The Smart Home Thread

[MLB]

Thank you! That screenshot does look exactly what I'd need and not that difficult at all. Is that a default interface or something I'd need to 'load' onto the home assistant device?

The good thing is that the HA device isn't too dear compared to alternatives like Homey Pro that start at 400+

Might just give it a whirl and if it turns out not to be for me I'm sure I could sell it in quite easily.

 

[mace¬]

Thank you! That screenshot does look exactly what I'd need and not that difficult at all. Is that a default interface or something I'd need to 'load' onto the home assistant device?

The good thing is that the HA device isn't too dear compared to alternatives like Homey Pro that start at 400+

Might just give it a whirl and if it turns out not to be for me I'm sure I could sell it in quite easily.

Yep, straight out the box. Just a settings menu and then options for devices, automations & scenes and then things like grouping and areas so you can organise everything neatly. I can't remember the setup process but loads of YT videos that talk you through the process. Really quick and simple.

There are then loads of community developed things called HACS that you can add for extra functionality/device integration etc. The actual documentation can be a bit confusing but YT and ChatGPT will walk you through it.

Like you said, the kit is cheap so I just went for it, found it a bit complicated at first setting devices up but the learning curve is so fast with AIs help I reckon I'd be confident enough to get most mid level difficulty things working.

As a warning the devices can get expensive. Just on light switches and bulbs I must be £500+ in already but it is just a gradual thing now I can add one or two new smart devices when I think of something I want to do (just checked and I have 50 smart devices connected into HA now)

 

[MLB]

Sounds ace, thanks for the info!

Yeah I've seen the prices of bulbs and other automation things.. Can get eye watering in no time. Luckily we've got energy saving bulbs/spots throughout the house so think I'll just start implementing zigbee or shelly devices behind existing switches so visitors can also still switch on lights if they stay over.

Kind of making our existing setup smarter without having to replace all the hardware.

 

[mace¬]

I’ve used these in rooms where I’ve already had lights like the office ceiling light and living room led thing the Mrs wanted

Amazon.co.uk

Just wires in behind the existing light switch and carries on letting you use the existing light switch but is ‘always on’ so can always be controlled through HA

 

[mace¬]

Should have added as well sorry, if you use the relay switches you can only control on and off for non smart bulbs even if you have a dimmer function

 

[Rob G]

I am planning to work through upgrading our current smart bulbs (cheapo Amazon things) in the house.
We currently have 5 lamps and an outside porch light. They are not the most reliable and drop out/stop working occasionally.
Is Philips hue still the go to for smart lighting? First stage will be to change the 4no. Bulbs in the living room/bedroom.

 

[mace¬]

If you aren't interested in all the deep features and 'Hue factor' then Govee is a decent alternative at a cheaper cost. Depends what you want it for, if it is just time controlled etc Govee will cover you. If you want to add in the motion sensors and things like that in the Hue range then bend over and take the price.

 

[Oggy997]

We run govee and hub, and built some scenes in HA that sets the rgb value of the govees to match the default scenes in hue.

 

[Rob G]

Thanks! WIll have a look. I don't want anything too fancy really. Mostly timed automation and ability to turn on/off/change colour via Alexa/Siri.
Bedroom would only need to be white, only ever change the colours in the living room when watching a film etc.

 

[Oggy997]

Then either are fine, i control all my lights with Alexa.

Alexa, set the bedroom to a seedy red.

 

[mace¬]

We run govee and hub, and built some scenes in HA that sets the rgb value of the govees to match the default scenes in hue.

Have you got Govee dreamview working in HA?

 

[Rob G]

Those using the govee (etc) bulbs (i.e. direct to internet). Do you have a separate 2.4GHz channel setup? My router is 'combined' so does both 2.4/5 but I am wondering if some of my issues with devices going offline is the lack of a dedicated 2.4 wireless network.

 

[Matt Cup]

How f**king cool is this?