Starting Home Assistant (HA) for New Users

[ferbulous]

Anyone has tested Tuya ZG-204ZM PIR + MMwave battery sensor?
It looks promising from some reviews so i might buy a couple to test in toilet

One thing those reviews don’t address is if for rooms with ceiling fan. Do tell if you can tweak the setting to avoid false detection from fans (if you’re not just using in bathroom of course)

 

[Mr_Bean]

Initial testing seems fine with no fans, but distance and sensitivity can be tuned.
It runs on 2 x AAA batteries, in standby low power mode, it only uses PIR sensor for detecting movements.
When PIR is triggered, mmwave kicks in to detect and maintain presence until time out then it goes back to low power mode.
Will need to carry on more testing on false postive or negative detections according to this review

 

[ferbulous]

Initial testing seems fine with no fans, but distance and sensitivity can be tuned.
It runs on 2 x AAA batteries, in standby low power mode, it only uses PIR sensor for detecting movements.
When PIR is triggered, mmwave kicks in to detect and maintain presence until time out then it goes back to low power mode.
Will need to carry on more testing on false postive or negative detections according to this review

Can you test entering room, turning on the fan, then exit the room.
Does the presence state remains or goes off with the fan still on after a while?

 

[Toiletpaper80]

Wanted to do a display only screen using eink screen. Any idea which product shld i buy to display a simple dashboard from HA?

Tia

 

[TanKianW]

Wanted to do a display only screen using eink screen. Any idea which product shld i buy to display a simple dashboard from HA?

Tia

I have been thinking of using an E-ink screen to display the HA simple dashboard like clock and weather running on a RasPi Zero 2W (stands for wireless). RasPi 4B should work too but might be too overkill. Been busy lately with work to get this into motion and too many backlog homelab projects. You can probably check out the official HA forum for such mini projects.

As for E-ink screens, you can easily find on taobao.

Since android tablets are really cheap these days. You can also get an AIO tablet to run your dashboard.

 

[TanKianW]

Initial testing seems fine with no fans, but distance and sensitivity can be tuned.
It runs on 2 x AAA batteries, in standby low power mode, it only uses PIR sensor for detecting movements.
When PIR is triggered, mmwave kicks in to detect and maintain presence until time out then it goes back to low power mode.
Will need to carry on more testing on false postive or negative detections according to this review

Purchased one of these for testing in my living room. The default settings seemed to produce false positives or no detection at all regularly. I did not position it to detect my ceiling fans (slightly tilted down) so it did not detect the moving fan as a false positive. However, I suggest those thinking of purchasing this mmwave + PIR motion sensor to put it on hold first.

Last night, I tweaked the sensor "detection distance"," "sensitivity" and some "sensor transitioning" settings (over MQTT) on the automation it was deployed on. Will report back if the performance improves after this.​

 

[Toiletpaper80]

I have been thinking of using an E-ink screen to display the HA simple dashboard like clock and weather running on a RasPi Zero 2W (stands for wireless). RasPi 4B should work too but might be too overkill. Been busy lately with work to get this into motion and too many backlog homelab projects. You can probably check out the official HA forum for such mini projects.

As for E-ink screens, you can easily find on taobao.

Since android tablets are really cheap these days. You can also get an AIO tablet to run your dashboard.

I have the bus arrival time on my HA, wanted to use stick a display near my exit.

Eink because it looks nice and low powered batteries will do.

But i dont know which product to buy. I think it connects to HA using esp32, but i'm noob on hardware soddering, so wanted a easy way to connect to to my HA to display dashboard..

Yeah thanks for the directions..​

 

[TanKianW]

I have the bus arrival time on my HA, wanted to use stick a display near my exit.

Eink because it looks nice and low powered batteries will do.

But i dont know which product to buy. I think it connects to HA using esp32, but i'm noob on hardware soddering, so wanted a easy way to connect to to my HA to display dashboard..

You could read on these, the last one looks pretty neat. Pretty much what I had in mind on a photo frame that blends with the wall deco:



https://community.home-assistant.io/t/homeplate-e-ink-dashboard-with-inkplate-10/383634

https://community.home-assistant.io...plays-to-blend-in-with-your-home-decor/435428

 

[Toiletpaper80]

You could read on these, the last one looks pretty neat. Pretty much what I had in mind on a photo frame that blends with the wall deco:



https://community.home-assistant.io/t/homeplate-e-ink-dashboard-with-inkplate-10/383634

https://community.home-assistant.io...plays-to-blend-in-with-your-home-decor/435428

Yeah thanks!
I saw these... but the more i read the more i blur...
For a start, i just need a link to buy the correct hardware...
If you guys have tried it before, kindly help link me to a shopee/lazada page.

