The Wink home automation thread

Page 139 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

kirnmalidus

Junior Member
Jan 16, 2016
7
0
0
Honestly, I am not at all happy with where things are in the HA world. Manufacturers are shooting themselves in the foot & missing out on ridiculous amounts of money by not standardizing, because things are so buggy & support is so limited (no one system supports everything) that people get really frustrated. Not to mention how expensive everything still is...it's still $60 for a stupid lightswitch from Lutron! So the biggest barrier to entry is cost, and then once you get it, you find out that not everything plays nice with your system (look at the Control4 article above, it doesn't even have Spotify support!) & you'll run into weird bugs where things will act funny or quit working or you'll have to re-pair stuff. It's ridiculous!

I've had a bit of luck trying for a merged system of Wink and HomeKit. Pretty much everything I'm using is compatible with both platforms, and I'm controlling it with tools for both.

This lets me use HomeKit's scenes, triggers and apps that support it as well as the Apple TV remote access bridge for the HomeKit devices and Wink's Robots, Shortcuts and app for the Wink devices.

There are only a few things that are in only one system or neither, like the Elgato eve door/window sensor and weather station and the netatmo weather station (yes, I have two weather stations) or the Quirky egg minder (I know it's ridiculous, but it's only $10 on Amazon right now).

Also, with this approach if one controller or system isn't working for some reason I have a redundant backup I can use. That also helps me confirm if it is the controller I was using or the specific device (I'm looking at you Hue bridge).
 

Gage_Hero

Junior Member
Jan 18, 2016
8
0
0
So it looks like my scheduling all but quit as of yesterday. Starting Monday the schedules slipped to later and later as the week progressed. Now it appears they are not firing at all. If I turn lights on off with the app they still work but the schedules seem to be hooped along with the robots. FB user page has had a number of people in the same boat, guess I'll just wait and see if someone figures out how to fix it or maybe one of the wink people have an idea...

Update: So the schedule that was supposed to fire at 6:10 MST shows in activity at 8:14, the one that was supposed to be at 7:35 fired at 8:23 better late than never? not really... no one was home at the time...
 
Last edited:

jroncalli

Junior Member
Apr 18, 2009
10
0
0
I know the Wink integrates well with the ecobee and can read it's sensors data. Does anyone know if the ecobee can use the built in temp sensor of the Wink Relay as one of it's sensors for temp averaging, occupation, etc.
 

Gage_Hero

Junior Member
Jan 18, 2016
8
0
0
I know the Wink integrates well with the ecobee and can read it's sensors data. Does anyone know if the ecobee can use the built in temp sensor of the Wink Relay as one of it's sensors for temp averaging, occupation, etc.

Not sure about the relay but on a side note, do you find your schedules on the ecobee to be running properly? I added mine to the wink but found the schedules on the ecobee to be nonresponsive so I removed it. If you are having better luck with it I may try it again.
 

jroncalli

Junior Member
Apr 18, 2009
10
0
0
Not sure about the relay but on a side note, do you find your schedules on the ecobee to be running properly? I added mine to the wink but found the schedules on the ecobee to be nonresponsive so I removed it. If you are having better luck with it I may try it again.

My schedules seem to be running fine, however I use the ecobee app to make any adjustments to my ecobee. I have it linked to the wink, mostly so I can see it's current settings if I am already in there. Any adjustments or setting changes I make, I usually use the ecobee3 app, as it has all of the options/controls available to me.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
687
126
So it looks like my scheduling all but quit as of yesterday. Starting Monday the schedules slipped to later and later as the week progressed. Now it appears they are not firing at all. If I turn lights on off with the app they still work but the schedules seem to be hooped along with the robots. FB user page has had a number of people in the same boat, guess I'll just wait and see if someone figures out how to fix it or maybe one of the wink people have an idea...

Update: So the schedule that was supposed to fire at 6:10 MST shows in activity at 8:14, the one that was supposed to be at 7:35 fired at 8:23 better late than never? not really... no one was home at the time...

The schedules were running later and later every day. Wink apparently fixed the issue over the weekend.
 

