WIFI-IR device to use with fibaro

[shahbaz 2]

Which manufacturer produces the best Wifi-IR device to use with fibaro home automation system .?

[midi 7]

In my opinion:

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[shahbaz 2]

Yeah ..thanks. . Please suggest more manufacturers 

[midi 7]

Please start with this link:

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Some projects are very cheap.

[shahbaz 2]

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Is this reliable ..? ​Does it work with fibaro?  I want everyone to help me

[shahbaz 2]

getirkit.com/en/

[midi 7]

It has http interface so it should work well with Fibaro. But you will need to program your own LUA scene...

[carve81 0]

Global Cache

[Ahmed 6]

I use this in recent project, its super fine. Much powerful and easier than global cache. And lesser cost.

www.z-wave.in/iRF%20HUB

[dw89 8]

Globalcache works flawlessly (IR, contacts and rs232) easy to configure. Can't comment on any other product.

KR, Dave

[midi 7]

The less expensive solution is to use Raspberry Pi zero with USB WiFi dongle and additional infrared emitter/receiver diodes connected to GPIO.

See this article:

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[AutoFrank 372]

 

Globalcache works flawlessly (IR, contacts and rs232) easy to configure. Can't comment on any other product.

KR, Dave

 

Hi dw89 and others ,

I need more that the 3 ports on the iTach IP2IR unit and dont think I can use a splitter to generate extra IR ports.

I can use a blaster on port 3 for the equipment in the rack (blu ray player, sat receiver and 2 apple TV's) and need 5 more (4 TV's and one for the HDAnywhere mHub 4x4 matrix)

 

Is the HC2 support good across all the global cache range as I'm thinking about using the GC-100-12 ?

 

Many Thanks

Frank

 

[Bamsefar 13]

For what it is worth: I use a Global Cache GC-100-12 in my installation - it works perfect for me with my HC2 since well 2 years back I guess.

[AutoFrank 372]

For what it is worth: I use a Global Cache GC-100-12 in my installation - it works perfect for me with my HC2 since well 2 years back I guess.

 

Thanks Bamsfer, thats great news - could I ask how far yopu have pushed the automation and how you're using it ?

 

Could I also ask how many usable native IR ports it has (I've been looking through the global cache website and can seem to see what is in and what is out)

 

Ideally this is what I would need

1 port for blaster (for my equipment rack)

4 ports to route IR signals through my HDMI Matrix switch to the 4 TV's around the house

1 port for the HDMI matrix switch itself

 

Do you think the GC-100-12 would suffice ? 

 

Thanks

[Bamsefar 13]

Okay, a few questions

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The GC100-12 has 6 IR ports, you can read about it on Vesternets web page:

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So YES you will be happy with the GC-100-12.

 

I use 3 of the IR ports currently (I did use 5 earlier), and I control my Epson projektor (I use IR, however I could just as easy use RS232 thanks to my GC100-12 - I just have not soldered the contacts to the cable, IR works perfectly anyway so why bother...), my Cable TV box and another small box.

 

You need to understand ONE thing though and that is that the GC100 keeps ONE connection live all the time. What that means is that if you use the HC2 for controlling the environment, then no other device should be used - all communication to the GC100 needs to go over the HC2. Also you might need to send a "keep alive" signal from time to time to the GC100 since it has some sort of powersave mode. Nothing of this is any problems, just have that in mind and you will be fine.

 

Now my home automation is well kind of fully integrated. I keep track of my wifes and my own cell, when one of them are "home" the system adapts the lights to the current outside light level. Depending on which room you are in, lights turn on (they are all dimmable lights), and radio/music starts in the background. If we turn on the projector, or I should say media system, the projector goes on, the 135" screen comes down, lights adapts after "mode of viewing" and source, and all boxes needed for whatever we do turns on or off. In general it's a single touch system, since that is what my wife ordered. She like to push a button "TV" and then the rest just works (right - don't know how many hours I put into this so far...). So there is a bit of logic going on i the background. Also keeps track on travel, weekends / days off (like Christmas and all other holidays) and some other minor details. All in all, when everything works, no one needs to push any buttons for lights - it really just works due to all sensors and logic program rules I programmed.

 

However there are times when I miss in the logics, and happy wife is no more happy and comments like "I was reading - can you please turn on the light again!" or the other one "Are the lights supposed to blink all the time". Well I have a very understanding wife I might add - so she understands, and also loves the system when it works. And it does work most of the time, until I change something (again)...

