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Weather → Rainy Condition Test:
Regarding previous posts utilising Grid Connect’s ‘Weather Rainy’ condition test . . .
To check the credibility of this condition test, I created a short automation as follows to sound an alarm if Grid Connect ‘thought’ it was ‘Rainy’.
Over the past few days, the alarm sounded several times indicating that Grid Connect thought it was ‘Rainy’. HOWEVER, it has been blue skies and no rain anywhere near my location.
I don’t know how and where Grid Connect gets its information.
However, according to observations from my local BoM ‘Observation Station’, only a short 15 minute walk from my location, there has been no rain for days.
Therefore, confirming my scepticism, I think one should take Grid Connect’s Weather status with a pinch of salt and not trust it for anything important.
Hi @GreenHouse
Thanks for sharing the results on your extra test on the "weather rainy" condition test. It's good to know that it works.
Eric
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Justin91. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about Grid connect products.
The Deta White Grid Connect Smart Touch Single Dimmer only comes in a single gang. If you need additional dimmers on the same wall plate, you can use a DETA X6 White Triple Vertical Switch—3 Gang and replace the switches with Deta Grid Connect Smart Dimmer Mechanisms. The switch's operation is as follows: The first touch to turn it on, the second, third and fourth touch to set brightness from high, medium, and low, and the fifth touch to turn it off. The app can implement additional features.
The Deta Grid Connect Smart Fan Speed Controller with Touch Light Switch - Gloss White left switch turns the light on and off, the middle turns the fan on and the third cycles the speed.
Since the smart fan switch implements three switches, you could only have one fan on each wall plate.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Flood Detector Part 1 of 3
Over the last few years, 3 homes adjacent to me have been flooded from burst ‘Stainless Steel Braided Hoses’.
As a result, I have become very concerned about these hoses in my own home.
Apparently, braided hoses should last between 5-10 years, but ideally should be replaced every 5 years to avoid the risk of them bursting – who knew!
Insurance may cover the damage, but if not, you could be up for tens of thousands of dollars to replace floor boards and carpet etc.
Regular checks on braided hoses for warning signs is very important.
Warning signs include: Bulging, fraying, kinks or rust spots.
Apart from regularly checking my hoses, I turn the main water supply OFF when away on holidays etc and I have installed ‘Water Leak Alarms’ under benches where these hoses have been installed.
Although the Water Leak Alarms I purchased are not ‘Smart’ devices, they work very well.
Installation is very simple: Hook the sounder in a suitable location under the bench and fix the water probe in a location where floodwater would accumulate.
(My only criticism of the units I purchased is that the polarity of the 9V battery is not very clear and the battery is very difficult to remove.)
Subsequently, I came across Grid Connect compatible Tuya Smart WiFi Water Leakage Detectors and I wondered whether they would be any good.
Part 2 of 3 to follow.
Flood Detector Part 2 of 3
I came across Grid Connect compatible Tuya Smart Wifi Water Leakage Detectors and I wondered whether they would be any good. At under $10.00 each, I purchased 3 to cover the kitchen, bathroom & en-suite. I planned to configure them to sound a common separate alarm.
The Tuya Wifi detectors easily paired with Grid Connect and came up with a nice display for the Flooding Alarm states, complete with a running time and date stamp record of the various alarm conditions.
(The Water Probes were exactly the same as for my ‘non smart’ water leak alarms.)
I wrote a simple Automation to control a smart plug (TV Light) for ‘Bench Testing’ the Tuya Water Leakage Detectors and used a damp sponge for the Water Probe.
It all worked, but I found the operation a little confusing. There was an initial delay for the ‘alarm state’ to be registered after placing the Water Probe on the damp sponge. Then, after removing and replacing the probe on the sponge, the ‘alarm state’ changed more quickly. I initially got the feeling it was all a little ‘flaky’ and I wasn’t sure these detectors were reliable.
However, after many hours of testing, I felt that the Tuya Water Leakage Detectors were probably OK, once you got used to the various delays.
Now; would it be a good idea to replace my ‘non smart’ leak detectors with these ‘smart’ Tuya devices?
I may have missed some obvious advantage, but I eventually decided NOT to use the Tuya devices for the following reasons:
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The Tuya devices require the internet and Grid Connect to all be working – Not guaranteed.
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I really wanted a reliable instantaneous alarm in the event of a flooding event when home.
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There was not much I could do if I received an alarm on my phone when away from home, other to dash home or advise a neighbour to turn the water mains OFF – However, the damage, by that time, would probably have been done.
I then wondered (so as not to be a total loss) if the Smart Water Leak Detectors could be re-purposed.
Part 3 of 3 to follow.
Apologies if this isn't correct but all I can think is maybe you are referring to is this notification?
My dashboard might look slightly different as I'm using Smart Life App
