Home Automation - Smartkit

[Icemanbrfc]

I have considered it but doesn’t seem worth the hassle over my day job, lol.

Why? You need help? I’ve seen you buy and sell so much kit I assumed you were doing it commercially.

Yeh but mainly smart bulbs and slamphers. I'm keen on the whole switches business, but really don't have a clue or want to get into the whole wiring/electrical things

 

[SauRoNZA]

Yeh but mainly smart bulbs and slamphers. I'm keen on the whole switches business, but really don't have a clue or want to get into the whole wiring/electrical things

Mostly my thing as well.

If you did it commercially you’d need to involve a real electrician etc and that’s an issue.

 

[SauRoNZA]

We normally refill after we use that way it's always full and always available to boil

I guess this falls in the category of smart just for the same of it because I can’t think of a single time I wished I could trigger the kettle that desperately.

Does it at least detect when it’s empty and stay off?

My Bosch boils so quickly this is really the last thing on my list to want to make smart.

 

[Icemanbrfc]

Mostly my thing as well.

If you did it commercially you’d need to involve a real electrician etc and that’s an issue.

Yeh... If I did it myself, I know the place will burn down lol

 

[alqassam]

I guess this falls in the category of smart just for the same of it because I can’t think of a single time I wished I could trigger the kettle that desperately.

Does it at least detect when it’s empty and stay off?

My Bosch boils so quickly this is really the last thing on my list to want to make smart.

It will not switch in it it's empty

We are big tea drinkers a cup at every meal so it's just convenient.

 

[Dolby]

Wyze

They only sell directly - they're not looking at changing anytime soon

But in full agreement these would do well!

 

[mtlost]

Geewiz sells the Wyze cams, bulbs and sensors.

Search

www.geewiz.co.za

 

[riscbroker]

Wyze kit also at Takealot, at a premium of course.

 

[Noseworthy]

Got my TP-Link plugs working last night.

Next question, what app do you use that covers all items, Smart Life is a ball ache to use and SmartThings is cool, but you have to have each items app on your phone for it to link.

 

[Dolby]

Wyze kit also at Takealot, at a premium of course.

Geewiz sells the Wyze cams, bulbs and sensors.

They buy them direct from the store, as if they were an end user and place an order for $19.99 -just as if you were doing it on the site. Hence the premium is their margin. Wyze don't have a proper distribution model where they have appointed distributors like other companies.

EDIT : I mean that motion sensor is single motion sensor is $5.99 and selling @ R195.00 on Geewiz.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Got my TP-Link plugs working last night.

Next question, what app do you use that covers all items, Smart Life is a ball ache to use and SmartThings is cool, but you have to have each items app on your phone for it to link.

That is the case for most of these things running their own proprietary firmware and such.

No getting away from that other than going for more open devices.

 

[SauRoNZA]

They only sell directly - they're not looking at changing anytime soon

But in full agreement these would do well!

Sadly yeah.

Had to import my stuff through AGS.

 

[Dolby]

That is the case for most of these things running their own proprietary firmware and such.

No getting away from that other than going for more open devices.

I think I've mentioned somewhere in this thread, that the best I used was called alarm.com

That ties together many different brands (https://www.alarm.com/partners/ecosystem.aspx) - and I really loved it. The rules weren't as simple as IFTTT with a basic 'if x then y', but a complex conditional ruling system. It was probably the closest true home automation system I've used.

IFTTT could get be a decent second, if it changed it ruling system to something more complex, as well as added more brands (though, they do have a ton already)

 

[BetaProject]

Got my TP-Link plugs working last night.

Next question, what app do you use that covers all items, Smart Life is a ball ache to use and SmartThings is cool, but you have to have each items app on your phone for it to link.

Check out something like Home Assistant or OpenHAB to bring together disparate pieces of tech under one umbrella. They have Android and iOS apps available.

 

[Dolby]

Xiaomi

Are these not locally available already?
Someone must do it, because you get via eBucks?

 

[SauRoNZA]

Are these not locally available already?
Someone must do it, because you get via eBucks?

Not all of it and generally it’s the much older stock not the new stuff us educated folk really want.

 

[calypso]

Are these not locally available already?
Someone must do it, because you get via eBucks?

Im speaking about the IoT stuff. Motion detectors, door sensors etc.

 

[Dolby]

Im speaking about the IoT stuff. Motion detectors, door sensors etc.

Yea me too

Is that not locally available ?
It's on the eBuck store, so I think someone legit must be bringing them and certifying them correctly?

Home - eBucks

eBucks is South Africa´s leading multi-partner rewards programme where you will be rewarded for doing everyday things like banking and shopping.

www.ebucks.com

I'm unsure though

 

[hellfire]

I have an urn similar to this one:

Is it a practical idea to replace / override the thermostat with a Sonoff TH?
My initial though is to put the temperature probe into the actual water container (i.e. in the water), or alternatively mount the probe outside the inner drum.
Thoughts?

 

[rorz0r]

I have an urn similar to this one:

Is it a practical idea to replace / override the thermostat with a Sonoff TH?
My initial though is to put the temperature probe into the actual water container (i.e. in the water), or alternatively mount the probe outside the inner drum.
Thoughts?

Why?