What is your HomeKit Setup? What do you want to add?

[Otto Pilot]

I can see where it would be useful in a family situation...would be nice to have the level of access that my phone has as "owner" available to all without them necessarily being able to make changes inadvertently to the setup. Having some sort of always-on access in each room would be nice...during the evening I will often leave phone and watch charging in the kitchen and want access upstairs to do lights or something. The need to have phone or watch on and use that is pretty much my wife's biggest complaint with HomeKit and why she basically doesn't use it. I think I would like a Siri access point in each room with high-quality microphones to accurately capture HomeKit commands...I would really like this to be for the most part basic though...I don't need or want speakers and cameras, etc...make it affordable enough to allow me o get several for different rooms.

 

[xraydoc]

I keep debating whether to HomeKit those switches on not as well...I may end up just getting dumb switches that match the look of the Lutrons for those in the hope that something better comes along eventually.

That bedroom setup would be annoying...I'm glad my house has none of that...I wouldn't actually think that was code-compliant. What we do have that is driving me slowly mad is a large number of unnecessary 3-way switches (and 1 4-way). Sometimes its not the easiest thing to determine which one is the primary, and which get the Pico remotes, especially when some of the switches are in 3-gang boxes with a mess of wires. Is there an easy way to figure out the layout on these?

Yeah, the three-ways get me, too. I've successfully replaced two with the Lutron dimmer/Pico remote combo and they work great, but I'll admit to getting a little uncomfortable digging through the switchboxes in my house. It was built in 1956 and several rooms (though not all) have been redone by previous owners. So I found that the previous two 3-ways I replaced had non-standard color coding on the traveler wires, making me hesitant to go back in and do the remaining three 3-ways. Though must say that it's nice the Lutron dimmers don't require a neutral wire since many of my boxes don't have a neutral wire in my house - just the hot, load and ground.

For the moment, I've replaced the bulbs in the fixtures controlled by 3-ways switches with Hue white bulbs, covered the switches with magnetic plates so no one flicks them off, and put Hue dimmer remotes (battery powered, adhesive mount) on the wall next to the gang boxes. Works perfectly though the covered hard-wired wall switches I'm sure would annoy some people.

The Hue dimmers are nice in that you can tap the "ON" button to cycle through Hue scenes (though not same as HomeKit scenes) and that the dimmer can be programmed to control a whole 'room' as opposed to the Lutrons which only directly control the fixture to which it's wired.

So for now I'm satisfied with this solution.

Did the same in the bedrooms - covered the wall switch, put color Hue bulbs in the fan, and put a Hue dimmer on the wall. The battery powered dimmer will control the lights and the pull chain on the fan will suffice as fan on/off. Fans are usually left running full time anyway, so it works.

 

[Otto Pilot]

covered the switches with magnetic plates so no one flicks them off

Can you explain this a bit more? The main reason I'm switching to Lutrons where once were Hues is the inability of some in the house to NOT turn them physically off. The big draw to Lutrons is not having to care...the HomeKit control works whether they are on or off. I have Hue Taps set up in some rooms to control things, but your solution intrigues me as well.

 

[xraydoc]

6-pack of covers...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DCCCETM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They also make covers for conventional toggle switches, too.

 

[m11rphy]

Hey guys I just bought a Dyson Pure Cool Link fan which connects to wifi and is controlled via an app. Does anyone know if I can add this to HomeBridge ?

 

[yalag]

I've just started exploring the possibilities of home automation using HomeKit/HomeBridge, and I'm sure I'll think of other cool automation uses as new devices come out. Currently I have:

The iHome plug, August Lock and Hue bulbs work great with HomeKit. The Wemo Wall Switches and Wemo Plug are controlled via HomeBridge on the Raspberry Pi. I use the iHome plug switch as a way to easily restart the Raspberry Pi should I have a hiccup with the HomeBridge server. The Logitech Home Hub is also on the HomeBridge server and I use that to control a portable AC Unit, a LG TV, Bose Solo sound bar and my living room Apple TV 4.

The setup is pretty sweet. I come home and the August Door Lock auto unlocks as I approach, and depending on if it's light or dark outside, I have different light scenes set up to activate when triggered by the August Lock.

Can you explain your August setup? I have my august installed but it's not as useful as I thought it would be. For example, how do you make it so that when you unlock the door it turns on your lights? Do you create trigger using the lock states? But if that's the case, how would it know you are arriving home and not just leaving (both unlock state)?

Also, how do you set light or dark outside as a condition for your triggers?

 

[xraydoc]

Can you explain your August setup? I have my august installed but it's not as useful as I thought it would be. For example, how do you make it so that when you unlock the door it turns on your lights? Do you create trigger using the lock states? But if that's the case, how would it know you are arriving home and not just leaving (both unlock state)?

