Category: Home-Automation
Installing POE Doorbell
January 20, 2026 · in Home-Automation · 6 min read
Tonight's project was to install a POE doorbell.
Acurite Tower Discovery Script
January 20, 2026 · in Home-Automation · 2 min read
This post provides a home assistant script, which will automatically discover Acrite tower sensors.
KVM Assistant
May 8, 2025 · in Home-Automation · 6 min read
This year, I automated a cheap KVM switch by disassembling it, and installing a micro controller inside of it running ESPHome.
Hacking KVM with IP Control
February 24, 2025 · in Home-Automation · 13 min read
I picked up a PiKVM a few months back. I finally got to use it earlier this week when Comparing Link Speed to Power Consumption.
Proxmox - Install HAOS
August 12, 2024 · in Home-Automation · 9 min read
Recently, I needed to spin up a HAOS VM for testing an integration I am developing.
Proxmox - Coral TPU USB Passthrough
December 1, 2023 · in Home-Automation · 2 min read
This is a very short guide, on passing a USB Coral TPU through to a Proxmox VM.
Feline Area Denial Device
June 3, 2023 · in Home-Automation · 8 min read
My wife presented me with a unique challenge recently.
Automating the galaxy
January 5, 2023 · in Home-Automation · 4 min read
Tonight, I wanted to do a small, random side-project. I automated the galaxy!
Home Assistant - Work Days / Work Hours sensor
December 15, 2022 · in Home-Automation · 2 min read
Creating simple sensors to determine if we are “at work”. Includes setting up a work_days sensor, time of day sensor, and a template sensor to tie everything togather.
Kasa powerstrip as PDU
December 2, 2022 · in Home-Automation, Technology · 4 min read
Using a Tp-link kasa HS300 as a low-cost switchable PDU. This product has features for per-outlet power monitoring as well.
Reasons to avoid cloud-based automation products
December 1, 2022 · in Home-Automation · 11 min read
On this blog / my house, I try to use 100% local control products whenever possible. Many people don’t understand the reasoning behind this…. So, I am dedicating this page to reasons as to why you should ONLY buy products which are 100% local control only, with no cloud dependency, and no proprietary hub.
2023 Home Assistant - Energy Monitoring
November 29, 2022 · in Home-Automation · 8 min read
Fire Tablet as Home Assistant Kiosk
July 8, 2022 · in Home-Automation · 10 min read
Home Assistant Alarm
April 24, 2022 · in Home-Automation, Technology · 6 min read
So, you want to have an alarm for your house. But, you don’t want to give your money to ADT/Ring/SimpliSafe/etc… and you want to build it yourself, with components you can easily service and replace, right? If so, this is the article for you.
Reolink RLC-520 - Set Custom NTP
April 24, 2022 · in Home-Automation, Technology · 1 min read
I have a few Reolink cameras. Recently, I noticed the time of many of the cameras was not set correctly.
Embedded Door Sensors
April 24, 2022 · in Home-Automation, Technology · 2 min read
The default directions for installing doors sensors, involves using the included double-sized tape directly stick the sensor to doors and windows.
First Alert Z-Wave Combo CO/Smoke Detector
April 20, 2022 · in Home-Automation · 3 min read
This is a simple review, with a few steps for the First Alert Z-Wave CO/Smoke detectors.
Pioneer Mini Split - Home Assistant
March 27, 2022 · in Home-Automation · 9 min read
Programmable Thermostat GUI
March 25, 2022 · in Home-Automation, Technology · 5 min read
A while back, after converting my primary thermostat over to z-wave, I found a creative way of managing my thermostat’s schedules using the scheduler-card.
Attic fan automation
December 5, 2021 · in Home-Automation · 6 min read
Home Assistant - Programmable Thermostat GUI
October 30, 2021 · in Home-Automation · 3 min read
So, after converting my thermostat over to Z-Wave earlier today, I was trying to determine how to best setup heating/cooling schedules for my thermostat.
Fireplace Automation - Part 3
October 30, 2021 · in Home-Automation, Technology · 4 min read
The goal of this article, is to simplify everything as much as possible. Simpler automation, is more reliable automation generally.
Full local Z-Wave HVAC Control
October 30, 2021 · in Home-Automation, Technology · 8 min read
My Home Automation Setup - Devices
March 12, 2021 · in Home-Automation · 8 min read
Automating an… enchanted rose?
February 23, 2021 · in Home-Automation · 3 min read
Home Assistant - 433mhz Automation
January 25, 2021 · in Home-Automation · 15 min read
433mhz Automation
January 25, 2021 · in Home-Automation · 8 min read
How to get started with 433mhz based automation and sensors.
Automated Holiday Lighting
November 25, 2020 · in Home-Automation, Technology · 5 min read
This week, I started installing WS2813 individually addressable LEDs around the house. I made a few simple patterns containing colors relevant to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Fireplace Automation - Part 2
October 20, 2020 · in Home-Automation · 6 min read
Last week, in Part 1, I built a device to control and turn on/off my natural gas fireplace.
Fireplace Automation
October 16, 2020 · in Home-Automation · 6 min read
DIY Garage Door Opener (Home Assistant)
July 29, 2020 · in Home-Automation · 7 min read
Converting a fan, into a smart fan!
June 26, 2020 · in Home-Automation · 4 min read
HASS - Node Red - Installation
March 17, 2020 · in Home-Automation · 2 min read