(Part 3) Top products from r/homeassistant

So my suggestions: I've linked the things I use, but they're just suggestions.

• Lighting: Philips hue. This is because you don't want to wire up any new light switches. If you get a starter pack like this one it comes with a light switch you can place on the wall with double sided tape. You just have to teach the people in your house not to use the old switch anymore. In the case of kids rooms, the switch actually pops out of the holder and you could put it on their nightstand or whatnot so they can turn the lights on if they need to. The stand alone accent lights they have are really good as well, I have a few behind my TV that make the room pop somewhat.
  
• Zwave door / window sensors. With the dongle these are more useful then you'd think. If you have these and hue bulbs you could have hall lights turn on at like 10% brightness at night so you can see if you need to get up at night. I use them for my back patio so when I take the dogs out at night the lights automatically turn on, then turn off 15 min later on their own. If you're new to Zwave remember that these sensors do not repeat the signal. In your case since you don't want wire in powered devices you would need to get some repeaters to make sure you have enough signal strength or you won't receive events.
  
• Smart plugs: Weemo are good, but if you don't want to have a whole bunch of different types of devices, zwave would work just as well and it would also help with your signal strength. I actuallly use both in my setup to control things like air-purifiers and I have a few that report how much energy they use so I can automate things like when the dishwasher is running or laundry is done.
  
• Thermostat: I'm not sure if I can help you with that. I use a Nest for my whole house, but sounds like your setup may be different. There are plenty of good zwave thermostats out there you could hook up to this setup tho.
  
  

I have the Wink hub and like it. I don't know how it compares to Smart Things. Some people, myself included, have had an issue where communication breaks down between HA and Wink, and HA stops displaying the current state of items, but I think that will be fixed in the next release.
The only reason I did that instead of a USB stick is that I started my home automation with Wink, and only tried Home Assistant when I saw how much more robust of a platform it was. That said, I do find it easier to add things to Wink than to HA, so that's a bonus. I also use these little remotes a few places: https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-LZL-4B-WH-L01-Connected-Bulb-Remote/dp/B014STZASK/ And I don't know if they can be connected directly to HA yet.
Basically I use HA for most of my automations, but I use Wink for manual control of my items, whether I'm home or away.
However, it gets a little messy when I start adding things directly to HA because they're not Wink-compatible. Currently I have a Wifi plug that's not controllable by Wink and a Xioami hub with a couple of items hooked up to it, so I can no longer rely exclusively on the Wink hub for manual control.
Still, I like the hub, and I like the app, and since HA is doing all the automation from a Raspberry Pi, I never had to root it.

My guess is that you could do almost all of the same things using a HA installation with the right USB stick, but I still like Wink because I can get stuff added and working more quickly.

Like /u/JshWright, I use z-wave switches and dimmers that replace the physical switch. They're quite a bit more expensive, but easily fit in any switch junction box and don't have to connect to wifi.

I use either GE or Linear/GoControl brand. Both seem to work the same. Only reason I use a combination is because I'm picky and the white color of the Linear ones don't quite match the standard wall plates and switches. So I use the cheaper Linear switches for single gang boxes and the GE for multi:

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Dimmer-Z-Wave-12724-Amazon/dp/B006LQFHN2

https://www.amazon.com/Linear-WD500Z-1-Z-Wave-500-Watt-Wall-Mount/dp/B00E1OVFAK

3-way configurations are pretty easy with these, just might take you a bit to figure out which wires need to go where. With the GE switches you have one master switch like the one I linked above, and then their add-on switch for the others in the circuit. Linear has an add-on switch also, but it's like twice the price of the GE one. So I always use GE for 3 or 4-way switches:

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Bluetooth-Wireless-Lighting-12723/dp/B00RKJS8MQ

I've looked at the HomeSeer ones too, which look pretty cool. They're Z-wave Plus and also support double and triple tap, although I'm not sure if HASS and/or OpenZWave support that function anyway.

http://www.homeseer.com/compare-z-wave-on---off-wall-switches.html

> Are you proposing any alternatives to the thermostat or just feel it's better to forgo the smart thermostat all together?

