ᐅ Retrofitting Roller Shutters for Smart Home Integration in Renovated Older Buildings
Created on: 15 Aug 2022 14:30
W
Westfale0101
Dear smart home experts,
We are currently working on the electrical installation and would like to install flush-mounted smart home switches on the ground floor and most of the upper floor. Our family uses the Homematic system, but the external additional module is a drawback. We want to avoid using that.
We will also have additional rocker switches (open/close) in the rooms. Still, we want to use the exposed walls to enable smart home control for the roller shutters without major extras.
When searching on Google, the finesell SmartHome roller shutter module 4-pack for €99.99 is regularly shown. It can be used without an external additional module and works with apps such as SmartLife.
Questions:
1. What do you think about this offered set and the app?
2. Are there any worthwhile alternatives?
3. How do you assess the SmartLife app?
4. How does the pairing process work?
5. Integration with Apple HomeKit is probably not possible (but also not a requirement)?
Hopefully, you can shed some light on this.
Best regards!
We are currently working on the electrical installation and would like to install flush-mounted smart home switches on the ground floor and most of the upper floor. Our family uses the Homematic system, but the external additional module is a drawback. We want to avoid using that.
We will also have additional rocker switches (open/close) in the rooms. Still, we want to use the exposed walls to enable smart home control for the roller shutters without major extras.
When searching on Google, the finesell SmartHome roller shutter module 4-pack for €99.99 is regularly shown. It can be used without an external additional module and works with apps such as SmartLife.
Questions:
1. What do you think about this offered set and the app?
2. Are there any worthwhile alternatives?
3. How do you assess the SmartLife app?
4. How does the pairing process work?
5. Integration with Apple HomeKit is probably not possible (but also not a requirement)?
Hopefully, you can shed some light on this.
Best regards!
W
Westfale010121 Aug 2022 12:51Patricck schrieb:
With Loxone and the AIR actuators, such a retrofit is easily possible. However, you need to be aware that it is wireless.
If still possible, wiring to the actuators or at least distributing the wireless transmitters would be useful. What exactly do you mean by wiring to the actuators?
We use a "traditional" wired connection from the roller shutter motor to the switch, and then it works, for example, with the Bosch system via wireless / Bosch base station.
Do you see any aspects to consider with the current setup?
I would only really recommend wireless for retrofitting purposes, as it is wireless technology. Loxone offers both options, and we have installed Air motors here, which require a strong wireless connection.
Even with Wi-Fi, I had the issue that we needed two repeaters in the house to cover the Wi-Fi signal.
For Loxone Air, we also have four transmitters to cover the blinds, shutters, window sensors for the roof windows, smoke detectors, and remote controls.
With systems from Bosch and others, I am always cautious. What happens if the manufacturer stops supporting the system? Will it continue to work without limitations? Such cases do exist.
Even with Wi-Fi, I had the issue that we needed two repeaters in the house to cover the Wi-Fi signal.
For Loxone Air, we also have four transmitters to cover the blinds, shutters, window sensors for the roof windows, smoke detectors, and remote controls.
With systems from Bosch and others, I am always cautious. What happens if the manufacturer stops supporting the system? Will it continue to work without limitations? Such cases do exist.
Patricck schrieb:
I’m always cautious with systems from Bosch and so on—what happens if the manufacturer stops supporting the system? Will it keep running without any limitations?
There are cases like this. Absolutely right! In the worst case, this especially applies to Loxone as well, which is also a closed system supported by only a single manufacturer.
Thanks for the hint, I am familiar with the system. Of course, it still works. But it’s certainly great to have a system that doesn’t receive any updates or improvements, nor can you get replacement parts for it. Hint: The Zigbee devices from other manufacturers also work without internet. Only cloud-based third-party integrations and native remote access do not. Same situation as with Loxone.
So Loxone has zero advantage here.
So Loxone has zero advantage here.
Spare parts... The internet is full of people offering parts, and that will continue to be the case.
The problem with Zigbee and enocean is that everyone does their own thing, even with Sunspec the manufacturers do not always follow the standard.
And if it doesn't work, as an electrician you’re in real trouble because everyone blames someone else.
Enocean was a good idea, but unfortunately only the system was protected, not the standard.
External access is possible via dynserver without any issues.
If I go by that logic, I am only allowed to use conventional switches.
But systems like Google Nest and others, which are cloud-based, always make you dependent on the provider.
With API integration, almost everything is possible nowadays, and with the loxberry project, even things that were not supported before.
The problem with Zigbee and enocean is that everyone does their own thing, even with Sunspec the manufacturers do not always follow the standard.
And if it doesn't work, as an electrician you’re in real trouble because everyone blames someone else.
Enocean was a good idea, but unfortunately only the system was protected, not the standard.
External access is possible via dynserver without any issues.
If I go by that logic, I am only allowed to use conventional switches.
But systems like Google Nest and others, which are cloud-based, always make you dependent on the provider.
With API integration, almost everything is possible nowadays, and with the loxberry project, even things that were not supported before.
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