Hi, for U Rail setup, are there any better alternatives these days? it seems SB3 struggles to push heavier curtains and you end up with 100% coverage, then 95% then 90%, and recalibration, been using for 2 years or so and hate them. Smaller curtains worked fine.

Wondering if there is a reliable solution with strong motors and no subscriptions? I know SC4 is coming too

I have a Reolink WiFi Video Doorbell and the stock chime always bugged me. I already have a perfectly good wired gong in the hallway. That's why I reverse-engineered the RF protocol the doorbell uses to talk to its chime and created my own firmware for an ESP32 + CC1101 radio module.

Important: this emulates the Reolink Chime hardware V2 specifically. The doorbell pairs with it like a real V2 chime. You use the normal "add chime" flow. Older or newer chime hardware revisions may use different protocols and won't work with this.

https://github.com/TheDuffman85/reolink-esp32-chime

What it can do:

• Ring an existing low-voltage gong through a relay
• Or play melodies through PWM/DAC into a small external amplifier
• Or stay completely silent and only send MQTT events
• Follows the ringtone you pick in the Reolink app, so all 10 slots map to 10 local melodies/gong patterns
• MQTT with Home Assistant auto-discovery (doorbell event, ringing sensor, play button, mute, volume, sound selection, diagnostics, etc.)
• Talks to the doorbell directly over RF. WiFi is only used for setup, control, OTA and MQTT, so the chime keeps ringing even if your WiFi is down (or you turn WiFi off entirely)
• Mobile-friendly web UI with a setup wizard, ring history, permanent/timed mute, optional login and web OTA updates
• No compiling needed: there's a browser-based USB installer

Hardware is cheap and simple:

• ESP32-WROOM-32 dev board
• CC1101 module, 868 MHz (EU)
• Optionally a relay module or a small amp

I've tested this with my doorbell (DB_566128M5MP_W) at 868 MHz (EU). Other region presets (US 915 MHz and Asia 920 MHz) are in the firmware but untested and so are other doorbell models. If you're in a region other then EU and want to try it, I'd love feedback!

I’m looking to add a smart lock to my home, but I’m not entirely sure which features I should really be looking at or ones that are actually more problematic than they’re worth?

Any specific features that are must haves or to skip on? Specific model recommendations or ones to avoid?

Some things floating through my head
- I’m not sure I want motorized deadbolt? Kills battery and what if the door isn’t sitting just perfectly where the bolt slides in effortlessly?
- I really like the idea of being able to create codes in the fly AND tracking their usage, as I intend to use it for things like dog walkers. But do I really need to create a code on the fly? I imagine I could somehow just create one in advance and give that one out next when needed? Likewise how often do you actually care/check when a code was last used?
- Are things like fingerprint or apple key seamlessly reliable? I do use an iPhone, though also wear gloves in winter sooo…?
- I currently use a mish-mash (ugh I know) of hubutat and HomeKit, a couple legacy Google home stuff. Idea is certainly so move things to home assistant and extend to HomeKit.

Set the thing up, chose settings and based on reviews and product page said the light could do ambient lighting and brighten when motion for "x" amount of time. Well first day it didnt do that.

Played with some automations, which ive had no problem with Govee lights outside. I think ive messed with every setting possible and it either never turns on, or never turns off, or never brightens with motion and when i go into the app it then shows it in ma ual mode not induction. Does anyone have a setup i could copy into mine to see if it works?

Want:

On at sunset

Ambient lighting (obviously not super bright)

Motion detection brightens to 50-70%

Stays bright 5 minutes

Back to ambient

Off at sunrise.

I was given an ADT Yale Assure Lock 2 with the Zwave. I dont have anything that works with Zwave so I bought the Yale Wifi Smart module but I try to set it up with Yale access but it says its incompatible? Says to use ADT to connect it to but I thought switching the module would allow me to connect it. Any advice?

I’m currently building a new house and I want to be able to control my lights with Home Assistant. I currently have a Sonoff Mini R4 installed behind my light switch in my current house. KNX is too expensive for me so I’m thinking about using something similar to the Sonoff thing. I need support for dimming, I also want to be able to control my shutters with these modules. I don’t want it to get too expensive and I’m unsure about whether I should use Zigbee, Wifi, Matter etc. if you have any recommendations for me or need more info about something comment or dm me please

I'm setting up home assistant on a pc, and thinking of adding smart switches for some rooms.

However, the more i consider all scenarios, the more it gets complicated and seems impossible.

I would really appreciate it if somebody could give some suggestions.

Basically I want to add smart switches that I can randomly turn on and off when I'm away.

However the switches should also allow manual operation at all times so that others including guests are not overwhelmed by smart stuff. The switches should remain operable manually in case home assistant is down for whatever reason. I would also like the state to be maintained in case power goes and comes back.

Are there any switches that allow a hybrid mode, like turn off manually but turn on remotely?

Or are the choices limited to switches that should remain turned on so that it can be controlled remotely? In case of such switches, is it possible to turn on lights manually if they were turned off remotely?

My cat has a talent for kicking litter all over the floor, so I was sweeping around the litter box almost every day. A litter mat helped a little, but never really solved the problem.

Since the litter box itself still works fine, replacing it seemed unnecessary. Instead, I added a robot vacuum and mop to handle the loose litter and cat hair around that area.

It's a pretty simple setup, but one less chore to think about makes a difference. My cat adjusted surprisingly quickly, although he seems to think the robot is his personal rival and occasionally tries to bully it. lol

There's still some manual cleanup involved, but I'm curious how other people handle this with their smart home setups. Do you schedule your robot to clean around the litter box after your cat uses it, or just run it on a regular daily schedule?

Hi all,

I'm in the process of planning a renovation of my kitchen. I started thinking about where and how to integrate smart lights and thought this sub could help. Also, there must be other stuff I could plan for/ integrate.

Do you have any general tips for what to include in my plan? Or any specific products you would recommend that work well for you?

I've got an older Alexa dot that used to control my smart bulbs. But new house has sky fibre and although I can operate the lights on the app through my phone, Alexa can't find them. Most accessories work on the 2.5ghz, that much I know. I've managed to split the signal so the bulbs work but I assume because Alexa is on the full frequency that's why it can't find them? Would getting a separate booster that puts out the 2.5ghz be of any use?

I'm not fully up with modern tech but I also know enough to get by if that makes sense, so simple terminology would be best. Thankyou for any help you can give

I’d like to plug four lamps into smart sockets, and maintain a mains-powered ceiling light, and install a double switched light switch which would control the mains normally, and the lamps/plugs via a smart switch. Does such a thing exist?

Using Matter via Apple TV.

Looking for a smart plug, but must be extremely reliable. will be used on a treadmill and I can't have it power off unexpectedly. I liked the idea of shelly, but reviews talk about reliability issues.

So looking for an alternative to the smart displays like the nest hub, Amazon echo show, etc that I can use with 4 goals.

All one box with speaker, display, and some kind of computer

Able to use it to control Home Assistant

Able to play video from Plex/YouTube

Voice features would be a great addition but not a requirement.

Been looking at trying to build something with a radxa rock, a pi 4/5, or other sbc with a 7-10 inch touch display, power supply, and speakers. But don't have the best mind for cad drawings in 3d prints to get it accomplished and just worried that it will work. So trying to see if anyone may have a similar setup or found a good alternative

Earshot turns a spare phone (iPhone/Android) into a listener for your home. Leave it plugged in where the sound happens. When it hears one of the sounds you picked, everyone in your household gets an alert on their own phone.

Sounds to start with: smoke alarm, doorbell, dog barking, baby crying, glass breaking, knocking, car alarm, cat meowing, running water, microwave beep. You can also describe your own in a few words.

The sound is analysed on the old phone itself. No audio, recording or anything made from it ever leaves that phone.

I currently need testers. You can sign up through the website or I can update the post later with a more info (if there is an interest).

​

I have a automation set that at sunset, specific lights turn or and off, ect. And a sunrise one that does the opposite actions.

Neither of them are executing any of the actions in the automation.

Has anyone experienced similar over the last couple of day?

Any ideas how to fix?

Thanks!

I bought he Apple TV 4k (3rd gen) about a month ago because I needed one, now I see that they released a new one yesterday wich I did not know about.

