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Recommended rasberry pi kit?


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4 hours ago, Blackbird said:

For Home Assistant

1.  Which do you recommend, rasberry pi 4 or 5?

2.  Is there a recommended case or complete kit?

Thanks

I started with a PI 3 (adequate).  Currently running a Canakit PI 4: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08956GVXN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I do not have experience with the PI 5.  It does appear to have some nice SSD support features.  You will want a SSD at some point.  You can add a USB SSD to the PI 4 but it's not natively supported.  Don't spend a lot of money on a kit with a fancy case and a large SD card as the SSD will obsolete both (most Kit cases will not support a SSD).

Downside is that support for the PI 5 is as of Feb '24.  There will undoubtedly be growing pains and hardware support issues.   https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2024/02/26/home-assistant-os-12-support-for-raspberry-pi-5/

 

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I'm no expert, but my understanding is that an RPi is not the hot ticket.  Either a "mini-pc" as vbPhil is suggesting, or run HA on a Virtual Machine.  I wouldn't waste my time on an RPi.  If you have one laying around, that would be a different story. If you want to just test the water for free, then go the VM route.  I've been running HA on a VirtualBox VM for a few years now.  Works great.

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Here's my current system wall mounted in the garage. It's in the garage to have the Insteon PLM near to the electrical distribution panel for better Insteon coverage. For a network connection I added a MOCA Ethernet adapter to a coax cable TV connection that was already accessible to the garage through a wall, :).

Yolink, HA Odroid with ZWave stick, Polisy for Insteon.

 

 homeautomationinstalls.thumb.jpg.9600da38fd08afbf6247285980d55619.jpg

Edited by vbPhil
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4 hours ago, vbPhil said:

Over a year ago I jumped in with the ODROID-N2+ 4GB/64GB eMMC Enthusiast+ / US 120V/60Hz Home Assistant Bundle. I've never been happier. It runs HA right out of the box with no messy configurations.

https://ameridroid.com/products/odroid-n2-home-assistant-blue-bundle-limited-edition?variant=44748729286935

 

 

 

@vbPhil,

There are some nice turn-key options on that site.  I actually like the RPI 5 with Sonoff Zigbee since it would give @Blackbird a working Zigbee solution out of the box.  I'm assuming that Ameridroid integrates the Zigbee dongle - that would be a good question for them.

A SSD could be added at a later date. 

Unfortunately - the RPI 5 is out of stock.

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7 hours ago, IndyMike said:

@vbPhil,

There are some nice turn-key options on that site.  I actually like the RPI 5 with Sonoff Zigbee since it would give @Blackbird a working Zigbee solution out of the box.  I'm assuming that Ameridroid integrates the Zigbee dongle - that would be a good question for them.

A SSD could be added at a later date. 

Unfortunately - the RPI 5 is out of stock.

So RPI 5 if I want to use the Aqara FP2?

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10 hours ago, Blackbird said:

So RPI 5 if I want to use the Aqara FP2?

Sorry, I thought you were looking at the Aqara FP1 which uses Zigbee.  The RPI 5 + Sonoff Zigbee bundle looks nice for that.

The Aqara FP2 is WiFi based.  Home Assistant can integrate WiFi without any additional hardware.  You could choose any of of the bundles (RPI 5 or ODROID). 

I personally do not use WiFi for automation devices.  That's why assumed you were referring to the Zigbee model. 

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Posted (edited)
On 6/29/2024 at 9:07 AM, vbPhil said:

Over a year ago I jumped in with the ODROID-N2+ 4GB/64GB eMMC Enthusiast+ / US 120V/60Hz Home Assistant Bundle. I've never been happier. It runs HA right out of the box with no messy configurations.

https://ameridroid.com/products/odroid-n2-home-assistant-blue-bundle-limited-edition?variant=44748729286935

 

I second this, it works great with HA.

Edited by PatPend
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44 minutes ago, Blackbird said:

Can home assistant be installed on an Eisy?

Yes. It takes some doing, but it's possible. Take a look at the news release from UD from a few months ago as well as their blog post that has some scripts to run. The third link below has a lot of discussion about it (oddly enough currently found a few lines below your thread)

https://www.universal-devices.com/tobe_or_not_tobe/

https://developer.isy.io/blog/eisy-way

https://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/42807-home-assistant-overlaid-over-eisy/

 

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4 minutes ago, Geddy said:

Yes. It takes some doing, but it's possible. Take a look at the news release from UD from a few months ago as well as their blog post that has some scripts to run. The third link below has a lot of discussion about it (oddly enough currently found a few lines below your thread)

https://www.universal-devices.com/tobe_or_not_tobe/

https://developer.isy.io/blog/eisy-way

https://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/42807-home-assistant-overlaid-over-eisy/

 

Interesting thanks.  A follow up question, can HA be installed on an old ISY?

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Posted (edited)
On 6/29/2024 at 7:07 AM, vbPhil said:

Over a year ago I jumped in with the ODROID-N2+ 4GB/64GB eMMC Enthusiast+ / US 120V/60Hz Home Assistant Bundle. I've never been happier. It runs HA right out of the box with no messy configurations.

https://ameridroid.com/products/odroid-n2-home-assistant-blue-bundle-limited-edition?variant=44748729286935

 

 

 

1. Is HA already installed on this unit?

2. Do I need anything extra to use an ssd for this?

3.  What addons are required for zwave and zigbee?

 

Thanks

Edited by Blackbird
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11 hours ago, Blackbird said:

1. Is HA already installed on this unit?

2. Do I need anything extra to use an ssd for this?

3.  What addons are required for zwave and zigbee?

 

Thanks

Yes, HA comes bundled with package, see the website. It's the Home Assistant Operating System.

