Kevin Fenzi: Early March Infra Bits 2025
Saturday morning again! This week was shorter than normal for me, but I still managed to squeeze in some exciting home automation projects. Let's dive into the details!
Reolink Cameras and Home Assistant
I recently picked up a bundle of Reolink cameras with a Home Hub and two Argus Eco Ultra cameras, paired with solar panels for outdoor use. The setup was straightforward, and I was impressed by how seamlessly Home Assistant integrated with the cameras.
The cameras have some unique features, like really loud audio when they first power on, which might not be ideal for everyone. However, the 'siren' control is a nice touch, and I'm excited to experiment with it in the future.
UPSes and Nut Integration
I've been using UPSes for my home server and critical loads for a while now, but I recently ran out of battery-backed plugs. To solve this problem, I picked up a third UPS and added it to my Home Assistant setup using Nut integration.
However, I encountered an issue with the existing two UPSes: they're identical models, and Nut can't tell them apart due to lack of serial numbers on the USB port. After some digging, I discovered that moving one of the UPSes to a different USB plug resolved the problem. Now all three UPSes are integrated into Home Assistant, which is a huge relief.
Daeko Smart Switches
I had previously purchased Daeko smart switches, but unfortunately, they weren't designed to work with Home Assistant's older protocol. However, Daeko has recently released new smart switches with built-in Wi-Fi and gateway capabilities.
Their customer support was surprisingly quick and helpful, and they even offered to send me the new switches for free! I was able to set them up and get them working seamlessly with Home Assistant.
Chesterton's Fence
I recently tripped over a Chesterton's Fence while trying to simplify my smart switch setup. It turned out that having multiple smart switches controlling the same light created some issues, especially when it came to power routing and physical positions.
After some trial and error, I figured out how to factory reset the switches and re-pair them correctly. If you're facing similar challenges, here's a quick rundown of the process:
- Plug in the switch and press and hold it until it boots up.
- It should display a 3-2-1 buttons prompt; press the corresponding button on the first switch to pair it.
- Try pairing each of the remaining switches in turn, repeating the process for each one.
I learned a valuable lesson: sometimes simplicity is the best approach!
Feral Cats and Game Cameras
I've been using a small game camera to monitor our local feral cat population, but it's a bit of a hassle. The camera needs to be taken outside, waited for, and then retrieved to download photos.
With the new Reolink cameras, I'm excited to set up an automated solution using Home Assistant that doesn't require me to manually intervene. Stay tuned for more updates on this project!