Anyone here do home automation?

[asmo]

Does anyone on here have their garage controlled by a WiFi app? My wife is super paranoid about leaving the garage door open (thank goodness) and something like that would be just the thing she needs. I thought I remember someone on here had one.

While I cannot control my garage door with mine, I use a cheap door contact sensor to tell me whether or not it is open/closed. Its mounted on the side of the garage door and works perfectly with SmartThings. If you want to actually control the door (again via Zwave/Zigbee) then get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/GoControl-Line...dp/B00M75TEIU/ (again assuming you already have a SmartThings or Wink or Verde controller).

[meatman]

While I cannot control my garage door with mine, I use a cheap door contact sensor to tell me whether or not it is open/closed. Its mounted on the side of the garage door and works perfectly with SmartThings.

asmo, Since you already have the open/closed sensor, you could actually control your garage door with one of these: http://www.amazon.com/GoControl-Z-Wa...dp/B00ER6MH22/

If you want to actually control the door (again via Zwave/Zigbee) then get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/GoControl-Line...dp/B00M75TEIU/ (again assuming you already have a SmartThings or Wink or Verde controller).

I have one of these, and it works well. It's nice because it actually beeps and flashes before the door goes up or down. It didn't work at first but I found a fix online that uses a $3 12v relay and a 12v power supply, both of which I had laying around.

[Stevensje]

You can add to current garage door opener or by a new automatic door opener with in built in for another $50. Myq built in garage door opener works great. The add on MyQ has been temperamental.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Chamberla...0201/204394627

[asmo]

asmo, Since you already have the open/closed sensor, you could actually control your garage door with one of these: http://www.amazon.com/GoControl-Z-Wa...dp/B00ER6MH22/

I have thought about it, but I don't want to bounce power to the mains. Also, I still want to have intermediary control via the wired button and I haven't figured out how to wire it correctly to accomplish both. Probably missing something simple.

[brutal]

Do you mean buy a WiFi enabled opener from the get go,as opposed to retrofitting a current opener? I'll be going the retrofit direction.

I have the Chamberlain MYQ opener setup and it's great. Compatible with Chamberlain openers built since 1998 can work with the add-on wall switch and hub kit. New openers have it built in and you just need the hub.

http://www.chamberlain.com/smartphon...e-connectivity

http://www.chamberlain.com/smartphon...nnectivity-kit

They have an add-on kit for "other" as well, I believe it can sense the door open/closed.

MyQ also works with Wink last time I looked, not sure about other automation apps/gateways.

[Brian]

Anybody have a recommendation for a water sensor? Bonus points if it has a thermometer too, and if the battery works well. The Samsung/smartthings detector has mixed reviews, as do most of the zwave compatible devices.

The laundry room sink was leaking and ruined a few things in the basement. Luckily it wasn't too bad and I caught it early, but want to make sure i'm being proactive.

I thought about going with a cheap non-automation sensor, but would prefer something that connects in.

[Irving]

Bumping this thread again. I've been looking at reviews for electronic deadbolts.

My main concerns are security weak points, as in I don't want anyone to be able to hack my front door because it is Bluetooth enabled. Also, I don't really like Bluetooth.

Second, while the front door isn't a big deal to be integrated into home automation stuff, I am interested in knowing which brands/programs are popular with good support. I don't ever want to pay a monthly service either. I'll go back through this thread and look more closely at the earlier recommendations.

If anyone has any personal experience with electronic deadbolts and has any input on what they like/dislike about what they've used, I'd appreciate any input.

[00tec]

Bumping this thread again. I've been looking at reviews for electronic deadbolts.

My main concerns are security weak points, as in I don't want anyone to be able to hack my front door because it is Bluetooth enabled. Also, I don't really like Bluetooth.

Second, while the front door isn't a big deal to be integrated into home automation stuff, I am interested in knowing which brands/programs are popular with good support. I don't ever want to pay a monthly service either. I'll go back through this thread and look more closely at the earlier recommendations.

If anyone has any personal experience with electronic deadbolts and has any input on what they like/dislike about what they've used, I'd appreciate any input.

Just got a Kevo on sale at Best Buy. It works, but don't have long term experience with it, since I got it Saturday.

I'm a lot less worried about someone hacking the lock than I am about someone simply breaking a window.

I bought it for the new house, but installed it in the apartment door for now, until house is done. Easy to re-key to use your existing keys.

[asmo]

Bumping this thread again. I've been looking at reviews for electronic deadbolts.

My main concerns are security weak points, as in I don't want anyone to be able to hack my front door because it is Bluetooth enabled. Also, I don't really like Bluetooth.

Second, while the front door isn't a big deal to be integrated into home automation stuff, I am interested in knowing which brands/programs are popular with good support. I don't ever want to pay a monthly service either. I'll go back through this thread and look more closely at the earlier recommendations.

If anyone has any personal experience with electronic deadbolts and has any input on what they like/dislike about what they've used, I'd appreciate any input.

All wireless home automation systems are insecure to a trained/determined attacker. Don't use Bluetooth for your door if you don't want to. I am more of a Zigbee/Zwave person. #1 issue with electronic deadbolts at is point is style - they are all ugly as hell. #2 placement for the number of holes on your door (e.g. got two holes and want a system that works for both - too bad).

[Irving]

Just got a Kevo on sale at Best Buy. It works, but don't have long term experience with it, since I got it Saturday.

I'm a lot less worried about someone hacking the lock than I am about someone simply breaking a window.

I bought it for the new house, but installed it in the apartment door for now, until house is done. Easy to re-key to use your existing keys.

I've seen that one, and it seems to be the most low-key of everything I've seen. I think I might like a keypad though. I see a lot of them just have touch screens. Usually I'd say that is superfluous, but I'm intrigued to find out if the purpose of a touch pad is so the numbers can be moved around and you're not typing in the same pattern all the time and wearing physical keys off.

All wireless home automation systems are insecure to a trained/determined attacker. Don't use Bluetooth for your door if you don't want to. I am more of a Zigbee/Zwave person. #1 issue with electronic deadbolts at is point is style - they are all ugly as hell. #2 placement for the number of holes on your door (e.g. got two holes and want a system that works for both - too bad).

Is there truth to Bluetooth being used to hack into people's phones?

I guess I should mention that I don't really know what makes a normal lock better than others, and don't want to be blinded by fancy stuff if the lock itself will still be junk.

The Schlage stuff is rated Grade 1, which is apparently good for a lock. I'm interested in this model, but haven't decided if I want an actual key as well. I think I do. Schlage also pairs with a home automation system that you have to pay for and I wouldn't want to use, but like I mentioned before, that is the least concern.
http://www.schlage.com/en/home/keyle...cks/touch.html