Gage_Hero

Junior Member
Jan 18, 2016
8
0
0
Yes my schedules seem to be working properly now. Location based robots still seem to be having an issue. Does wink use wifi location or gps?
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
687
126
Reports from the FB group are that a new update with local control for lights is starting to roll out. Unfortunately, my hub isn't seeing the update yet.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
48,705
5,458
136
Reports from the FB group are that a new update with local control for lights is starting to roll out. Unfortunately, my hub isn't seeing the update yet.

Thank goodness, February has been a rollercoaster with downtime so far!
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
48,705
5,458
136
On a tangent, I forgot how much of a pain it is to sync up Caseta gear to each other (not just to Wink). For reference (mostly my own in the future, when I forget haha), here is what I did: (this is just for pairing a Caseta switch to a Pico remote, not to a Wink Hub)

1. Reset the Pico remote to factory:

a. Tap the On (or Off, you choose) button 3 times, but hold it down on the last press.
b. You will first see the LED go off (happens quickly). Keep holding until the LED comes back on - then release the button.
c. Quickly (while the LED is back on) & firmly triple-tap the On (or Off) button again (distinct TAP, TAP, TAP) - do not hold this time

You can test to make sure it works by trying to turn the light on or off. If it still responds to the remote, try again - it can take a few tries to get the timing down.

2. Reset the Caseta switch to factory:

a. Tap the On button 3 times, but hold it down on the last press until the vertical LED strip starts racing up & down
b. While the LED's are racing, quickly & firmly tap the On button 3 times (do not hold). If you are successful, the lightbulb will do 3 things, in this order:

1) Blink 3 times
2) Shut the lightbulb off for a few seconds
3) Turn the lightbulb back on

The timing can be tricky with this procedure, so you may have to do it a few times. You will know you are successful (1) when it does the sequence listed above, and (2) when it stops responding to your Pico remotes.

3. Put the Caseta switch into pairing mode:

a. Press & hold the Off button until the entire vertical LED strip starts blinking. Blinking (all of them at once - not just one at a time racing up & down) means it is ready to be paired to a Pico remote.

4. Pair the Pico remote to the Caseta switch:

a. Press & hold the Off button on the Pico remote until the lightbulb starts to blink. It will blink the lightbulb 3 times to confirm successful pairing - you can let go of the button when it does this. Test the remote to make sure it works!

Note: You can pair up to 10 Pico remotes to a single Caseta (don't reset the Caseta to factory for additional remotes! Just put it into pairing mode, step #3). You can also get tricky by using a Lutron Hub to control groups, and also step it up by using a 4-button Pico remote:

http://www.electricbargainstores.com/product-p/Lutron-PJ2-4B-GWH-L41.htm

Also, to set the middle round "Favorites" button lighting level on the Pico remote: set the light to the desired level, hold down the button, and wait for the vertical LED strip on the Caseta switch to blink twice.


Google search keyword reference: (ignore this)

Lutron Caseta light switch factory reset trick procedure
Lutron Pico wireless remote factory reset trick procedure
 

NewTron

Junior Member
Jul 1, 2015
10
0
0
Hi, I've been mostly a lurker on this board. And I always see the topic of local control noted. What is your definition of local control?
Clearly the Wink hub does not have the cpu power--or storage space--needed to host a background process, so I guess it will have to be hosted on a PC, Mac or Raspberry Pi.
Am I correct in making this assumption?

And on a totally different topic, I guess we won't see HomeKit on Wink without a significant hardware revision...
 

imero

Junior Member
Feb 7, 2016
1
0
0
I just picked up a Wink Hub today at HD and yes, the price went up $20. I paired it with a ge 12722 on/off switch.

The switch has a blue led that is on when the switch is off and the led is off when the switch is on. I'd like to reverse this status. I've seen where it is possible to make this change with the Smart Things hub, but don't see a similar option with Wink.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can make this change? Many thanks from a new Wink fan.

