Everything Smart Homes in Trinidad & Tobago

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Gate controller is done with a microcontroller wired to a remote control.. button is a virtual switch through SmartThings that runs an ifttt command that triggers gpio on the mc through a c++ script that “pushes” the button on a remote.. gate is monitored though the camera that shows a live feed of the camera..
Batteries show various battery levels on various motion/door/temperature sensors..

that's a lil over my level!

how does it tell if the gate is opened or closed? The camera?

[phreak]

Gate controller is done with a microcontroller wired to a remote control.. button is a virtual switch through SmartThings that runs an ifttt command that triggers gpio on the mc through a c++ script that “pushes” the button on a remote.. gate is monitored though the camera that shows a live feed of the camera..
Batteries show various battery levels on various motion/door/temperature sensors..

that's a lil over my level!

how does it tell if the gate is opened or closed? The camera?

Gate is a gated compound, so just open button, once sensors cleared it’ll close.. there is an ip camera that is tied into system so you can view before gate is opened.. but there are no sensors in place to show gate status (for now, will think on it though)..

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Gate is a gated compound, so just open button, once sensors cleared it’ll close.. there is an ip camera that is tied into system so you can view before gate is opened.. but there are no sensors in place to show gate status (for now, will think on it though)..

ah ok, on your screenshot there is a status on the gate saying "closed", so I was wondering

I'm guessing an Insteon open/close sensor mounted on the gate should easily do the trick

[phreak]

Gate is a gated compound, so just open button, once sensors cleared it’ll close.. there is an ip camera that is tied into system so you can view before gate is opened.. but there are no sensors in place to show gate status (for now, will think on it though)..

ah ok, on your screenshot there is a status on the gate saying "closed", so I was wondering

I'm guessing an Insteon open/close sensor mounted on the gate should easily do the trick

Well, something along those lines.. don’t think those insteon rated for outdoor use though.. but if the idea does further tickle me I’m sure I could rig up something to a simple reed sensor wired to a controller in the control box.. will try not to think on it though.. then I’ll want to build it.. not enough hours in the day as is..

[Gladiator]

I was a past X-10 user.... entire house and security system was running on macros using their equipment. Then one day poof... controller went dead and no support.

I currently have Logitech Harmony and Insteon Hub to control lights, amplifier, HT Receiver, Multimedia Player, Projector, AC in the Home Theatre Room. I use my phone and have a button to turn everything on and off.

Will be expanding the system soon to other lights and appliances onto the Insteon HUB.

[GarageFresh]

this kinda cool to control switches, gate remotes etc

https://www.amazon.com/MicroBot-Push-2n ... smart+home





now looking to automate stuff in my home

so far my tank is automated (salt water tank)
feeds fishes, automated lights, automated water change system,

[src1983]

Looking for advice on smart switches

Where I can say

“Alexa lights on” but still have the traditional light switch.

Looking also for door locks.

Any suggestions, must work with iOS and Android also

Thanks

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Looking for advice on smart switches

Where I can say

“Alexa lights on” but still have the traditional light switch.

Lots of options
Koogeek is what I use
https://www.koogeek.com/smart-home-2418/
I use the 2 gang and dimmers
You can say "Hey Siri, turn the Living room lights on" even when you are not at home.
You can use your AppleTV as a home hub.

These work with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit / Siri

There's also
Belkin WeMo is a popular choice too
http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F7C030/

and Lutron Casetta
http://www.lutron.com/en-US/Products/Pa ... rview.aspx
http://www.casetawireless.com/Pages/Caseta.aspx

just google smart light switch

Looking also for door locks.

https://www.pcmag.com/article/344336/th ... mart-locks

Any suggestions, must work with iOS and Android also

Thanks

These work with Alexa, Android and iOS as they will have accompanying apps

If you want to talk your instructions "turn on the light" most work with Alexa and Google and Siri, the latter requires the product to have HomeKit compatibility, but you can get around that with HomeBridge
https://www.imore.com/how-connect-non-h ... homebridge

[phreak]

Looking for advice on smart switches

Where I can say

“Alexa lights on” but still have the traditional light switch.

Looking also for door locks.

Any suggestions, must work with iOS and Android also

Thanks

I’d stay away from “smart” locks.. I’d strongly recommend lutron caseta system as you can start with 2 switches and there is a lot of room for growth..

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

anyone using Sonoff devices?
https://www.amazon.com/Sonoff-Wireless- ... 077JXFF51/

This one seems to be able to control RF devices like garage door and gate motors

[phreak]

anyone using Sonoff devices?
https://www.amazon.com/Sonoff-Wireless- ... 077JXFF51/

This one seems to be able to control RF devices like garage door and gate motors

Sonoffs are nice to play with but very unreliable.. usually require a restart every day or so.. on the upside they can be flashed and could be tied to SmartThings.. planning to test out a few over the next week, will see how it goes..