TIA

 

[Mr_Bean]

Purchased one of these for testing in my living room. The default settings seemed to produce false positives or no detection at all regularly. I did not position it to detect my ceiling fans (slightly tilted down) so it did not detect the moving fan as a false positive. However, I suggest those thinking of purchasing this mmwave + PIR motion sensor to put it on hold first.

Last night, I tweaked the sensor "detection distance"," "sensitivity" and some "sensor transitioning" settings (over MQTT) on the automation it was deployed on. Will report back if the performance improves after this.​

try fading timeout at 30seconds. Any lower causes issues.

 

[teelle]

Hi Bros and Sis,

Thank you for this very informative thread for a newbie like me starting out! Went to see local network smart home solutions for my new house at Home-A-Genius but their prices are high that i decided to try tinker my own.. some questions below, that i hope anyone with experience can help:

1) Just placed an order for HA-Yellow with CM5 4/32GB. Is the storage sufficient or SSD is still recommended?

2) Non-HA related: I already placed orders for Sol Lumimaire lights, what i know if correct are, they are non-smart but dimmable lights. The smart switches in the market (that are aesthetic) for dimmer switchss are limited. Is the only option to connect such non-smart lights to HA through TRIAC zigbee dimmer relay modules behind the switches?

3) When moving to my new home, it might take awhile before i figure my way around setting up HA. Hence, i was thinking of getting a "smart home vendor" to install the smart switches and sensors (e.g. MMWave recessed presence sensors) and begin using them on tuya/smartlife platforms first, before i intergrate them to HA eventually. Is this a sensible choice, or is it a dumb way to spend money?

4) Related to point 3, I would need the smart switches anyway, so would it be better if i buy the zigbee dimmer relays and smart switches/panels myself on taobao, and get an electrician, or myself to install?

Thank you for the help pls!

 

[TanKianW]

Hi Bros and Sis,

Thank you for this very informative thread for a newbie like me starting out! Went to see local network smart home solutions for my new house at Home-A-Genius but their prices are high that i decided to try tinker my own.. some questions below, that i hope anyone with experience can help:

1) Just placed an order for HA-Yellow with CM5 4/32GB. Is the storage sufficient or SSD is still recommended?

2) Non-HA related: I already placed orders for Sol Lumimaire lights, what i know if correct are, they are non-smart but dimmable lights. The smart switches in the market (that are aesthetic) for dimmer switchss are limited. Is the only option to connect such non-smart lights to HA through TRIAC zigbee dimmer relay modules behind the switches?

3) When moving to my new home, it might take awhile before i figure my way around setting up HA. Hence, i was thinking of getting a "smart home vendor" to install the smart switches and sensors (e.g. MMWave recessed presence sensors) and begin using them on tuya/smartlife platforms first, before i intergrate them to HA eventually. Is this a sensible choice, or is it a dumb way to spend money?

4) Related to point 3, I would need the smart switches anyway, so would it be better if i buy the zigbee dimmer relays and smart switches/panels myself on taobao, and get an electrician, or myself to install?

Thank you for the help pls!

1. I think you meant the storage is 32GB right? I will think it could be quite small if you intend to store backups in it. If you are running off a micro SD card or eMMC, I will think a SSD is a better choice for more storage space, reliability and speed​
2. I have never used Sol products, so probably not able to provide my inputs. I am personally using Philips Hue and it worked for me str out from the box without a hick. You can read up more on the official HA forum on your use case. Do check out the blakadder ZB website for switch compatibility​
3. Why need a smart vendor when that is what you trying to avoid (or save money) in the first place? I think a capable electrician will do. Do plan ahead on the install point and drill locations with your electrician.​
4. Personally I will avoid the price mark up from local sellers by purchasing str from taobao china. Since the major advantage of using HA is no lock down by country region and vendor (ecosystem and hub). If you are those who can roll up your sleeve and DIY, you can install yourself. But If you are not confident, just get an electrician to do it for you.​

Hope it helps.

 

[teelle]

1. I think you meant the storage is 32GB right? I will think it could be quite small if you intend to store backups in it. If you are running off a micro SD card or eMMC, I will think a SSD is a better choice for more storage space, reliability and speed​
2. I have never used Sol products, so probably not able to provide my inputs. I am personally using Philips Hue and it worked for me str out from the box without a hick. You can read up more on the official HA forum on your use case. Do check out the blakadder ZB website for switch compatibility​
3. Why need a smart vendor when that is what you trying to avoid (or save money) in the first place? I think a capable electrician will do. Do plan ahead on the install point and drill locations with your electrician.​
4. Personally I will avoid the price mark up from local sellers by purchasing str from taobao china. Since the major advantage of using HA is no lock down by country region and vendor (ecosystem and hub). If you are those who can roll up your sleeve and DIY, you can install yourself. But If you are not confident, just get an electrician to do it for you.​

Hope it helps.

Thanks! I will likely order a SSD add-on to the yellow kit then!

I am entirely new to the setting up of smart home lights, hence the worry about the wiring plans. Is my worry unfounded and that it is simplying ensuring additional neutral wire is provided at all switch points?

HA-Yellow comes with zigbee and thread connected. Can this work as a coordinator or do i still need a sonoff zigbee dongle?

I have no electrical/wing experience la, but based on my limited reading, installing a switch or dimmer relays don't seem difficult, much easier than convincing my wife to let me DIY..

 

[TanKianW]

Thanks! I will likely order a SSD add-on to the yellow kit then!

I am entirely new to the setting up of smart home lights, hence the worry about the wiring plans. Is my worry unfounded and that it is simplying ensuring additional neutral wire is provided at all switch points?

HA-Yellow comes with zigbee and thread connected. Can this work as a coordinator or do i still need a sonoff zigbee dongle?

I have no electrical/wing experience la, but based on my limited reading, installing a switch or dimmer relays don't seem difficult, much easier than convincing my wife to let me DIY..

From what I know, I could be wrong. For HDB apartments, neutral wiring is not present for all the switches except the heater switch. If you have 2 of them (new bto) and only need one (for storage heater) you can run one as a smart switch (or even dashboard with touchscreen buttons) + ZB router, another as your heater switch. One useful automations could be configuring the storage heater to start heating up before you reached home and shut off after 20min time. So you will have hot water when you start your bath and shut it down to save power after use.

HA yellow comes with the ZB module that act as the coordinator. So you do not need to get another.

TBH, I find it easy peasey to DIY install power switches. Just make sure you shut down the DB side and not work on live electical lines. Safety comes First!​

 

[sglandscape]

From what I know, I could be wrong. For HDB apartments, neutral wiring is not present for all the switches except the heater switch. If you have 2 of them (new bto) and only need one (for storage heater) you can run one as a smart switch (or even dashboard with touchscreen buttons) + ZB router, another as your heater switch. One useful automations could be configuring the storage heater to start heating up before you reached home and shut off after 20min time. So you will have hot water when you start your bath and shut it down to save power after use.

HA yellow comes with the ZB module that act as the coordinator. So you do not need to get another.

TBH, I find it easy peasey to DIY install power switches. Just make sure you shut down the DB side and not work on live electical lines. Safety comes First!​

For those who plan to have a smart switch for the heater, I highly recommend using a smart switch to control a contractor which in turn powers the heater. Most of the smart switch relays are not meant to take high continuous current load and may fail prematurely due to the contact fusing together.

 

[teelle]

Thank you! I am moving to a new EC, so probably have to see if neutrals are provided and if not, will have to get electrician to provide all neutrals.

For the storage heater, i will probably have to see if it came smart (unlikely), and replace the switch accordingly.

Thank you again and i can't wait to get hands on with installation and tinkering with HA subsequently!

 

[TanKianW]

For those who plan to have a smart switch for the heater, I highly recommend using a smart switch to control a contractor which in turn powers the heater. Most of the smart switch relays are not meant to take high continuous current load and may fail prematurely due to the contact fusing together.

Yup, get a quality smart heater switch.

@teelle Try to avoid no brand (OEM) Tuya’s switches. I am currently using one heater switch from NEAR in SG and Aqara for other places I install/deploy. These 2 brands have been problem free for me or maybe I am just lucky. Generally I prefer brands like Aqara, NEAR and Sonoff.

Just in case you need a really good and reliable ZB coordinator with excellent coverage, can also look at the SMLIGHT SLZB-06 which I strongly recommend for new installs (after trying out the ZB module on your HA yellow).​

 

[teelle]

Do you mean OEM switches like below?


Even as normal issues they will give problem? In terms of HA intergration or just standard product quality?

 

[TanKianW]

Do you mean OEM switches like below?


Even as normal issues they will give problem? In terms of HA intergration or just standard product quality?

In my experience, the "reputable brand" smart switches just last longer. This also include smart plugs.

Normally OEM switches are "no brand" or "look the same" across different vendors.​

 

[TanKianW]

**Setting up BlueTooth Proxy for BLE Smart Devices using ESP32Home on Home Assistant**

Recently bought some plant monitoring smart devices to help remind waifu to water her plants which uses BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). You can choose from those no-brand OEMs or Xiaomi BLE smart plant monitoring devices. To do that I will need to set up some "Bluetooth Proxy" around my place which I could easily flash using the ESP32 boards that I had lying around with ESPHome firmware to do so. You can easily flash it using the ESPHome web flash tool here: https://web.esphome.io/​

Feel free to check out these tutorial videos if you are also setting up Bluetooth proxies to connect to the BLE smart home devices laying around your home.​