Hi everyone! I’ve been diving into the world of smart home automation and wanted to share my experiences and some questions I’ve come across. My goal is to create a seamless integration of smart lighting, energy monitoring, and home security. Let’s dive in!
Smart Lighting Integration
One of my biggest challenges has been integrating smart lighting from multiple brands. I currently have a mix of Philips Hue, Wyze, and Shelly lights. While they all work well individually, getting them to play nice together has been a bit tricky. For example, when I say, “Hey Google, turn on the living room lights,” my LED TV lights also come on, which is not ideal. Has anyone found a reliable way to separate these devices without creating separate routines for each?
I’ve also been experimenting with using iOS device audio for lighting effects, like syncing lights with music. However, it seems like the app only responds to microphone input, which isn’t always practical. Any tips on how to bypass this limitation?
Energy Monitoring with Shellies
On the energy monitoring front, I’ve been using Shellies to track power consumption in my solar PV system. It’s been a great way to monitor energy flow and identify areas for improvement. However, I’ve noticed some inconsistencies in the data, particularly with saldierung (netting) of energy values. Does anyone have experience with this or know of any workarounds?
Security and Automation
Security is another area I’ve been focusing on. I recently upgraded my Wyze Cam v3, but it still requires a restart every 5-7 days. I’m wondering if this is a firmware-related issue or if there’s a configuration tweak I’m missing.
For automation, I’ve been using Hubitat to connect my Hue dimmers with Alexa. It’s been a learning curve, but I’ve managed to get most devices working together. However, I’m still struggling to get Alexa to recognize my Hue switches as controllers for my Wi-Fi relays. Any advice on this would be appreciated!
Tips and Tricks
One thing I’ve learned is the importance of consistent backup strategies. I recently had an issue with my openHAB logs not being backed up, which was a bit stressful. I now have a script that automatically backs up logs and configurations daily. If anyone is looking for a similar setup, I’d be happy to share the details!
Community Feedback
I’d love to hear how others are tackling similar challenges. Whether it’s integrating multiple brands, improving energy monitoring accuracy, or troubleshooting security devices, your insights would be invaluable!
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your thoughts and experiences!