Home automation ? - anyone have any experience with it ?

[jph]

Hi all,
am experimenting with home automation - at first using Tuya Smart LED bulbs and switches.
Have actually bought - yikes !!! a PI 4 4GB as a server for 'home automation' with the Tuya and Zigbee plugin to start with, possibly Sonoff if supported ?.

It's all new to me, but have been having good fun with it.

Is anyone else into this stuff ?

Joe

[SimPassion]

A few ideas to work around :

some inputs, related or not, seen on Domoticz : https://easydomoticz-com.translate.goog ... r_pto=wapp

here would help on low bandwith MQTT protocol : https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/advanced/sup ... vices.html

Jeedom Innovative Home Automation :
https://www.jeedom.com/en/
https://community.jeedom.com/c/english-community/112
https://community.jeedom.com/

wifilight V2 doc :
https://bcaro.github.io/wifilightV2-doc ... index.html

[SimPassion]

Not already gone the Home Automation way, though already heard some got pretty nice results using Domoticz and less than 2€ each ESP8266 modules

[jph]

Hi Gilles, many thanks for the feedback and links,
I am mainly using all commercial modules as they really are cheaper than I could realistically build especially when working with 220V AC.
I have been experimenting with the Smart LED ceiling bulbs and they are amazing. Have fitted some of my units - large circulation fans etc - with internal Tuya modules and they are superb, the only trouble at the moment is using the application on the phone as the server which is the reason for the PI as that can be tucked out of the way and also run my realworld aircraft tracking program as well.
I have been using CHATGPT to get info and it is really really good.
I need to run Neutral wires to my light switches but luckily all the wiring is in conduits so should not be too bad.
Joe

[SimPassion]

Have a look into ESP32-H2 Joe ... ! (Zigbee embedded and ready)

[EDIT] https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005005252175587.html

[jph]

Thanks Gilles
That is excellent. However I already have lots of ESP32 and the later versions.
If I am considering, for example, a light switch modification to a 'smart unit' with wifi then take a look here (you can use google translate on the page)
https://mauser.pt/catalog/pesquisa.php? ... words=tuya

this is just a small selection of the Tuya integrated devices which all coexist with the home assistant app on PI 4.

As you can probably see, the price is so low that it is not worth considering adding the 220v mains reduction circuit, the relays and the protection and casing to the esp32 at these prices.
If you look on aliexpress, they are even cheaper. I can also use virtually ANY smart device - sonoff - and indeed MQTT protocols with the home assistant program. I love building stuff, but I simply cannot build at these prices so far easier to buy


Joe