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owl |
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owl World Chat Champion
Joined: 21 Oct 2016 Karma :
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Posted: 00:43 - 03 Jan 2018 Post subject: |
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It starts getting more useful with sequencing / routines, for instance when I say Alexa good night, she turns off all the lights in the living room the tv, the aquarium lights, christmas tree etc and then turns on the tv in the bedroom and the bedside lamps to a dim setting. You can also program cinema sequence to set lights to a specific brightness or configuration you prefer and set the tv to a specific input/app.
When I say Alexa wake up in the morning she turns the tv on the lights on reads me the weather and traffic. Another useful thing is the motion sensors, our lights in the passage and bathroom are controlled automatically, after midnight they come on very dim like a night light and shut off after a few minutes, in the evening they come on full and stay on for about 15 minutes then shut off. They’re also programmed to shut off automatically once everyone leaves the house.
They’re definitely a non essential item, however I wouldn’t call it gimmicky, it certainly does make life slightly easier. The good night command for example has at least 6 actions that I would have to go around the room turning off manually, plus another 4 in the room, which can all be accomplished by saying two words. ____________________ Observation is the greatest source of wisdom. |
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goto10 |
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goto10 World Chat Champion
Joined: 16 Oct 2011 Karma :
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Posted: 01:37 - 03 Jan 2018 Post subject: |
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Yup, I like a bit of home control & automation.
The Sonoff stuff looks interesting though, I might get one to have a play.
I use switch caps to stop people manually turning the power off to smart lights, apparently there's a Fibaro unit that can be used with a momentary switch that doesn't require neutral, but it requires a fairly deep back box, so I've just stuck to standard switches.
I mainly use SmartThings - I use WebCore (https://wiki.webcore.co/) for the actual automation part (e.g. in my hallway, I have a double-door cupboard where the chest freezer/washing machine/tumble dryer/homeserver/UPS/internet router/network switch all live - inside the cupboard is a motion/temperature sensor - when the temp goes above 21 degrees it turns on the extractor fan (to keep the IT equipment from overheating), when it detects motion (i.e. someone is in there) it sets two of the GU10 lights (that are above the doors) to 100% brightness. After a minute of no-motion, they dim back down to match the rest of the bulbs (they idle at 20% brightness after sunset and before midnight, go up to 80% when the front door opens or motion is detected) (Bulbs are Ikea Tradfri, link to SmartThings nicely) - I use a Fibaro motion sensor as it has motion/heat/lux.
I also have an Aeotec sensor inside the inner door, so when my wife leaves both doors open [and the outside temp is below 15 degrees], it moans at her to close one
I have a motion sensor at the bottom of the stairs, if it detects motion between 0630 & 0700, it'll set my Samsung M5 speaker (in the kitchen) to read the day's weather forecast (once!)
If my lounge senses movement and the lux is below a certain level, it'll put my uplighter on (again, using a Tradfri bulb)
I have my electric blanket connected, so about 15 mins before we go to bed I say "Ok Google, turn on the bed" - so the bed gets nice and toasty.
My front door uses a Yale KeyFree lock, with a Z-Wave module to connect to SmartThings, I have Zwave fobs that are programmed to unlock it, as well as widgets on our phones (to unlock door) - I can also see who's at the door by CCTV and let people in without getting off the sofa. (I've also remotely buzzed my dad in on a couple of occasions whilst I've been out and about, no dropping keys off or leaving under flower pots)
I have presence sensors on both bikes and both cars (get an alert if they leave at an unexpected moment)
I have a driveway sensor that sets off a sound in my bedroom and on my phone, if someone breaks the beam when the house is armed then I get notified.
Aquarium is connected, so air pumps/lights go on/off as needed
Stair lights are connected,
Harmony is connected ("Ok Google, turn on Plex" - fires off the Harmony activity to do as such)
I have moisture sensors under the hot water tank - cold water tank and behind washing machine, so I get alerted if something springs a leak, along with usual door/window sensors
I have a Nest thermostat, which is connected to SmartThings (via NST Manager),along with Nest Protects.
...and various other things (including Xmas lights!)
I also use https://www.actiontiles.com on a couple of tablets, they make nice dashboards/control boards, along with some Alexa devices and a couple of Google Homes. ____________________ '12 NC700S & '12 CB600F Hornet [Stolen by some dickless twat] Suzuki GT500 shed |
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LustyLew |
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LustyLew World Chat Champion
Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 17:58 - 19 Jan 2018 Post subject: |
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I'm looking at getting a Tado Smart Thermostat with the extension kit as I have a wireless thermostat at the moment.
I've gone through the instructions.
Am I right in thinking the Tado thermostat doesn't need mains power as it has in-built batteries? The current 'stat has no mains feed so it would be difficult to provide power...
Has anyone set up Tado before? Are you happy with it? ____________________ Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls |
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chris-red |
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chris-red Have you considered a TDM?
Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :
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chris-red |
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chris-red Have you considered a TDM?
Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 11:55 - 22 Jan 2018 Post subject: |
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https://i.imgur.com/feUuDoe.jpg
I have done my living room spotlights. A firmware update for the Sonoff has allowed the default position to be chosen.
Simply run a cable from the Neutral to the input neutral then run the switched live though the Sonoff.