[AutoFrank 372]

Okay, a few questions

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/emoticons/default_icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />

 

The GC100-12 has 6 IR ports, you can read about it on Vesternets web page:

Please login or register to see this link.

 

So YES you will be happy with the GC-100-12.

 

I use 3 of the IR ports currently (I did use 5 earlier), and I control my Epson projektor (I use IR, however I could just as easy use RS232 thanks to my GC100-12 - I just have not soldered the contacts to the cable, IR works perfectly anyway so why bother...), my Cable TV box and another small box.

 

You need to understand ONE thing though and that is that the GC100 keeps ONE connection live all the time. What that means is that if you use the HC2 for controlling the environment, then no other device should be used - all communication to the GC100 needs to go over the HC2. Also you might need to send a "keep alive" signal from time to time to the GC100 since it has some sort of powersave mode. Nothing of this is any problems, just have that in mind and you will be fine.

 

Now my home automation is well kind of fully integrated. I keep track of my wifes and my own cell, when one of them are "home" the system adapts the lights to the current outside light level. Depending on which room you are in, lights turn on (they are all dimmable lights), and radio/music starts in the background. If we turn on the projector, or I should say media system, the projector goes on, the 135" screen comes down, lights adapts after "mode of viewing" and source, and all boxes needed for whatever we do turns on or off. In general it's a single touch system, since that is what my wife ordered. She like to push a button "TV" and then the rest just works (right - don't know how many hours I put into this so far...). So there is a bit of logic going on i the background. Also keeps track on travel, weekends / days off (like Christmas and all other holidays) and some other minor details. All in all, when everything works, no one needs to push any buttons for lights - it really just works due to all sensors and logic program rules I programmed.

 

However there are times when I miss in the logics, and happy wife is no more happy and comments like "I was reading - can you please turn on the light again!" or the other one "Are the lights supposed to blink all the time". Well I have a very understanding wife I might add - so she understands, and also loves the system when it works. And it does work most of the time, until I change something (again)...

 

thanks - that helps a lot and having the GC-100 as primary or keep alive shouldn't be an issue so it sounds like this is the 'next' purchase. Could I ask if you use IR transmitters for the TV IR Control or direct 'IR in' ports ? My TV's don't have these IR in ports even though 2 are new purchases (48" samsung and 60" sony). Some of the IR bugs are kinda of ugly and I'll need to find ones that will look okay.

 

to your system I say 'WOW' ... this is where I'm trying to go and have most of the hardware installed at this stage (I think)...

 

fibaro dimmers, RGBW conrollers and relays (lights, garage door and gates) some other smart relays, TKB switches upstairs, mix of sensors/motion detectors, a few remotes (no real use yet), more network cable that I care to measure, all equipment in one location apart from 4 TV's, 3 android wall mounted tablets and 1 more on order, 99% of hardware is IP capable, 14 sonos zones. Siemens network alarm (regular, not z-wave) with gateway box on order to enable 2-way comms between the HC2 and the Alarm system and sensors, 4x4 HDMI matrix with basic IP control, 4 IP cameras (Trendnet, same as HKvision model)

 

I have a thousand and one questions but will limit to a few if that's okay

 

- With the phones is it geo fencing you use or some other method to determine occupancy (i'm using some motions sensors and determining occupancy (upstairs and downstairs, setting global variables) from there

- what sensors did you select ?

- how do you determine the room location for the music/background ?

- I assume all the logic is 'scene' driven and are your voice commands lili/siri or some other method

- sounds like lua coding 

- I use Imperihome as I find the web interface/app form fibaro not that use friendly for everyday use

 

Any other tips and tricks from your 2 year journey ???

 

thanks

-F

[Bamsefar 13]

thanks - that helps a lot and having the GC-100 as primary or keep alive shouldn't be an issue so it sounds like this is the 'next' purchase. Could I ask if you use IR transmitters for the TV IR Control or direct 'IR in' ports ? My TV's don't have these IR in ports even though 2 are new purchases (48" samsung and 60" sony). Some of the IR bugs are kinda of ugly and I'll need to find ones that will look okay.

 

to your system I say 'WOW' ... this is where I'm trying to go and have most of the hardware installed at this stage (I think)...