Should I sell my 3rd gen and buy the new one or is it not worth the upgrade?

Hi! I recently moved to a house with lots of windows. The brightness really helps with my productivity and mood but too much! I want to put smart blinds in but they’re pretty expensive. Should be I be expecting 600 to 800+. Many of my windows are 40w by 80h. I’ve seen posts of people saying they got theirs for 300 a window but those windows would really need to be tiny. I was looking at Kincmo, Yoolax, smartwing. I have some windows I can’t even reach they’re like behind a counter so this will make a lot of sense.

so say you set everything up. lights, plugs, routines, the works. and it all makes sense to you.

but then someone else lives there. or visits. and they just want the light on. they don't want to open an app or learn a voice command. they flip the switch, and if the switch is dumb now, that's a problem.

honestly it makes me wonder who smart homes are really built for. how do you handle it with family or guests? do you keep switches that always work, or just train everyone?

what's worked for you?

Found this smart bulb Id like to use for purple light, but idk the brand, therefore I don’t know how to activate it. If it helps, I got it for free in 2021 at a Best Buy during black Friday where you would purchase an Alexa Echo dot and get a bulb for free. I think I threw the box away.
Any app or brand suggestions help!

If i don’t touch anything do i still need to wash my hands?

Alexa
Raspberry pi- to connect and control all the things
Bond - for the blinds
Switchbot- IR transmitter for bidet

I’ve been researching smart lock options for our front door for a while now, but haven’t been able to find a clear answer. Hoping someone here might be able to help!

I’d love to install a smart lock, preferably with a keypad, so I don’t have to carry a physical key everywhere.

From what I can tell, this appears to be a 4-bolt multipoint lock (please correct me if I’m wrong!). Unfortunately, there’s no visible manufacturer or model information anywhere on the hardware, and I’m having trouble figuring out which smart locks, if any, would be compatible.

A few important details:
● The lock requires 4 full rotations of the key or interior thumbturn to fully engage or retract all four bolts.
● Both the interior thumbturn and exterior key operate the same way.
● I rarely engage all four bolts, so I’d even be open to a smart lock that only operates the first locking position, assuming that’s possible and safe.
● Ideally, I’d like to keep the existing door and locking hardware rather than replace the entire mechanism.
I’ve looked into options like SwitchBot and Nuki, but can’t determine whether either would work with the four-turn mechanism.

I’m about ready to call a locksmith, but figured I’d ask here first in case anyone has experience with this type of lock.

Has anyone successfully installed a keypad or smart lock on something similar? Any recommendations for compatible products or ways to retrofit this setup?
Thanks in advance!

Ich verstehe es nicht. In meinem HA wird mir in meinem Verbrauch permanent angezeigt dass ich nen minimalen Stromverbrauch habe, da Phase A und B Strom aus dem Netz ziehen, aber phase C beinah die gleiche menge einspeist. Ich nutze zur Datenerfassung einen Shelly 3EM mit den Klemmschellen. Die sind alle in die gleiche Richtung montiert.

Achso, und ich habe keine PV oder nen großen Speicher, der die Einspeisung erklären könnte.

Was übersehe ich, oder habe ich die Magie freien Energie endlich gelöst? 😜

I have 6 Hue spots in a hallway, length of the hallway is slightly over 6 meters. Is there a way to set up LED tracking with these? I’d like the lights to turn on automatically as a person walks through the hallway, following their path, and then turn off again shortly after they’ve passed. The lights should turn on in real time as the person walks, not as part of a pre-programmed sequence, but by tracking the person’s movement. Is the Aqara FP2 precise enough for this, and can it cover 6 meters distance? Or how else could this be achieved? It should be compatible with Home Assistant for the automation. Thanks for your help!

Hi! I'm looking for a simple button that I can use to trigger an automation. This seems to be more difficult than I thought. I'm looking for the following

• Matter over WiFi or Matter over Threads (Zigbee is also possible, but not preferred)
• Battery powered / No wiring necessary
• No drilling in a wall
• No replacing an existing wired light switch
• One single button (so no IKEA BILRESA)

Does this exist? I feel like it's such a simple product, yet I'm not able to find it!