Exploring Smart Home Automation with Shelly Relays and Deconz

I’ve been diving into the world of smart home automation lately, and it’s been a fascinating journey! I wanted to share some of my experiences and insights, especially with those of you who might be considering integrating Shelly Relays and Deconz into your setup.

Starting with Shelly Relays, I’ve been using them to convert some of my traditional 2-way and 3-way switches into smart switches. It’s been a bit of a learning curve, especially when it comes to wiring. I initially tried using the Shelly 2PM for a 2-way switch setup, but the Sparkle app indicated that it might not work as intended. After some research and experimentation, I found that the Shelly 1 Pro was the better fit for my needs. The wiring process was a bit tricky at first, especially with the multi-way switches, but once I got the hang of it, it was smooth sailing.

Moving on to Deconz, I’ve been exploring its capabilities for creating automations. I’ve heard mixed opinions about using the Deconz websocket versus events in Home Assistant. From what I’ve experienced, both methods have their pros and cons. Using the websocket offers real-time updates, which is great for immediate actions, but it can be a bit resource-intensive. On the other hand, events in HA are more stable and easier to integrate with other services. I’d recommend experimenting with both to see which suits your specific use case better.

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been setting up a rule where my lights flash and then restore their state after a delay. It’s a simple automation, but it adds a nice touch to my home’s ambiance. However, I did run into a hiccup when I tried setting a delay in seconds by entering 0.05 minutes. It locked me out of that section of the rule, but after some troubleshooting and reaching out to the community, I managed to resolve it by resetting the rule entirely.

I’d love to hear from others who have successfully integrated Shelly Relays and Deconz into their setups. What challenges did you face? What tips can you share? Let’s continue to learn and grow together in the smart home community! :rocket: