HA System Recommendations?

DLONG2

Known around here
Joined
May 17, 2017
Messages
763
Reaction score
454
Getting disappointed with the HomeSeer/Z-Wave home automation system I had invested in last year. Is there something else based on wireless which is hardier and easier to manage, and which can integrate with Blue Iris, Hue lights, etc.?
 

dmiller

Young grasshopper
Joined
Jan 20, 2015
Messages
46
Reaction score
12
I find Homeseer integration with Blue Iris to be reliable and straightforward. But for someone with no programing background usefully integrating Blue Iris into any HA hub is going to be challenging.
 

smole

Young grasshopper
Joined
Dec 5, 2017
Messages
92
Reaction score
18
Home Assistant has a steep learning curve.
 

DLONG2

Known around here
Joined
May 17, 2017
Messages
763
Reaction score
454
The major issue I am having is getting an HS door/window sensor on an outdoors gate to consistently connect to the HS Z-Wave network. Oddly the Tamper status is seen but not always the Open/Closed and battery status. When it works and is opened I can trigger a cloned camera to take a snapshot and email it and push out a notification. Getting repeaters outside has been an issue. The same gate has a cheapie wireless chime sensor attached, and that works well, so I am wondering what other options I might have besides Z-Wave.
 

smole

Young grasshopper
Joined
Dec 5, 2017
Messages
92
Reaction score
18
Take a look at WiFi sensors - Sonoff (with tasmota firmware) and Shelly.

You'd need a stable wifi router/ap like ubiquity's ac lite/ac lr access point models.
 

dmiller

Young grasshopper
Joined
Jan 20, 2015
Messages
46
Reaction score
12
The major issue I am having is getting an HS door/window sensor on an outdoors gate to consistently connect to the HS Z-Wave network. Oddly the Tamper status is seen but not always the Open/Closed and battery status. When it works and is opened I can trigger a cloned camera to take a snapshot and email it and push out a notification. Getting repeaters outside has been an issue. The same gate has a cheapie wireless chime sensor attached, and that works well, so I am wondering what other options I might have besides Z-Wave.
Is the connection being made with version 5 z-wave devices? I set up a system with a detached garage perhaps 50 feet from the house and it worked without problem. This is on an all z-wave 5 system. But there are probably multiple paths between the house and garage. I have never looked at the z-wave paths because that system has worked without issue.

I've never done a sparse z-wave system. The systems I have done have a lot of mains routing devices. So I'm not sure how z-wave works with just a few always on devices. Wifi might work better with only a few devices.
 

DLONG2

Known around here
Joined
May 17, 2017
Messages
763
Reaction score
454
Take a look at WiFi sensors - Sonoff (with tasmota firmware) and Shelly.

You'd need a stable wifi router/ap like ubiquity's ac lite/ac lr access point models.
I have a Ubiquiti network with APs, but I am needing a battery-operated passive magnetic switch/sensor, similar to what the HomeSeer uses (HS-DS100+). The Sonoff looks to need local power.

dmiller: I am using HS3 with the SmartStick+ USB interface, and the HS-DS100+ door/window sensors.
 

dmiller

Young grasshopper
Joined
Jan 20, 2015
Messages
46
Reaction score
12
.......

dmiller: I am using HS3 with the SmartStick+ USB interface, and the HS-DS100+ door/window sensors.
How many router z-wave nodes besides the smartstick?

BTW, I don't think the tamper sensor report is designed to automatically reset to off/null.
 

DLONG2

Known around here
Joined
May 17, 2017
Messages
763
Reaction score
454
How many router z-wave nodes besides the smartstick?

BTW, I don't think the tamper sensor report is designed to automatically reset to off/null.
I have just a handful of z-wave door/window sensors, and only the one on the gate is currently in use. I also have a z-wave AC switch which I use as a repeater outdoors to try to extend the range to the gate. The PC was relocated to the middle of the home; I know I need more repeaters; getting a consistent signal to the gate has been an issue with the brick facade and distance...
 
Joined
Oct 16, 2018
Messages
1,659
Reaction score
5,461
Location
Florida, USA
@DLONG2, as you know we have an extensive HS3 and Z-Wave setup. I would try this:

1. Z-Net
2. Ecolink Door/window sensors. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5HB4U5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3. BI plugin from beerygaz.

We have the above sensor on an outdoor gate, taped shut to keep the snow and rain out and it performs flawlessly.

We also use SDJ-Health to monitor our battery powered devices and this seems to help quite a bit. The only ones that it doesn’t catch properly are the Zooz sensors.

We have about 50 HS-DW100 dimmers, 50 battery powered sensors, mostly Ecolink (the best in my opinion), a few Kwikset locks and some plugin dimmers from DragonTech.

D8400CDE-5301-4A40-9A46-C0920DF72007.jpeg
 
As an Amazon Associate IPCamTalk earns from qualifying purchases.

JKChad

n3wb
Joined
Oct 30, 2018
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Location
Tn
The major issue I am having is getting an HS door/window sensor on an outdoors gate to consistently connect to the HS Z-Wave network. Oddly the Tamper status is seen but not always the Open/Closed and battery status. When it works and is opened I can trigger a cloned camera to take a snapshot and email it and push out a notification. Getting repeaters outside has been an issue. The same gate has a cheapie wireless chime sensor attached, and that works well, so I am wondering what other options I might have besides Z-Wave.
Dlong, I fought a similar battle until I ran across a guy who suggested using a z-wave dry contact sensor hard wired to a overhead roll up door sensor. I have the dry contact sensor in my garage within a good range of the z-wave network in my house and the wires ran outside to my gate. I create a virtual device for gate status and trigger my PTZ presets when the gate is opened. If this is something that might work for you, I can get you specific model info of the parts I used.
 

DLONG2

Known around here
Joined
May 17, 2017
Messages
763
Reaction score
454
Thanks JKChad. I'd be interested if it's not a lot of trouble.
 

danbutter

Getting the hang of it
Joined
May 28, 2017
Messages
139
Reaction score
47
HomeSeer HS-FLS100+ Z-Wave Plus Floodlight Sensor – HomeSeer Store

I use this outside and it is pretty nice in function and could also help your range issue depending on placement.

A sparse zwave network is going to perform poorly so get some outdoor devices and get as close as you can.

If you wanted to change directions I would suggest an alarm sensor. They have much better range!
Many homeauto systems have a way to integrate an alarm.
 

DLONG2

Known around here
Joined
May 17, 2017
Messages
763
Reaction score
454
Thanks for all your suggestions. Perhaps a Z-Net unit is the way to go. The gate sensor has been working well after I had installed a power switch unit outside under the eaves where the Christmas light usually plug into.
 

The Profit

n3wb
Joined
Jun 19, 2019
Messages
19
Reaction score
11
Location
San Diego, CA
Thanks for all your suggestions. Perhaps a Z-Net unit is the way to go. The gate sensor has been working well after I had installed a power switch unit outside under the eaves where the Christmas light usually plug into.
I would second the z-net suggestion. I’m currently using two of them in a 3500 sqft home and five of them in a 21,000 sqft business building without any issue. The other key is to have several powered devices setup to create a strong mesh network before adding battery devices.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Top