Grid Connect tips, tricks and help

[CSParnell]

Hi all,

I thought it may he good to have a feed where we could share any tips and tricks to do with any of the Grid Connect Range being Arlec, Deta, Verve, Orion.

I am learning from trial and error and really just accident so sharing with others and sharing back we may be able to create some good learning information for us all.

Please post below starting with what the trick is as the title then how to do so as the body of information.

Carl 

[GreenHouse]

Hi @CSParnell 

Many thanks for your detailed explanation of these 'hubs'. Very useful info to me and I'm sure it will prove useful to others. 😀

[CKL]

Thanks a lot @CSParnell ! this is really insightful! 

You are right - the reason why i have been using SG121HA is that I need to control Lights and other door locks under one single Bluetooth Hub.  Interesting story to share is that the main reason why I choose to use this Motion Sensor is because one of my Smart Button was not working even after I had changed the battery. I thought my Smart button is faulty after a year or so and therefore I bought a new Smart Button. Turned out the problem leads to another - the new Smart Button cannot be connecting with my existing Hub SG121HA.  I tried to swap for a new Smart Button but the problem still exists, therefore I gave up trying and thinking of using a Motion Sensor to trigger light in my bathroom. The situation with Motion Sensor is that at least I could connect that Sensor to the Hub (SG121HA) with the GridConnect App but it is NOT functioning and detecting nothing even I input some automation commands.  

Thanks for all you guys great advice and I think my best bet right now is to get SG120HA for connecting properly with the Motion Sensor. 

However when I tried to search online and see where I can buy this (SG120HA) I couldn't find any in Bunnings. 

The only thing I can locate is a BUNDLE package here: (https://grid-connect.com.au/document-tag/sg120ha/)

OR https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-grid-connect-smart-home-control-kit_p0434997?srsltid=AfmBOoq5ox-Vi...

Wondering if this Hub SG120HA will be sold separately? 

Thanks guys.

Chris

[JacobZ]

Hi @CKL,

I've contacted Arlec who have unfortunately informed me that the SG120HA hub can't be purchased separately.

Unfortunately, you would have to purchase the kit.

Let me know if there is anything else I can assist with.

Jacob

[GreenHouse]

Hi @CKL  @CSParnell 

All this brings back memories now ! ! !

Maybe I shouldn’t relay this this story but . . .

Over 2 years ago now, I purchased my first Arlec Grid Connect Smart Button from Bunnings and found it wouldn't pair with my setup.

(Admittedly, I failed to read the note on the packet that the button required an SG120HA or SG121HA Bluetooth Hub.)

I rang Arlec to complain and seek their advise. 🤔

The lady I spoke to pointed out my oversite and AMAZINGLY OFFERED to send me an SG120HA Hub completely FREE of charge! 🙂

What arrived was a complete ‘Smart Home Control Kit’ which include:

• 1 x SG120HA Hub with built in Smart Socket

• 1 x Contact Sensor

• 1 x Motion Sensor

• 1 x Smart Button

BARGAN – I Could not believe my luck ! ! ! 😀

PS: If any of this leaks out, I'll deny it. 😏

[EricL]

Hello @GreenHouse 

That is indeed a bargain along with a bit of luck included. Your secret is safe with us.

Eric

[GreenHouse]

Tip - Grid Connect Subroutines:

(Useful for longer more involved Automations.)

Grid Connect Automations are able to ‘Select’ (call and execute) Grid Connect Scenes.

This functionality can be exploited in several different ways.

For example, you may wish to create several Automations that do different things BUT some of the Actions (steps) are ‘repeated’ in each Automation.

To simplify this, the ‘repeated’ Actions can be created in a single Scene.

THEN, in each of the Automations, you can simply ‘Select’ (call) the Scene with the ‘repeated’ Actions at the appropriate point in the Automation.

This works like a ‘subroutine call’.  That is to say Automations, created in this way, step through their Actions, branch to the ‘Selected’ Scene (subroutine), and then return to the original (calling) Automation.

