[Official] Home Automation Thread

[Evilbear]

Thanks for your reply. How do you connect Aqara switches under Smartthings? I can't find it under the brand name. There is no Aqara in their supported brands in switches.


Read HWZ Forum Rules!

not officially supported, need to do it via custom device handlers. I have a recent video guide on that.

 

[tangle]

Anyone using outsmart wifi smart IR+RF universal remote controller ? Seems like able to control most stuff.

 

[quarkz]

I will recommend having them wired if you are already very certain of the placement of these cameras. Benefit of having them wired is of course you don't need to worry about charging the battery and no ugly cables sticking out. But you have to do in such a way that it is easy to replace the cameras should they go down one day. My personal recommendation is tplink for budget and arlo for branded.

Arlo really looks atas! But Tp-link also looks good, and more budget friendly

 

[scenium]

Arlo really looks atas! But Tp-link also looks good, and more budget friendly

Can try Eufy Security cam... Can work with Apple Homekit as well.

 

[comcrepe]

I’m using aqara d1 switches. Any idea where can I find resources on how to wire it?

youtube has a few videos on it. there is this youtube by the name of MADS who did a video on aqara wall switch installation.

but if you are hiring an electrician, they should be able to install it.

 

[bean9]

Are there any smart blinds that has a width of 3m+?

 

[Dexter71]

Hi Guys

There is tons of information here and I am beginning to absorb bit by bit. I like to have a smart home and will be starting renovation in Jan hence need to plan now.

I am looking mostly for automated processes for my smart home and minimise any voice activated commands.

For my purpose it will cover lights, ceiling fans, air con, ziptrack, curtains / blind, door smart lock and door bell camera security.

I think Aqara can cover lights for my purpose with usage of sensor and wireless switches.

As for aircon and ceiling fans, can the M2 hub cover aircon and have the ability to turn on / off with preset conditions?

As for ziptrack, I will be using the Dooya motor so I am not sure how I can incorporate that to Aqara hub. Any tips on this pls?

For curtains and blinds I will read on aqara, dooya, soma or somfy and find on the cleanest way to integrate with aqara hub.

Lastly for smart lock and door bell camera, what are the considerations pls?

I know it is a ton of stuff here but any help or inputs are much welcome.

Regards

 

[quarkz]

Hi, I'm tasked by a friend to help setup his smart home. He's living in a 3 storey terrace. I've asked some qns in the forums, watch youtube and read thru some articles. I would like to clarify some stuffs.

1. I'm using Android phone. For switches, I am using aqara ones. I plan to use SmartThings 1st as the hub. In the future, I'm thinking of transiting to home assistant. Is there any problem with this path?

2. I read that SmartThings's range is quite large so a 3 storey house shouldn't be a problem, is that so?

3. So for ceiling fan, aircon etc, I read that it can be controlled using IR/RF blaster etc. So I need 1 per storey? So thru the app, I can switch off all the fans with just 1 button press. I saw Alex recommending the SwitchBot and Broadlink RM Pro. So how should I choose which brand or model?

4. For SmartThings, is the server located in S'pore? And if internet down, the smart home will not longer work. Some ppl were talking abt using broadlink gateway as backup. Does it mean that I now use the broadlink app to control instead? But aqara switches can't be controlled thru broadlink, right?

5. I'm confused abt the app to use. If I just want to use 1 app to control everything (thru voice or button press), is that possible with SmartThings or home assistant? Is it their own app? Is there a need to integrate with Google?

6. Lastly, any recommendations for smart power socket or indoor camera? Esp for indoor camera, there are so many brands and model. I only have experience with Xiaomi camera a few yrs back.

Thanks for the help!

 

[katty91]

Actually if you decided on Aqara switches, you can use their hub and ditch the Samsung smartthings. Unless you plan to use other non Aqara devices apart from their switches.

I have Aqara switches and philips hue for my lights. For the bulbs, i have a mixture of philips hue, ikea tradfri and some third party hue compatible light strips i got from aliexpress as philips hue lightstrips are too expensive.

I'm mainly use iphonne and iPad so i have homebridge on a raspberry pi to have everything show up on homekit. you can consider home assistant if you are an android user.

For cameras, I'm eyeballing the Aqara G2 camera. Apparently, they can act as a hub and that might help to expand the zigbee range in your home.

BTW, i think Samsung don't make the smartthings hub anymore. It's now branded as aeotec

Yes I’m using g2h camera now. The range is as good as m2 hub just without IR found in M2 hub

 

[katty91]

Also,

mi control hub aka Xiaomi gateway v3 works too with the d1.

 

[ympalolxd]

Hi does anyone have any suggestions on smart light switch installers? Also any suggestions for light switch with no neutral wire? Looking at Moes on Shopee now.

 

[hellvolhardzelinsky]

I'm only planning to use 1 smart switch in my house. Is it worth to get an AQARA hub + 1 Smart Switch just to control that point?

Or would it be better to just go with Smart Light Bulb?

 

[katty91]

I'm only planning to use 1 smart switch in my house. Is it worth to get an AQARA hub + 1 Smart Switch just to control that point?

Or would it be better to just go with Smart Light Bulb?

Just going w bulb would mean ur switch is always on.

plenty of smart switches in the market for u to play with. My experience w tuya was bad, spoil after few months and adding capacitor is a pain

 

[ferbulous]

Hi does anyone have any suggestions on smart light switch installers? Also any suggestions for light switch with no neutral wire? Looking at Moes on Shopee now.

Pick moes switch that doesn’t need capacitor or neutral. That way you just replace the switch as is. Neutral wire is optional if you wanna have it act as zigbee router also

 

[genome84]

I think Dooya comes with "smart function"? U should try that if u need more seamless integration. Not sure what app they connect to thou.

Voice activated commands are the best. I tot it is a drag to use it initially but everyone in my family loves it. We use voice even though the switches are a few steps away.

For me, I brought normal dooya RF-controlled motor for my blinds and controlled it using Tuya hub- Smart Life app using the programmable remote function and use IFTTT to control using google assistant. I use Tuya Hub to control my aircon as well. Smart Life can be integrated with google assistants. Depending on ur remote control (IR or RF), you can't use Aqara to control RF remote.

For light switches and fans, I use Aqara. Even though i am controlling multiple items with diff app, I use google assistant to control all the items so it doesn't bother me if I have to do the initial setup using multiple apps.

I am using Xiaomi Pro lock. For that, I automate it with some Aqara switches to create scenes. The downside is that i can't control using google assistant but since it is automation, doesn't really affect me too other than i have to connect to a phone to use the camera function..

For the camera and door lock, you should buy something that can be integrated with your main choice of voice-activated app or display. My google nest hub can't be connected to my door lock and camera so it is always something that irks me.

 

[ferbulous]

Hi Guys

There is tons of information here and I am beginning to absorb bit by bit. I like to have a smart home and will be starting renovation in Jan hence need to plan now.

I am looking mostly for automated processes for my smart home and minimise any voice activated commands.

For my purpose it will cover lights, ceiling fans, air con, ziptrack, curtains / blind, door smart lock and door bell camera security.

I think Aqara can cover lights for my purpose with usage of sensor and wireless switches.

As for aircon and ceiling fans, can the M2 hub cover aircon and have the ability to turn on / off with preset conditions?

As for ziptrack, I will be using the Dooya motor so I am not sure how I can incorporate that to Aqara hub. Any tips on this pls?

For curtains and blinds I will read on aqara, dooya, soma or somfy and find on the cleanest way to integrate with aqara hub.

Lastly for smart lock and door bell camera, what are the considerations pls?

I know it is a ton of stuff here but any help or inputs are much welcome.

Regards

For smart lock, depends on your door lock type. I think most are using deadbolt
I’m eyeing the z-wave ultraloq bolt, for better integration with homekit thru homeassistant

 

[b0ib0ii]

Hi guys, I am using Aqara D1 switch throughout my house now. Successfully integrated with Google Home and recently I realized that in my Google Home app, the 'Turn on / Turn off' button is not showing under the lights group anymore. Can anyone with Aqara and integrated with Google Home help me confirm if there's any issues? Below is the photo:

 

[hellvolhardzelinsky]

Just going w bulb would mean ur switch is always on.

plenty of smart switches in the market for u to play with. My experience w tuya was bad, spoil after few months and adding capacitor is a pain

Yeah but I only have 1 smart switch in the whole house. Just thinking if it is worth to even put smart switch since I have only 1 smart switch.

 

[JayBeeLwashere]

Hi,
may I know if I want to control ceiling fan/tv at living room and standing fan/ aircon at master bedroom do I have to purchase separate rf/ir blasters for each room? And able to recommend cheap ones please thank you

 

[ferbulous]

Hi,
may I know if I want to control ceiling fan/tv at living room and standing fan/ aircon at master bedroom do I have to purchase separate rf/ir blasters for each room? And able to recommend cheap ones please thank you

Correct
1) easy option get broadlink mini or rm pro (rf devices)
2) diy option, esp32 + ir receiver/transmitter.
Advantage, can get input if ac turn/off/temp decrease if someone use physical remote + add additional sensors (humidy/motion/radar etc)

https://community.home-assistant.io/t/tasmota-mqtt-irhvac-controler/162915