Internet Of Things / IoT / Connected Home / Smart Houses

On all of this stuff... I stick by my claim that if I only did one thing it would be Philips Hue lighting everywhere.

What about Crestron or Lutron?

Interesting, my biggest issue is how to mount the sensors on the windows, the current ones I have just aren’t quite consistently performing which means they randomly go off!

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Odd. Also odd your castle has PVC windows.
I thought ERA stuff was usually ok? The sensors can either be drilled on or stuck on with some turbo sticky tape they provide, no issues here so far.
The sensors can also be used as motion sensors which is great.

Is it a trick of the camera or is the part of the frame with the ERA labelled box slightly angled? Might be something to do with it if so...

I think it is fine, the sensors just can't get into a good position. and the app\management is awful, really old fashioned in that you have to text a random number to change settings. I should probably have another play.
UPVC = cheap, something had to shift, so windows it was!

If you can work out an estimated angle I could probably 3d print you some shims...

It is angled, it has a significant bevel on all our windows, which is the only bit you can put the small box on to get it close enough to get the magnets to interact, really bad picture attached which is roughly how the cross section of our windows work, and an example of the mounts I would need. Another option is getting some standalone magnets and seeing if I could mount them in the frame somehow.

The answer is of course to change our windows to something much better, but seeing as they are less than 3 years old.

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oh tempting! the other issue is that it is not even a flat bevelled, it has a curve to it! I think getting some small but powerful magnets may be the best solution

I used these for switches https://www.samotech.co.uk/products/philips-hue-dimmer-converter-cover-raised-switch/
They cover existing switches and neatly wall mount the philips ones.

There does seem to be a massive gap in the market for a neat, slot-in switch replacement (preferably with a dimmer) that ties in to the main ecosystems though.

I think a lot do that nowadays. I've got my eye on a Sonos one but it's a pretty common thing.

Yup... those are the switch covers I used.

I swapped my existing switches for new MK switches that were dirt cheap and I knew to be compatible with the Samotech covers, and then put the Samotech covers on those and the Philips Hue clicks over that.

It's about the neatest thing out there and if you're changing bulbs it's trivial to pop off the Hue switch and turn off the switch underneath.

Just realised that I've got a Chromecast audio lying around somewhere, guess I could use that as an alternative to a full-on smart one.

Since discovering that Chromecast Audio supports toslink optical out and I could use my own DAC... I am now sold on this being the greatest of all the audio streaming devices.

Whaaa, I had no idea it supported optical out! That's wild, & pretty handy.

Yeah, you need one of these Toslink cables for it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00T8HWV62/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to connect it to a DAC with standard Toslink.

It's inside the audio out jack, that socket is both a digital and analog out depending on what you plug in.

also MacBooks!

Humidity sensor that can work with Alexa or Hue to switch a smart plug for a dehumidifier.

Is there one that doesn't need another hub?
Or which stat/hub combo is decent?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elixir-Thermostats-Humidity-Controllers-Analogue/dp/B01N9T9SHS/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=humidity+switch&qid=1605907727&sr=8-7

does it need to be 'smart' just do its thing?

what's the need to link to Alexetc?

The plug in humistat wouldn't be any improvement over the inbuilt sensor on the dehumidifier

I'm wanting to monitor/switch based on RH at two locations and also control the on/off times

I've got a Bluetooth LE sensor that I read with a Raspberry Pi (https://uk-m.banggood.com/Xiaomi-Mijia-bluetooth-Temperature-Humidity-Sensor-LCD-Screen-Digital-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Moisture-Meter-p-1232396.html). I presume whatever you are trying to control has some sort of API so roll your own?

I've got a SensorPush Temperature/Humidity sensor coming today. I've got the gateway coming too. Believe you can integrate somehow with IFTTT. Will let you know how I get on.

Believe you can integrate somehow with IFTTT.

So when your Internet connection is down your heating doesn't work?

Heating is done via Nest.
This is more to see humidity and temperature in various rooms and how the house heats up and cools down.
Doubt I'll actually bother integrating.

If you're willing to delve into the murky world of Home Assistant there are plenty of cheap options.

How long does the battery last on that thing? And what is the range like?