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

this kinda cool to control switches, gate remotes etc

https://www.amazon.com/MicroBot-Push-2n ... smart+home





now looking to automate stuff in my home

so far my tank is automated (salt water tank)
feeds fishes, automated lights, automated water change system,

missed this post earlier!
woah!

[src1983]

**Update**

Got my Amazon Echo and echo dot

So far I have managed to tell Alexa

1. Play “prince I would die 4 u” on Spotify - success

2. Tell Roomba to start cleaning - success

3. Put on directv - this using harmony hub - success

4. Using some smart sockets Alexa can turn on some bedroom lamps - success

Stuff that’s confusing

1. Using the recommendation of Lurton caseta from others I did some reading. However can someone explain how this light switch would work with a switch that has 3 switches? Would I need to purchase 3 lutron switches and bust my wall to fit them?

2. Has anyone got a harmony remote or hub to program their split ac?

Phase 2:

Looking to implement door locks and some shades for the home office

Appreciate the feedback

[powered by ?]

**Update**

Got my Amazon Echo and echo dot

So far I have managed to tell Alexa

1. Play “prince I would die 4 u” on Spotify - success

2. Tell Roomba to start cleaning - success

3. Put on directv - this using harmony hub - success

4. Using some smart sockets Alexa can turn on some bedroom lamps - success

Stuff that’s confusing

1. Using the recommendation of Lurton caseta from others I did some reading. However can someone explain how this light switch would work with a switch that has 3 switches? Would I need to purchase 3 lutron switches and bust my wall to fit them?

2. Has anyone got a harmony remote or hub to program their split ac?

Phase 2:

Looking to implement door locks and some shades for the home office

Appreciate the feedback

I believe you may require a hub for this, I stand to be corrected though.

For my smartthing setup I needed to add this outlet to my list of devices (things) and for the application side map it to a virtual switch with a description, Alexa pairs to the hub and learns all the devices description.

For my ACs I am able to turn on/off together with what mode and can swing my vents also has a built-in thermostat to sample the temperature and report back.


Remotec Z-Wave ZXT-120 IR Extender for Air Conditioners https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CJBBYS0?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Require a bit of programming knowledge to get this working, not sure if there is any easy way to pair it now as I done mine two years ago..

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Stuff that’s confusing

1. Using the recommendation of Lurton caseta from others I did some reading. However can someone explain how this light switch would work with a switch that has 3 switches? Would I need to purchase 3 lutron switches and bust my wall to fit them?

yes you'd have to break the wall and fit 3 switches.

There is the Koogeek 2 gang wall switch
https://www.koogeek.com/smart-home-2418/p-kh02.html
I am sure it works with Siri and HomeKit as I use these at home. I am not 100% sure it works with Alexa tho.

2. Has anyone got a harmony remote or hub to program their split ac?

yes, i control my GREE split unit in my office with a Harmony hub and Harmony Elite Home.
Harmony is not homekit compatible, but last week I setup homebridge on my Mac and can control non-homekit devices such as WeMo plugs etc. I plan to add Harmony to that soon. Will post here on how that goes.

Phase 2:

Looking to implement door locks and some shades for the home office

Appreciate the feedback

I want to try an August lock, but have other priorities atm.
smart window Shades are expensive since you have to replace your blinds with theirs.

There are much cheaper solutions that let you install a motor in your existing blinds
https://www.amazon.com/MySmartBlinds-Au ... B01M9G5Y7C
The work with the 2" and 3" wood blinds, not mini blinds.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

I want to control a ceiling fan (already has remote) with Alexa or HomeKit - any ideas?

[src1983]

2. Has anyone got a harmony remote or hub to program their split ac?

yes, i control my GREE split unit in my office with a Harmony hub and Harmony Elite Home.
Harmony is not homekit compatible, but last week I setup homebridge on my Mac and can control non-homekit devices such as WeMo plugs etc. I plan to add Harmony to that soon. Will post here on how that goes.

Do you have instructions on how to accomplish this? I tried manually programming but keep getting an error

Its an Amana Distinctions unit

Thanks,

[Parvin]

All I have is the SmartWave light switch

I was looking at the Sensibo Sky, and seeing now that someone locally uses it and has positive feedback I might just get one.

I'll also add a few more of the SamrtWave light switches eventually.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

2. Has anyone got a harmony remote or hub to program their split ac?

yes, i control my GREE split unit in my office with a Harmony hub and Harmony Elite Home.
Harmony is not homekit compatible, but last week I setup homebridge on my Mac and can control non-homekit devices such as WeMo plugs etc. I plan to add Harmony to that soon. Will post here on how that goes.

