Re:Harmony Link will no longer work after March 2018
by lorenzhs on Wednesday November 08, 2017 @11:19AM
(#15653875)
The first rule of AliExpress is you don't buy anything that comes into contact with >12V on AliExpress unless you want to start a fire. The logic board probably isn't going to set your living room ablaze.
Re:Harmony Link will no longer work after March 2018
by dmm on Wednesday November 08, 2017 @10:37AM
(#15653449)
You can build a system that simply controls commercially sourced, UL listed, mains equipment. That top level comment mentioned using IR but you can also control cheap 433Mhz outlets with simple transmitters and a library like rc-switch for arduino[0].
Home assistant also integrates well with openzwave so you can use most zwave devices including a variety of switches.
Re:Harmony Link will no longer work after March 2018
by emilburzo on Wednesday November 08, 2017 @10:52AM
(#15653590)
Yep, that's exactly how I automate a room fan to turn on over the winter, when the humidity is too high.
A respectable 433MHz controlled plug, an arduino, 433MHz TX and a humidity sensor.
It's more about hardware. Good luck getting your fire insurance cover damages when your Alibaba sourced board that you operate on the mains (via Alibaba source AC/DC converter) fries your living room.
The issues with DIY here are not hard issues in themselves (grounding, heat protection/ventilation), but they require a custom casing solution which is kind of hard if you don't want to end up with weird looking industrial cases on your wall and ceiling.