PGA's Home Automation Project

[phillihp23]

So I have decided to jump in and try out home automation. What spurred this on you might ask. Well I am rebuilding my A/V rack in the Home Theater and as part of the project I thought I would automate things a bit. Ultimately the idea is to have the room voice automated. Controlling lights and Activities by voice command. Assuming things all work out, I intend to work through the house changing out all the lighting switches to Lutron Caseta and looking at automating other devices.

UPDATED I have purchased the following:
(2) Logitech Harmony Smart Control with hub $140
(1) Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge $80
(20) Lutron Caseta Wireless Dimmers $1100
(8) Lutron Caseta Wireless Switch $440
(5) Pico's $90
(5) Pico Mounts $35
(7) Echo Dot 2 $305
(1) Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller, WiFi, 8 Zone 2nd Generation $180

Total $2370


So far applications to control would include:
Logitech (AV Equip.)
Lutron (Lighting)
Rachio (Sprinkler)
Alexa
Siri

Other Applications I currently run:
Simplisafe (Security)
GoGoGate2 (Garage)
Foscam (Security Cams)
Blue Iris (Security Cams)

Possible Control Devices would include:
IPhone 7S (manual/voice Siri)
Apple Ipad Mini 4 (manual / voice Siri)
Apple Watch 2 (manual/voice Siri)
Echo Dot 2 (voice Alexa)

 

[tripplej]

Wow, that is a lot of automation. I am interested and will follow this thread. .Looking forward to your challenges, advances, etc.

 

[phillihp23]

Thinking about going with this instead of upgrading my current sprinkler controller.

• Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller, WiFi, 8 Zone 2nd Generation, Works with Amazon Alexa

May be able to get a $100 rebate from my local water company for installing it as it is water sense certified by EPA due to it tying into the weather to determine watering needs. That would mean it only costs me $80.

 

[phillihp23]

Installed the Rachio Sprinkler controller, took like 15 min. Added it to Alexa and now I can ask Alexa to water at will. Added my Gogogate2 to Alexa through the IFTTT program and can have Alexa open and close the garage.
Tomorrow will start programming the Logitech hub. Still waiting on the power strip and some new cabling to get my AV rack and HT back up. Was gonna start changing some light switches out to the wireless but decided I will wait on a friend with electrical background.

 

[tripplej]

Wow, great progress. I am amazed with all of this "automation technology"..

 

[phillihp23]

The Dish Hopper is also voice command through Alexa. Gonna try to set that up today. Loaded Siriusxm activity on Alexa. Using Alexa is kinda like learning a language. Depending on the activity (device activated) what key words to speak in order for Alexa to recognize the action and device.

 

[tripplej]

Which Amazon product (Echo, dot) is used for what? Or all are used for everything? Any difference between the echo and dot?

 

[phillihp23]

Which Amazon product (Echo, dot) is used for what? Or all are used for everything? Any difference between the echo and dot?

I purchased 3 echo dot and 2 amazon echo. The amazon echo is the taller one with essentially a full range speaker built in. The dots also have speaker, just really small and meant for communication mainly. They do connect by Bluetooth or 3.5 audio jack to a device or speaker. The dots are $50 each and the Amazon Echo $180. I will likely return my Amazon echo's and replace with dots. As I have higher grade audio equipment in most all rooms, I see no need to pay $180 for a device which I can do the same thing with for $50.

I will find out more today about how they integrate together. I have only installed one so far. I sure hope all are used for anything. Hopefully as I add them to my account they link activity from any previous dot installs.

 

[tripplej]

Thanks for the update. I suspect you don't need the Echo and will mostly likely just need a bunch of dots everywhere.. Also, I suspect they are all integrated since they are all on the same wi-fi..

 

[phillihp23]

Just got in my new thermostat. Have a buddy from work who is certified in electrical and hvac stopping by Monday after work to install along with the new light switches.

 

[phillihp23]

Setup Alexa in the home Theater and can now change channels, pause, fast forward. Still a lot of language for me to learn. Also setup another one in the bedroom. Alexa can only operate the hopper not the joeys.

 

[tripplej]

Wow, great news. Lot of progress. Keep it up!

 

[phillihp23]

Hooked up the Logitech hub and tied it into Alexa with some activities like play music, watch tv and watch movie. Setup the Lutron hub and linked it with Logitech hub and Alexa so it's ready to add switches once I get them installed.

 

[phillihp23]

So I was thinking there should be a in wall/in ceiling mount for the echo dot. Looked around and found just that...swell. Now I am researching the ability to power the echo dot by Ethernet POE...would require some sort of USB to Ethernet adapter. I think placing them in the ceiling would give better dispertion both receiving commands and audio response. If I work this out I will place one in the ceiling of each upstairs room and run Ethernet to them from the attic. By the way, does anyone know if you can transfer ownership of an echo...like if I sold the house and they are installed in the ceiling?

 

[tripplej]

yes, but the original owner has to first de-register via the Alexa app.

 

[phillihp23]

So it looks like I would need a active POE splitter over Ethernet, 48v to 5v 2.4A micro USB plug adapter. Run Ethernet from them to a Poe switch and then good to go.

