[Official] Home Automation Thread

[MaoZeDuo]

Yes im planning to... already got some switches... finally found someone

Probably similar to echo dot, smaller and cheaper. Are you using Mi ecosystem too?

 

[kt]

I'm using MiJia smart home devices. Linking it to Philips Hue lights and Tplink HS200 wall switch using openhab. So far so good, can set rules like if door open at certain times, on hue lights.

 

[MaoZeDuo]

Are u using aqara wall switches to connect to hue lights?

I'm using MiJia smart home devices. Linking it to Philips Hue lights and Tplink HS200 wall switch using openhab. So far so good, can set rules like if door open at certain times, on hue lights.

 

[kt]

Are u using aqara wall switches to connect to hue lights?

I have a MiJia wireless button that I use to control 2 hue lights and a tplink wall light switch.

 

[RyanJ]

Thanks shacboi, I will look into the S2. The only other tiny nit is that there is no status feedback on the broadlink switches. For now I can live with that

My other interesting issue is I have Philips Hue linked to my Google Home as well.

But because the Broadlink IHC / Google Home workaround for IR devices is to use the "lamp appliance ", whenever I tell Google Home to switch off all lights, they not only turn off my Philips Hue bulbs ( which is my intent ), they also shut down the rest of the devices masquerading under "Lamp Appliance " in IHC - e.g my aircon, my tv, my avr, bluray ...
Anyone facing that ? How to work around that ?

Is there any reason why you chose Broadlink? Is it better than Harmony Hub?

I have no neutral wiring for my lights at home, so I am in the process of switching them to RF ones by Broadlink. Broadlink RM Pro controls RF too, and is much cheaper than the Harmony hub ( I have actually been a loyal Harmony user for almost a decade ! ), and I need like ... 4 hubs to control different rooms. 4 x RM Pro is easier on the wallet than 4 x Harmony Hubs..

 

[shacboi]

My other interesting issue is I have Philips Hue linked to my Google Home as well.

But because the Broadlink IHC / Google Home workaround for IR devices is to use the "lamp appliance ", whenever I tell Google Home to switch off all lights, they not only turn off my Philips Hue bulbs ( which is my intent ), they also shut down the rest of the devices masquerading under "Lamp Appliance " in IHC - e.g my aircon, my tv, my avr, bluray ...
Anyone facing that ? How to work around that ?
.

Hi, i did oso added "lamp template" for some devices in IHC so as to try out google-assistant on my handphone to control the devices.

As for the all lights, Google will trigger all the lights template therefore it is a no go.

What u can do is to add for example your chandelier light and living room lights to a Room, maybe call it livingroom. So u ask google to turn on livingroom... So that two lights in dat grp will be triggered. I think that's the best you can do.

But each device can only be added to one group. So have to plan out abit.

 

[Inediblebulk]

I'm also thinking of using the aqara wall switches but how many gateways do you need? 1 per room?

Have been researching on this HA topic for quite awhile and finally decided on Xiaomi ecosystem. Mainly motivated by the price, quality, Zigbee and the large pool of users and Mi products.

Currently I'm starting with:-

- Aqara switches for the whole house to control the lights.
- Aqara Smart Curtain. You can get the DT82 track rail from aliexpress, they can customize for you, you just need to mount the rail.
- Aqara Smart Door lock
- Mi sensors
- Mi Air purifier
- Mi Roborock vacuum cleaner
- Yeelight smart bulb

After that, slowly add on with voice control, Mi AI Speaker Mini just announced.. It's quite interesting as it allows you to configure your own trigger phase. When things are more stable, probably I'll try HomeBridge to make Siri works.

There will be some limitation on this setup thou, as Xiaomi has no UK plug. Although it can be overcome by changing your wall socket to CN version or use an adapter and also you can rewire the power cable to CN/UK version. As of now, I don't think I've socket related stuff I wanted to automate, so it doesn't really bother me.

When needed probably I'll adopt a second system to cover the gaps. There is no one system can cover all, or at least at a reasonable price..

 

[sean_x]

I'm also thinking of using the aqara wall switches but how many gateways do you need? 1 per room?

1 is all you need, probably during pairing you might need to stay close to the gateway. Zigbee communicate via bouncing to the nearest nodes till reaching the target.

Personnaly I’ve yet to try but it should works. Currently waiting to get my house key next week.. I’ve ordered 15x aqara swithes and curtain motor, slowly develop from there while waiting my defect inspection and reno..

Looking to automate unlock door —> switch on lights —> open curtain, and vice versa. So I think Mi would suit my needs..

 

[Inediblebulk]

Thanks. Looking at my old reno photos, i would need the no neutral switches.

New bto should have the neutral wire. Just need to inform yr electrician that all yr switches require neutral.

1 is all you need, probably during pairing you might need to stay close to the gateway. Zigbee communicate via bouncing to the nearest nodes till reaching the target.

Personnaly I’ve yet to try but it should works. Currently waiting to get my house key next week.. I’ve ordered 15x aqara swithes and curtain motor, slowly develop from there while waiting my defect inspection and reno..

Looking to automate unlock door —> switch on lights —> open curtain, and vice versa. So I think Mi would suit my needs..

 

[MaoZeDuo]

Usually they charge for pulling the neutral wire right? Is there any benefit of having neutral switches since aqara has option for non-neutral?

Thanks. Looking at my old reno photos, i would need the no neutral switches.

New bto should have the neutral wire. Just need to inform yr electrician that all yr switches require neutral.

 

[Inediblebulk]

Usually they charge for pulling the neutral wire right? Is there any benefit of having neutral switches since aqara has option for non-neutral?

Non neutral switches have a min load and a lower max load. If the wattage is too low, the switch might cause the lights to flicker or malfunction.

Need to look at the data sheet

 

[sean_x]

I bought the non-neutral switches. For the non-neutral switches it need to be within 3w to 800w, it might cause issue to led strip. Other than that, downlights and bulbs should be fine.

Installing Neutral probably cost $25+ for each point. On Aqara site it mentioned the only different is the load, so I just went for the non-Neutral cause I don’t need that load. Unless there is something they didn’t mention. *shrugs*

If you have Aqara non-Neutral switch, please share your experience! I only could tell more once mine got installed..

 

[Inediblebulk]

Just looked through the data sheet.

≤800W / circuit, 3W energy saving lamp / 5W LED lamp / 16W fluorescent lamp at minimum

Take note that if the load is less than what is required. The light might not turn off or will flicker when the switch is off

 

[MaoZeDuo]

I just read that SmartThings got handler for aqara switches hence can work with alexa too... is this the only workaround?

 

[shacboi]

I bought the non-neutral switches. For the non-neutral switches it need to be within 3w to 800w, it might cause issue to led strip. Other than that, downlights and bulbs should be fine.

Installing Neutral probably cost $25+ for each point. On Aqara site it mentioned the only different is the load, so I just went for the non-Neutral cause I don’t need that load. Unless there is something they didn’t mention. *shrugs*

If you have Aqara non-Neutral switch, please share your experience! I only could tell more once mine got installed..

Usually they charge for pulling the neutral wire right? Is there any benefit of having neutral switches since aqara has option for non-neutral?

Hi Both, think usually HDB apartments doesn't come with the Neutral wire for the light switches, unless you get your contractors to do it during reno.

as for benefits, if you have search the many light switches on market, most need the Neutral wire connection. I think if you have a Neutral wire for your light switches, you can have more choices to choose from.

 

[MaoZeDuo]

Yea i noticed more choices with neutral but wonder if any extra benefits such as having more possibilies in functional aspects...

For eg with neutral the switch is “fully” switched off but without neutral... current still runs through... is it through the system can provide true feedback in the scenario without neutral? - i cant rmb i read this where...

Hi Both, think usually HDB apartments doesn't come with the Neutral wire for the light switches, unless you get your contractors to do it during reno.

as for benefits, if you have search the many light switches on market, most need the Neutral wire connection. I think if you have a Neutral wire for your light switches, you can have more choices to choose from.

 

[shacboi]

Yea i noticed more choices with neutral but wonder if any extra benefits such as having more possibilies in functional aspects...

For eg with neutral the switch is “fully” switched off but without neutral... current still runs through... is it through the system can provide true feedback in the scenario without neutral? - i cant rmb i read this where...

Hi MaoZeDuo,

but i do see alot more choices to choose from, maybe can choose those switches that directly 'talk' to Alexa/Google home even perhaps.

im not really sure too does the Neutral wire plays apart in the feedback status though, but i tink is jus so happened that the manufacturers of the non-neutral wire switches(rf switches) doesnt do the feedback part on the chip. hahaa, bcos to feedback i think they need either bluetooth or WIFI, to constantly communicate to another compartible receiving device.

For the 'cheaper' RF switches lik broadlink TC2 or LIVOLO switches, more lik jus waiting for a RF signal to trigger and that's it.

 

[sean_x]

Thanks shacboi for the great inputs! I had thought of that too - wiring neutral for more options. For my case, if I have to change to a system which able to communicate with Alexa / Google, it might increase the total price quite abit. Especially the light switches, curtain motor, digital lock, smart bulb that come with Zigbee or zwave, taking example of Fibaro product line. End up, I was like meh... I think the Mi home can do the same at cheaper price..

Apart from the wattage different, I think the non neutral aqara switch works the same as the with the neutral one. I was thinking why waste another 300+ to pull neutral.. I might regret in near future thou. Haha If anyone could share more experience on the aqara switch that would be great! I still have time to change my decision..

 

[sean_x]

I just read that SmartThings got handler for aqara switches hence can work with alexa too... is this the only workaround?

In short, yes. I’m still thinking if I want to get Smart Things as the hub or mi gateway. Maybe, I would get Mi gateway first then slowly port to ST.. ST has huge community, alot of integration available!

 

[MaoZeDuo]

I have more confidence nao... adding more mi stuff to cart lol

In short, yes. I’m still thinking if I want to get Smart Things as the hub or mi gateway. Maybe, I would get Mi gateway first then slowly port to ST.. ST has huge community, alot of integration available!