 

fibaro dimmers, RGBW conrollers and relays (lights, garage door and gates) some other smart relays, TKB switches upstairs, mix of sensors/motion detectors, a few remotes (no real use yet), more network cable that I care to measure, all equipment in one location apart from 4 TV's, 3 android wall mounted tablets and 1 more on order, 99% of hardware is IP capable, 14 sonos zones. Siemens network alarm (regular, not z-wave) with gateway box on order to enable 2-way comms between the HC2 and the Alarm system and sensors, 4x4 HDMI matrix with basic IP control, 4 IP cameras (Trendnet, same as HKvision model)

 

I have a thousand and one questions but will limit to a few if that's okay

 

- With the phones is it geo fencing you use or some other method to determine occupancy (i'm using some motions sensors and determining occupancy (upstairs and downstairs, setting global variables) from there

- what sensors did you select ?

- how do you determine the room location for the music/background ?

- I assume all the logic is 'scene' driven and are your voice commands lili/siri or some other method

- sounds like lua coding 

- I use Imperihome as I find the web interface/app form fibaro not that use friendly for everyday use

 

Any other tips and tricks from your 2 year journey ???

 

thanks

-F

 

Well, let's see what I can help with this time:

 

I only use IR transmitters, however my boxes are hidden, so I do not need to take any considerations about how the transmitters looks...

 

My HC2 system might be 2 years, however I had a Vera Lite before that (18 months?) and before that I used Telldus based systems. I guess all in all I have been doing this since 2008 give/take a year. It all started kind of simple: I only wanted the lights in the windows to be fully automated when the sun was down, which then became when it was dark outside, and then developed to three levels (Dark, Dusk, Day). And from there on it has been going... I still have a few boxes to buy, and a few more rules to write. One day I might be finished - however I seriously think that will never happen. When I think I am done, and trust me I have been there a few times, I just come up with new ideas what to do and rules to "bend"...

 

Questions:

- I use our home WiFi system to keep track of status "home" or "away", I have an Asus AC3200 with custom code inside that keeps tracks on the cells, and when someone comes home/leaves, it fires http commands to HC2.

- All kind of sensors, mostly motions sensors, and they are more or less selected due to design, and I got a few extra sensor on the side which I mostly never use...

- Aha - now that is a program logic that will never be finished I guess... There are no 100% good logic rules to apply, you have to guess based on how you normally move around. It's more about how good you are in predicting your family habits than anything else

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- Everything is program logic in scenes or VDs - I use NO lili/siri voice control at all. In general I have a "TOD" (Time Of Day) master sceen that keeps track on "stuff" - it is 100% written for our installation and I do not think anyone else can use it since some logic is adapted to us. I try to keep as much logic as possible out of "TOD" to keep it clean, but I can not move everything to VDs or Sceans.

- I am 100% LUA coding - nothing else works. There are limitations to what we are allowed to do in LUA in HC2 - I have managed to overcome and adapt to those limitations

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- We use iRule to control the media system (music library, movie library, internet and a few other "things"), apart from that there are NO other controls in our home - the goal is fully automated with no visible sign of automation...

 

Tip of the day: Keep wife happy

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/emoticons/default_icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" /> then they will forgive you when you f*ck up (and trust me, you will) - and never ever give up.

[AutoFrank 372]

Well, let's see what I can help with this time:

 

I only use IR transmitters, however my boxes are hidden, so I do not need to take any considerations about how the transmitters looks...

 

My HC2 system might be 2 years, however I had a Vera Lite before that (18 months?) and before that I used Telldus based systems. I guess all in all I have been doing this since 2008 give/take a year. It all started kind of simple: I only wanted the lights in the windows to be fully automated when the sun was down, which then became when it was dark outside, and then developed to three levels (Dark, Dusk, Day). And from there on it has been going... I still have a few boxes to buy, and a few more rules to write. One day I might be finished - however I seriously think that will never happen. When I think I am done, and trust me I have been there a few times, I just come up with new ideas what to do and rules to "bend"...

 

Questions:

- I use our home WiFi system to keep track of status "home" or "away", I have an Asus AC3200 with custom code inside that keeps tracks on the cells, and when someone comes home/leaves, it fires http commands to HC2.

- All kind of sensors, mostly motions sensors, and they are more or less selected due to design, and I got a few extra sensor on the side which I mostly never use...

- Aha - now that is a program logic that will never be finished I guess... There are no 100% good logic rules to apply, you have to guess based on how you normally move around. It's more about how good you are in predicting your family habits than anything else

Please login or register to see this image.