 

[phillihp23]

So I setup some scenes for the HT using lutron lights and the harmony hub. Works pretty nice. Tell Alexa to watch tv and lights go out gear starts up. Tell Alexa to turn it off room lights come on to 20% and eguipment shuts down. Tell Alexa watch movie main room lights dim, equipment turns on, poster light comes on.

I have installed 6 echo dot v2 in the house, one in each room upstairs and two downstairs (open floor plan). I am pleased with echo and lutron voice interaction for light control. I have just placed an order for 18 dimmers, 7 switches, 5 pico, and switch plates to change out everything in the house.

I also ordered one more echo dot to go in the upstairs hallway.
Amazon has a combo deal Logitech hub and echo dot for $121. I will be placing the second Logitech hub in my living room setup. The Logitech hub pairs up with the nearest echo dot during setup. So a echo other than the one paired can't send messages to the devices linked to the hub. Example being if I am in the living room and ask Alexa watch tv it knows to control the hub in the living room and won't accidentally send signals to the hub in the HT.

 

[phillihp23]

If anyone is interested I have posted my new Honeywell touchscreen wifi thermostat on eBay for a 30% loss to me. SOLD .When they installed my ac two years ago they apparently changed up the wiring. My thermostat only has two wires and essentially only sends commands to a secondary module they installed in the garage which controls the furnace and condenser.

Unless someone whacked up your wiring you should have standard 4 wire and be able to install most any thermostat. Wish I was aware of my situation prior to the purchase.

 

[phillihp23]

Spent the day installing 25 Lutron caseta dimmers, 7 Lutron caseta switches, and 5 Lutron caseta picos. The house lighting is now 100% controlled by voice through Alexa echo dot.

Figured out how to group echo dots. Can now stream pandora to multiple rooms insinc at the same time.

Still have a lot to learn but it has been amazing so far.

 

[phillihp23]

Interesting article listing Alexa Compatible devices...
https://www.cnet.com/smart-home/compatibility/amazon-alexa/

 

[tripplej]

Thanks for sharing. That is a big list of devices.

 

[phillihp23]

UPDATED I have purchased the following:
(2) Logitech Harmony Smart Control with hub
(1) Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge
(23) Lutron Caseta Wireless Dimmers
(8) Lutron Caseta Wireless Switch
(5) Pico's
(5) Pico Mounts
(7) Echo Dot 4
(3) Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen
(4) Fire TV Stick 4K Max
(1) Echo Show 5
(1) Echo Hub
(1) Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller, WiFi, 8 Zone 2nd Generation
(4) Blink Mini Cameras
(4) Blink Outdoor 4 Cameras
(1) Blink Doorbell
(1) Blink Sync Module 2
(3) Denon Heos AVR (Patio/HTR/Living Room)
(1) Heos Denon Home 250 (Gym)
(1) Heos Denon Home 150 (Bathroom)
(1) Heos Denon Amp (Bar)



So far applications to control would include:
Logitech (AV Equip.)
Lutron (Lighting)
Rachio (Sprinkler)
Blink (cameras)
Heos (Audio)
Alexa


Other Applications I currently run:
Simplisafe (Security)


Possible Control Devices would include:
IPhone 14 PRO (manual)
Apple Ipad Mini 6 (manual)
Apple Watch Ultra (manual)
Echo Dot 4 (voice Alexa)
Echo Hub (manual/voice Alexa)

 

[phillihp23]

Has anyone used automated shades?
If so have you tried these brands... Smart Wings... or Allesin?
Thinking about adding one to my bedroom to start out....Work nights these days and the sun is coming up earlier now...
Would be running it by voice control over alexa.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Has anyone used automated shades?
If so have you tried these brands... Smart Wings... or Allesin?
Thinking about adding one to my bedroom to start out....Work nights these days and the sun is coming up earlier now...
Would be running it by voice control over alexa.

I've been looking at Beasen, which seems to be the exact same product as Smart Wings and half the other things out there. Still haven't pulled the trigger, but planning to start with blackout blinds in the three theater windows, and if they prove to be good blinds, I'd replace the huge blinds in the living room that are old Hunter Douglas RF battery-powered junk.

I love the idea of adding the solar panel to each blind to charge. Whoever originally owned this house obviously didn't buy it before the builder finished it or they wouldn't have done battery power for floor to ceiling windows. 12 AA batteries for each of 9 windows 2 or 3 times a year is just pure stupidity. I finally put in rechargeable batteries, but the blinds are still kinda garbage, they're always out of sync with each other.

 

[phillihp23]

I've been looking at Beasen, which seems to be the exact same product as Smart Wings and half the other things out there. Still haven't pulled the trigger, but planning to start with blackout blinds in the three theater windows, and if they prove to be good blinds, I'd replace the huge blinds in the living room that are old Hunter Douglas RF battery-powered junk.

I love the idea of adding the solar panel to each blind to charge. Whoever originally owned this house obviously didn't buy it before the builder finished it or they wouldn't have done battery power for floor to ceiling windows. 12 AA batteries for each of 9 windows 2 or 3 times a year is just pure stupidity. I finally put in rechargeable batteries, but the blinds are still kinda garbage, they're always out of sync with each other.

One of the things I’m considering for the future forever home….electrical at each window sill.
It appears Beasen is very similar to smart wings if not manufactured by the same china company. They both appear to carry a 3 yr warranty, price wise both are very similar.