The Wink home automation thread

[IndyColtsFan]

Please let us know if the Outlink works with SmartThings (you may already know if they are). I asked about it previously but no one seemed to know if they are compatible. They are the only components in my system that I am concerned that I would have to replace if Wink goes away and I have to make the switch.

Thanks!

They do work with SmartThings, but only as on/off outlets. Power reporting is not working. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find cheap Outlinks yet but maybe I'll run up to Home Depot this weekend and see if they have them for $29 like other HDs. For now, I am using a GE Link bulb as a repeater for SmartThings.

I'm moving almost everything over to SmartThings next year and will probably keep Wink only for Lutron and one or two other miscellaneous uses. You can get Lutron to work with SmartThings but it involves some hacks and would be much slower than using Wink. Of course I could also just replace those two Lutron switches too.

 

[trunzoc]

Anyone know how you can send zwave configuration commands through the Wink hub? I have a minimote laying around, and wouldn't be opposed to getting something else if needed.

Devices like the GE or Linear switches and Linear sensors have configuration commands to change functionality, but i have no clue how to get those commands to the device.

Any ideas?

 

[MjnMixael]

Does anyone understand the electronics of dimmers and smart bulbs? Specifically, my Porch light is on a Lutron Caseta switch. I'm not going to change that. But I have a color-changing smart bulb that I'd like to put out there for the color choices. I know I shouldn't try to "dim" the bulb with the Caseta switch. But if the switch was always ON or OFF, is that going to kill the color bulb, given that it's a smart bulb?

 

[Tech_Greek]

Does anyone understand the electronics of dimmers and smart bulbs? Specifically, my Porch light is on a Lutron Caseta switch. I'm not going to change that. But I have a color-changing smart bulb that I'd like to put out there for the color choices. I know I shouldn't try to "dim" the bulb with the Caseta switch. But if the switch was always ON or OFF, is that going to kill the color bulb, given that it's a smart bulb?

I tried lights on a manual dimmer switch (GE Link Bulbs) that even at 100% on the switch itself would flicker.

Don't know if that helps you.

 

[RossMAN]

Is anyone aware of just announced Wink cameras as mentioned here?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Is anyone aware of just announced Wink cameras as mentioned here?

I HIGHLY doubt that Wink is introducing new cameras. They have some newer partnerships and perhaps new cameras are being added, however.

 

[Mike A.]

Is anyone aware of just announced Wink cameras as mentioned here?

Probably talking about the Canary deal. Would make sense in a thread about another security cam.

 

[RossMAN]

Probably talking about the Canary deal. Would make sense in a thread about another security cam.

Thanks, that seems plausible.

 

[MjnMixael]

Ha! Now this is a creative smarthome application...

http://www.engadget.com/2015/11/04/robotic-iot-fingers-make-your-dumb-appliances-smarter/

 

[RossMAN]

2x Aeon Labs Z-Wave Smart Energy Switch for $31.98 with free shipping, I guarantee it won't last long.

 

[jlslate]

2x Aeon Labs Z-Wave Smart Energy Switch for $31.98 with free shipping, I guarantee it won't last long.

Yep, gone.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Yep, gone.

They're apparently back but for $35. I was going to pull the trigger but I already have 2 that I haven't deployed. I think my next big mini-project it integrating Harmony with SmartThings and using Alexa to control the entertainment center, so they may stay in my closet a little longer (along with a TON of other devices I need to deploy).

 

[Mike A.]

For people who have the Amazon Echo, I hadn't seen it before but there now is an IFTTT trigger function for Alexa which makes it easy to create recipes to control Wink devices not discovered by Echo (e.g., locks, thermostat, etc.). So you can say, for example, "Alexa trigger lock doors" or "Alexa trigger heat" with a pre-set temp. Any shortcut will work in the form "Alexa trigger [phrase referencing a shortcut]."

Didn't see any other published Wink recipes using it so I made a quick example here:

https://ifttt.com/recipes/342026-trigger-wink-shortcut-with-alexa-trigger-shortcut-phrase

 

[Tech_Greek]

New beta for hub and app coming soon.

 

[Mike A.]

Trippers are discontinued at Home Depot now.

If you can find any left, they're $20.04.

 

[JoeKiv]

Robots & Sunset

I have a robot that turns on a light when motion is detected in a room. I set it to work after Sunset. The Motion Detector is detecting motion, but the light won't turn on. If I change the Robot to "Anytime" instead of "Sunset" it works. I also have 'scheduled ' other lights to turn on at Sunset and they work. So it seems the problem is with using Sunset in a robot. Anyone else experience this. Suggestions, etc.

 

[MjnMixael]

Woah. Didn't expect this.

http://news.flextronics.com/newsroo...hings-Home-with-Wink-Acquisition/default.aspx

 

[Tech_Greek]

This has been known for some time now MjnMixael

 

[MjnMixael]

I thought they were going to be acquired by a different company.

But this also spells out that it will be similar to their relationship with Quirky. Hopefully Flex is better managed.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I thought they were going to be acquired by a different company.

But this also spells out that it will be similar to their relationship with Quirky. Hopefully Flex is better managed.

Nope, Flextronics is the only one who bid. Amazon and others did actually look at Wink but passed. Too bad because Amazon would've been a great fit IMO.

 

[Tech_Greek]

Sorry if that sounded rude. I was halfway asleep when writing that.

Amazon would have been amazing. I'm hoping Flex does something great and with what I'm seeing in the beta testing, it's a good trend.

 

[Scott C]

I found this on the Facebook Wink Users Group. There is a new smart vent for your HVAC that is available for pre-order. It already works with SmartThings and Iris, and is supposed to integrate officially with Wink next year. But, for now, it can be added as a dimmer light and controlled that way. I've got a couple of rooms where the heating and cooling is always off. This is a money back guaranteed way to solve that problem.

 

[dplawrance]

Any suggestions about how to add a Leviton 4-scene controller to my Wink hub? This is Leviton's 4-button "switch" that can remotely control/dim other Leviton devices.

David

 

[Tech_Greek]

I found this on the Facebook Wink Users Group.
It is set to ship on 11/28.

I was really excited about this but I see an issue with the available airflow. I would love to see the air flow statistics of these before I invest at all.

Ecobee needs to buy up this company and integrate them immediately.

I just applied for the Facebook Wink Users Group, didn't even know it existed.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I was really excited about this but I see an issue with the available airflow. I would love to see the air flow statistics of these before I invest at all.

Ecobee needs to buy up this company and integrate them immediately.

I just applied for the Facebook Wink Users Group, didn't even know it existed.

Ha, you think exactly like I do. I was pretty pumped about these but over in the SmartThings Community, Keen admitted that they have no formal studies yet about the efficacy of these things.

The Facebook Wink Group rocks - it is a great resource.