Noob Questions

Community Playground Getting Started & Initial Setup
1

I have some questions in regard to home automation and veralite. Hopefully someone can provide some clarification for me as I?m brand new to the idea of home automation. This started from my entertainment center and the Roomie Remote for iPad. I was able to get a Global Cache iTach Flex and control my entertainment center. Then I purchased the Phillips Hue Lights, which I was able to incorporate as well. My Radio Thermostat CT30 can also be controlled via Wifi. Ive purchased a Wemo adapter and a foscam camera.

So far I?m stuck with the veralite interface. I am able to install the plugins for my devices but for some reason, nothing works. Some of my questions include:

  1. Is there a better (possible 3rd party and more user friendly) interface for automating everything using the veralite or should I somehow try to get this working?
  2. I read about an iPhone plugin where it would know when to trigger events based on your proximity to home. Can someone show me what that is and how to set that up?
  3. Are there any online videos that really explain how to add and setup devices and scenes with the User Interface?

Sorry if these are noob questions but I?m super excited about getting this all working.

2

What firmware version are you using. IN the Vera GUI click Setup → Firmware.

If you see version 1.6.xx then you are running anew firmware(UI6) that some plugins do not yet work with.

If you see version 1.5.xxx then you are running UI5 and the plugins should work fine.

Edit: Have a look at the Vera UI5 manual and there are many how-tos on the support page. There are some videos on YouTube, but I do not have links to them.

3

Hi,
I also am new to vera. I am using the UI5. I have a GE advanced remote that I have setup as a secondary controller on four devices. the vera is setup as the primary controller.
I, like you find the software interface confusing. If you find another software that is more intuitive and runs on the vera I would like to take a look at it.
My experience is more with industrial controls so I am more used to IF/AND/OR boolean instructions. I think if I saw a few examples I could reach the elusive “AHH HA” moment.
Good luck and best regards,
Andy

4

I have confirmed that Im using the UI5 and I too would like to see some examples. I agree that it would give me a better understanding of it all.

I read about highly recommended alternative called INDM60P Indigo 6 Pro. I dont know if it is compatible with Veralite, but has gotten alot of positive feedback.

Also, has anyone successfully gotten the iPhone Detector Plugin working? Ideally, i would like to trigger events based on where my iPhone is. As soon as it detects that im nearby, it will trigger certain events like porch light turning on or possibly unlocking my door. This may also be achievable with the PingPlus app where as soon as my iphone connects to my home wireless network, it triggers some events.

5

[quote=“ruffinmedia, post:4, topic:179477”]I have confirmed that Im using the UI5 and I too would like to see some examples. I agree that it would give me a better understanding of it all.

I read about highly recommended alternative called INDM60P Indigo 6 Pro. I dont know if it is compatible with Veralite, but has gotten alot of positive feedback.

Also, has anyone successfully gotten the iPhone Detector Plugin working? Ideally, i would like to trigger events based on where my iPhone is. As soon as it detects that im nearby, it will trigger certain events like porch light turning on or possibly unlocking my door. This may also be achievable with the PingPlus app where as soon as my iphone connects to my home wireless network, it triggers some events.[/quote]

The iPhone detector works well and a lot of us are using it… The ping detector works well too,however the iPhone (because it goes into a non-network connected sleep mode for 8-10minute durations) is not as reliable as the android phone alternative.

Let us know the issues you are having with the iPhone app and we can help.

6

Awesome. Is there any documentation on the iPhone Detector App. I dont know how to set it up. I added my iCloud account and it sees all my devices, i just dont know how to set it up where i can trigger events based on their proximity to my home.

Also, can i see some examples of what the setup looks like for the iPhone Detector App and some scenarios with people who use it?

7

[quote=“ruffinmedia, post:6, topic:179477”]Awesome. Is there any documentation on the iPhone Detector App. I dont know how to set it up. I added my iCloud account and it sees all my devices, i just dont know how to set it up where i can trigger events based on their proximity to my home.

Also, can i see some examples of what the setup looks like for the iPhone Detector App and some scenarios with people who use it?[/quote]

You have it set up to return your address (location) and have entered your home Longitude and Latitude? If you have it to that point, and you select “unMute” it should show that you are “Present” or “Away”.

Are you all the way to that part already?

I just want to get that it is working correctly and then we can walk you through some scenarios for its possible use.

8

OK great. I was able to use google maps and drag the Base icon to my home on the map and it appears to locate where my iphone and all my devices are.

9

Great, so hopefully you can see that it works just like a motion sensor, changing states while you are there vs. away. A nice feature is the radius that it scribes to determine what is close enough to be considered home. GPS in my area is great so I use 0.1miles.

You will will need to set the polling period for something that Google likes, I use 120 seconds. That will locate your phone every two minutes. If you do it too much, Google will shut you off.

Now you can start to mess around with scene for when the sensor trips “you are home” Try for example creating a scene that turns on some lights when you arrive at night. There is no limit to what you will try!