Hey everyone, I wanted to share my recent experience setting up a smart lighting system and integrating temperature sensors in my home. It’s been a fun project, and I hope others might find it helpful!
First, I started with the Wyze Pan Cam, which I’ve been using for outdoor surveillance. I decided to build a custom weatherproof setup using a silicone cover and a swivel base. I also added a DIY housing made from a Folger’s coffee container, painted with Plasti-dip spray paint. It’s held up well through multiple rainstorms, so I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I’ve attached a photo of the setup below, though I can’t include it directly here.
Next, I’ve been experimenting with Vera2 for automating my lights. I have two lights: an overhead light controlled by a GE dimmer and an LED bulb (LB60Z-1) in a table lamp. Both are Z-Wave devices. I set up a simple scene where turning on the GE dimmer also turns on the LED bulb. I’d love to take it a step further by linking the dimmer’s brightness level to the LED bulb, so when I adjust the dimmer, the LED’s brightness changes accordingly. Does anyone know if this is possible with Vera2?
On the temperature sensor front, I’ve been using several devices like the Vision Motion Sensor and Fibaro Smoke Sensor. I noticed that these devices report temperature but can’t be used directly as scene triggers without additional plugins. I’ve been using the Additional Temperature Device plugin, but I’m curious if there are plans for future firmware updates that would make this functionality standard.
Lastly, I’ve been trying to figure out how to permanently increase Alexa’s voice volume. I’ve tried both voice commands and the device’s volume buttons, but the settings reset after a day. Has anyone found a workaround for this?
Overall, I’m really enjoying the flexibility and customization that smart home devices offer. It’s been a great learning experience, and I’m excited to continue exploring new setups and integrations! If anyone has tips or suggestions, I’d love to hear them.