Re: [PLUG] Dipping my toe into home automation water

Same here... ECE BS and MS (but my degree says EE since ECE nor CE were certified back then). The cross discipline knowledge will most definitely help you (it certainly helped me figure out how to add connectivity to my ceiling fan). I'm currently working through a mini-blinds project which is another area where you need a little bit of everything.

As for the automation piece we had a discussion back in March on here. You probably saw (http://lists.netisland.net/archives/plug/plug-2020-03/msg00016.html).

If you decide to get into OpenHab or want to ask me more about my setup, feel free to message me directly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Keith C. Perry, MS E.E.

Managing Member, DAO Technologies LLC

(O) +1.215.525.4165 x2033

(M) +1.215.432.5167

www.daotechnologies.com

From: "K.S. Bhaskar via plug" <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>
To: "Philadelphia Linux User's Group Discussion List" <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>
Sent: Monday, May 4, 2020 9:40:28 AM
Subject: Re: [PLUG] Dipping my toe into home automation water

Thanks Keith. Yes, I am comfortable working on wiring (my undergraduate degree is in electrical engineering, and the university made sure that even those like me who focused on electronics had a good grounding in power systems, motors, etc.). In fact, as the timers tend to fail every few years, the current timer (which unfortunately has failed in the on position so the lights are on 24×7) was one of line of timers that I have replaced over the years. Where I am weak is in understanding all the pieces needed to make the automation work, rather than just replacing the timer with another timer.

Regards

– Bhaskar

On Sun, May 3, 2020 at 6:15 PM Keith C. Perry via plug <plug@lists.phillylinux.org> wrote:

Bhaskar,

Not sure if I've said it here or on other automation forums but I strongly recommend people start with smart plugs (easiest) and then in wall switches or outlets (need easiest). If you're comfortable with electrical work then I would agree that is a good place to start.

Have you decided on an automation platform yet?

BTW, last month I added a similar automation to my system for my external lights.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Keith C. Perry, MS E.E.
Managing Member, DAO Technologies LLC
(O) +1.215.525.4165 x2033
(M) +1.215.432.5167
www.daotechnologies.com

From: "K.S. Bhaskar via plug" <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>
To: "Philadelphia Linux User's Group Discussion List" <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 3, 2020 6:04:04 PM
Subject: [PLUG] Dipping my toe into home automation water

I need to replace a timer for some outside lights and I wonder whether I can use a Honeywell ZW4005 switch (currently available from Costco at https://www.costco.com/honeywell-z-wave-smart-light-switch%2c-2-pack.product.100579237.html). Thus far I have only used stand alone timers.

Is this a good place to put my toe into the water, and apart from the switches what else do I need so that I can program the lights come on at sundown and go off (say) at midnight? I have installed Ring doorbells connected to the Ring app on our phones, but that was about as easy falling off a log and I don't think that really counts as home automation.

Thank you very much, in advance.

Regards
– Bhaskar

___________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group -- http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion -- http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
___________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group -- http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion -- http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug

___________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group -- http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion -- http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug