I'm looking for an alternative to these motion detectors, preferably with very good battery life as my father hates cables. (but also hates replacing batteries frequently, lol) It should be the type that continuously detects presence of a human.
#Recommend SONOFF SNZB06P (Zigbee motion detector) alternative with long battery life?
split token
stone sun
The problem you have is that the best presence/motion sensors (mmWave) are very battery hungry beasts - and even on fairly minimal power (e.g. checking every few seconds) will chew through a AA in a few months
Your best bet might be to use something like https://apolloautomation.com/products/msr-2 which can be plugged directly into usb wall socket but still cover the room, even if behind (some) furniture - which would eliminate cables, and prevent you from having to change batteries at all.
split token
That is very interesting. I have never heard of this type of device. How does it work? The Sonoff for example has 4meters of range (I would need two for a 8 meter long room)
"pressure and temperature" it can detect the presence of a human body in an entire room?
I'm wonder if it can go through wood?
See the ceiling beams, wood will go on top of it to have a small attic space. It would be amazing if I could hide the sensor up there, and it would still detect presence in the entire outbuilding?
The amount of features this little device has is incredible though
stone sun
I'm not sure about that device specifically, but in theory yes - one of my friends has similar mmWave sensors in his attic detecting through the ceiling
the pressure and temperature are not how it's doing presence detection, they're just additional sensors they put in there because they're nice to have
split token
Interesting. This is the same kind of sensor technology?
I wonder how much range it has? Also, as you can see in the picture there is an AC/Heating unit. If its on would that tigger it?
stone sun
yes, but as a rule, avoid anything with Tuya
split token
Yes I'd take the zigbee kind
stone sun
tuya do zigbee, just badly
split token
Oh. I thought if i bought "zigbee" version it would not be tuya?
stone sun
split token
Ohh so even if you take zigbee version its tuya?
That's like basically every product on aliexpress then?
Which sensor does your friend use?
stone sun
basically
he uses some diy ones he made with esphome
I think @jolly gust has used the MSR-2 and could give you more info on how to set it up nicely
jolly gust
The MSR-2 is my go-to mmWave sensor... BUT, it isn't Zigbee (WiFi only) and isn't battery powered.
I'd highly recommend against any Zigbee mmWave sensor, tbh (I've used a lot of them).
split token
Hmm okay. I'd need 8 meters. I could position it centrally in the garage attic space in an attempt to cover the whole thing
jolly gust
So, I have a bunch of MSR-2s scattered about in weird places. I have one underneath me right now in my couch. I have 1 behind the headboard in my bed. A few in the ceiling in my attic and a couple underneath my hardwood floors.
split token
Interesting
jolly gust
You'd want to use 2 sensors for that. There isn't any kind of consumer mmWave sensor (that I know of at least) that will go 8 meters reliably.
split token
alright, thank you. I'm wondering if I were to attach it to one side of the outer wall, and another on the other opposite facing wall
Would it also detect presence through the wall?
jolly gust
What kind of material is the wall?
split token
Basically it would trigger when a person is nearby the building outside, which is not ideal
jolly gust
You can tune that out with the MSR-2
split token
Brick and some insulation
jolly gust
Yeah, that would actually be a good blocking medium.
But, you can also tune the hell out of the MSR-2 sensors:
If you only wanted to detect say 1-2 meters out of the 6, you can do that.
split token
Very nice. THe MSR-2 seems great, the only thing holding me back is that it comes from USA.
Aqara FP2 would be an alternative, maybe?
jolly gust
Where are you based?
split token
Belgium
jolly gust
They ship all over the world and do a LOT of shipments to the EU.