I'm not sure about the SSD. It comes with the eMMC memory or SD Card, you choose.

Hardware additions to support other platforms like Insteon, ZWave or Zigbee are required. Software to support these devices are written for HA by the Open Source community.

Quote

Enthusiast+ Bundle ODROID-N2+ 4GB/64GB eMMC

This bundle offers an ideal blend of features for both novice Home Assistant users and experienced power users. The ODROID-N2+ has 4GB RAM and 64GB of fast and reliable eMMC storage, providing a responsive and powerful device perfect for running Home Assistant with loads of features.

INCLUDED:

  • ODROID-N2+ with 4GB RAM
  • 64GB eMMC storage with Home Assistant pre-installed and tested
  • RTC backup battery
  • Polycarbonate Plastic Case
  • Power adapter (12V/2A)
  • Illustrated Color Instruction Guide
  • Assembled and tested in California by ameriDroid technicians

 

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2 hours ago, vbPhil said:

Yes, HA comes bundled with package, see the website. It's the Home Assistant Operating System.

I'm not sure about the SSD. It comes with the eMMC memory or SD Card, you choose.

Hardware additions to support other platforms like Insteon, ZWave or Zigbee are required. Software to support these devices are written for HA by the Open Source community.

 

Doesnt look like i can get this bundle in Canada

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2 hours ago, Blackbird said:

Doesnt look like i can get this bundle in Canada

It shows as out of stock for that particular model that I have. Why would Canada be restricted?

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IMHO, if you don't already have one I would put the money instead into a Synology NAS and run HASS as a virtual machine on it. The NAS will do so much more for you, like provide network storage for all your files, documents, Windows and Mac (TimeMachine) client backups, storing Eisy backups. A 2 bay Synology DS224+ is only $299. It also runs Docker for other containers you may want to explore.

There's a premade OVA (virtual machine) for HASS that can be imported into Synology VMM (virtual machine manager). It's practical because you can run snapshots on the VM before making any major changes and simple to roll back if things go wrong. 

 

 

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6 hours ago, Diesel said:

IMHO, if you don't already have one I would put the money instead into a Synology NAS and run HASS as a virtual machine on it. The NAS will do so much more for you, like provide network storage for all your files, documents, Windows and Mac (TimeMachine) client backups, storing Eisy backups. A 2 bay Synology DS224+ is only $299. It also runs Docker for other containers you may want to explore.

There's a premade OVA (virtual machine) for HASS that can be imported into Synology VMM (virtual machine manager). It's practical because you can run snapshots on the VM before making any major changes and simple to roll back if things go wrong. 

 

 

I have a DS918+ already.  Didnt know you could use it for home assistant.  How does the hardware such as zwave and zigbee, connect?

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You have options. You can passthru USB devices to a virtual machine in Synology VMM.  

In my case I use a Hubitat hub that handles my zwave and zigbee devices. HASS has excellent integration for Hubitat so it's able to control everything. Over time you can have many different native hubs (Hue, ISY, Hubitat, etc)  all connected to HASS as the brains and control center.

 

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Posted (edited)
5 hours ago, Diesel said:

You have options. You can passthru USB devices to a virtual machine in Synology VMM.  

In my case I use a Hubitat hub that handles my zwave and zigbee devices. HASS has excellent integration for Hubitat so it's able to control everything. Over time you can have many different native hubs (Hue, ISY, Hubitat, etc)  all connected to HASS as the brains and control center.

 

Sounds very complicated.  Did it take you long to setup?  From what I understand is HA Reads/writes constantly.  This wouldnt be good for WD Red's or is there some other way it writes to the NAS?

Edited by Blackbird
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My solution came from this YouTube video. $100 + some more memory. Too much time spent getting to work with my network, then I discovered there was a firmware update needed. Once I got that sorted, no problems so far.

 

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21 hours ago, Blackbird said:

Sounds very complicated.  Did it take you long to setup?  From what I understand is HA Reads/writes constantly.  This wouldnt be good for WD Red's or is there some other way it writes to the NAS?

Getting the HASS VM up and running is pretty quick. You just install the Syno VMM package, download the premade virtual machine OVA file, upload to Syno VMM and start the VM.  

There's quite a few videos and tutorials out there like this one Installing Home Assistant on Synology NAS using VMM

WD Reds are NAS drives. HASS disk IO is minimal. Nothing to be concerned about.

Don't be afraid to use your NAS for what it was intended for.    

 

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On 7/8/2024 at 5:03 AM, Diesel said:

You have options. You can passthru USB devices to a virtual machine in Synology VMM.  

In my case I use a Hubitat hub that handles my zwave and zigbee devices. HASS has excellent integration for Hubitat so it's able to control everything. Over time you can have many different native hubs (Hue, ISY, Hubitat, etc)  all connected to HASS as the brains and control center.

 

Are you referring to this https://www.amazon.ca/Hubitat-Elevation-Home-Automation-Hub/dp/B07D19VVTX ?  If so Im confused, If I need another device to run zigbee and zwave, what is the purpose of the synology NAS.  If I used a RP4 or a  Odroid, would I still need a hub like this to run zigbee or zwave divices?

Thanks

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