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Home Assistant

Backlinks: Attempt no. 2 | Upgrading the RAM

I set up Home Assistant on a the Synology to control the single smart light in our house. The smart light because we needed a kitchen table light but the power that was already in the ceiling was not switched!

The app (and bulb) have worked flawlessy for months (since September 22, 2024 through end of 2024).

Installing on Synology as a VM

Backlinks: Personal projects | VM Manager

This was harder than I had hoped. I had to find just the right disk image and choose just the right settings, which were not the defaults.

DONE Bluetooth bridge on an ESP32 to connect Aranet

This was all pretty flawless once I realized you have to hold down the boot button for the whole process of flashing. Used the web installer, set the network from my laptop with the ESPHome web ui, and it found the aranet right away automatically.

It wasn't picking up consistent readings from the Aranet4, so I moved it closer. Working great for a day now.

DONE Install zwave dongle

  • State "DONE" from "WAITING" [2025-02-11 Tue 23:39]
  • State "IN-PROGRESS" from "TODO" [2025-02-11 Tue 23:39]

Got the HomeSeer SmartStick G8 800 Series Z-Wave Plus v2 Wireless Long Range S2. amazon. $40. Amazon page says: Current firmware version is ZDK 7.22.2 (as of 10/25/24). Zwave wiki firmware page points to Homeseer instructions which require a windows PC, ah! But I already have the latest version, as of 2025-01-26. Phew! This is the preferred firmware, via HA site:

800 series

  • prefer SDK versions 7.22.x
  • SDK versions 7.17.2 to 7.19.x are okay
  • avoid SDK versions before 7.17.2
  • avoid SDK versions 7.20 to 7.21.3

They say that "Z-Wave JS does not support Z-Wave Long Range yet", which I guess is a bummer.

Next, need to make sure the VM can see it.

<2025-01-07 Tue 23:42>

I plugged in yesterday and light came on. Not sure if it can be seen yet.

<2025-01-26 Sun 22:43>

Adding the "Z-Wave JS" Addon. I have to pick the device from

  • /dev/ttyS1
  • /dev/ttyS2
  • /dev/ttyS0
  • /dev/ttyS3

Went and actually added the USB to the synology VM. But it didn't boot up, even after 30 minutes and a restart.

<2025-01-27 Mon 09:16>

Going to try booting it now without the virtual USB controller and see that it boots. Didn't seem to work.

Installed updates for the Virtual Machine Manager, other stuff, and for the DSM itself. Will see if it boots back up after all that.

<2025-02-04 Tue 22:24>

I spent some time debugging the home assistant from the CLI, which was up all along when the VM started. There was an error from the TV, but one day I realized that the app is just working. A couple days ago. I may try rebooting again with the USB on?

I just dismissed the found vizio connection. Installing 14.1 -> 14.2 upgrade on the OS. Done, rebooted. Installing ESPHome 2024.12.2 -> 2024.12.4

<2025-02-11 Tue 23:38>

I rebooted again with usb enabled, and was able to get Zwave JS up and running connected to the USB stick.

DONE Replace two thermostats with zwave ones

  • State "DONE" from "WAITING" [2025-03-31 Mon 19:33]
  • State "IN-PROGRESS" from "TODO" [2025-03-31 Mon 19:33]

Bought Honeywell TH6320ZW2003 T6 Pro Series Z-Wave Stat Thermostat &, Smart Home. Paid 322.68 for two, now only $130 (was $150). amazon.

2025-03-30 had some time at home and installed them. Connecting to z wave network was a breeze.

IN-PROGRESS replace one light switch with smart switch

  • State "IN-PROGRESS" from "TODO" [2025-02-11 Tue 23:40]

Got "Zooz 700 Series Z-Wave Plus On/Off Toggle Switch ZEN73, White | Direct 3-Way (No Add-On Switch Needed) | Z-Wave Hub Required". $35, amazon.

<2025-02-11 Tue 23:40>

I'm going to install it for the basement lights. There are four switches controlling the lights. The middle two are connected in a four-way configuration, and the two ends are three-way switches. I'm not sure how the whole system works together, but perhaps I don't need to fully understand it. The switch needs to be on the side of the system where the power comes in, this isn't obvious from inspecting the power in the basement. Perhaps I could tell from following the wires out of the breaker, but I can't quite see what's even going into the wall at the switch by the workshop door.

DONE install fire alarm z-wave monitor

  • State "DONE" from "WAITING" [2025-03-09 Sun 21:48]
  • State "IN-PROGRESS" from "TODO" [2025-03-09 Sun 21:48]

Zooz 800 Series Z-Wave Long Range DC Signal Sensor ZEN55 | for Use with Analog Smoke & CO Detectors Only | Z-Wave Hub Required (Sold Separately)

This thing is $35 and would listen for the signal on the hard-wired interconnect.

<2025-03-09 Sun>

Installed this last weekend, pretty cool to have it connected.

TODO connect garage door opener

I think I could do this with the single relay… Or I could do it with ESPhome.

Shelly relays

Note from <2024-08-13 Tue>:

  • Shelly 1 Relay Switch, WiFi Smart Home Automation, Compatible with Alexa & Google Home, iOS Android App, No Hub Required, Wireless Light Switch, DIY Remote Control Garage Door, UL Certified: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

Last modified: May 19, 2025