Total cost to do my 2 banks of 14 lights. £12.50. Phillips Hue cost to do the same £370😂. ____________________ Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything. |
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c_dug |
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c_dug Super Spammer
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chris-red |
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chris-red Have you considered a TDM?
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Ribenapigeon |
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duhawkz World Chat Champion
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sensi5446 |
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sensi5446 Trackday Trickster
Joined: 12 Feb 2014 Karma :
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Posted: 21:24 - 13 Feb 2018 Post subject: |
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goto10 wrote: | Yup, I like a bit of home control & automation.
The Sonoff stuff looks interesting though, I might get one to have a play.
I use switch caps to stop people manually turning the power off to smart lights, apparently there's a Fibaro unit that can be used with a momentary switch that doesn't require neutral, but it requires a fairly deep back box, so I've just stuck to standard switches.
I mainly use SmartThings - I use WebCore (https://wiki.webcore.co/) for the actual automation part (e.g. in my hallway, I have a double-door cupboard where the chest freezer/washing machine/tumble dryer/homeserver/UPS/internet router/network switch all live - inside the cupboard is a motion/temperature sensor - when the temp goes above 21 degrees it turns on the extractor fan (to keep the IT equipment from overheating), when it detects motion (i.e. someone is in there) it sets two of the GU10 lights (that are above the doors) to 100% brightness. After a minute of no-motion, they dim back down to match the rest of the bulbs (they idle at 20% brightness after sunset and before midnight, go up to 80% when the front door opens or motion is detected) (Bulbs are Ikea Tradfri, link to SmartThings nicely) - I use a Fibaro motion sensor as it has motion/heat/lux.
I also have an Aeotec sensor inside the inner door, so when my wife leaves both doors open [and the outside temp is below 15 degrees], it moans at her to close one
I have a motion sensor at the bottom of the stairs, if it detects motion between 0630 & 0700, it'll set my Samsung M5 speaker (in the kitchen) to read the day's weather forecast (once!)
If my lounge senses movement and the lux is below a certain level, it'll put my uplighter on (again, using a Tradfri bulb)
I have my electric blanket connected, so about 15 mins before we go to bed I say "Ok Google, turn on the bed" - so the bed gets nice and toasty.
My front door uses a Yale KeyFree lock, with a Z-Wave module to connect to SmartThings, I have Zwave fobs that are programmed to unlock it, as well as widgets on our phones (to unlock door) - I can also see who's at the door by CCTV and let people in without getting off the sofa. (I've also remotely buzzed my dad in on a couple of occasions whilst I've been out and about, no dropping keys off or leaving under flower pots)
I have presence sensors on both bikes and both cars (get an alert if they leave at an unexpected moment)
I have a driveway sensor that sets off a sound in my bedroom and on my phone, if someone breaks the beam when the house is armed then I get notified.
Aquarium is connected, so air pumps/lights go on/off as needed
Stair lights are connected,
Harmony is connected ("Ok Google, turn on Plex" - fires off the Harmony activity to do as such)
I have moisture sensors under the hot water tank - cold water tank and behind washing machine, so I get alerted if something springs a leak, along with usual door/window sensors
I have a Nest thermostat, which is connected to SmartThings (via NST Manager),along with Nest Protects.
...and various other things (including Xmas lights!)
I also use https://www.actiontiles.com on a couple of tablets, they make nice dashboards/control boards, along with some Alexa devices and a couple of Google Homes. |
I would love to see a walk through video of this, all the different bits you mentioned above, your house sounds like the future. |
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duhawkz World Chat Champion
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Howling Terror |
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duhawkz World Chat Champion
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AshWebster Brolly Dolly
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owl |
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owl World Chat Champion
Joined: 21 Oct 2016 Karma :
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Posted: 17:58 - 22 Feb 2018 Post subject: |
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AshWebster wrote: | I'm kinda in 2 minds with this subject.
Whilst it would be cool to have voice controlled lighting and "smart houses" in some situations (like making your toast when you wake up/brewing up etc or dimming the lights when watching a film), i cant help but thinking its a bit sad and/or gimmicky.
A lad I used to work with in concept design had a fully automated house.Like he had a hot tub which he would set to warm up before he got home, automatic windows /blinds, etc. you name it he automated it. He was also a lonely guy. i dont know if its a case of everyone is like that but i dont know.
We live in a society where milennials and even adults (im 29) are constantly glued to their phone and technology its quite depressing. I walked past the smoking shelter at work the other morning (i dont even smoke) and everyone was stood their silently on their phones. I thought smoking was a social thing... even that is getting usurped by the stare at phone epidemic.
I for one would prefer to go back to when phones and techonolgy were just additions to make life a bit easier (phone calls/dishwasher) and not so fully integrated into our lives we ignore reality. |
I get what you're saying, but if anything I look at my phone less now, because I don't have to grab it every time I want to know or look something up, I just ask.
Calendar appointments, reminders, birthdays, weather (later/tomorrow), time, news, traffic, ordering stuff, wiki and more, all without touching or looking at my phone.
Been living with the missus for 12 years now (so I'm not a sad lonely git, just a git) and she was sceptical about it all too, but now she loves it, except when she talks to it and it doesn't understand her and they end up having a one way shouting match. ____________________ Observation is the greatest source of wisdom. |
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duhawkz World Chat Champion
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 6 years, 104 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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