/emoticons/default_icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" />

- Everything is program logic in scenes or VDs - I use NO lili/siri voice control at all. In general I have a "TOD" (Time Of Day) master sceen that keeps track on "stuff" - it is 100% written for our installation and I do not think anyone else can use it since some logic is adapted to us. I try to keep as much logic as possible out of "TOD" to keep it clean, but I can not move everything to VDs or Sceans.

- I am 100% LUA coding - nothing else works. There are limitations to what we are allowed to do in LUA in HC2 - I have managed to overcome and adapt to those limitations

Please login or register to see this image.

/emoticons/default_icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" />

- We use iRule to control the media system (music library, movie library, internet and a few other "things"), apart from that there are NO other controls in our home - the goal is fully automated with no visible sign of automation...

 

Tip of the day: Keep wife happy

Please login or register to see this image.

/emoticons/default_icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" /> then they will forgive you when you f*ck up (and trust me, you will) - and never ever give up.

 

Sounds like a similar journey but about a couple of years ahead o fme - I had used the Veralite and veraedge in our last house but wasn't really happy with either of them. When our new house was built about a year ago I decided a major investment was required to move it from 'dad's tinkering' to 'something the whole family could use' and this is when I moved to the HC2 and I haven't looked back since and quite happy to date.

I agree that logic will never be fully written but for me thats's where the fun is....- I'd like to have a mix of automation and on demand inquiry through the tablets and this seems to be working for us. For example - our three christmas trees and some back garden lights for christmas are all on zwave wall plugs and my 4 year old son comes down in the morning and launches imperihome on the tablet in the kicthen and turns the lights on and is well pleased with himself

 

BTW, Do you not have any transmitters on the TV's to be able to switch them off via IR or is this done via IP ?

 

I am just learning LUA and expect that I'll move more in that direction when my expertise level comes up.

I also have an understanding wife luckley and have had some of those times like 'i turned off the pillar lights in the driveway 5 time and they still come on and it's noon :-)"  but she knows that it'll never work 100% and I'm careful about what I announce as "wife-ready" and have just introduced "wife-beta, expect some glitches" that seem so keep me out of trouble.

 

I must look into in the wifi approach as this may help solve my occupancy issue and I could also use it to trigger the gates to open when we drive up by putting a small access point close by to pick up when our phones are close by.

 

One final question if I may - what do you mean by ""TOD" (Time Of Day) master sceen that keeps track on "stuff" "

 

thanks again for sharing and good luck with the never ending journey

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-F

[Bamsefar 13]

We only have a projector, so no TV's.

 

"TOD" is my master scene. It does a lot of things, but in short it is about dividing the day into different blocks: Night, Morning, Day, Afternoon, Dinner, Evening, Turn Down, and then night again. "TOD = "Time Of Day" block logic if you like. It sets the time for each block depending on if there is a workday or not, if we are away on travel (and then it simulates that we are home so the lights keep going on/off in a more controlled random way). It handles automagic turnoff of all lamps, background music / media on/off and so on. If TOD does not run, then the system still works on sensors - however some functions like automagic turnoff will of course not work. The goal is to have only ONE scene that has a fibaro:sleep in the LUA code - and so far I seem to succeeded with that. Yes I do have a few minor sleep() calls in other places, but there is only one that runs all the time.

 

The way I solved it works for us - I do not expect it to work for others in the same way since out logic is based, well on us and not someone else. You have to choose

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[AutoFrank 372]

We only have a projector, so no TV's.

 

"TOD" is my master scene. It does a lot of things, but in short it is about dividing the day into different blocks: Night, Morning, Day, Afternoon, Dinner, Evening, Turn Down, and then night again. "TOD = "Time Of Day" block logic if you like. It sets the time for each block depending on if there is a workday or not, if we are away on travel (and then it simulates that we are home so the lights keep going on/off in a more controlled random way). It handles automagic turnoff of all lamps, background music / media on/off and so on. If TOD does not run, then the system still works on sensors - however some functions like automagic turnoff will of course not work. The goal is to have only ONE scene that has a fibaro:sleep in the LUA code - and so far I seem to succeeded with that. Yes I do have a few minor sleep() calls in other places, but there is only one that runs all the time.

 

The way I solved it works for us - I do not expect it to work for others in the same way since out logic is based, well on us and not someone else. You have to choose

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/emoticons/default_icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" />

 

That TOD idea sounds like something that might work for me

I hope you don't mind me borrowing it

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Thanks again for all the information and advice

 

Best Regards and Happy New Year

-Frank