Best DIY automations?

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jpm

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Oct 18, 2012
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I'm wondering what automations people are doing or planning DIY. Are you using Home Assistant, Alexa or something else?
Pros/cons - worth the time and money?

My first DIY was to add a wireless relay for the pump. Definitely worth the cost - one of the outdoor 120/240V Ecoplugs based ones from Amazon. The app is pretty basic and I used it until I figured out all the integration bits so it can work with Alexa/Homekit/HomeAssistant.

I planned on temperature monitoring - bought a temperature well but haven't done the plumbing - I'm figuring a ten minute job will likely turn into a complete re-fit!

I added an energy monitor to the pool pump so I can have a baseline. In hindsight, I should have looked for a pump relay with that built in.

Has anyone added a water flow meter? Is there anything automation and DIY friendly?
 
@Rancho Cost-a-Lotta @Katodude took two very different approaches to their DIY automation.

Then you have what @MyAZPool has done...

Alternative Pool Automation and Sensor/Chemical Control and Integration

Industrial Automation 8-Layer Stackable Card for Raspberry Pi Pool Automation and Sensor/Chemical Control and Integration (nodejs-poolController / nodejs-poolController-dashPanel / relayEquipmentManager) - Table of Contents - - Preface 1. Background, Purpose and Scope 2. Credits 3...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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Basic relays and Alexa routines...

Low Budget DIY Automation

When we built the pool, I decided against full automation for a variety of reasons including cost, the proprietary nature of available devices, and the fear an expensive system would quickly become obsolete and unsupported. I've seen a few forums members using Raspberry PI and Arduino...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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I go with the theory of the simpler the better. I currently use Wi-Fi smart light switches to control contactors (just to eliminate an inrush issues with motors starting and the smart light switches not being able to handle it). I originally used TP-link Wi-Fi switches but they would loose connection to often, switch the Leviton smart Wi-Fi switches and have not had any connection issues. I just use the Leviton app to set schedules for the pump and Stenner pump. I can turn them on and off using Alexa or Google/Nest or Smartthings. I could have set up the routines in Alexa or Google/Nest or Smartthings but then any routine would be reliant on the Wi-Fi and cloud for function. I am pretty sure most Wi-Fi smart switches the program is stored in the device and will continue to follow the schedule even if it looses it's connection.

I am changing to a VSP and SWG so I will need to change how I control everything. I plan on using a Calimar/Black& Decker/Circupool VSP and an automation adapter along with a Circupool SWG. I plan on using a 4 channel Wi-Fi relay to control the VSP and SWG. Again using the APP that works with the 4 channel Wi-Fi relay. I still have to figure out which 4 channel Wi-Fi relay I want to use. I would like something that has an app that I can easily make an interface to make easy adjust schedules and to also manually change the on/off status of the pump or swg and change to one of the present pump speeds. I can fumble through some programing but hoping I can fine something that doesn't require much fumbling.

​

 
Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
Basic relays and Alexa routines...

Low Budget DIY Automation

When we built the pool, I decided against full automation for a variety of reasons including cost, the proprietary nature of available devices, and the fear an expensive system would quickly become obsolete and unsupported. I've seen a few forums members using Raspberry PI and Arduino...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...
Looks like a good approach. I'm starting from a pretty basic level. When I redo the plumbing I'll look into some actuators.
 
Bill1974 said:
I go with the theory of the simpler the better. I currently use Wi-Fi smart light switches to control contactors (just to eliminate an inrush issues with motors starting and the smart light switches not being able to handle it). I originally used TP-link Wi-Fi switches but they would loose connection to often, switch the Leviton smart Wi-Fi switches and have not had any connection issues. I just use the Leviton app to set schedules for the pump and Stenner pump. I can turn them on and off using Alexa or Google/Nest or Smartthings. I could have set up the routines in Alexa or Google/Nest or Smartthings but then any routine would be reliant on the Wi-Fi and cloud for function. I am pretty sure most Wi-Fi smart switches the program is stored in the device and will continue to follow the schedule even if it looses it's connection.

I am changing to a VSP and SWG so I will need to change how I control everything. I plan on using a Calimar/Black& Decker/Circupool VSP and an automation adapter along with a Circupool SWG. I plan on using a 4 channel Wi-Fi relay to control the VSP and SWG. Again using the APP that works with the 4 channel Wi-Fi relay. I still have to figure out which 4 channel Wi-Fi relay I want to use. I would like something that has an app that I can easily make an interface to make easy adjust schedules and to also manually change the on/off status of the pump or swg and change to one of the present pump speeds. I can fumble through some programing but hoping I can fine something that doesn't require much fumbling.

​

Click to expand...
The Calimar looks pretty cost effective, especially if I pick it up in the USA and import it myself. The automation panel CMARVSPIB looks very basic though - it doesn't look like it can be programmed over wifi, rs485.
 
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