Home Automation Thread

[Iciclehead]

I have a lot of automation with the Honeywell Z Wave system....the others seem a little sketchy in terms of security, but I love the garage door control, door lock control, lighting control and main water shut off plus of course thermostat control + security cameras


That irrigation thing seems to be a pretty good add though....

Dennis

[ian c2]

My water district give away the ranchio , along with other good stuff .

Im using all HomeKit as I use and iPhone .
Temperature , locks , lights etc can be done by Siri or schedule .
But geofencing Is the best way to do it .
Got extended Wi-Fi by linking airport extremes so my phone connects as I turn onto the road , lights on locks open etc by the time I park ...

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

When things require interaction to operate what's easier, managing them all from one place or having to go physically interact with each one?

Good point; from one place, obviously.

But the real solution is to get rid of the things that require interaction.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

With all these time saving gadgets why do we seem to have less free time?

Internet message boards.

[biosurfer1]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

But the real solution is to get rid of the things that require interaction.

That's exactly what I'm doing. My old garage fan required interaction...I got rid of it and got one that doesn't require interaction, just works by itself.

[Racerbvd]

I have a ring doorbell camera and one of those Rumba vacuum cleaners, that is enough for me,

[Por_sha911]

My clock radio makes sure I wake up at the same time each morning. We ate the rooster.
The programmable thermostat helps keep the temps where I want day and night.
My wife has me programmed. When she says something, I automatically say "yes dear".

As far as doorbells with a camera, I keep thinking about this:

[Baz]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Well with either the old or new system they could have performed the service without me around.

Zone valve controls are all external and can be actuated manually at any time.

Me on the phone was actually easier since they did not have to walk all the way around the house to turn on, then go back out front to look, go back to turn off current zone and turn on new one, rinse repeat.

And I wanted to speak with them to make sure they caught every issue as a couple were not obvious.

The convenience factor is not for service, it's for me.

I got tired of having to go into the garage every time I needed to interact with the system which with the old was was actually often.

It's only when I put in the Rachio that I finally discovered why the weather sensor never seemed to work.

I'm staring at the wiring and there is one wire that looked to be wired as a loop that I could not figure out how to transfer to the Rachio so I dig up the manual for the original system, ",,,,if you are using the external weather sensor remove this loop....". When we built the house the installer never hooked up the weather sensor properly.

1) Operating a system via the valves is not ideal - better to use the controller for several reasons I won't go into here.

2) Most companies who make controllers also make handheld remote control units that are designed to operate their controllers. I have installed them on some properties where it made sense. Most irrigation service companies have these remote controllers on hand for all the major companies who make controllers - Hunter and Rainbird being the main two.

Some companies also have more than one person making service calls so in those cases one person could turn the controller off and on via walkie talkie while the other person effects service/repairs as needed.

3) I get that you wanted to make sure they were informed of the necessary issues, but that could have been drawn on a piece of paper too and left taped to the outside somewhere for them or just send an email or text. Flags are also very handy to mark areas of a property where attention is needed.

4) I always install rain sensors and make sure everything is operational. I'm actually quite anal about it. And even though I'm not actually in the 'service' end of the business - I carry in my work truck replacement rain sensor kits (the wear items) and a couple whole new units. This is one area that (IMHO) there is severe lack of proper attention from most service providers, not to mention installers.

In fact while we're on the subject of rain sensors, I had a pipe dream once of starting up a business that focused primarily on servicing rain sensors only. Set up twice a year service calls to clients who purchase my plan to check and adjust their sensors as needed. Could also offer just an annual visit. It's amazing how many sensors get broken, worn out, corroded, or just blocked by adjacent tree/shrub foliage each year. Then you have construction people doing roof and gutter work or just painting who disturb them to the point where they no longer function. Or when a homeowner gets a new timer and the rain sensor doesn't get hooked back up, for whatever reason.

5) I'm glad your new system works for you. That's the important thing.

Again - not trying to be obtuse. Just sharing some thoughts.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Baz

1) Operating a system via the valves is not ideal - better to use the controller for several reasons I won't go into here.

2) Most companies who make controllers also make handheld remote control units that are designed to operate their controllers. I have installed them on some properties where it made sense. Most irrigation service companies have these remote controllers on hand for all the major companies who make controllers - Hunter and Rainbird being the main two.

Some companies also have more than one person making service calls so in those cases one person could turn the controller off and on via walkie talkie while the other person effects service/repairs as needed.

3) I get that you wanted to make sure they were informed of the necessary issues, but that could have been drawn on a piece of paper too and left taped to the outside somewhere for them or just send an email or text. Flags are also very handy to mark areas of a property where attention is needed.

4) I always install rain sensors and make sure everything is operational. I'm actually quite anal about it. And even though I'm not actually in the 'service' end of the business - I carry in my work truck replacement rain sensor kits (the wear items) and a couple whole new units. This is one area that (IMHO) there is severe lack of proper attention from most service providers, not to mention installers.

In fact while we're on the subject of rain sensors, I had a pipe dream once of starting up a business that focused primarily on servicing rain sensors only. Set up twice a year service calls to clients who purchase my plan to check and adjust their sensors as needed. Could also offer just an annual visit. It's amazing how many sensors get broken, worn out, corroded, or just blocked by adjacent tree/shrub foliage each year. Then you have construction people doing roof and gutter work or just painting who disturb them to the point where they no longer function. Or when a homeowner gets a new timer and the rain sensor doesn't get hooked back up, for whatever reason.

5) I'm glad your new system works for you. That's the important thing.

Again - not trying to be obtuse. Just sharing some thoughts.

I get all that.

I did not put it in for their convenience but rather mine.

I did not know they were coming by.

I live in an HOA where the front yard maintenance is part of my monthly dues.

They are the ones that break the heads so they fix them for free. Figured while they were there they could address the other issues.

They have a dedicated crew that does nothing but that.

They dropped by randomly because I had put in a fix order and they happened to be on the block.

1) So you agree, operating valves manually sucks, so I won.

2) App access is by account, 1,000, 10,000 guys could share the account, no cost in buying hardware remotes cause the app and account are free.

3) I could have written a note, if I knew they were coming, and being TX, was reasonably sure they even habla'd Ingles and we are nearly 4,000 homes so "personal" service is not on the menu.

And FWIW, these Rachio units are far superior to the Rainbird that was there. Granted it was 12 years old but the Rachio's even calculate runoff feom grade and wind drift into the watering plan.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

I get all that.

I did not put it in for their convenience but rather mine.

I did not know they were coming by.

I live in an HOA where the front yard maintenance is part of my monthly dues.

They are the ones that break the heads so they fix them for free. Figured while they were there they could address the other issues.

They have a dedicated crew that does nothing but that.

They dropped by randomly because I had put in a fix order and they happened to be on the block.

1) So you agree, operating valves manually sucks, so I won.

2) App access is by account, 1,000, 10,000 guys could share the account, no cost in buying hardware remotes cause the app and account are free.

3) I could have written a note, if I knew they were coming, and being TX, was reasonably sure they even habla'd Ingles and we are nearly 4,000 homes so "personal" service is not on the menu.

And FWIW, these Rachio units are far superior to the Rainbird that was there. Granted it was 12 years old but the Rachio's even calculate runoff feom grade and wind drift into the watering plan.

Thanks for the additional information. Changes things a bit so I see where you're coming from now.

Everyone's situation is different and one size doesn't fit all, obviously.

BTW...in a conversation with another contractor once discussing Hunter vs. Rain Bird controllers...he said he preferred Rain Birds because you can submerge them in a barrel of water without any harm. I thought that was a good take. But in the meantime I've fallen out of favor for Hunters anyway and am using the newest Rain Bird model ESP-TM series and they are working great so far.

It's a different animal compared to your Rachio - not even apples to apples.

I'm on the cusp of retirement anyway but will still keep a toe in the water.

Thanks for the discussion - take care.......

[porsche4life]

FYI. There’s some smart home stuff on Prime Day sales right now if any of you guys are looking. The rachio is $150 right now.


I’d buy one but my lawn guy is not tech savvy at all, so I need to get one that has both manual and WiFi controls if I want a smart sprinkler control.

[bleucamaro]

I'm on board with it.

I have a couple Alexa Dots, Philips Hue lights, a couple smart outlets and a smart lightswitch for the front porch lights.

They all work really well together.

My thermostat and sprinklers are programmable, but not "smart", just time/temp thresholds.

[Teutonics]

I'm fairly invested in home automation with many of the previously mentioned items, but I thought I'd share a couple of garage-specific automation hacks that have worked well for me:

- wifi garage door opener trigger - allows opening the garage door with my phone, as well as providing other automation capabilities. This is most used when doing yardwork and going from back to front yard to the garage... no keypad or physical remote required, but I almost always have my phone on me.

- zwave (not wifi) switched outlet on the garage door opener - this allows automation based on household members phones/geolocation (i.e. "all away") to turn off the garage door opener. This acts as an additional layer of security to prevent anyone from opening the garage door with the opener when disabled and no one is home.

- zwave tilt sensor on the garage door - this allows multiple automations:
* Automatically turning on the garage lights when the garage door is opened
* Triggering a timed warning light indoors (multi colored led bulb) when the garage door is left open longer than a certain timeframe and/or after a certain time of day. I can also have it send me a text and/or phone notification. (Note: I also have the same type of warning for the garage lights that triggers a different warning color on the indicator bulb).
* Sending a text/notification of garage door opening if no one is home.

- Switched garage and garage bench lights (separately) - As mentioned above, allows automation and notification of lights based on garage door opening, but can also be used for security purposes (automated on/off) to make it appear someone is home.

- zwave water and temperature sensors automatically notify me by text and phone notification if there is a leak in the garage or temperatures exceed defined high/low limits. This was a big one for me as I've had SEVEN(!) separate flooding incidents in this house.

I'll note that I'm using Smartthings as of right now, but these can be used with any of the other home automation ecosystems as well.

I have others, but thought these ideas might be helpful in justifying home automation by extending it to the garage.

[red-beard]

I have exactly one home automation device and I'm considering turning off the Wi-Fi for it. My new Air Conditioning/heating system needed two-stage thermostats. The standard ones are Wi-Fi. I hate the idea of something connected to my network, that talks to things outside my network, that does not have a regular update schedule.

I guess as I think about it, I also have my pool robot and my "Meater" thermostat. But the Meater is only connected when I turn it on.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

MyQ garage door openers on both doors, the main one synced to a couple lights insides so not so dark coming home...

Wow! so does my 55 year old door opener. Light goes on when the door opens. Cool!

[dad911]

I bought some Feit switches and outlets, and have been controlling them with google home. It's kind of handy, and inexpensive.

[biosurfer1]

Originally Posted by tcar

Wow! so does my 55 year old door opener. Light goes on when the door opens. Cool!

Sarcasm on a year and half old post, genius!

And no, your 55 year old opener doesn't sync to lights inside your house.