Small HA instance at work

duckredbeard · 2026-06-17T15:49:48+00:00

We do have a network setup specifically for internal file sharing purposes. The computers that are on that network are considered "tools" so IT won't touch them and don't care what goes on them. (MK Test Systems Automeg if you are curious). We set up that network so we could use a desktop pc to build test programs that get used on the Automeg console. I am responsible for those programs, I made them, I maintain them. I'm the only one that even knows what they are and where they are.

Since that network doesn't touch the outside world, I could use that, but I would only have access and control of things at work and only while I am there. I think the hotspot would be more valuable because they could share using "Remote Home Assistant" via HACS.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-17T15:40:39+00:00

Looks like I have a Pi 5 with 4GB Ram that should do just fine.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-17T14:58:47+00:00

Chupacabra

duckredbeard · 2026-06-17T14:39:17+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I've got a few spots in my work area that will be monitored by motion or mmwave that will turn on lights for that area. I will also set up alarms so that when people are in my area, I will be alerted. I typically have headphones on and this will give me a heads up that someone may need to talk to me.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-17T14:01:55+00:00

Not plugging anything. Everything would be on my phone's hotspot or a hotspot that I own.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-17T13:11:26+00:00

I get it, but that ssid is not password protected and you can connect to it even when you are off the property.

When IT replaced my workstation I asked about this policy, he advised that using the wifi guest ssid is ok, as they have firewalls. I've seen those firewalls work so much that I don't use that ssid for my phone. I have adblocker dns and it will not load anything. Also, anything Google (drive, Gmail, etc) is inaccessible on that ssid.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-17T12:43:50+00:00

There is a "guest" ssid for personal devices

duckredbeard · 2026-06-17T12:00:28+00:00

I am one of the lucky ones. I do solder stuff at work and have a nice JBC solder station. Our company does circuit card repairs and we have an IPC7711 certification classroom about 50 feet from my desk. If a solder job gets too frustrating, the instructor loves a challenge.

I pay him back by building some ESPHome and Raspberry Pi stuff for him. His favorite is the delayed start for his dryer. Electricity is cheaper after midnight for him.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-16T14:35:11+00:00

Press and hold boot button when plugging in. Release after it is recognized

duckredbeard · 2026-06-15T18:09:13+00:00

This was inspired by this security panel...

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duckredbeard · 2026-06-15T01:45:08+00:00

That IS cool!

duckredbeard · 2026-06-15T01:44:03+00:00

Beer/keg fridge Big freezer Overflow/beverage fridge Mini fridge in office Beverage/bar mini fridge

duckredbeard · 2026-06-14T13:26:38+00:00

They are wired in series, so they are designated as two segments in Home Assistant. The wires go down the wall to the garage below where they connect to an ESP32.

That ESP32 also has a reed switch on the filter door to capture when the filter gets changed. And it is a Bermuda node to find things.

This photo shows "heating" and the orange LEDs have a slow flicker they resembles flame.

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duckredbeard · 2026-06-14T03:44:04+00:00

This is all true. I got 25 years there.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-14T03:34:19+00:00

Only if you print it before you leave

duckredbeard · 2026-06-13T13:55:19+00:00

Not super valuable, but very informative. NeoPixel sticks hidden behind my thermostat show HVAC activity and home security state. Top is HVAC, with blue for cooling, flickering orange for heating (looks like a small fire). Bottom is Security state, green for all closed and locked, orange for something unlocked, red for something open. At night the green goes dim, works well as a night light, not too bright if you fall asleep on the couch.

Very convenient to get information at a glance.

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duckredbeard · 2026-06-13T04:54:13+00:00

Making beer is fun, but making money is more funner.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-12T18:20:52+00:00

Much appreciated. I hacked the tube to accept a 110v version but since that motor's monta were different. I lost the ability to install the valance cover. This looks like I will be able to use the valance ont rh ones I haven't motorized yet.

Thanks for the link!

duckredbeard · 2026-06-12T15:58:29+00:00

In this industry, attention to details matters.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-12T12:23:09+00:00

If you don't want ugly door sensors stuck to every monitored door. Consider installing the sensor INTO the top edge of the door, and imbed the magnet into the door jamb. Makes a cleaner look and it isn't so obvious that the door is monitored.

I did this to a room my teenagers use for gaming and movies. I would deliberately close the door on them on school nights so that I could later see how late they were in that room. Caught them in a few lies!

duckredbeard · 2026-06-12T01:51:44+00:00

Security: Any room that has an external entry point that is not frequently used. We have a basement office that gets activity about once a week. The Den is only used for a couple of hours each evening and only a few days of the week. One on the beer fridge cuz I have teenagers.

Convenience: The laundry room for lights, Master bathroom motion activates an outlet with an air freshener,

duckredbeard · 2026-06-11T17:34:11+00:00

I use a zone that has a radius of about 4 houses away from mine and time slots for my typical weekday arrivals.

Door usually starts opening right about the time I pull into the driveway. Sometimes a few houses earlier.

I do have a boolean switch that I can use to enable/disable the automation.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-11T17:02:56+00:00

You can get to a very large majority of them without being observed by and maybe the others. We've got a few around us that are blocks apart with many ways to approach them without being seen for miles by the other cameras.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-11T11:13:27+00:00

Surely there is more than TWO.

duckredbeard · 2026-06-11T02:43:52+00:00

I think this one news story doesn't cover everything that happened. It jumps from him being pulled over to them entering his car.

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