Home Automation - Smartkit

riscbroker said:
Thanks Dolby. So there is currently no cloud access via Sonoff to the devices, and no alternative cloud server, regardless of what firmware may be flashed?

By 'local LAN control' are you referring to 2.4MHz access?

EDIT: Just saw the post from Tinuva. So OpenHab or Home Assistant have their own servers that can be used, obviously with different firmware on the devices?
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It's basically software that you download and that run on a machine in your own home. You can have zero internet and all your home automation will still work.

So yes, all communication is over wifi and Lan cables. The sonoffs custom firmware then communicate directly with this server.

People just use a raspberry pi since it is small, cheap, runs cooler and can be made to run on batteries.

If iTead studios adds Lan control to their own firmware then you don't have to flash alternative. That would mean that Openhab or HomeAssist could add plug-ins that can talk to the Sonoffs directly. If your internet is down or the eWeLink service is down, you can still control them using your own server. Best of both worlds.
 
If you flash and do have Internet, you can still operate remotely - right ?
 
Dolby said:
If you flash and do have Internet, you can still operate remotely - right ?
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I would imagine you can, you just need to expose your internal server.

I used to have various ports open for various services, but I've since closed them and use a VPN.
 
So to clarify, if the eWeLink servers are down, the only way you have remote internet access to your Sonoff device/s is if you:

1. Flash the device/s with different firmware.
2. Establish a server local to the device/s and install software on that server that can communicate via Wi-Fi with whatever firmware you flashed to your device/s.
3. Access your server over the internet and interrogate/switch your device/s, but how, exactly?
 
riscbroker said:
So to clarify, if the eWeLink servers are down, the only way you have remote internet access to your Sonoff device/s is if you:

1. Flash the device/s with different firmware.
2. Establish a server local to the device/s and install software on that server that can communicate via Wi-Fi with whatever firmware you flashed to your device/s.
3. Access your server over the internet and interrogate/switch your device/s, but how, exactly?
Click to expand...
Depending on the server you setup, you'd use an app, e.g. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.axzae.homeassistant

I'd say most of these 3rd party solutions will have better support and functionality that the OEM stuff - only reason I haven't done it yet is time.
 
riscbroker said:
So to clarify, if the eWeLink servers are down, the only way you have remote internet access to your Sonoff device/s is if you:

1. Flash the device/s with different firmware.
2. Establish a server local to the device/s and install software on that server that can communicate via Wi-Fi with whatever firmware you flashed to your device/s.
3. Access your server over the internet and interrogate/switch your device/s, but how, exactly?
Click to expand...

Something like that.

Very generic:
1. Run server on your LAN, for example Openhab.
2. Also run a MQTT server.
3. Flash custom firmware. The Sonoffs then use MQTT to communicate to the MQTT server.
(I am looking to use https://github.com/arendst/Sonoff-Tasmota but there is other firmware)
4. Openhab or HomeAssisnt will read the status from MQTT or send updates through MQTT.
5. Openhab has a web interface, or you can install the Openhab Android APP.
6. Open your Openhab server to the world for the APP to work remotely.
 
Both Openhab and Home Assist have or will have cloud services that augments your own instance, meaning you can run everything locally but their cloud services will help connect to yours (also necessary for Google Assistant or Alexa).

So if you're home you're communicating directly with your server. Automation rules runs on your server. When out and about you connect to your server using their cloud services.
 
Managed to flash the firmware on my first Sonoff RF switch.

Was definitely an interesting exercise and I can see why most people wouldn't go as far.

Very happy with the outcome. That said, the only work was to do some soldering, connect to my FTDI usb-ser device, and figure out how to flash the firmware. The rest was super easy, since I already have a working MQTT server and Openhab set up for my DSC alarm. Now I can control it through both the RF remote and through Openhab, and if I really want, manually send MQTT messages or use the web interface on the switch.
 
gregmcc said:
Also took me a while to get the first one flashed but once you know where everything connects its a breeze.

Have rock solid performance with OH.
Click to expand...

Definitely, I love how "instant" the action is when using Openhab.

Next up, fun figuring out the Sonoff Touch switches.
 
My toys arrived this morning, now I have to wait until the weekend to setup some of it
 
Just bought myself a google home mini, where should I start with the automation :p looking for something easy to implement. Any one have experience with the Belkin wemo? Looking at the smart light switch so I can turn my bedroom lights on and off to start.
 
Mr Feesh said:
Just bought myself a google home mini, where should I start with the automation :p looking for something easy to implement. Any one have experience with the Belkin wemo? Looking at the smart light switch so I can turn my bedroom lights on and off to start.
Click to expand...

I found the Xiaomi Yeelights really simple and easy to use. Started by buying the white ones to use as replacements for those CFL bulbs that turn on at dusk -- mine kept blowing since they failed to pick up dawn and just kept going.

Alternatively buy the Sonoff basic and hook it into a lead and use it to turn on whatever. We hooked ours to a desk fan and it is amazing how often we say "ok google turn on the fan".

Of course we also use G-home for shopping lists (set up a basic IFTTT applets with Wunderlist), timers, broadcasting (from my the assistant app when I'm ony way home) and amusing the kids (Ok Google what sound does a dinosaur make).
 
If you have more than one google home - I have fun saying "Announce: <My message>" Easiest way to get coffee in bed.
 
ebendl said:
I found the Xiaomi Yeelights really simple and easy to use. Started by buying the white ones to use as replacements for those CFL bulbs that turn on at dusk -- mine kept blowing since they failed to pick up dawn and just kept going.

Alternatively buy the Sonoff basic and hook it into a lead and use it to turn on whatever. We hooked ours to a desk fan and it is amazing how often we say "ok google turn on the fan".

Of course we also use G-home for shopping lists (set up a basic IFTTT applets with Wunderlist), timers, broadcasting (from my the assistant app when I'm ony way home) and amusing the kids (Ok Google what sound does a dinosaur make).
Click to expand...

The Sonoff B1s are very good with white light - the colours are a bit dim - but they can be used similarly to the Yeelights.
 
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