Battery and Network Backup Solutions for Home Automation

Hey everyone, I’ve been diving into enhancing my home automation setup, and I wanted to share some of my experiences and thoughts on implementing reliable battery and network backups.

After expanding my system, I realized the importance of having a solid backup plan, especially for my alarm system. Power outages and internet disruptions can happen unexpectedly, so ensuring my system remains functional during such events is crucial.

For battery backup, I explored several options:

  • Classic UPS: Most models didn’t provide enough runtime due to voltage conversions between 240v, 12v, and 5v.
  • Powerbanks: While convenient, they had limited cycles and couldn’t meet the required 2.5 amps for my Raspberry Pi.
  • DIY Solution: I decided to create a custom setup using a 12v UPS connected to an 18 Ah lead-acid battery and a power converter. This setup should provide about 20 hours of backup. I’m curious if others have tried similar DIY solutions and if they faced any issues.

When it comes to network backup, I’m still figuring things out. Using a router with 4G backup seems logical, but it conflicts with my UPS plan since the router would draw power, reducing the runtime for my Pi. I came across the idea of using a 4G USB stick, but I’m unsure how to configure Hass.io to automatically switch to it when the Ethernet connection drops. Does anyone have experience with this or know how to set up port forwarding with a SIM card?

I’m also wondering if others have successfully integrated their 4G backups without compromising their battery life. Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Let’s keep the discussion going and help each other achieve a more resilient home automation system. Happy tinkering! :rocket: