Exploring Node-RED for Persistent Automation in Home Assistant

I’ve been diving deep into Node-RED for my Home Assistant automations, and it’s been a game-changer. However, I’ve encountered some unexpected results when restarting or redeploying flows, especially with node states getting lost. This persistence issue has been a hurdle, but I’ve found a fantastic solution with the node-red-contrib-stoptimer-varidelay node. It’s amazing how the ‘Resume timer on deploy/restart’ option transforms everything!

Now, I’m on the hunt for similar nodes that offer this persistence feature for other functionalities like limit nodes or gateways. If anyone knows of such nodes or has tips for managing persistence in Node-RED, I’d love to hear about them!

For instance, I’ve been experimenting with integrating video doorbells and smart locks for both floors of my home. The Wyze ecosystem seems promising, but I’m curious if there’s a Wyze device that combines video doorbell with remote unlock/lock capabilities. Any recommendations or experiences would be invaluable!

Additionally, I’ve faced some challenges with Z-Wave coverage in my multi-story house. The mesh network concept is great, but I’m wondering if placing the controller higher up or using a USB extension could improve coverage. Has anyone tackled similar issues?

I’d also love to hear about others’ experiences with Node-RED integrations, especially with Insteon/ISY. The complexity of JSON formatting can be overwhelming, but seeing it work smoothly makes it all worth it. Any best practices or troubleshooting tips would be greatly appreciated!

Let’s keep the conversation flowing and share our insights and hacks for making the most out of Node-RED and smart home integrations!