[Official] Home Automation Thread
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Elon Jobs
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My Home Automation Story
Hi guys, just sharing my home automation story so that everyone can avoid some of the nightmares and pitfalls I went through. I went back to reservist in May and one of my friends say he's setting up HA for his new BTO (I'm staying in a two year old BTO with no neutral wires) and it got me interested. Since it was high key ICT and I'm C9L9, I had a lot of time to Google and surf and watch Paul Botak on YouTube. That's how I came about this and two other threads on HWZ.
After much discussion with my army friend over countless cookhouse meals, I decided just to have simple home automation such as using my voice to turn on lights, TV, fan, AC et al. I just had a newborn so it would greatly help my wife if she can turn on the lights and fan using her voice while carrying the baby in her arms. My friend, on the other hand, is going all in- he's getting those smart oven, smart kettle, even a smart washing machine. For me, I feel it's a bit over the top- who's going to put the clothes into the washing machine? I would like to think a maid would be much better suited to such chores.
So anyway, my very first purchases were my Google Home Mini and Broadlink RM Pro+ from Lazada (cheapest from various different websites due to CC discount code etc). I've been an Apple user since the first iPod but Apple HA sucks and not competitor friendly so I bought my first ever Google/Android device. I was contemplating really hard between Amazon Echo Dot and GHM but I decided that even though at the point of writing, AED is the stronger of the two as it has been around much longer and partner with more HA companies, I feel going forward, the future most likely belongs to Google. Not trying to start a debate, just my personal opinion.
So my idea was simple (no RM plugin, no hub, no raspberry pi):
GHM -> RM Pro -> Lights/TV/Fan/AC/etc, and I plan to DIY all by myself. So I started looking for light switches next and like I've mentioned, my place doesn't have neutral wires in the switch sockets so my options are severely limited. I found this seller on Carousell which I understand some of you guys have recommended as well.
She was really friendly and helpful at first and I thought she was trying to upsell me coz I was looking at Broadlink TC2 switches (reason being I wanted everything to by under one roof- I don't want to have to open several different apps to control several different devices in the event I choose not to give voice command to my GHM). Hence, I was looking at mainly Broadlink stuff despite its higher price points compared to Sonoff, Livolo etc.
She was telling me for TC2 you would need to add a capacitor to every light bulb because the likelihood of the lights flickering is high; my living room and bedroom had multiple downlights and this was the last thing I wanted to do- I just want to automate my place cheaply and easily with as little fuss as possible so that I won't disturb my 3 month old baby's daily routine and more importantly, won't tio kaobei by my wife fix this fix that end up spoil everything.
Anyway this Desiree lady, she's the official distributor for Broadlink (which explains the competitive prices but the RM Pro she's selling is still $10 more expensive than the one I got from Lazada after discount code, which I will find out why pretty soon). She was telling me TC2 can't be controlled directly via voice commands by GHM at the moment as TC2 will be auto added into IHC as wall switch and GHM cannot recognise anything other than lamps (do note at the point of our conversation it was late May, and last week Paul Botak announced that GHM can now recognised both IR and RF lamps templates on IHC). She recommended me eTouch switches which can be paired with a RF remote and set as user defined in IHC which allows me to create scenes which in turn allow GHM to control it. Most importantly, eTouch switches doesn't require me to dig out my dozen or so downlights and install the capacitor one by one. So I bought two three-gang switches and one twelve-button RF remote from her to try it out (self collected at Woodlands).
Here comes the important part- I installed everything and it worked fine but I couldn't set up the RM Pro I bought from Lázada no matter what I did. Desiree spent 4 hours troubleshooting with me on a Sunday evening (at first using Carousell chat, in the end using iMessages), and still nothing worked. End up, she had her husband called me and he not only solved my problem in like twenty minutes, he helped my set up my router (I have 1 router and 2 access point at my five room flat which I envelope entirely with my 5Ghz coverage and he helped me create a separate 2.4Ghz SSID for my HA devices & GHM and assign fixed IP etc). Turns out I bought a "spare set" RM Pro from some Chinaman on Lazada because by right on the RM Pro box should have a QR code to scan and set up easily like those Paul Botak YouTube videos but mine came in an entirely white box with nothing on it machiam like an iPhone box. Apparently, China companies have to manufacture additional 20% as standby replacement stocks in case any of the original doesn't pass the QC test and mine was one of the 20% which ended up not being used and taken home and sold on the black market. Which was why it doesn't have a QR code and even when I link directly to my phone to set it up it can never work.