Also, how do you set light or dark outside as a condition for your triggers?

Easiest way would be to set a geofence (entering or exiting a geographic area) as the trigger for the lights. Otherwise, you're right - unlocking the door doesn't necessarily mean you're coming home.

If the geofence is big enough, the lights will turn on shortly before you arrive.

 

[Azzin]

I feel a bit inadequate!

I've just started dipping my toe in to HA and have just gotten myself a Phillips Hue Starter kit and some spare (white) bulbs.

I also like the look of Nest kit, but it's a shame that Nest doesn't play nicely with HomeKit, but it does with Hue lights, so that's something I guess.

 

[m11rphy]

has anyone who's running home kit got an lg tv running webOS ?

Anyone able to help with this ? Or anyone here got a sky box as I see a plugin to turn that on and off as well

 

[lala6971]

I feel a bit inadequate!

I've just started dipping my toe in to HA and have just gotten myself a Phillips Hue Starter kit and some spare (white) bulbs.

I also like the look of Nest kit, but it's a shame that Nest doesn't play nicely with HomeKit, but it does with Hue lights, so that's something I guess.

I'm in a similar situation where I've just started HA as well. I have the Phillips Starter kit and a few additional bulbs and just installed an Ecobee3 thermostat. I'm not sure if you were referring to the Nest thermostat or some of the other Next automation stuff, but the Ecobee3 is a great Homekit friendly thermostat. I added additional sensors (have 3 running and 1 more to decide where it goes) and it's made a remarkable difference in the cooling of my home. Our upstairs bedroom was a remodel of garage attic space and always runs hot, but the Ecobee 3 has helped tremendously in cooling it down. Check it out if you are interested in the smart thermostat!

 

[Otto Pilot]

Anyone able to help with this ? Or anyone here got a sky box as I see a plugin to turn that on and off as well

What are you trying to do with it? The only way I can find to interact with a TV via homekit is with homebridge and a Harmony Hub...I use this and it allows (through the hub) to turn on and off the tv, and set inputs (Apple TV, cable, etc).

 

[m11rphy]

What are you trying to do with it? The only way I can find to interact with a TV via homekit is with homebridge and a Harmony Hub...I use this and it allows (through the hub) to turn on and off the tv, and set inputs (Apple TV, cable, etc).

I saw there was a plugin for turning the box on and off. I also saw a plugin for lg webos TVs and Samsung TVs

 

[iGeek2014]

I purchased the Philips HUE Starter Kit last week and I have to say I'm very impressed.

Love being able to control the lights away from home (well two of the bulbs; haven't set up the third one yet).

Have also downloaded the Ambify app which'll come in handy as/when I have a party.

Just wish the UK had more HomeKit accessories.

 

[rhett7660]

Wink and SmartThings are the two biggest home automation hub. Wink, while more selective on compatible devices than SmartThings, has great Amazon Echo compatibility -- and works with Lutron switches/dimmers, where SmartThings does not.

Lutron switches are highly reliable, easy to pair/unpair/re-pair and don't require a common wire (just hot, load & ground), so they're good for older homes and older wiring.

I took the plunge and purchased the Lutron Caseta starter kit with two dimmers, bridge, and two remotes. Absolutely love it. It was to easy to install and configure. So now I have purchased six more switches and have a few more on order.

I have setup several of the lights on times and/or geofenced for when we come home.

It is pretty darn cool!

 

[xraydoc]

I took the plunge and purchased the Lutron Caseta starter kit with two dimmers, bridge, and two remotes. Absolutely love it. It was to easy to install and configure. So now I have purchased six more switches and have a few more on order.

I have setup several of the lights on times and/or geofenced for when we come home.

It is pretty darn cool!

Careful. You'll end up like me... I don't even want to calculate how much I've spent, but virtually every light in the house, including one of three bathrooms, is automated in some fashion. Plus the backyard fountain, multicolor LED light strips and ambiance lighting, garage door, door locks, thermostat, doorbell and security cameras and Harmony AV remotes.... all hooked in to Siri and three Amazon Echos. It's hard to stop and so much fun.

 

[rhett7660]

Careful. You'll end up like me... I don't even want to calculate how much I've spent, but virtually every light in the house, including one of three bathrooms, is automated in some fashion. Plus the backyard fountain, multicolor LED light strips and ambiance lighting, garage door, door locks, thermostat, doorbell and security cameras and Harmony AV remotes.... all hooked in to Siri and three Amazon Echos. It's hard to stop and so much fun.

Yeah, I don't want to know.....hahaha.... all the wife knows, is that it is easy and when she comes home the lights come on!

I can't wait to get more installed!!!!!!

I am looking at the Echo now too. I have heard nothing but good things about it.

 

[xraydoc]

Yeah, I don't want to know.....hahaha.... all the wife knows, is that it is easy and when she comes home the lights come on!

I can't wait to get more installed!!!!!!

I am looking at the Echo now too. I have heard nothing but good things about it.

I'm 'this close' to buying a couple refurb iPad Mini 4's to use as wall-mounted touchpads for controlling HomeKit devices. The Apple Home app included with iOS 10 is fantastic. It allows for grouping of devices to be turned on/off together and can be customized to only show certain devices, groups and scenes. And the background for each room can be a custom picture as well.

 

[brianbunge]

Careful. You'll end up like me... I don't even want to calculate how much I've spent, but virtually every light in the house, including one of three bathrooms, is automated in some fashion. Plus the backyard fountain, multicolor LED light strips and ambiance lighting, garage door, door locks, thermostat, doorbell and security cameras and Harmony AV remotes.... all hooked in to Siri and three Amazon Echos. It's hard to stop and so much fun.

Are you using the Hue lightstrips? I want to use them but the cost is insane. It'll cost me $200 just the be able to mount them around the back of my TV. And I like the idea of using an iPad mini 4 for HomeKit as well.

 

[xraydoc]

Are you using the Hue lightstrips? I want to use them but the cost is insane. It'll cost me $200 just the be able to mount them around the back of my TV. And I like the idea of using an iPad mini 4 for HomeKit as well.

I have one single Hue lightstrip on the back of my TV. The TV is 65" and a single strip goes around the left, top and right sides by carefully folding right angles at the corners. Works great and no need to cut the strip or use more than one.

I have another lightstip along the back of my sofa in the TV room which provides some nice ambiance lighting reflecting off the wall behind the sofa.

 

[rhett7660]

Are you using the Hue lightstrips? I want to use them but the cost is insane. It'll cost me $200 just the be able to mount them around the back of my TV. And I like the idea of using an iPad mini 4 for HomeKit as well.

I have one single Hue lightstrip on the back of my TV. The TV is 65" and a single strip goes around the left, top and right sides by carefully folding right angles at the corners. Works great and no need to cut the strip or use more than one.

I have another lightstip along the back of my sofa in the TV room which provides some nice ambiance lighting reflecting off the wall behind the sofa.

Lord have mercy, I did not know they had these!!!!!!!!!

 

[brianbunge]

I have one single Hue lightstrip on the back of my TV. The TV is 65" and a single strip goes around the left, top and right sides by carefully folding right angles at the corners. Works great and no need to cut the strip or use more than one.

I have another lightstip along the back of my sofa in the TV room which provides some nice ambiance lighting reflecting off the wall behind the sofa.

I have a 70" TV and want to wall mount it. I'd really like the light strip to go all the way around the back of the tv but only 3 sides might have to work. If I place the lightstrip on the flat surfaces all the way around the TV I would need one lightstrip with 1 to 2 of the extensions depending on how large of a perimeter I want to make on the back of the TV.
[doublepost=1472756212][/doublepost]

Lord have mercy, I did not know they had these!!!!!!!!!

Just FYI, a single lightstrip is $90...

 

[rhett7660]

I have a 70" TV and want to wall mount it. I'd really like the light strip to go all the way around the back of the tv but only 3 sides might have to work. If I place the lightstrip on the flat surfaces all the way around the TV I would need one lightstrip with 1 to 2 of the extensions depending on how large of a perimeter I want to make on the back of the TV.
[doublepost=1472756212][/doublepost]

Just FYI, a single lightstrip is $90...

Yeah I saw that, but for i was looking to do, one to two strips would be perfect!

 

[xraydoc]

I have a 70" TV and want to wall mount it. I'd really like the light strip to go all the way around the back of the tv but only 3 sides might have to work. If I place the lightstrip on the flat surfaces all the way around the TV I would need one lightstrip with 1 to 2 of the extensions depending on how large of a perimeter I want to make on the back of the TV.
[doublepost=1472756212][/doublepost]

Just FYI, a single lightstrip is $90...

Actually, I'm thinking maybe behind my TV is a lightstrip plus one extension. Hmmm. Not home so can't check right now. The extensions are less than the full strip, however.

 

[brianbunge]

Yes, I think the extensions are $40 each. So I'd be looking at roughy $170 for a lightstrip plus 2 extensions. The second extension would probably have to be cut down slightly.

 

[iPhonetherefore]

On the echo front I saw this rumour on 9-5 the other day - https://9to5mac.com/community/apple-homekit-demo-event/

I do hope we see a Siri speaker (can't think of a better name for it) next week, would be perfect time to show off home and new hub to control it all.
I would also use an iPad wall mounted as a stop gap until Apple bring out the Siri speaker.