My Smart Cabin in the Woods
Kyle Rankin
Introduction
- Never was that into home automation
- Then I got a cabin in the woods
- Somewhat unique use case
- Go there to relax
- Wanted easy upkeep, but local control
- Started as security system
- Expanded from there.
This Talk
- Welcome to the Cabin
- Home automation use case
- Why Home Assistant?
- Security System
- Remote Monitoring
- Other Expansions
- Current Setup
Welcome to the Cabin
- Log cabin in a redwood forest
- Remote, but has electricity
- Internet only through satellite
- Use as a weekend getaway
- Lots of "worklaxing".
Home automation use case
- Didn't really want actual automation
- Part of its purpose is to unplug
- Careful balance between digital and analog life
- Main use case is security
- Secondary use case is monitoring
- Check on the cabin when we aren't there
- Did someone come by when we weren't there?
- What's the weather like up there?
- Did I remember to lock the door?
Why Home Assistant?
My Constraints
- Many proprietary automation systems available
- Cabin Internet is metered
- Wanted local control, restrict "phoning home"
- Avoid vendor lock-in
- Protect privacy as much as possible
- Something easy to set up and manage
- Have maximum support for devices.
Why Home Assistant?
Chose Home Assistant
- Home Assistant FOSS home automation tool
- Under development for many years
- Large community, wide hardware support
- Many "smart" devices advertise their HA support
- Polished UI, easy to use
- Can automatically detect many devices
- Emphasis is local control
- Can run on a Raspberry Pi.
Security System
- Initial focus is security
- Started with Raspberry Pi
- Connected with home network using VPN
- Added Reolink PoE Doorbell
- Added Reolink PoE Outdoor Cameras
- Like to phone home, so blocked Internet access
- Camera coverage on each side, covering each entryway
- Auto-detected in HA
- Can monitor live feed remotely.
Security System
Notifications
- Basic person/animal/motion detection in camera
- Represented as events assigned to device in HA
- Can set up automations to take actions triggered by events
- Straightforward to set up basic notifications sent to phone app
- Added Email notifications as well
- Typically take a picture + 40s of video (10s before trigger)
- "Notify me if someone presses the doorbell when I'm not there"
- "Notify me if a person is detected and I'm not there"
- "Notify me if an animal is detected."
Security System
HA Automation Settings
Fox News
Other Expansions
- Things tend to snowball once you get started
- Set up Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor
- Monitor power usage from each breaker
- Currently requires phoning home, can be reflashed
- Installed SwitchBot Smart Curtains
- Added Kasa Smart Plug for string lights plugged into hard-to-reach outlet
- Now have "leave cabin" buttons that closes curtain, turns off light, locks doors.
Curtains
Future Plans
- Mostly set up how I want
- Would like more smart curtains
- Could improve image detection
- May add window sensors
- May add motion sensors
- May add water flow monitor.
Thank You
Additional Resources
