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Home automation

71.112.179.24
Posted on May 2, 2021 at 19:02:27
Batman
Audiophile

Posts: 4194
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Joined: March 31, 2000
Contributor
  Since: June 16, 2000
 for over 20 years I've had X10 home automation hardware in my house controlling the lights. Now, the controller has become intermittent. I can probably buy a NOS controller for about 90 bucks but this would make it the third controller, the second in the past three years. Time for something new!

I want something simple, no cloud, no Alexa, just something to turn four lights on at dusk and off around 11:30 pm.

I'm peripherally aware that a Raspberry Pi can control lights but have yet to fully explore that option.

Suggestions welcome.


 

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Why no Alexa ?, posted on May 3, 2021 at 07:38:54
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 Unless you enjoy DIY, it is more cost effective to buy off the shelf devices.

We have 1/2 dozen Amazon Echo devices (Alexa) around the house, and a handful of Kasa Smart Plug outlets. No smart home hub required... but the trend is toward smart home hubs for more control and flexibility, including the ability to control old X10 devices.

I program ON/OFF times for each Wifi connected Kasa Smart Plug using a simple App on my iPhone or through a web browser on the computer.... Or override the programmed times by telling Alexa to turn them ON or OFF. I can also control devices remotely while away from home using my iPhone.

While at home:

"Alexa turn on Christmas tree lights".

"Alexa turn on Office lights".

Amazon Echo Dot & Kasa Smart Plugs = Cheap, simple, no brainer for automated lights and other electrical devices.

Amazon Echo Dot: about $25 often on sale
Kasa Smart Plugs: about $15/pair

Kasa Smart Plugs:
- Voice Control: Add voice control to any outlet. Enjoy the hands-free convenience of controlling any home electronic appliances with your voice via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

- Control From Anywhere: Turn electronics on and off from anywhere with your smartphone using the Kasa app, whether you are at home, in the office or on vacation.

- Scheduling: Use timer or countdown schedules set your smart plug to automatically turn on and off any home electronic appliances such as lamps, fan, humidifier, Christmas lights etc.

- Easy Set Up and Use: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection required. Plug in, open the Kasa app, follow the simple instructions and enjoy.

- Trusted and Reliable: Designed and developed in Silicon Valley, Kasa is trusted by over 4 Million users and being the reader's choice for PCMag 2020. UL certified for safety use. 2-year warranty.



 

RE: Why no Alexa ?, posted on May 3, 2021 at 14:47:51
JDK
Audiophile

Posts: 19655
Location: Sydney
Joined: June 26, 2000
 My wife asked me why I was speaking so softly at home.
I told her I was afraid Mark Zuckerberg was listening!

She laughed. I laughed.

Alexa laughed. Siri laughed.


Trying to hide from entropy
John K

 

"Home automation," and I pictured something like..., posted on May 3, 2021 at 04:17:10
ghost of olddude55
Audiophile

Posts: 32546
Joined: July 14, 2017
 ...this:








View YouTube Video





The blissful counterstroke-a considerable new message.

 

i TRIED THAT, posted on May 3, 2021 at 16:57:12
Batman
Audiophile

Posts: 4194
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Joined: March 31, 2000
Contributor
  Since: June 16, 2000
But the car ate the hardware!


 

RE: Home automation, posted on May 2, 2021 at 21:52:14
rivervalley817
 there's Insteon and Apple HomeKit if you're a Mac user

Insteon is also an Apple partner so ...

anyway, they run encrypted instruction code, X10 doesn't

but since X10 is a protocol they can control X10 stuff too

 

RE: Home automation, posted on May 2, 2021 at 20:20:03
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16242
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 I just use motion lights. It turns on if someone comes around and stays for a set time. The only problem is that most of the Chinese stuff doesn't work right, so I wouldn't button it up with caulk until you tested it for a few days.

Or, you could use a WiFi switch. I use a bunch for plugs with a simple timer, but I noticed they're $70 with Alexa and Google.

-Rod

 

This - but it's more than $90 ................., posted on May 2, 2021 at 20:12:46
JDK
Audiophile

Posts: 19655
Location: Sydney
Joined: June 26, 2000



May be not so easy to program either ;-)


Trying to hide from entropy
John K

 

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