[Official] Home Automation Thread

[ferbulous]

I use it in a HDB environment and the coordinator in one bedroom works consistently with a scene switch that is at another corner of the house. YMMV as it depends on many factors like walls and interference with other 2.4Ghz devices.

Yes, I am using that Sonoff ZigBee 3.0 USB stick. I also use an USB extension cable to keep some distance between the ZigBee antenna and the RPi4's built-in antenna and metallic casing.

I also have Tuya WIFI devices that are using TuyaV2 integration on HA. So far, TuyaV2 is still very much WIP and simple things like switch status did not update properly until a few months ago. Waiting to see if the development would speed up with the official integration.

Bro, you switched to local tuya? Had some issues a few weeks ago when both tuya v2 & localtuya not responding yet can control using smartlife app.
Got frustrated and just transplant the tuya chip on the wifi switch with esp8266, now it works with no issues running tasmota

 

[ZigguratZ]

Hi guys,
need some advice from experts here.
Any one using SMATRUL WiFi Smart Wall Switch? Any idea it can be turn on manually as well?
Am thinking of replacing all my switches to smart switches and it seems much cheaper to get from shopee instead

https://shopee.sg/SMATRUL-WiFi-Smar...neutral-and-fire-line)-i.116701656.7738850523

 

[ferbulous]

Hi guys,
need some advice from experts here. Any one using SMATRUL WiFi Smart Wall Switch? Can it be turn on manually as well?

https://shopee.sg/SMATRUL-WiFi-Smar...neutral-and-fire-line)-i.116701656.7738850523

Yep, i have a few, works fine and you can pair with 433hz remote especially for the old folks.

 

[ZigguratZ]

Thanks, so if next time I decided to install google home to connect to those switches, it shouldn't be a problem right?
are they hard to install? not sure whether the electrician will kpkb or say they don't know how to install such switches.

 

[ferbulous]

Thanks, so if next time I decided to install google home to connect to those switches, it shouldn't be a problem right?
are they hard to install? not sure whether the electrician will kpkb or say they don't know how to install such switches.

The smartrul ones just need to install capacitor on the 1st gang lamp/lights. You can diy

 

[duran]

Bro, you switched to local tuya? Had some issues a few weeks ago when both tuya v2 & localtuya not responding yet can control using smartlife app.
Got frustrated and just transplant the tuya chip on the wifi switch with esp8266, now it works with no issues running tasmota

I use Yale locks with a z-wave module as well. Separate locks on gate and door but only the gate has z-wave. The gate "talks" to the door, I believe on its own proprietary RF433, to unlock when the gate is unlocked. One issue I have is that z-wave unlocking of the gate does not trigger the door to unlock as well.

I have not used the localtuya custom integration. Looking at the Github pages of these integrations, all of them have their own issues and quirks.

I also have DIY WIFI devices made with cheap ESP8266, ESP32 chips, PCB sensors and 3D printed parts. These are using ESPHome integration on HA rather than Tasmota since their configuration is mostly fixed. In my experience, they do work consistently when properly powered and placed within WIFI range.

 

[ferbulous]

I use Yale locks with a z-wave module as well. Separate locks on gate and door but only the gate has z-wave. The gate "talks" to the door, I believe on its own proprietary RF433, to unlock when the gate is unlocked. One issue I have is that z-wave unlocking of the gate does not trigger the door to unlock as well.

I have not used the localtuya custom integration. Looking at the Github pages of these integrations, all of them have their own issues and quirks.

I also have DIY WIFI devices made with cheap ESP8266, ESP32 chips, PCB sensors and 3D printed parts. These are using ESPHome integration on HA rather than Tasmota since their configuration is mostly fixed. In my experience, they do work consistently when properly powered and placed within WIFI range.

I use esphome for my wired sensors so far, you'd definitely need zigbee ones for wireless & long battery life. I wonder if the new esp chip with zigbee allows that in the future.
My yale lock already KO, z-wave nor keypad buttons unlock/locks it, just keeps beeping.
I pretty much just started transplanting esp, afraid i was gonna brick the board but looking good so far

Btw, if you were to flash esphome on wall switch with 1 or more gang, how do you determine which gpio pin control which relay/button? Seems like you need to write everything first in the config file

 

[batniss]

Thanks, so if next time I decided to install google home to connect to those switches, it shouldn't be a problem right?
are they hard to install? not sure whether the electrician will kpkb or say they don't know how to install such switches.

If they are qualified they will know how to do it. Is very straightforward.

If you are under reno, i will suggest doing neutral for your home. The switch although can be install via a non neutral environment having neutral ready opens to more possibilities.

Yes GH works directly after you linked it in Tuya/Smartlife

 

[duran]

I use esphome for my wired sensors so far, you'd definitely need zigbee ones for wireless & long battery life. I wonder if the new esp chip with zigbee allows that in the future.
My yale lock already KO, z-wave nor keypad buttons unlock/locks it, just keeps beeping.
I pretty much just started transplanting esp, afraid i was gonna brick the board but looking good so far

Btw, if you were to flash esphome on wall switch with 1 or more gang, how do you determine which gpio pin control which relay/button? Seems like you need to write everything first in the config file

My WIFI devices are all connected to mains power. Yup, ESPHome is configured through YAML config file and you have to flash it each time you change config. The good thing is that it supports OTA flashing. Most of the time I only need to flash first time over USB cable configured with basic WIFI credentials and the rest of the config can be done through OTA.

