Remote monitoring - DIY (soon to be home assistant controlled)

SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
Just got the first phase of my grow automation/remote monitoring up and I figured I'd share a review of the products used so far/start a live journal of the project:

Already in place:

Controller (mid setup):
Raspberry Pi 4 B - Home assistant loaded

Remote Monitoring (in place):
Ecowitt GW1000 Wifi Gateway
2x Ecowitt WH31 Temp/Hygrometer (WiFi)

Outlet controller:
Teckin Mini Smart Outlet - Wifi (amazon)

Next steps:

Wifi camera with night vision (YI 1080P with 940NM IR LEDs) - I've heard mixed opinions on if this is safe or not so will only be testing in one tent for the first couple runs.

Soil Hygrometers

Automated Drip irrigation
 

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SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
First product review: Ecowitt Sensors and wifi Gateway

Super inexpensive
Feels like fairly solid construction.
Uses AA's so I can keep doing rechargeable batteries (preferable to those annoying watch batteries in some wireless units)
Documentation is lacking, in particular the initial setup (they specify that every remote sensor needs to be on a different channel but they don't mention that the wifi gateway is already hardcoded to channel one)
Their portal for remote viewing is free and has two weeks of history saved
Can link in IP webcams from remote hosting sites to the dashboard (WUnderground was their recommendation)
Home Assistant compatible
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
First product review: Ecowitt Sensors and wifi Gateway

Super inexpensive
Feels like fairly solid construction.
Uses AA's so I can keep doing rechargeable batteries (preferable to those annoying watch batteries in some wireless units)
Documentation is lacking, in particular the initial setup (they specify that every remote sensor needs to be on a different channel but they don't mention that the wifi gateway is already hardcoded to channel one)
Their portal for remote viewing is free and has two weeks of history saved
Can link in IP webcams from remote hosting sites to the dashboard (WUnderground was their recommendation)
Home Assistant compatible
Click to expand...
K, overnight data is AWESOME to have! I thought my spikes/drops in temp and humidity were way worse than they are. Still not an ideal differential but it's great to have metrics to work from. (this screenshot is from the mobile version of the monitoring page)
 

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dbz

dbz

Well-Known Member
How is the Teckin?
I have been using an Etekcity smart outlet, and after ironing out some original difficulties, it has worked well and keeps track of wattage usage and cost through two different outlets.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
dbz said:
How is the Teckin?
I have been using an Etekcity smart outlet, and after ironing out some original difficulties, it has worked well and keeps track of wattage usage and cost through two different outlets.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately I'm not really doing anything with it right now. Turns out my "smart" dehumidifier hates to have the power cut. Just running it with the onboard sensor 24/7 until I figure this out, so other than power monitoring I'm getting no benefits.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
Super delayed update but:

I now have a Raspberry Pi 4 B (4GB) running the Home Assistant OS.
It was more of a PITA than expected BUT I now have the weather stations integrated into Home Assistant.

Next I've gotta integrate a 3rd party zigbee controller I picked up for cheap and then it's on to automation.
1597205164641.png
 
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SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
Super delayed update but:

I now have a Raspberry Pi 4 B (4GB) running the Home Assistant OS.
It was more of a PITA than expected BUT I now have the weather stations integrated into Home Assistant.

Next I've gotta integrate a 3rd party zigbee controller I picked up for cheap and then it's on to automation.
View attachment 4650936
Click to expand...
My plan is to set up mechanical dampers on one of my intakes (normal - closed) and run that from outside during the fall/winter. It will be automated to open/close to balance the tent temp since I can't rely on my AC during the colder months. (I was going to just run an intake duct from outside but it would be a PITA to account for variances in external temps manually)
 
speedwell68

speedwell68

Well-Known Member
I am going to do similar to this using a Raspberry Pi 2 B running OpenHabian, a Sonoff Zigbee setup and Sonoff Basic Smart switches. I am already controlling my lights with Sonoff Basics.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
speedwell68 said:
I am going to do similar to this using a Raspberry Pi 2 B running OpenHabian, a Sonoff Zigbee setup and Sonoff Basic Smart switches. I am already controlling my lights with Sonoff Basics.
Click to expand...
For the amount of metrics I wanted to track and automation/scripting to run I felt the 4b (8 GB) was safer. I'm already running all my appliances off the Sonoff plugs and triggering it with input from my temp sensors....

I'm actually about where I want everything for now. I'd love to be able to dim the lights remotely BUT it's not a critical thing.
 
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