The FP2... maybe? I got rid of mine because of the ghosting and lack of tuning on them.
split token
Alright, thank you. I'll probably order one or two
jolly gust
Like, with my couch sensor, I didn't want to detect someone waving their hand above the couch, but actually sitting:
Everything 1-2 meters above the couch is ignored.
jolly gust
If I'm sitting on the couch: Do things. 🙂
split token
Which things
jolly gust
Like turn on/off/pause/unpause the TV and lights and such.
split token
Very nice
jolly gust
Yeah, they are my favorite sensors out of almost all my gear. lol
If you pop into their discord, they have a showcase where others are doing all sorts of crazy things with them
split token
Only unfortunate thing is that I wont be able to make use of the lux sensor when I hide it somewhere dark
Have joined, thank you
jolly gust
Nope. But, tbh, the lux sensor isn't really that good to begin with. It works, but it's not really all that accurate.
split token
Alright fair enough, thank you
jolly gust
Oh dear GOD... lol
split token
Nooo 😦
jolly gust
Soooooo, I'll put it this way... I have a hard rule that no Tuya Zigbee kit touches my mains electric. Tuya Wifi, maybe (all my ceiling fans are Tuya along with my outdoor lights). But Zigbee? Nah... hard pass.
split token
I would run it after my regular breaker switch (cus I dont trust that thing to actually break when needed)
split token
Its to make my led light bars on the garage "smart"
jolly gust
There's so many better ways to do that 😉 lol
split token
Will see... Thanks. Just don't want it to catch fire or anything
Yea with one of those sonoff switch thingies maybe?
jolly gust
That's my fear with these Tuya rebrands... No idea of the quality and if they even follow safety standards.
split token
Its just that they currently are directly connected to a breaker
No switches or anything in between
jolly gust
Maybe?
split token
The breaker is used as an on/off switch pretty much
jolly gust
This is just in your garage?
jolly gust
Eh, keep a fire extinguisher nearby... But, Tuya is one of those things where it might be fine for years or die in a month or burn the house down... I mean, we've heard all sorts of Tuya horror stories here over the years, but also some people just get lucky as well.
jolly gust
For me personally, no. I have other air quality sensors, so I don't need them. BUT, the CO2 sensor they use is solid.
split token
Alright thank you.
jolly gust
Anytime! Happy to help.
split token
Any budget friendly though solid European smart wall plugs you can recommend?
Zigbee I guess
jolly gust
Innr plugs all day long.
split token
Innr is thick
jolly gust
Yeah, but QUALITY
jolly gust
Hmmmmm... not Zigbee, but you could throw a Shelly inside of the gang box.
OR maybe an Aqara T1?
The Aqara T1 is Zigbee.
split token
the SP120 or so is fine but the never one is too big
jolly gust
And a repeater.
jolly gust
I would just throw a relay in the gangbox. You get the best of both worlds, both outlets AND hidden.
Let me check. 1 sec.
split token
Ohh it does say metering here
jolly gust
There ya go.
jolly gust
BUT, the Shelly products are solid too. I'd actually go with Shelly over Aqara for a relay.
split token
Doesn't mention metering anywhere here.
jolly gust
That looks like the old one? Plus, I don't recognize the store (I'm US based).
jolly gust
Yeah, Shelly is primarily WiFi (which is sometimes better if you are using ZHA through HA and it goes down).
split token
Nice! Thank you for the link
Well I bought a zigbee receiver cus everyone was saying zigbee is the way to go but now... idk lol
jolly gust
I keep a few of mine WiFi strictly so that if my Zigbee mesh goes out, I can still control them over WiFi.
Zigbee IS the way to go I have >115 devices in my mesh)... But, WiFi is a good backup.
jolly gust
I have as many WiFi devices as I do Zigbee devices. lol
split token
Jezus 😂
jolly gust
Sweet! WAIT!
Before you do that... make sure you have enough space in the gangbox.
IIRC, the T2 is pretty small... BUT, better to be safe than sorry.
split token
Yea thats partially why i'd like the smart plug things. Because its for my current electricity configuration
Which is old, and shit. But I cant re-do it currently
jolly gust
Yeah, I get it.
lol I know that all too well... my house was built in 1952 and I STILL have wiring from when it was built in some places.
Plus old metal gangboxes that I can't get shit into.
split token
Ah! nice, mine is from 1905 and I got 1950's wiring too
jolly gust
hahaha I feel your pain.
split token
Sockets without ground 🔌
jolly gust
YYYEEESSS
jolly gust
Wait... wait... you're gonna love this.