I never tried flashing ESPHome on an off-the-shelf switch before but I suppose you will have to know the 8266 pinout and trace the PCB connections. Another way is to search for an existing template/module in Tasmota and copy it down. Actually, there aren't that many pins on a 8266 so can also try each GPIO until you find it.

 

[laoahpeh]

Hi guys. Newbie here planning out my new BTO automation. Decided to start with just smart switches and curtains. Currently looking at buying Tuya switches and curtains because they are generally cheaper than Aqara. Only looking at Zigbee protocol products because I plan to switch all to Home Assistant in due course. Anyone got any experience in using Tuya switches and curtains? How is the user experience if using Tuya app to control the devices?

 

[batniss]

Hi guys. Newbie here planning out my new BTO automation. Decided to start with just smart switches and curtains. Currently looking at buying Tuya switches and curtains because they are generally cheaper than Aqara. Only looking at Zigbee protocol products because I plan to switch all to Home Assistant in due course. Anyone got any experience in using Tuya switches and curtains? How is the user experience if using Tuya app to control the devices?

Very fast and responsive.

 

[kookymonster]

you are mistaken. Tuya has the same exact thing.
Additionally, Instead of buying a switch, you could use a remote control with RF capability.
Or even make another main turn on/off your other switches too.

Thanks for the clarification! Can I trouble you to send me a link to Tuya's smart switch that doesn't need electrical wiring and the remote control that you mentioned? I searched in Shopee but couldn't find for Tuya, only found for Aqara, so I thought only Aqara has such devices available. If Tuya has also, then Tuya would seem better than Aqara coz don't need to worry about region restrictions like Aqara right?

 

[laoahpeh]

Very fast and responsive.

Did you try the 3 gang wall switches? So far no failure right?

 

[ZigguratZ]

If they are qualified they will know how to do it. Is very straightforward.

If you are under reno, i will suggest doing neutral for your home. The switch although can be install via a non neutral environment having neutral ready opens to more possibilities.

Yes GH works directly after you linked it in Tuya/Smartlife

am thinking of that as well.. but pulling the neutral wire to all switches is very expensive.

 

[ZigguratZ]

sorry, anyone knows if the smart switch can be mounted on the mounting box as well? it shouldn't be any issues right?

any smart wall socket to recommend?

 

[wira]

If they are qualified they will know how to do it. Is very straightforward.

If you are under reno, i will suggest doing neutral for your home. The switch although can be install via a non neutral environment having neutral ready opens to more possibilities.

Yes GH works directly after you linked it in Tuya/Smartlife

hi whats the advantage of using neutral line for the smart switch ?

 

[TrueBeliever_jh]

hi whats the advantage of using neutral line for the smart switch ?

im reading up on this as well~
quite confusing.. not too sure how true though~

https://koble.sg/blog/smart-light-switch/
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SMART LIGHT SWITCH THAT OPERATES WITHOUT A NEUTRAL WIRE AND A SMART LIGHT SWITCH THAT OPERATES WITH A NEUTRAL WIRE
Since most if not all houses do not have neutral wire at the switch point, Type 1 (switch operates without using neutral wire) is commonly used.
In such cases, the old manual switch will be directly replaced with the no neutral smart switch.

Now, you may be wondering how the smart switch gets powered up and stays on standby mode.
The no neutral smart switch will actually release a very small power via the live output wire to the light. However the current is so small, it will not cause the light to be turned on, but sufficient enough for the smart switch to stay on standby mode.

 

[ZigguratZ]

im reading up on this as well~
quite confusing.. not too sure how true though~

https://koble.sg/blog/smart-light-switch/
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SMART LIGHT SWITCH THAT OPERATES WITHOUT A NEUTRAL WIRE AND A SMART LIGHT SWITCH THAT OPERATES WITH A NEUTRAL WIRE
Since most if not all houses do not have neutral wire at the switch point, Type 1 (switch operates without using neutral wire) is commonly used.
In such cases, the old manual switch will be directly replaced with the no neutral smart switch.

Now, you may be wondering how the smart switch gets powered up and stays on standby mode.
The no neutral smart switch will actually release a very small power via the live output wire to the light. However the current is so small, it will not cause the light to be turned on, but sufficient enough for the smart switch to stay on standby mode.

ya, reading that too ..
seems like the only issue without neutral wire is the lifespan of your light’s driver.

 

[ho_kuku]

am thinking of that as well.. but pulling the neutral wire to all switches is very expensive.

Cost around 15-20 per point. Assuming you have 20 points - it’ll be around 400. Well worth it I think.

 

[ZigguratZ]

Cost around 15-20 per point. Assuming you have 20 points - it’ll be around 400. Well worth it I think.

That's the cost if you don't mind having electrical trunkings running all over the place. If not, will have to rewire to concealed them and that's expensive.