To create a ‘call’ to a Scene from an Automation:

• Click on the ‘+’ button to add an Action

• Click on ‘Select Automation’

• Click on ‘Select Trigger Scene’

• Then select the required Scene being used as a subroutine.

Advantages:

1. It can simplify the logic behind your Automations and saves repeating Actions in various Automations.

2. From an ease of maintenance point of view, Actions (steps), that would otherwise be repeated in multiple Automations, can be corrected, changed and/or extended in ONE location – the Scene being used as a subroutine.

3. If required, a range of different Scenes (subroutines) can be written to accommodate different control functions which can be easily swapped in or out of Automations to achieve different control outcomes at different times, or for different purposes. That is, you can avoid having to modify Automations back and forth (and having to remember all the different Actions required to achieve different control outcomes at different times etc). You can simply edit ONE line of your Automation to ‘switch’ to the required Scene to suit the required outcome.

NOTE:

Whilst any number of different Scenes can be ‘called’ within a single Automation, you can only ‘call’ the same Scene once.

Simple Example :

I have a Scene called 'All OFF' that turns most things OFF.

I have an Automation that 'calls' this Scene at 1:00am when we should all be in bed.

I have another Automation that 'calls' this Scene when we leave the house and then the Automation turns our Alarm ON.

When I add a new smart device in our home, I simply include it in the 'All OFF' Scene - I don't have to edit every Automation that requires most things to be turned OFF.

[sueviolet]

My doorbell camera will show live but won’t show pictures of older notifications 

[JacobZ]

Hi @sueviolet,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

To start with, could you advise which specific model of doorbell camera you have? There are a couple, so knowing which one would certainly help us troubleshoot the issue.

If your doorbell camera shows a live feed but doesn’t display older images or notifications, it sounds like it could be a storage or app access issue. 

Grid Connect cameras save recordings either to cloud storage or a local microSD card. If you can view the live feed but past motion alerts show no picture, the app likely can’t access those stored clips. 

Did you set up cloud storage or insert a microSD card as part of the setup process? Knowing which storage type you are using would certainly help with troubleshooting.

It’s also important to confirm that the app has the right permissions on your phone. Go to your device’s settings, then Apps → Grid Connect → Permissions, and make sure “Storage,” “Files and media,” and “Notifications” are enabled. If these settings aren't enabled, then your doorbell camera will not store any images. If you’ve verified these settings and the issue persists, try removing and re-adding the camera.

Let me know what you think, and if you have further information that might help us troubleshoot, please let us know.

Jacob

[R4addZ]

Ok so I appreciate that Grid Connect home automation is well established here but can anyone tell me the advantages of this over Home Assistant. Now I know that with Home Assistant you need something to load it onto and I chose a Raspberry Pi as I had a 3B+ doing nothing but let's face it a Raspberry Pi is not expensive and it can be set up as a headless install so no need for a keyboard and mouse. Thing is most of the products (if not all) sold by Bunnings can be used as they appear to be Kasa compatible.

So why would I be better off using Grid connect when there is such a large community with Home Assist?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @R4addZ,

Grid Connect works well because it is the ecosystem that the majority of suppliers selling through Bunnings have standardised on, and it gives most customers a very simple experience. Someone can buy a smart plug or light, take it home, connect it to Wi-Fi, open the app, and it is ready to use without any extra hardware or technical setup. For the average user who just wants a few smart functions without digging into automation logic, simplicity is needed.

Home Assistant is far more powerful, but it also assumes you are willing to set up and maintain the platform, understand integrations, and manage occasional updates or fixes. If you are comfortable running a Raspberry Pi and you want more control, there is no real advantage that Grid Connect has over Home Assistant beyond ease of use. Your Grid Connect compatible devices can be integrated into Home Assistant if you prefer, but most people do not go down that path because they want something they can operate immediately with minimal effort.

So Grid Connect suits the majority of customers because it is straightforward, works out of the box, and does not require any technical knowledge. Home Assistant suits people who want a deeper level of control and are happy to invest the time. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell