Home Automation DIY - share yours

I ordered a bunch of sonof wifi switches more than two months ago from time of ordering. I now see Communica is also stocking them. Could have saved some time, but would have had to pay more than double what I paid when bringing them in.

I need to set up my HTPC (which is running permanently) to run Alexa so I can command these things with my voice. Alexa commands these over wifi, which I quite like.
 
I replaced my pool pump timer with an arduino setup because the **** thing was installed under the deck and impossible to get to. Now the schedule can be controlled using WiFi thank the pope
 
Hey guys

You may be interested in this - My friend and I are busy automating everything in our homes (mainly using QwikSwitch and Sonoff).

We built some custom management software, and we decided we'd make it available for others to use too:

http://homebot.cloud/

At the moment it integrates with QwikSwitch Relays, Wall Plugs, GSM CloudHubs, and Wifi Bridges, and we'll have integration with QS Geyser controllers, Power Clamps, Door Sensors, Motion sensors, Humidity Sensors, and Water Sensors soon as well.

At the moment you can add devices, group them into "Triggers", and then use those Triggers to control devices in bulk, set schedules, receive notifications, integrate with third party services, etc.

Right now all the functionality is there to control home appliances (coffee machines, heaters, etc), lights, garage doors, motor gates, irrigation systems, and anything else that can be activated by a relay / dimmer / pulse relay.

The main Dashboard of the system lets you control your devices via a floorplan, via buttons, or (in the case of dimmer lights), via sliders.

Homebot integrates with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant / Google Home, and several other services via IFTTT (it can be both the "this" and the "that"), and a variety of other third-party services too. It also has an API with unique keys for each of the functions you set up in the system, so you can execute them from your own apps / scripts.

Once we've finished integrating all of the QwikSwitch products with Homebot, we'll be moving on to electronic locks, camera systems, and alarm systems.

If any of you have QwikSwitch setups and you want to give Homebot a try (and send us some feedback!) I'd be happy to give you a free account - just mention in the "notes" field on signup that you came from the MyBroadband forums.
 
Sounds interesting geogeek.

I've got a Qwikswitch setup using their Hub and mobile app to control lounge and garden lights, geyser and swimming pool pump. The geyser's on a relay not a controller.

Our security company offers mobile integration but that's on a separate system.

I'll have a look at your site and let you know if there's anything I can offer. My system is so small I have my doubts but will check it ou t tomorrow.
 
We started an online store about 2 weeks ago selling Sonoff, Quikswitch, OpenSprinkler, Amazon Dot and getting a few others in the coming weeks.

Although not DYI, I've got 5 x Sonoff Basic and a Sonoff POW to measure electricity consumption of my freezer (just wanted to test the device). I use two Amazon Dots and aside from controlling individual lights, can shut off the whole house with a single command when I go to bed. I also use a 433Mhz remote control to operate for those times without a smart device.

We're looking at the MQTT / Home Assistant stuff going forward and sell the dev boards etc - so I'll definitely be following this thread.

I just got a few Quikswitch last night to play around with and looks great actually! I'll comment when I install them too
 
Dolby said:
We started an online store about 2 weeks ago selling Sonoff, Quikswitch, OpenSprinkler, Amazon Dot and getting a few others in the coming weeks.

Although not DYI, I've got 5 x Sonoff Basic and a Sonoff POW to measure electricity consumption of my freezer (just wanted to test the device). I use two Amazon Dots and aside from controlling individual lights, can shut off the whole house with a single command when I go to bed. I also use a 433Mhz remote control to operate for those times without a smart device.

We're looking at the MQTT / Home Assistant stuff going forward and sell the dev boards etc - so I'll definitely be following this thread.

I just got a few Quikswitch last night to play around with and looks great actually! I'll comment when I install them too
Click to expand...

Awesome stuff. Whats the url of your online store? If you dont want to paste here if against the rules, could you pm the url to me?
 
I am waiting for my FTDI breakout programmer so that I can flash the firmware on my Sonoff switches. While the original firmware work, I like the firmware from https://github.com/arendst/Sonoff-Tasmota which adds a web interface and online updating and mqtt communication, ect to the devices, which are far more awesome than having my switches connected to the cloud.

Also ordered myself a few of the Sonoff T1 devices, they look even more awesome for light switches and they come in 2 and 3 button options too. While the 1 button options have shops available in SA, I couldn't find the 2-3 button variants in SA, and those are the ones I need the most.
 