Take a look through this section: https://home-assistant.io/components/#climate

Out of those, the ones that won't be beholden to a third party continuing to maintain a 'cloud' service of some sort for the smart functionality to work (or in some cases, even modifying the schedules) are the Radio Thermostat ones and the Z-wave ones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SYPSIRU/ would be a decent choice. Or the T50 from Radio Thermostat.

For Unifi it's REALLY easy. Set the Unifi controller up on something, your NAS or a Pi or even your desktop (note that any future config changes need to be made from this same controller, so the NAS or Pi is a better choice so it can just be left running 24/7). Then you adopt the APs and that's pretty much it. I love being able to manage my Unifi set up from their lovely phone app, too.

Hi! Welcome to the expensive, frustrating and exciting world of home automation!

You will find people using all sorts of things for switches, from arduinos shoved behind a wall plate, to multi-hundred dollar crestron panels.

I would suggest diving into the world of z-wave for this particular niche. I did a lot of research on this subject, and I think it will best accomplish your goal. GE makes a line of z-wave switches. They aren't cheap, but they work really well with home assistant. I would check those out! Feel free to PM me or reply below with any other questions.

Good luck!!

Edit: You might also want to check out something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OUWABU

If you cant/dont want to go the route of ny1105's Fibaro (which is a great option) and you still wanted a repeater with some other useful features, I'd suggest the aeotec multisensor. In the USB powered mode, it'll act as a zwave+ repeater instead of just a battery powered node. And now you have motion and temperature sensors that you can use for other fun automations :)

​

I use one of the outdoor GE (dongle) switches as a repeater for my gates. Just barely enough range to hit the back gate ~300ft (los) away

Amazon is out for delivery today, ordered the same kit, I am going to put this bamboo frame around it to match some of the wood in the house: https://www.amazon.com/Eleduino-Raspberry-Official-Touchscreen-Display/dp/B01FZ2RJN8 . I saw another post here where it was mounted with 3m picture Velcro strips for easy removal.

Today I am also going to size up using a double gang old work electrical box behind the display to safely tuck the Pi into the wall. I understand its a low voltage device, but I would feel better having it contained somewhat, at a minimum if the thing burns up, this would force the smoke into the house where I have a smoke alarm within 8ft.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Using:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JZ2SI6Q/

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B006LW2NJM/

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FKDK2M/

With great success. Have them around the TV in my den. They work great with Home Assistant.

This is the closest thing to that I know of: https://www.amazon.com/GE-45631-Z-Wave-Wireless-Controller/dp/B003OUWABU/ref=sr_1_13

It's not wall-mounted but I've got one of these, as well as it's smaller brother, the HA09: https://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-Settings-Wireless-Master-Control/dp/B000BRGU2E/ref=sr_1_1

Both of those works pretty well but now I need to add them to Home Assistant properly so that things stay in sync when I use them.

My cameras in Home Assistant and on my dashboards are not live. I have a few PoE IP cameras. I have them recording into Milestone XProtect Essential+ (free up to 8 cameras). This doesn't integrate with Home Assistant so I'm grabbing still images from the camera directly using a generic camera

I like Hikvision cameras, especially since the Hikvision Binary Sensor exists. They're built well for the price.
I got a Hikvision DS-2CD2332 for inside the garage. I am in love with this camera.

I have a Hikvision XC-2142FWDI on my front porch(album here). The XC-2142FWDI looks good, but sometimes grabbing a jpg from the camera takes longer than it should. The video stream is fine tho.

Since these are PoE cameras, you need to supply power with a PoE injector or a PoE enabled switch

Here's the camera relevant parts of my Home Assistant configuration, assuming my home assistant is 192.168.0.1 and front porch camera is 192.168.0.10

camera:

• platform: generic
  name: camera_front_porch
  still_image_url: !secret camera_front_porch_url
  username: admin
  password: !secret hikvision_password
  
  binary_sensor:
  
• platform: hikvision
  name: PorchCamera
  host: !secret camera_front_porch_ip
  username: admin
  password: !secret hikvision_password
  
  secrets.yaml
  
  hikvision_password: MY_PASSWORD
  camera_front_porch_ip: 192.168.1.10
  camera_front_porch_url: http://192.168.1.10/Streaming/channels/1/picture
  
  doorbell.dash
  
  title: Doorbell Panel
  widget_dimensions: [137, 139]
  widget_margins: [8, 9]
  columns: 7
  
  layout:
  
  • camera_front_porch(5x3)
    
    camera_front_porch:
    widget_type: camera
    entity_picture: http://192.168.0.1:8123/api/camera_proxy/camera.camera_front_porch?api_password=MY_HASS_PASSWORD
    refresh: 10
    

Unfortunately this won't be a cheap hobby, but those are good. I've also had success with Linear switches for a little cheaper.

