I recently embarked on a smart home project that has been both challenging and rewarding. My goal was to integrate multiple devices from different manufacturers into a seamless ecosystem. One of the most exciting parts of this journey was figuring out how to make a Fibaro roller shutter work perfectly with my venetian blinds. Initially, I was frustrated because the Homey app didn’t have a widget to adjust the slats, but after some research and experimentation, I found a workaround using custom flows. It’s amazing how a little creativity can solve even the most puzzling issues!
Another highlight was setting up a horizontal slider widget to monitor the state of charge of my PV battery. While the default widgets didn’t meet my needs, I discovered the Light Control Card from the OpenHAB marketplace, which I customized to display real-time data without allowing manual adjustments. This has been incredibly useful for tracking energy consumption patterns.
I also explored Matter technology and successfully connected a Meross plug to my C8 hub. It was a bit confusing at first, but with some guidance from the community, I managed to bridge the gap between different protocols. This experience has taught me the importance of persistence and the value of sharing knowledge within the smart home community.
One of the most satisfying aspects of this project was creating a rule to automatically adjust my bedroom lights based on the time of day. Using the Rules DSL, I programmed the lights to dim gradually in the evening and brighten in the morning. It’s these small touches that make a home truly smart and livable.
Overall, this journey has been a fantastic learning experience. I’ve learned that the key to successful smart home integration is patience, creativity, and a willingness to explore new solutions. I’m excited to continue expanding my setup and discovering even more possibilities!