Do you have instructions on how to accomplish this? I tried manually programming but keep getting an error

Its an Amana Distinctions unit

Thanks,

Harmony has Amana products in their database, try searching the model here.
https://support.myharmony.com/en-us/compatibility

My exact GREE and Panasonic units were there.
If your device is not there then the Harmony remote can learn the commands just like any Universal remote, then you use the app or Alexa etc to control it.
https://support.myharmony.com/en-us/add ... y-database

[nismodriver]

Samsung Smart Things, with Echo throughout the house for Voice Activation.
A few wall outlets, Light switch, some LED bulbs for lamps, Bedroom door, Garage door and AC with the IR extender.
Baby Crib has LED lights that come on when motion detected in the crib.
Also some motion sensors and door sensors all hooked up through the SmartThings hub.
https://www.kaitechtt.com/

The automation works great example lock doors when you leave the house, put on the Christmas lights at 6Pm etc.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Samsung Smart Things, with Echo throughout the house for Voice Activation.
A few wall outlets, Light switch, some LED bulbs for lamps, Bedroom door, Garage door and AC with the IR extender.
Baby Crib has LED lights that come on when motion detected in the crib.
Also some motion sensors and door sensors all hooked up through the SmartThings hub.
https://www.kaitechtt.com/

The automation works great example lock doors when you leave the house, put on the Christmas lights at 6Pm etc.

nice!
I didnt want to go with the smart bulbs and went with smart switches instead, cause if you turn off the dumb switch it renders the smart bulb useless.

[Pablo660]

I have the sonoff for the living room lamps and they work great, no issues all tru Alexa
The harmony learned the commands for my projector screen up& down so I think it should be able to learn any device with an ir emitter including a ceiling fan , might take a little time .
I love the robot push button device
I also have roller shades which I want to automate
My current project is to use a sonoff to control a gate remote but I got 2 relays and a capacitor to convert on/off to pulse

[src1983]

**Update**

Tried teaching the hub my AC remote as the model was not on Logitech’s database.

It was successful to a point

Here were some issues

1. The AC would require one button for on and a separate for off

2. The ac temp will not go up in sequence, instead it used the last temp when mapped to the hub eg 28

3. Same as 2 for fan speed

With regards to Alexa

I set and activity to put on the ac, however hub sees this as an entertainment device and not a home device even though I selected the device being claimate control

When I tell Alexa start the activity, I get

“Sorry I am having trouble connecting to harmony hub”

But if I say turn on tv, it works

May need to use one of this sensibo thingys

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Yeah my ac works with the harmony hub as part of an activity. Or you can launch the Harmony app and go to Devices and control it there remotely.

I want to try the Sensibo Sky, but was waiting till they incorporate HomeKit

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Anyone using this Fibaro Motion and Temperature sensor with HomeKit?

[Country_Bookie]

I'm looking for a smart lock for an elderly person who lives alone, that would allow their relatives to open the door remotely from their phone if there is an emergency, e.g. if the elderly person falls and can't get up in the house.

I know Blink has medi-alert, but the problem we were envisaging is if the person activates the alert and the ambulance arrives but can't get in the house.
Any suggestions?

[thelem-again]

I'm looking for a smart lock for an elderly person who lives alone, that would allow their relatives to open the door remotely from their phone if there is an emergency, e.g. if the elderly person falls and can't get up in the house.

I know Blink has medi-alert, but the problem we were envisaging is if the person activates the alert and the ambulance arrives but can't get in the house.
Any suggestions?

I use the August SmartLock. Works great on both Android and iOS. Its also Homekit enabled.
I have been using it for almost two years, no issues with some great features such as:

Geofencing
Notifications of opening, locking and low battery alerts
You can grant other guest to open and lock the door
Universal fit
Great range

EDIT:
Only thing for your situation is that you're saying you need it to be remote (I'm assuming if you're not there and ambulance comes or neighbor to check in). So you'd have to get the additional module which makes it work remotely anywhere outside of range (bluetooth) of the lock.

The additional module is dependent on wifi though. So as you're saying its an elderly person, the residence would need to have wifi.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Wanna report back that the Lutron Caseta switches are really the best I've seen. With a hub they are Alexa, Siri and Google Home compatible and they work on their own frequency and don't consume wifi for each switch.

They don't have double gang like the Koogeek, however Koogeek only supports Siri (Apple HomeKit) currently.

Also the Lutron Caseta dimmers don't require a neutral wire, but the regular on/off switches do require a neutral wire.

[Morpheus]

Good thread

[pugboy]

anybody using a neato d5 or d3 connected robot vacuum ?