So this whole phone conversation took 1 hour until slightly after midnight. I couldn't be more grateful to them both for helping me troubleshoot a "faulty" device they didn't even sell me! I don't think I could have met a kinder and more helper seller (on Carousell of all places). One week later, I bought five more eTouch switches, two wifi modules and a S1 sensor kit from her. All in, I spent around $300 with her and another $80 for my GHM and RM Pro from Lazada. Now my house is automated to my original plan for under $400 thanks to this wonderful couple. It's been more than a month, and everything is working beautifully at my place- GHM responds to all my commands and activate scenes through the shortcuts created on the Google assistant app, my light switches are working fine with no ne real wires and capacitors required. I've recently bought the Xiaomi Mi Robot from Q10 (it can be activated and docked via voice commands on GHM) and my next (and final) project will be motorised blinds for my living room.
So this is my HA story, nobody pay me to write this story, I just wanted to repay the 5 hours of their weekend they spent on a total stranger helping him achieve his HA dream and share with you guys these are genuine and honest sellers and you will have no absolutely regrets dealing with them!
[You do not have sufficient post count to post images/links. Please remove the images/links from your message, then you will be able to submit your post.]
So this being my first post on HWZ and I'm unable to post her link. If you guys are keen to find out more, just go to Carousell and search Broadlink and her posts will be one of the first to show up. Her name is Desiree. Good luck to all with your home automation!
Hi guys, just sharing my home automation story so that everyone can avoid some of the nightmares and pitfalls I went through. I went back to reservist in May and one of my friends say he's setting up HA for his new BTO (I'm staying in a two year old BTO with no neutral wires) and it got me interested. Since it was high key ICT and I'm C9L9, I had a lot of time to Google and surf and watch Paul Botak on YouTube. That's how I came about this and two other threads on HWZ.
After much discussion with my army friend over countless cookhouse meals, I decided just to have simple home automation such as using my voice to turn on lights, TV, fan, AC et al. I just had a newborn so it would greatly help my wife if she can turn on the lights and fan using her voice while carrying the baby in her arms. My friend, on the other hand, is going all in- he's getting those smart oven, smart kettle, even a smart washing machine. For me, I feel it's a bit over the top- who's going to put the clothes into the washing machine? I would like to think a maid would be much better suited to such chores.
So anyway, my very first purchases were my Google Home Mini and Broadlink RM Pro+ from Lazada (cheapest from various different websites due to CC discount code etc). I've been an Apple user since the first iPod but Apple HA sucks and not competitor friendly so I bought my first ever Google/Android device. I was contemplating really hard between Amazon Echo Dot and GHM but I decided that even though at the point of writing, AED is the stronger of the two as it has been around much longer and partner with more HA companies, I feel going forward, the future most likely belongs to Google. Not trying to start a debate, just my personal opinion.
So my idea was simple (no RM plugin, no hub, no raspberry pi):
GHM -> RM Pro -> Lights/TV/Fan/AC/etc, and I plan to DIY all by myself. So I started looking for light switches next and like I've mentioned, my place doesn't have neutral wires in the switch sockets so my options are severely limited. I found this seller on Carousell which I understand some of you guys have recommended as well.
She was really friendly and helpful at first and I thought she was trying to upsell me coz I was looking at Broadlink TC2 switches (reason being I wanted everything to by under one roof- I don't want to have to open several different apps to control several different devices in the event I choose not to give voice command to my GHM). Hence, I was looking at mainly Broadlink stuff despite its higher price points compared to Sonoff, Livolo etc.
She was telling me for TC2 you would need to add a capacitor to every light bulb because the likelihood of the lights flickering is high; my living room and bedroom had multiple downlights and this was the last thing I wanted to do- I just want to automate my place cheaply and easily with as little fuss as possible so that I won't disturb my 3 month old baby's daily routine and more importantly, won't tio kaobei by my wife fix this fix that end up spoil everything.
Anyway this Desiree lady, she's the official distributor for Broadlink (which explains the competitive prices but the RM Pro she's selling is still $10 more expensive than the one I got from Lazada after discount code, which I will find out why pretty soon). She was telling me TC2 can't be controlled directly via voice commands by GHM at the moment as TC2 will be auto added into IHC as wall switch and GHM cannot recognise anything other than lamps (do note at the point of our conversation it was late May, and last week Paul Botak announced that GHM can now recognised both IR and RF lamps templates on IHC). She recommended me eTouch switches which can be paired with a RF remote and set as user defined in IHC which allows me to create scenes which in turn allow GHM to control it. Most importantly, eTouch switches doesn't require me to dig out my dozen or so downlights and install the capacitor one by one. So I bought two three-gang switches and one twelve-button RF remote from her to try it out (self collected at Woodlands).
Here comes the important part- I installed everything and it worked fine but I couldn't set up the RM Pro I bought from Lázada no matter what I did. Desiree spent 4 hours troubleshooting with me on a Sunday evening (at first using Carousell chat, in the end using iMessages), and still nothing worked. End up, she had her husband called me and he not only solved my problem in like twenty minutes, he helped my set up my router (I have 1 router and 2 access point at my five room flat which I envelope entirely with my 5Ghz coverage and he helped me create a separate 2.4Ghz SSID for my HA devices & GHM and assign fixed IP etc). Turns out I bought a "spare set" RM Pro from some Chinaman on Lazada because by right on the RM Pro box should have a QR code to scan and set up easily like those Paul Botak YouTube videos but mine came in an entirely white box with nothing on it machiam like an iPhone box. Apparently, China companies have to manufacture additional 20% as standby replacement stocks in case any of the original doesn't pass the QC test and mine was one of the 20% which ended up not being used and taken home and sold on the black market. Which was why it doesn't have a QR code and even when I link directly to my phone to set it up it can never work.
So this whole phone conversation took 1 hour until slightly after midnight. I couldn't be more grateful to them both for helping me troubleshoot a "faulty" device they didn't even sell me! I don't think I could have met a kinder and more helper seller (on Carousell of all places). One week later, I bought five more eTouch switches, two wifi modules and a S1 sensor kit from her. All in, I spent around $300 with her and another $80 for my GHM and RM Pro from Lazada. Now my house is automated to my original plan for under $400 thanks to this wonderful couple. It's been more than a month, and everything is working beautifully at my place- GHM responds to all my commands and activate scenes through the shortcuts created on the Google assistant app, my light switches are working fine with no ne real wires and capacitors required. I've recently bought the Xiaomi Mi Robot from Q10 (it can be activated and docked via voice commands on GHM) and my next (and final) project will be motorised blinds for my living room.
So this is my HA story, nobody pay me to write this story, I just wanted to repay the 5 hours of their weekend they spent on a total stranger helping him achieve his HA dream and share with you guys these are genuine and honest sellers and you will have no absolutely regrets dealing with them!
[You do not have sufficient post count to post images/links. Please remove the images/links from your message, then you will be able to submit your post.]
So this being my first post on HWZ and I'm unable to post her link. If you guys are keen to find out more, just go to Carousell and search Broadlink and her posts will be one of the first to show up. Her name is Desiree. Good luck to all with your home automation!
Haha indeed actually maybe healthy this way as u got to move.
Imagine nowadays people hardly move at work, go home hardly move too.
Think health issue business is going to made it big in the future
Epi_curean
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Has anyone ever tried switches from Wulian?
www.wuliangroup.com
Wondering if their zigbee range of swtiches will work with openhab
www.wuliangroup.com
Wondering if their zigbee range of swtiches will work with openhab
trumperater
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I think u need a tl;dr version
Elon Jobs
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The tl dr version is that nice people actually exist on the internet, not just negative and skeptical keyboard warriors.
