expiredminntwins | Staff posted Jul 07, 2023 12:21 PM
Item 1 of 5
Item 1 of 5
expiredminntwins | Staff posted Jul 07, 2023 12:21 PM
Prime Members: 2-Pack KMC 4-Outlet WiFi Smart Plugs w/ Energy Monitoring
+ Free Shipping$14
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You need to compile your own build of Tasmota to enable the PING command, but I had it so it would ping Google every 5 minutes to determine whether I had internet or not. If it was down, it would cycle the outlet the modem was connected to.
The scripting language in Tasmota is robust enough that I was able to have it add time between flipping the power if it had consecutive unsuccessful ping/flip sequences, thus putting less strain on the relay.
The only downside (possible upside if you like auditory queues) is that the relays are pretty loud. They definitely won't work well in any quiet setting.
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Flashed OTA with Tuya Convert and all is well. I've even given them static IP's and (of course) incorporated them into another in-home (never mind US-based) ecosystem.
I stick [almostly] entirely to Zigbee (and the like) simply because I can use in-home, non-internet/China based servers. That whole marketing benefit of "no hub required" basically translates to "these devices connect via wifi to a server in a country that requires companies to share with the [anti-US] government". In an even more important (and less paranoid sounding) way, it also means I can control my house even if my access to the internet is interrupted.
Well still having first gen philips hue🤣. And some wifi switches that integrated to home-theater automation. I keep it as is till broken or not functional properly 😝
Looks like that one does not have energy monitoring, which I rarely use even with running a whole house monitor. Plugs are also spaced apart much better.
Currently shows a $3 coupon, bringing it down to $16.99 for 2.
https://www.amazon.com/KMC-Monito...B087FT
They're a fire hazard. I posted a pic of the insides in a previous thread.
Edit: Nevermind, I think bought this version:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product...UTF8&
I can't find my photo but it looks similar to this amazon review photo.
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Instead, we use a $20 Black & Decker EM100B Power Monitor for the whole house. It has one part that attaches over the outside of the electric meter (even after they replaced with a smart meter) and senses the meter led in real time. On the Electric company list of approved devices. The other part is a small wireless remote screen that shows data. Uses no power except rechargeable AA batteries. This allows us to see instantly any changes in devices throughout the entire home, 110 and 220v and is updated about every second. Also is programable with your area's electricity tier charges. The remote default screen always shows running total estimate of what your electric bill will be, what tier you are currently on and how much $0.00 / hr (or kW) you are currently using in real time ($0.28 /hr as I type this, $293.48 estimated month bill). After using about 12 years, it is around 98% accurate. An example of usefulness: Upgraded pool pump and saw a 3 cent per hour savings ($6 a month) compared to old pump. However, once you have the data, you know longer need to know how much something uses. Constantly running bill estimate feature though is something I couldn't live without.
Secondly I have a raspberry pi that controls all my 3d printing with octoprint. It has plugins including tasmota plugin that controls the power, I can turn it on remotely, and then start a print, and I have it set to power it down about 30 mins after print is done (to let it cool down). Other plugins I use include obico (formerly spaghetti detective) which watches for prints going haywire and I can check video stream from it anytime anywhere, a plugin to monitor filament usage and can tell me how much I have left on a spool, and others.
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As for the energy monitoring drawing more power, not really. The amount of power it takes to add in energy monitoring when you already have wifi and relay control of individual outlets is miniscule, on the order of microwatts or even nanowatts most likely.
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