I have these scattered all over the house because a lot of my outlets are still the old 2 prong ungrounded outlets: https://a.co/d/f4O2trH
They "ground" sorta... lol
split token
Also, I got one of these in the new outbuilding: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005732402318.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.205.2d21194d5MYBPc&gatewayAdapt=glo2esp
It's been working fine, doens't feel hot or anything. It just does led lights, no massive current going through.
But now I'm scared with the tuya house burning down thing
split token
I have these scattered all over the house because a lot of my outlets are still ...
Interesting, but im europe. How does it work though, that it acts as a ground?
jolly gust
Eh, I don't want to put the fear of the house burning down into you... But, Tuya is a "brand" that gets sold to anyone willing to pay a small fee to use their platform. They don't enforce ANY standards at all. So if I have some money and want to make a quick buck, I can design the shittiest product, pay Tuya some cash and sell it on Ali or anywhere else. If it catches fire, I can just close up shop and pop up somewhere else and run the same scam over again.
split token
Yikes that's fucked
It's attached to a breaker though... so hopefully that'll trip before it actually starts burning
jolly gust
Interesting, but im europe. How does it work though, that it acts as a ground?
It screws into the original outlet (where the plate cover would go) and supposedly that's enough to ground the outlet. It's probably complete bullshit, but at least they look cool-ish. lol
split token
It screws into the original outlet (where the plate cover would go) and supposed...
Oh lol! Did you test it with the laundry machine? 😂
That's a 100% certain way to know wether it works or not
jolly gust
I had one Tuya plug years ago that sparked and smoked (and killed itself thankfully) being plugged into an outlet that was grounded. My breaker never tripped.
split token
Aw shit
jolly gust
Oh lol! Did you test it with the laundry machine? 😂
hahaha noooooo. My washer is plugged into a ThirdReality smart plug. Their kit is SOLID.
But I think they are mostly US only. Supposedly they want to get into the EU market, but haven't had much success there.
split token
I see... yes Id also want that sort of functionality. So i can turn it off when there is no solar production/battery power and resume when there is excess
jolly gust
Aw shit
This is why I have rule #2... don't buy ANYTHING without asking here (or the forums) first. Especially when it comes to mains powered things.
split token
Basically I want to make it so that when i fill a machine, turn it on, it shuts off within like 20 seconds if there is no solar energy
jolly gust
Yeah, throw a relay on that.
split token
So theres no water in the system yet and it cant do damage when not circulating (hopefully)
jolly gust
But, use something from a reputable company. Aqara, Shelly, Innr, etc.
split token
Yep, thanks.
jolly gust
Yup. I get it. I have mine set to only turn on for 8 hours a day on weekends. The rest of the week it's turned off.
I have 15 of their plugs right now.
split token
Very nice
What would you recommend as a switch replacement for the cheap tuya one?
It needs 3 buttons
jolly gust
Is there a neutral wire there?
split token
yes
jolly gust
Aqara switch.
IIRC, they have a 3 "button" (rocker) switch that fits in a single gang.
split token
Yep
jolly gust
Yeah, you might have to get a larger gangbox for it.
But the Aqara kit is solid as well. I have the US versions of the 2 button ones (both neutral and non-neutral) and they are FANTASTIC.
Once in a while, one of the non-neutral ones will drop off the mesh (due to weird power things). But the neutral ones have been on my mesh for over a year without a single drop-off.
There's also the Inovelli button controllers, but they are expensive and usually sold out. But, Inovelli is a top notch brand too.
split token
Dimensions: 86 × 86 × 42.85mm
Dimensions of the part that goes in the wall plastic box thing would be good lol
jolly gust
lol and make it easy on the consumer?!
Most likely, I would plan on having to extend out that gangbox no matter what switch you go with. There is ONE Tuya rebrand that I could recommend which is Moes. They are better than any of the "fly by night" Tuya rebrands.
IIRC, they have a multi-button switch that fits in a 1 gang switch.
split token
Yea the Tuya one I have is a single box space thing
This picture is not mine, lol.
jolly gust
You could try a Moes. But I'm still hesitant to recommend anything Tuya Zigbee. BUT... Moes is the best of the worst, so to speak.
split token
Thanks. Ideally would be the aqara to fit a single unit wall box
Do you take any of these addonds on the MSR2?
Apparently aqara has versions to support the smaller round europe box
Now I need one with 3 gangs
jolly gust
I did the mount addon, but in your case I don't think you would need that.
split token
Alright, cheers!
jolly gust
Now I need one with 3 gangs
Hmmmm... I'm not sure what would fit in a 3-gang box.
split token
Oh also, have you used these motion detectors outside? 😅
Or perhaps a regular PIR would be better for that use case and less expensive
jolly gust
Regular PIR for that. mmWave is when you want to detect presence with little to no movement. PIR is when you want to detect movement into or out of an area.
I do have a MTR-1 in my front window to detect if I'm sitting on the porch though.
split token
Nice 🙂
jolly gust
But, I get these squirrels that like to sit on the porch table and trip my presence sensor. Cats too. lol
jolly gust
YUP
split token
Well thanks for the advice!
split token
Any recommendation for rgb led strip?
Got these tuya ones currently (replaced the power unit with a 12v transformer)
jolly gust
Hmmmm... That one is harder... so, the DIY route is probably "best". But, I'm kinda like "I'll just buy something" and usually it's the Aqara light strips. Really good colors and brightness, Zigbee and routing devices.
I have 4(?) of them right now and love them... BUT, they're pricy compared to what you can build yourself.
split token
Hmm okay… the thing is I already got 4 of these tuya ones so if I add another brand itll look different i guess
But its good to know for the future
Do tuya led strips burn down houses?
jolly gust
Yeah, those light strips should be fine. Tuya can only screw up so much.
split token
Okay
jolly gust
Nah... but, you could probably swap out the controllers on them.
Gledopto makes some relly nice Zigbee/WiFi LED controllers.
split token
I did swap out the power supply i did not trust that thing
jolly gust
Smrt lol
split token
I use this as psu… also from aliexpress
I does get warm
(This setup is just for testing, lol)
I did have one of the strips die on me tough. I milled a groove in the wood and shoved and squezed the strip in
And I guess i fucked the strip and cracked it or such
Is that something common with led strips in general, or a tuya thing?
Its my bad for handling it rough and pushing and squezing on it… i think. But idk if this is common with all led strips?
split token
This seems like an amazing mini pc + wall panel combo?
Do you know where one can simply chat about these things and posts links and stuff without having to create these threads/tickets?
I preferred how this discord was before. Channels for topics and people talking.
jolly gust
This would probably be good for #the-workshop 🙂
And yeah, that looks cool... Not sure how good it would be if you were going to throw proxmox and HAOS in a VM on it though (HAOS doesn't support displays). But I like the idea!
split token
Thanks!
split token
@jolly gust There's this guy in apollo discord who seemingly can locate humans in a room. Wether they're on the couch, in front of the desk, or more to the side of that desk at the gaming computer.
Is this all possible with 1 sensor?
How exactly would it work to determine the precise location of the human in the room, and sort of "zone" it?
jolly gust
That would be done with the MTR-1, which is capable of determining location of up to 3 targets in up to 3 zones at once. I have a few of them myself. The MSR-2 only does detection of a target.
Basically, it’s radar with some clever mathematical formulas.
jolly gust
Not software-wise. But clever placement can handle that.
split token
Okay. Ill take a picture tomorrow to illustrate maybe?
Also, the led strips are shite quality... one fell down the ceiling while I was hanging it up, and all of a sudden the colour changed and would never shine the colour I'd set it to.
So I removed the wire cover and one of the four wires came lose... there wasnt even enough solder used by the factory for me to resolder without applying more...
So I did, and then it was fixed. lol
Just ordered a replacement for the one that broke yesterday.
And I filed for aliexpress refund and was granted it, lol