Home Automation Compared to Apex

[Biglurr54]

After diving deep into the Apex automation of my tank, I got really interested in automating my home. So many times I have thought,”If only I could get an apex for my house” Or can I run an aquabus to this outlet and let my Apex do some home automation for me?” I have decided to dive into home automation the right way.
Has anyone on here automated their home? How does coding compare to the Apex? I purchased a smartthings hub and a bunch of z-wave stuff. Now I am seeing that the Smartthings hub doesnt have a web app so I cant code it on my computer. This is how I have written all my code on apex and it’s a deal breaker for me. I need to be able to use the computer to write the code.

Whats your home automation experience? How does it compare to Apex Automation?

 

[W1ngz]

I have a bunch of stuff at home, lights, thermostats, motion, humidity, temperature and water sensors, all scheduled according to my usual weekly routine. It works for me because I'm the only one who lives there, but I very, very rarely need to touch a light switch, I know the temperatures in each room, and can control the thermostats remotely, as well as schedule a small drop in temperature overnight and when I leave home in the winter. My bathroom light even know when it's after bed time, so if the motion sensor sees me get up, I get 5% lighting instead of being blinded.

I use Vera for my home stuff. I like it because both it and Apex can use Alexa. I like the water sensors, if I have an RODI event, my main water valve shuts off just the same as if I had a washing machine, toilet or dishwasher event. Vera does allow for coding, it's not entirely prettied-up on the front end unless you want to use it that way.

But... their hardware is a little underpowered, so there are at times lags in reaction to certain events. They were just acquired by someone so maybe they'll do some good once they finish the code revision/rewrite that is overdue.

 

[Biglurr54]

Thats what i am looking for. being able to set dimming schedules based on motion, time, and ambient light. I have a wife and two kids so things have to work and be flawless or else everyone will be upset. Plus, i need to have things work as normal if needed. Im hoping just replacing light switches and putting in motion sensors in the room will allow for this.

Your bathroom code is exactly what I want.

What Vera do you have? I was between the Vera Plus and the Samrtthings v3 hub. I got the Smartthings but now realize that there is not webapp. Does Vera have a web app or web interface for writing the code? How hard was it to learn the code? Similar to the apex learning curve?

 

[W1ngz]

The apex code is an order of magnitude simpler, as it's based on simple language logic statements. Vera luup code is programmer level code.

I gave up on the coding, but have stolen blocks of it before to play with. A block of code is essentially a reaction to an event. There are addon apps that do most things.

I have a vera plus. Do yourself a favour and stick with z-wave devices, their zigbee implementation is awful, I lose a zigbee lightbulb every few months all the time in my config.

 

[Biglurr54]

thats what I was worried about. I want some way to write my own code but have it be simple like apex. Im not good with complex coding. Apex was challenging enough.

 

[W1ngz]

You can always start with just the controller and a light switch without committing the whole ecosystem. Play with it in a space that's 'yours' like an office or the fish room. My laundry room was the first one I did with a switch and door contact. Open the door - turn on the light. Close the door, turn off the light. 15 minute timer in case I don't close the door to turn off the light.

The only thing I really use an add-on for is the bathroom light, which resets a countdown every time there is movement to avoid ending up in the shower and the lights going out.