So gestern die Aqara Zigbee Sensoren für Temperatur/Luftfeuchtigkeit bekommen. Funktioniert alles super. Nur ein Sensor im Keller ist wohl außer Reichweite. Hab ihr Empfehlungen für einen Zigbee Steckdose Router?
Die Aqara Zigbee Fenster Sensoren sind auch gekommen. Die mögen mich noch nicht hm... Einer hat sich verbunden und klappt. Der andere will einfach nicht.
I’ve bought some #Ikea #Vallhorn motion sensors for 8€ a piece.
Pairing to the #Zigbee network in Home Assistant and #Zigbee2MQTT was somehow difficult, which is not usual for Zigbee devices (at least according to my limited experiences with them). Nevertheless, I succeeded in pairing them.
Unsuccessful attempts
Firstly I tried to pair the sensor with ‘Permit All’ for several times. Pairing failed. I noticed the sensor wanted to connect to my #Aqara smart plug (SP-EUC01), not to the #Sonoff Zigbee stick (the coordinator). Somehow Aqara didn’t like it and rejected the initial Zigbee ‘interview’.
Overall, the design of the sensor looks nice and smooth. On the backside, it has 3 buttons:
Link – for pairing
Timer (1 – 5) – probably to notify connected lights when to turn off (after 1 or 5 minutes). Not sure if this function works or even makes sense in Home Assistant.
Light mode – to notify connected lights when to turn on/off (always, only at night). Again, this function is probably useful if you have an Ikea gateway and lights and not in the Home Assistant
Ikea Vallhorn with holderThe package also includes a holder and a piece of double-sided tape. The manual doesn’t include much information.
Automations
Why I bought this motion sensor at all? The initial idea was to turn on the Home Assistant dashboard (FireHD tablet) when someone approaches the fridge with the tablet attached.
The automation is simple:
If a motion is detected, then send a notification (‘command_screen_on’) to the tablet (running the #HomeAssistant companion app):
Motion sensor log in Home AssistantIt detects motion and turns on the tablet, but the tablet screen turns off after a minute. I’ve noticed the sensor doesn’t send triggers every time it detects motion, only at the beginning of the motion and after the state is cleared (no motion detected). The states are:
Detected -> Cleared -> Detected -> Cleared … and so on
The effect: if someone is dancing in front of the sensor for several minutes, it will trigger only one time. Meanwhile, the associated automation will not be triggered again.
I could prolong the screen on time, but that is not the best solution. I have to think about how to solve this issue. Maybe other types of motion sensors behave the way I want?
Ideas for other 2 motion sensors
Ok, this was the first motion sensor I put in use.
The second sensor I’ve put in my workshop to detect motion. I’d like to build a simple home alarm system. A few days ago I thought I heard someone opening doors and walking in my workshop. When I checked, nobody was there, but the unpleasant feeling stayed. So the purpose of the second sensor is to prove if I’m hallucinating and hearing voices or not 🙂
For the 3rd one, I don’t have an idea yet where to put it.
Last month I learned about the integration which helps track battery change status in various devices connected to #homeassistant.
Today I installed #HACS integration (source) called ‘Battery Notes‘. After the installation and HA restart, it automatically found my #Aqara battery devices (#Zigbee buttons, magnetic door sensors, temperature and humidity):
If I don’t have #Zigbee running in #HomeAssistant is the #Aqara hub a good option or should I just get a stick (if so which)? Some of the things I like about the hub option are the alarm, light, speaker etc.
Apart from regular „ghost“ detections, it seems to work quite well and accurate. #HomeKit integration is a bit of confusing, because of sensor naming issues. But anyway - it’s a brand new device and there is time to improve.
Question: Does any FP2-owner has fixed the ghost detections and can share their knowledge?
Bought an #Aqara button because everyone and their grandmother hypes these und one #Hue Smart Button was faulty.
The delay to register the button press is terrible. The smart buttons are almost instant the Aqara buttons have a delay of about 300ms. The delay is just long enough to wonder whether your button press was actually registered correctly.
Probably because the double press functionality but this is available for the smart button too. 😕 I wonder if I can somehow reduce this delay. Read about it and most people are fine and "get used to" but I honestly would rather have a button that just works. #HomeAssistant#SmartHome#HomeAutomation
Just bought a new #PhilipsHue Smart Button. I use them in ever room and they usually work great. And they are so much more versatile than the Aqara buttons.
I really don't get why they're so hyped. The have less modes (only one tap, two taps and long press; the smart button has one to five taps and long press), feels extremely cheap, is pretty loud in comparison, significantly bigger and isn't magnetic.
The fact that the smart button is magnetic itself opens so many possibilities to place it.
And the definitely biggest plus: It doesn't has the extreme delay of the #Aqara button. I mean honestly 300-400ms until the light goes on? That's just weird.
I don't like Philips very much, but the smart button is an awesome product and not much more expensive than the Aqara button (2€ more in Germany for a much better product).