I have a couple of these zigbee Peanut Smart Plugs and they work well with HA.

GE Z-Wave switches. Use their add-on switch combined with one of their regular z-wave switches. (or zigbee or bluetooth it would seem, I am just a fan of bluetooth so that's what I used)

I just did one of my lights that was controlled by two switches with this. The main switch goes where there's power to the switch (and you'll need to make sure you have a neutral wire there) and then your existing traveler wires should be able to be used to connect the other switches.

I also saw these Zooz switches which looked interesting and claim to work with existing three way switches but I have no experience with them. I went with the GE switches because I've used them for regular switches in the past and have been very happy with them.

My fav Z-Wave motion sensor is the ecolink (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQXXG0I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Out of all my zwave motion sensors these are by far the best motion sensor I have. Only 'down side' is the detection range is sort of large for my rooms so motion is triggered from hallway when walking by.

Pros:
- Fast triggering

- Very long battery life (running same batteries over a yr now)

- Has never needed tinkering with after setup, very stable and reliable

​

Other Z-Wave motion sensors i have, ordered by best to worst imo:

- Aeotec multisensor 6 (3x) best multi sensor option imo but burns battery fast (~1-2months) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0151Z8ZQY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

- Fibaro Motion Sensor (1x) works great most of the time, but every few months it freaks out and constantly triggers motion and needs to be removed and re-added to network. prob bad unit (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KOGDETI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

- Mono Price multi sensor (2x) very slow motion sensor detection, scan freq is low and afaik unconfigurable. bottom barrel option imo, do not recommend as motion sensors but do ok w/ temp / humidity / light but lite measurement is in a weird scale vs other lux sensors i have (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRYFE90/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

The code SMART10 is also good for a
LIFX Mini White (A19) Wi-Fi Smart LED Light Bulb, Dimmable, Warm White. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Y5QNKJ

Which ecosystems are you already using (zwave, zigbee, wifi, 433 etc..)?

I've been using these zwave door sensors for a while and they are ok. Funky little batteries (you can get rechargeable ones on amazon), but they pair pretty easily and respond quickly for both open and close events.

For my master bedroom, I've wired magnetic contact switches to a wemo d1 mini. So far so good. I wish I was able to hardwire all of my doors and windows to a central location. Seems more reliable, no batteries and a *lot* cheaper than wireless devices on every door and window.

What about something like this?

GE Z-Wave Plus Wireless Smart Lighting Control Outdoor Module, On/Off, Plug-In, 1 Outlet with Weather-Resistant Outlet Cover, Black, Works with Amazon Alexa (Hub Required), 14284 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W9NWFM3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OPzHAbMB9QM4R

To control it with your phone it's going to be a bit of an investment since you need a hub. I would suggest a WiFi bulb. LiFx on the high end or Yeelight on the cheap end. They get pretty inexpensive if you don't need RGB control and just want white light with the ability to dim.

Edit: https://www.amazon.com/YEELIGHT-Adjustable-Temperature-Equivalent-Smartphone/dp/B076CJL8DL

https://www.amazon.com/LIFX-Dimmable-Required-HomeKit-Assistant/dp/B072Y5QNKJ

The Yeelight let's you dim and adjust color temp, the lifx just dims.

Recently got a Peanut plug from Amazon that works great with ZHA. Only $15 US. https://www.amazon.com/Securifi-compatible-Remotely-Monitor-Appliances/dp/B00TC9NC82/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=peanut+plug&qid=1558202801&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Ecobee is looking real nice now. I wanted to switch even before, as I believe that Ecobee can be controlled locally.

*edit: The Nest thermostat was literally the first smart home device I bought and what got me started down this path. A couple years of education later, I'll be getting one of these: https://www.amazon.com/TRANE-Thermostat-Z-Wave-Works-Alexa/dp/B00SYPSIRU/

What I have under my cabinets is generic LED strip lighting plugged into a z-wave outlet.

But really your best bet is to go with another Hue strip for consistency in color and response. Instead of thinking of the rest of it as something you can't use, think about where you can use the rest. Some small-area ideas:

• Lights that turn on when you open a liquor cabinet.
  
• Behind the TV ambient light
  
• Lights that turn on in deep cabinets or a pantry on open
  
• Down the hallway at night

This is the motion sensor I use. Its fairly cheap, and works pretty well.

ive got some of these that work great with existing switches and their faceplates and are about the same cost as whole new switches.

Woah! So.. if I have a LED Strip already installed, can I simply purchase this SUPERNIGHT WiFi Wireless LED Smart Controller and it will integrate with Home Assistant?

Seems too simple!? I've been trying to over engineer some esp8266 led driver..

GE outdoor plug is on sale right now on amazon.

GE Z-Wave Plus Smart Lighting & Appliance Control Outdoor Module, On/Off, 1 Weather-Resistant Outlet Cover, Plug-in, Zwave Hub Required-Works with SmartThings Wink and Alexa, 14284, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W9NWFM3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_La48BbP4JGXCX

Not sure if you are using a motion sensor for your garage lights but if you're not you might consider the GE 26933. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071Y38FX5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This could solve both requirements and you wouldn't need the tilt sensor to be involved in the lighting automation.

Do you have Z-wave setup already? If so, try searching for "z-wave motion sensors". A quick search shows in the $28 range.

Ecolink Z-Wave PIR Motion Detector, Pet Immune (PIRZWAVE2-ECO) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FB1TBKS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dfQxybTBGGN9V

Since you have a metal box it won't work like that. I would probably suggest something like this maybe.

https://www.amazon.com/Aeon-Labs-DSC18103-ZWUS-White-AL001/dp/B008VWAPU4

Maybe you could place it inline somewhere closer to your network. Not sure on the ratings though.

You may just want to switch out for this controller, it works with home assistant and not too much coin.

​

https://www.amazon.com/LEDENET-Smart-Controller-Channels-Control/dp/B01DY56N8U/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=led+wifi+controller&qid=1559254576&s=gateway&sprefix=led+wif+&sr=8-6

Don't know if this counts as "good" but I put together a nodemcu and an RF receiver that transmits the codes over MQTT to my raspberry pi. NodeMCU ~$9 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010O1G1ES/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3t7.zbNNKST99 and RF receiver ~$7 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M2CUALS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bx7.zbPBPEM90

Just noticed you said 345mhz... these receivers are made for 433mhz but you might be able to find a similar one for 345mhz?

Let me know if you want any more details.

Bamboo case - I didn’t use the provided legs, of course.

Touchscreen

I grabbed one of these and ran power to it.

Koala Tablet Wall Mount Dock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JV75FC6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YlNSCb74A5J11

Follow up: is this everything in one? Any reason not to go with a kit approach?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZKF2ZO/ref=psdc_15704861_t2_B00K6ZJVP4

not zwave but https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-LZL-4B-WH-L01-Connected-Bulb-Remote/dp/B014STZASK

get that and the mounting kit

Nah I bought it from Amazon. They work just fine with my Kindle fire.

Koala Tablet Wall Mount Dock by Dockem; for iPad Air/Mini/Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab/Note, Nexus 7/10, and more (Black Brackets, Screw-in version) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JV75FC6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PWJYAbBKDX1AJ

The camera is connected to this PoE injector. The injector itself is connected to this repeater. It has a ethernet port that can be used to either connect the repeater via cable or to "translate the wifi to ethernet". The repeater is connected to my Unifi ap. Thats it.

I just don't wanted a normal wifi camera for security reasons. Also it wasn't possible for me to run a network cable to the camera itself. That's why I use this "complicated" method.

Edit: here is a really crappy picture I drawed on mobile :D

It was the SMAKN® 433Mhz Rf Transmitter and Receiver Link Kit for Arduino/Arm/McU. (Its just over $6 now)

You can find it here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M2CUALS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Still have not gotten this thing working yet :(