Hey Folks,
Was at a local MA Home Depot yesterday. Noted the Wink hub went up $20.
Anyone see that? Just wondering.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
687
126
Hi, I've been mostly a lurker on this board. And I always see the topic of local control noted. What is your definition of local control?
Clearly the Wink hub does not have the cpu power--or storage space--needed to host a background process, so I guess it will have to be hosted on a PC, Mac or Raspberry Pi.
Am I correct in making this assumption?

No, that isn't correct - at least not totally. Wink does have the CPU power for some forms of local control, such as lighting. Now, whether or not you'll be able to run robots locally remains to be seen but you will at least see local lighting control. SmartThings has local control of lighting, for example.

IMO, the decision not to primarily design around local control was foolhardy, but Wink isn't the only way who chose this path. I'd pay $200 for a hub that had full local control and could sync with the cloud.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
687
126
Wink local control has officially been released. As with SmartThings, local control appears to be limited to lighting.
 

Mike A.

Member
Apr 19, 2015
113
1
46
Wink local control has officially been released. As with SmartThings, local control appears to be limited to lighting.

Yeah, no shortcuts, robots, sensor triggers, locks, etc. Not really what I'd call full local control but better than nothing. Everybody is on the same 2.49.0 hub version now I think so we can talk about it at least. I was wanting to tell you guys not to get too excited over the local control rumors.

Some other nice additions too. Offsets for sunrise/sunset finally. Grouped sensors.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
687
126
Yeah, no shortcuts, robots, sensor triggers, locks, etc. Not really what I'd call full local control but better than nothing. Everybody is on the same 2.49.0 hub version now I think so we can talk about it at least. I was wanting to tell you guys not to get too excited over the local control rumors.

Some other nice additions too. Offsets for sunrise/sunset finally. Grouped sensors.

Yeah, it is a nice addition, but SmartThings has had this level of local control for months. Wink still isn't there in terms of device compatibility and for whatever reason, doesn't appear to be asking progress IMO. They MUST add support for Aeon products and generic support for things like the new Iris line.
 

Patel Electric

Junior Member
Mar 24, 2015
4
0
0
Wow. Finally. Great news
Maybe now I'll bring back my Caesta products back to wink hub.

Does anyone know if using Amaozon echo to activate lights will use the cloud or local? How long will the delay be?
I only ask because my Siri/Lutron Hub setup worked almost instantly to activate lights. Was very happy with it.
But would love to have everything I have back on one Hub
Thanks guys

Also anyone have the Leaksmart water shutoff valve and senors?
Does work reliably? I've been awaiting for something like this for a while!! Super excited
 
Last edited:

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
48,705
5,458
136
I only ask because my Siri/Lutron Hub setup worked almost instantly to activate lights. Was very happy with it.

Well that's good to know! I haven't sprung for an Amazon Echo yet, so maybe I'll try that instead.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
48,705
5,458
136

Nice to see this project getting started! Seems like things are moving along since changing ownership.

Despite the quirks, I still think the Wink Hub is the best unit on the DIY market, even at the higher $80 price. STv2 hasn't proven to be quite as nice as the Wink. Even though the initial release of local control isn't everything we want, it's progress, and progress is good!
 

Mike A.

Member
Apr 19, 2015
113
1
46
...Does anyone know if using Amaozon echo to activate lights will use the cloud or local? How long will the delay be?
I only ask because my Siri/Lutron Hub setup worked almost instantly to activate lights. Was very happy with it.
But would love to have everything I have back on one Hub
Thanks guys

Echo does require an Internet connection in order to operate; otherwise, the light spins and spins and then finally comes back with the "bloop" tone saying that it has no connection. Won't do anything beyond that.

Assuming that it does have a connection, then the activation is very quick. No lag vs Wink directly and the general impression is instant. More like the Lutron or direct control via an associated Z-wave remote vs wait for it... wait for it... On. It actually *seems* a little faster than Wink directly at times but I think that's an illusion just based on how it works, i.e., some of the delay is hidden before you hear the "OK" and it turns whatever on. From "OK" the impression is effectively instant.

Overall the response for most of my stuff at most times seems much better in more recent versions. Sensors still lag kind of badly at times. Usually pretty good though.
 

BillBones

Junior Member
Dec 26, 2015
9
0
0
Hi Folks!
Does anyone know if AC line powered devices (e.g. connected bulb, in wall dimmer, lamp plug in module) gives out a stronger signal to the hub than a battery powered device (e.g. door contacts)?
Trying to reach my shed. Placed GoControl door contact on door. Works every other time. Cant move hub. Thinking of putting connected bulb in shed to maybe relay the battery powered signal.
Wouldn't be a good idea if the line powered device has no stronger signal.
Thanks very much for any help!!!! Bill
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
687
126
Hi Folks!
Does anyone know if AC line powered devices (e.g. connected bulb, in wall dimmer, lamp plug in module) gives out a stronger signal to the hub than a battery powered device (e.g. door contacts)?
Trying to reach my shed. Placed GoControl door contact on door. Works every other time. Cant move hub. Thinking of putting connected bulb in shed to maybe relay the battery powered signal.
Wouldn't be a good idea if the line powered device has no stronger signal.
Thanks very much for any help!!!! Bill

Yes, powered devices generally function as signal repeaters. You could try putting a powered device between the hub and door contact to see if that improves connectivity (I had to do that to reach the Trippers in my garage).
 

Gage_Hero

Junior Member
Jan 18, 2016
8
0
0
On the page for trunzoc wink integration project, there is a file (task) to fade dimmable lights / switches on using tasker. It works quite well and you adjust the duration and level of dim up. What I would like to do now is have one that does the opposite from any level of dim slowly down to off over a certain duration. I have taken a number of stabs at this but still can't figure out how to get it done. Does anyone know how or maybe has done this already and can give me some relatively detailed instruction on how to accomplish this?
 
sale-70-410-exam    | Exam-200-125-pdf    | we-sale-70-410-exam    | hot-sale-70-410-exam    | Latest-exam-700-603-Dumps    | Dumps-98-363-exams-date    | Certs-200-125-date    | Dumps-300-075-exams-date    | hot-sale-book-C8010-726-book    | Hot-Sale-200-310-Exam    | Exam-Description-200-310-dumps?    | hot-sale-book-200-125-book    | Latest-Updated-300-209-Exam    | Dumps-210-260-exams-date    | Download-200-125-Exam-PDF    | Exam-Description-300-101-dumps    | Certs-300-101-date    | Hot-Sale-300-075-Exam    | Latest-exam-200-125-Dumps    | Exam-Description-200-125-dumps    | Latest-Updated-300-075-Exam    | hot-sale-book-210-260-book    | Dumps-200-901-exams-date    | Certs-200-901-date    | Latest-exam-1Z0-062-Dumps    | Hot-Sale-1Z0-062-Exam    | Certs-CSSLP-date    | 100%-Pass-70-383-Exams    | Latest-JN0-360-real-exam-questions    | 100%-Pass-4A0-100-Real-Exam-Questions    | Dumps-300-135-exams-date    | Passed-200-105-Tech-Exams    | Latest-Updated-200-310-Exam    | Download-300-070-Exam-PDF    | Hot-Sale-JN0-360-Exam    | 100%-Pass-JN0-360-Exams    | 100%-Pass-JN0-360-Real-Exam-Questions    | Dumps-JN0-360-exams-date    | Exam-Description-1Z0-876-dumps    | Latest-exam-1Z0-876-Dumps    | Dumps-HPE0-Y53-exams-date    | 2017-Latest-HPE0-Y53-Exam    | 100%-Pass-HPE0-Y53-Real-Exam-Questions    | Pass-4A0-100-Exam    | Latest-4A0-100-Questions    | Dumps-98-365-exams-date    | 2017-Latest-98-365-Exam    | 100%-Pass-VCS-254-Exams    | 2017-Latest-VCS-273-Exam    | Dumps-200-355-exams-date    | 2017-Latest-300-320-Exam    | Pass-300-101-Exam    | 100%-Pass-300-115-Exams    |
http://www.portvapes.co.uk/    | http://www.portvapes.co.uk/    |