Home Automation - Smartkit

[rorz0r]

How will your Sonoff connect to the cloud though if your LTE router is "stuck"?

 

[blueowl]

How will your Sonoff connect to the cloud though if your LTE router is "stuck"?

yeah, good question - i would set up a mi-fi (have one of the old Afrihost units they were giving away a long time ago), on a 250 Mb/month sim switched on 24/7, and only connected to the sonoff device for this purpose - nearby and controlling the power supply to the Telkom LTE modem.

 

[Tinuva]

This particular scenario - I want to put a sonoff device on my Telkom LTE modem in the house and, in case of need, be able to reset it remotely (from outside the house). This is also the reason why I would connect (only this) sonoff via ewelink and not my local HA setup - so that I can access the sonoff SV device it in case the LTE connection is down for whatever reason. The only trouble is, sonoff SV goes to "ON" and automatically "Off" state; I would need it to constantly be in "ON" state and go "OFF" for a second or two (reset) in order for this to work.

A set timer (in tasmota console) wouldn't do the job, because this needs to be a reset on demand and not a timed reset....

To overcome this hurdle, I guess a basic relay (NT72-2C-S10, http://www.communica.co.za/catalog/Details/P2860965065 or similar) that can invert the signal would do the job, but I am looking to see if there is a software option to do it in sonoff SV (and so far it looks like there isn't)....

Silly question, but if the LTE is down, how exactly is it going to be connected to ewelink?

Remote reset is not a great idea for your scenario.
You want it without ewelink, and have a monitor at the house that detect if the internet is down, which then automatically reboot the LTE modem.

For my own setup, on vumatel trenched, I have a monitoring solution setup. If it detects the internet down, it runs a script on the mikrotik to release->renew dhcp, which usually fix my issue, but it happens rarely. Still, I wouldn't count on a remote solution like you are thinking.

 

[rorz0r]

Ah ok, that would work. I was also thinking you could maybe grab tasmota and modify it to work in a "watchdog" mode. Eg. Start up in on mode, Every 5 minutes see if it can ping 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 and if it can't then turn off for a few seconds then back on.

 

[rorz0r]

Might be easier to do a watchdog script on another box if you have something always running. Then just control a sonoff basic instead of an sv.

 

[blueowl]

Silly question, but if the LTE is down, how exactly is it going to be connected to ewelink?

Remote reset is not a great idea for your scenario.
You want it without ewelink, and have a monitor at the house that detect if the internet is down, which then automatically reboot the LTE modem.

For my own setup, on vumatel trenched, I have a monitoring solution setup. If it detects the internet down, it runs a script on the mikrotik to release->renew dhcp, which usually fix my issue, but it happens rarely. Still, I wouldn't count on a remote solution like you are thinking.

I replied to the question of the remote connection to the sonoff SV device above, but would be interested in more details about your setup. Unfortunately I don't have a mikrotik device in my local network (but rather just the Huawei B315 box, with a number of routers/switches/APs etc.)...... thus I need to look at alternative options, and I thought the above setup wouldn't be a terribly bad idea to achieve this..... of course, it would not be used very often, but in case of need, it would give me what i need.

 

[blueowl]

Might be easier to do a watchdog script on another box if you have something always running. Then just control a sonoff basic instead of an sv.

that is also true.... i have tons of other things running 24/7 (microserver, CCTV box and a few others) so i could do that.... i guess it would also work but that takes away the element of excitement of tinkering with something new....

 

[rorz0r]

Easy peasy, use the web commands here:
https://github.com/arendst/Sonoff-Tasmota/wiki/Commands

Could probably even do this integration from a Mikrotik router or even some third party router firmwares (Isn't one for the one you have though).

 

[SmartKit]

For those of you interested we're now distributing OpenSprinkler-compatible Raspberry Pi boards: http://www.smartkit.co.za/product/smartkit-openirrigation/

 

[AlmightyBender]

First order placed! Can't wait

Starting with some basics but eventually plan to do things like:
* turn on extraction fan based on humidity levels of bathroom
* dispense a treat for my dog if he doesn't bark during the day when I'm not there i.e. reward him for being quiet
* etc

Gonna be lots of fun

 

[SAguy]

* dispense a treat for my dog if he doesn't bark during the day when I'm not there i.e. reward him for being quiet

That's cute, like it.
Should set something up in the bar to dispense "treats" too.

 

[SmartKit]

Ok guys, anyone used Sonoff T1 or Basic for 2 or even 3-way switches? I know I have a couple in my house.

Either IFTTT or the GPIO ports?

 

[ebendl]

Ok guys, anyone used Sonoff T1 or Basic for 2 or even 3-way switches? I know I have a couple in my house.

Either IFTTT or the GPIO ports?

If you can flash Tasmota and run Home Assistant it's relatively easy to do. In essence only one is wired to the lights, the other Sonoff(s) are only provided power. Using HomeAssist automation you can then link them together - I.e. Keep them all in sync.

Dr Zzs has a video on YouTube showing this using the Sonoff basics and a GPIO port.

 

[Sinbad]

I need a water level alarm. Any recommendations out there?
The float valve on my Jojo has gotten stuck a couple of times resulting in it overflowing. Want to be alerted...

 

[RVZ]

Someone asked in the thread about using a Sonoff device to control their Centurion Gate motor. I can't find the post anymore, did anyone manage to get this working? I tried a while ago with a Sonoff RF Bridge, but it doesn't work with the Centurion motors.

 

[SmartKit]

Someone asked in the thread about using a Sonoff device to control their Centurion Gate motor. I can't find the post anymore, did anyone manage to get this working? I tried a while ago with a Sonoff RF Bridge, but it doesn't work with the Centurion motors.

No, the solution seems to either be the single-channel inching (out-of-the-box, i.e. no Tasmota) or the Sonoff SV loaded with Tasmota. The pulse option should solve the issue at 12-24v DC.

 

[xrapidx]

Wouldn't something like OpenGarage work? https://openthings.io

My garage door is controllable from my alarm panel - I then have a contact on the door telling me if its open or closed.

 

[SmartKit]

Wouldn't something like OpenGarage work? https://openthings.io

My garage door is controllable from my alarm panel - I then have a contact on the door telling me if its open or closed.

As nice as OpenGarage is, it can be a bit excessive.

I think you'd be looking at R1000 for the whole device.

 

[ToxicBunny]

If you can flash Tasmota and run Home Assistant it's relatively easy to do. In essence only one is wired to the lights, the other Sonoff(s) are only provided power. Using HomeAssist automation you can then link them together - I.e. Keep them all in sync.

Dr Zzs has a video on YouTube showing this using the Sonoff basics and a GPIO port.

That is the "simple" solution...

What I'm possibly looking at doing is using a 3 gang lightswitch, and having each switch control a different Sonoff basic. Just need to see what the requirements are from wiring the switches up....

 

[Nevar]

Might be easyier to wire the son off to a spare remote locked inside the gate motor ?