Home Automation

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Home automation is the residential extension of building automation.

It is automation of the home, housework or household activity.

Home automation may include centralized control of lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), appliances, security locks of gates and doors and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and security.

Warning: Working with electricity can result in injury, property damage, or even death if it is not done properly. Please keep this in mind while assisting others. If you are not sure about what you are doing, hire a licensed professional.

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What would you put here? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by ljane888@alien.top to c/homeautomation@selfhosted.forum

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Question for the hive mind: I have a 4-gang box of light switches and will be moving one across the room closer to the fixture it controls. I'm trying to figure out what to put in its place. I live in a tiny house on wheels, where space is at a premium, so it seems a shame to waste those few square inches, especially when it could fit some cool gadget I don't know about yet!

I need to keep the space accessible, since the wires currently attached to the switch will be wire-nutted together after the switch is removed. In your fantasy world, is there something you'd put in that space?

I am VERY new to home automation but am eyeing the Shelly relays so I can automate some existing lights (whose switches are right there). I'm also wondering whether I can rig up something to get my Dickinson Newport propane fireplace (just to the right of the switches) to connect to a thermostat (probably beyond my abilities but still fun to dream). What other cool stuff is out there?

The biggest limitation (other than the tiny amount of space) is that the wiring is 12VDC, which eliminates a lot of the smart products on the market. Still, I know there are folks automating their RV's, so I figure someone's got to have some ideas.

I haven't set it up yet but, in case it matters, I'm planning to use Home Assistant. Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/c6ha8p495x2c1.jpg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8484324df825196f592551c0afcc47640b0f1f5b

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[–] velhaconta@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Scene controller?

the wiring is 12VDC

Ugh, nevermind. Maybe you can find a 12v presence sensor.

[–] ljane888@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Good idea. I was thinking motion detector, but I like the subtlety of a presence sensor (didn't know there was a difference!). There are small 12V ones, and maybe I need to consider 3D printing an enclosure. Not that I've ever 3D printed anything, but it sounds fun!

[–] kichckcc@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

https://sonoff.tech/product/smart-wall-switches/tx-series/

https://sonoff.tech/product/smart-wall-switches/tx-ultimate/

https://sonoff.tech/product/smart-wall-switches/iw100-iw101/

[–] dsg123456789@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I’d put a usb charger, and a little shelf with a groove underneath to hold phones.

[–] ljane888@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Ooh, I like that. I have two 4-up USB "outlets" in the house, and who woulda thought that's not enough! Being 100% on solar/batteries, I'd much rather plug directly into the USB (wired into the 12V system) rather than run 12V --> inverter --> 110V --> brick that tamps the voltage back down.