4 ms·

Perhaps slightly unrelated. We've been using the eQ-3 Max radiator heating system (from the article) in our house for three years now to control our radiators o

Perhaps slightly unrelated. We've been using the eQ-3 Max radiator heating system (from the article) in our house for three years now to control our radiators on a room-by-room basis. Connected with OpenHAB 2 [1], this has been a great experience. Given the low price of each radiator controller, the engineering is top-notch. Mesh network works all of the time, the batteries last for multiple years and the installation is relatively painless. This is one of the few IoT solutions that 'do-not-suck'. No calling-home to China, no unexpected updates and upgrades, no complicated install process. [1] Openhab Website https://www.openhab.org/ https://www.openhab.org/

Slartie 8y ago
I've been using the same system for almost 5 years now, with no real problems. Has more than paid for itself by now. I didn't switch to OpenHAB though, but instead hacked their original desktop control software, which is actually a Java web app with a localhost-bound Tomcat, to make it runnable on a headless Linux box and bind to the LAN IP. This way I have their control panel available constantly and remotely. Works surprisingly well and stable, given that this mode of operation was never intended. Their actually-intended remote control path (via a server provided by the manufacturer) is crap however, very slow reaction time, unreliable and you somehow have to pay a subscription after a trial period.
- edejong 8y ago
  That's a nice approach. Do you control the radiators using other inputs? Our current system works using a CalDAV calendar with repeating appointments providing information about work/home/sleep times. This is combined with presence detection using our mobile phones and Z-Wave motion detectors. This also controls lights, light color temperature and our ventilation system. All events go to InfluxDB / Grafana combo. OpenHAB 2 is the spider in this web of IoT stuff.

Slartie 8y ago

I've been using the same system for almost 5 years now, with no real problems. Has more than paid for itself by now. I didn't switch to OpenHAB though, but instead hacked their original desktop control software, which is actually a Java web app with a localhost-bound Tomcat, to make it runnable on a headless Linux box and bind to the LAN IP. This way I have their control panel available constantly and remotely. Works surprisingly well and stable, given that this mode of operation was never intended. Their actually-intended remote control path (via a server provided by the manufacturer) is crap however, very slow reaction time, unreliable and you somehow have to pay a subscription after a trial period.

edejong 8y ago
That's a nice approach. Do you control the radiators using other inputs? Our current system works using a CalDAV calendar with repeating appointments providing information about work/home/sleep times. This is combined with presence detection using our mobile phones and Z-Wave motion detectors. This also controls lights, light color temperature and our ventilation system. All events go to InfluxDB / Grafana combo. OpenHAB 2 is the spider in this web of IoT stuff.