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Joined 11 months ago
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Cake day: October 18th, 2023

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  • Any smart lock will have the ability to be opened remotely. That is the smart part. But some will be only via their cloud app. Ideally you probably want a local solution. If so, avoid any WiFi options.

    There are plenty of non-smart electronic locks that allow you to have a wired remote release.

    I’ve had a Trilogy T3 in my house for 2 decades. It is a keypad lock, not smart. But it has a remote release wire that I connected to a smart relay. This allows me to open my door remotely without having to trust that some lock company got their digital security right when eve big tech companies fail.




  • What I am thinking of is something like a kasa smart plug

    That will work.

    but controlled by USB by the Pi.

    Now you made it difficult. I’m not aware of any smart plug that can be controlled via USB. They are either WiFi and you make an API call or ZigBee/Thread/Zwave and you need a controller like SmartThings/Alexa/HomeAssistant to send the command to the device.





  • 1- there are smart switches specific for this. But most work differently than the old dumb switch. You usually wire them with only one master switch actually controlling the load and how many slave switches you need for the other locations. The salves just tell the master what to do.

    There are some special ones that allow you to only have to change one switch to a new smart master switch and will work in conjunction with the existing dumb switches in the circuit. Much cheaper, but you only get dimming control from the master.

    2 - Sounds like you need a double-switch. I know zooz has one. https://www.getzooz.com/zooz-zen30-double-switch/






  • Build your own

    Not great advice considering these could easily burn your entire house to the ground if not done properly.

    Most people do not have the knowledge and skills to even begin to attempt this.

    I have built many LiIon battery packs and it is not a huge savings over buying pre-built packs from professionals. The cells are going to be the primary cost no matter what. Then you still need to get an inverter and charge controller and package it all nicely.

    These things are intended for people who like the convenience. Telling them to build their own is equivalent to telling my parents that Ring doorbell is overpriced and they should roll their own solution. You know, bu ya DVR, buy compatible cameras, connect it all and securely exposing it online. Easy right?





  • It could be many things.

    Does the switch work locally? Can you hit the button on it and make it turn on?

    Are you sure the load is good? Have you tried it with another load or validated the load works without the switch?

    Did SmartThings find, recognize and add the switch?

    Is the switch still within range of your z-wave network?

    What would be my best option to get a smart switch on this that would run my electrical outlets in the eves?

    A smart switch is a good option since the outlets are already wired to the switch. It should work.

    The other option are smart outlet plugs. The problem is these can’t do anything if somebody turns of the switch.