One good deed begets another, which was why I spent 30 minutes of my time posting my story- it's my way of saying thank you for the 5 hours of time they've spent helping me.
One good deed begets another, which was why I spent 30 minutes of my time posting my story- it's my way of saying thank you for the 5 hours of time they've spent helping me.
coldnite
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Wow I just found this thread while trying to improve my dumb room... Thinking of using WiFi only without a hub. Anyone have any idea if it will overload the router by multiple connections to various lights? I don't really wanna change my switch to a smart one as it requires a hub.. trying to experiment building a smart ecosystem.
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AsusEpoxy
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A typical router can support theorectically 253 ip addresses. anyway the traffic is very low. Dont see why there would be a problem.
AFAIK, the wifi switches require neutral, most homes do not have neutral and you will need a LEW to pull in for you. This probably should be your bigger worry here.
Oh I see.. ok then I'll just go with wifi. Sorry whats LEW?
Wah so in future for new houses very important to lay the neutral wire?
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AsusEpoxy
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Licensed Electrical Worker
Yeah, this is the trend moving forward. Even for new homes, will probably have to ownself lay as developers will want to cut cost to minimum and also having neutral for lighting is not a must.
I see.. thanks.. how about switches that don't use neutral wiring? Any disadvantages?
Oh yes I want to ask too, if say I got multiple wifi devices from different brand, need to link to various app right?
Can someone else use the Google home mini to use the automation or it will only recognise my voice? Or they need to install all the app into their phone and redo the automation setting?
Paiseh noob qn.. learning here..
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Elon Jobs
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I see so that's the trend moving forward. Coz the electrician who did my renovation two years ago and whom I spoke to last month about installing neutral wires told me in the 1990s, all HDB wall switch sockets have neutral wire. Then it was removed by HDB due to under utilization and we are where we today. Seems like he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Elon Jobs
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Wall switches with neutral wire would be able to feedback directly to your phone/device about the state of the light switch- whether it's on or off, in a sense, it is smarter. Non neutral wire wall switches (like mine) are "partially" closed all the time even when all gangs on it are turned off, hence it is able to receive RF signals from RM pro and that's how it gets a tiny bit of electric current to show a faint blue glow as compared to the more luminous blue glow from a neutral wire wall switch. And this is also why if you use non neutral wall switches, there is a high chance your low wattage appliances (especially energy conserving low wattage light bulbs) will flicker and you will have to manuelly install capacitors.
Second question I can't answer as I'm using only Broadlink devices with GHM. I understand GHM is compatible with various brands, and Broadlink as well.
As for third question, yes, it seems like my brother can give commands to my GHM even though he isn't registered under my Google home app. Either that or he sounds a lot like me.
No worries about being a Noob, we all start somewhere- best is to keep an open mind with the willingness to learn and be constructive to others on the forum.
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Thanks a lot for the elaborate explanation!
I'll try buying a broadlink mini 3 and a yeelight bulb to see if it works.
Im currently just dipping my toes into smart home to improve my dumb room before I get my new flat. Realize there is quite a learning curve for people who start from scratch.
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Elon Jobs
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It's good you are starting your HA for your flat from scratch- itwill allow you a great deal of flexibility. I started from knowing nothing to now, I would say I know enough. There's a great deal of resources online, especially Paul Botak on YouTube, which you can learn from. Just remember every HA is different and should be customized to the homeowner's needs. You don't have to listen to everyone, just pick up bits and pieces here and there, filter out the trolls who come onto a HA thread to advise people to use a manuel switch, and form your own idea and HA plan and then slowly trial and error from there.
Good luck!
Ah haha yeah.. actually I realize my light has RF.. should had gotten the pro version of broadlink and minus the bulbs..
Anyway it's Paul Hibbert right?
Also if I get a new phone... Do I need to set up everything again?
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