As someone who’s been experimenting with integrating various devices into my smart home setup, I’ve come across a few interesting challenges that I thought I’d share and see if anyone else has encountered similar issues or has tips to share.
1. Struggles with GE Fan Controls
I recently picked up a couple of GE fan controls from Lowe’s, hoping they’d work as dimmers for some outdoor floodlights. Unfortunately, they haven’t been as straightforward as I hoped. While they work fine for controlling fans, they don’t seem to turn on or adjust the brightness of my floodlights at all. I’ve checked the wiring multiple times, and everything seems connected correctly. Has anyone else had success using these controls for lighting, or do they have any troubleshooting suggestions?
2. Integrating Computers into OHv4
Another project I’ve been working on is trying to integrate my computers into OpenHAB v4 for basic state monitoring (online/offline). I’ve followed the tutorials I can find, but most bindings either don’t work as expected or don’t allow me to add the necessary thing types. Since I don’t have access to Hue devices, I can’t follow the Hue-based tutorials, which is a bit frustrating. Does anyone have a step-by-step guide or workaround for setting this up without Hue?
3. Pool Pump Automation
On a more positive note, I’ve been working on automating my pool pump using a Black and Decker variable speed pump and a Sonoff 4-channel controller. The goal is to optimize energy usage based on my utility company’s time-of-use pricing. I’ve set up two seasons—cool and warm—and configured schedules for each speed (low, medium, high) during different times of the day. While the automation is working, I’m curious if others have similar setups or if there are more efficient ways to manage this.
If anyone has insights or advice on these projects, I’d love to hear them! Whether it’s troubleshooting tips, integration hacks, or just shared experiences, the community’s input is invaluable. Thanks in advance for any help or discussion!