Scorpion10]

Hi,
I followed Alex Teo video to set up smartthings hub with aqara switches. I cannot get it to work. It keep appearing connected
But it is under smartthings. Any idea what I did wrong.

I did hard reset twice and did the repo from GitHub. Still cannot get the aqara switches to work with st

 

[comcrepe]

Hi,
I followed Alex Teo video to set up smartthings hub with aqara switches. I cannot get it to work. It keep appearing connected
But it is under smartthings. Any idea what I did wrong.

actually why do you need the smart things hub? Can just get the aqara hub.

 

[ho_kuku]

Anyone here running home assistance with aqara products? Was setting it up tedious? Am thinking of doing so - just not sure if it is worth the effort