Tinuva said:
Awesome stuff. Whats the url of your online store? If you dont want to paste here if against the rules, could you pm the url to me?
Click to expand...

www.smartkit.co.za

I'm personally not the DIY guy ;) I use off the shelf stuff - but the other guy running it is an experimenting with all that. Sonoff are really customization ... different firmwares etc. They're launching some pretty decent stuff in the next 6 months as well and already launched some kit I can't wait to get :

RGB WiFi light bulbs ala Philips Hue
A bridge to convert RF to WiFi
Looking at IP cams going forward
 
RoganDawes said:
Communica is undercutting your prices, fwiw. e.g. http://www.communica.co.za/catalog/Details/P3518254416 R395 vs R435
Click to expand...

Thanks !

Yea, we're better on 90% of the items - but there are a few where they are better. On those items specifically, we haven't even brought in. However, something to consider (as you said) is availability :

That pricing advertised hasn't changed on their site for ages. And before we went ahead, we wanted to purchase a few units locally to test and contacted Communica - they had very few items and out of stock on most the Sonoff kit.

I think much depends on when they purchased the stock and if they got screwed or took advance of the rate
 
I buy my Sonoff stuff from Micro-Robotics around the corner from me:
https://www.robotics.org.za/

Was there yesterday when their new Sonoff stock arrived - prices similar to Communica for example Sonoff Basic Single Channel:
https://www.robotics.org.za/IM151116002?search=sonoff
http://www.communica.co.za/Catalog/Details/P0240254864

Be careful if you use Sonof with springclip connectors such as the Dual - putting 3 kW through a springclip can burn it. The Sonoff Basic has screw terminals - much better!

The Basic is also easier to reprogram - the Dual needs a switch to be soldered on to put it in programming mode...

Note: Corrected for reminder that MicroRobotics does not include VAT....
Note 2: I bought 5 @ R 110 + VAT = R 125.40 each from MR...
 
Last edited:
That's excluding VAT at robotics - so actually R125.00 vs R142.50 including VAT.

We are at R120.00 including VAT for September
 
I'm sent some of you a PM (Sorry if I missed others! Please feel free to PM me though if you're interested in the below)

I thought that we could run a few case studies of some of the systems that you guys are running, especially those running Sonoffs with custom firmware / custom local servers / programming etc. I know a few guy that have added extra sensors (ie pressure) and I'm trying to get them involved as well.

The idea is basically the same as this thread - get a group of like-minded individuals together and show was has been done, as well as what can be done with regards to home automation in this country. Also, what you use it for aside from simple lighting

Please PM if you want :)
 
Most of my Home automation DIY is on hold waiting for items to get through SAPO =/

My own fault, but it was the easiest way to get hold of certain items. I will wait for now.
 
Raspberry PI. Relays. New cables. Some perspex to mount the hardware onto. One weekend to put it all together. Remove R 2 500.00 from the bank and you have a fully wifi controlled smart house. Using Cayenne for software
 
Been messing around for a while now and have gone through a few iterrations on various pieces of software.

So far I've got:

Odroid C2 running Openhab
All sensors send data to OH via mqtt
10 x Wemos board with DS18B20 temp sensors
Amazon Alexa to controll Kodi/Sonoff switches
8 x door contacts, PIR, Beam, logs to a R-Pi which then sends to OH2
Nest CO2 Sensor
OH2 with weather, Kodi, Google calendar addons
4 x Sonoff wifi switches with tasmota firmware also sending data to OH.
Fish tank temperature and pH Sensons.
3 x wifi cameras with Zomeminder also linked in to OH

A few screenshots, still converting from Domotiz to Openhab so not all done yet.

rsz_capture1.png
rsz_1capture2.png
rsz_1capture3.png
 
Just configured a new Sonoff 4CH to control my pool environment last night.

Switching the pool motor, water feature and pool lights on and off, but also planning to monitor a flow meter plumbed into the pool pipes between the motor and the filter.

If the flow rate drops below a threshold, indicating that the motor is struggling, or that the pipes are dry for some reason, I will switch off the pool motor and send an alert.

The pool light is one of these LED color changing jobs, and you can select the program by toggling the power on and off, so I figure I can automate program selection from an app, and leave it to reset to a known state, then switch through the options until it gets to the selected program.
 
gregmcc said:
Fish tank temperature and pH Sensons.
Click to expand...

What sensors are you using? And how long have you had them for? Wondering if I can add that to the pool setup, but am concerned that the probes are super expensive, and only last about a year, apparently.
 
RoganDawes said:
What sensors are you using? And how long have you had them for? Wondering if I can add that to the pool setup, but am concerned that the probes are super expensive, and only last about a year, apparently.
Click to expand...

DS18B20 waterproof digital temp sensors. They have been running for abour 3 years, so issues.
That are not completly underwater though. Only the sensor is in the water.

waterproof-temperature-sensor-ds18b20-1.jpg

$2-3 on eBay. Cheap enough to replace every year if need be.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X