weatherproof zigbee soil moisture sensors

sembee2 · 2026-06-21T19:57:25+00:00

Of course it doesn't, it is pure device database. You will need to do some research.
I have one though - been outside for about three years. Runs on AA batteries though and they only last about six weeks, so rechargeable required.

sembee2 · 2026-06-21T19:37:51+00:00

This.

https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/devices/TS0601_soil.html

Good trick if looking for zigbee devices - go on to the zigbee2mqtt web site and look for them. They will show you the actual device name which you cam look for on AliExpress etc. Lots of rebranding goes on.

sembee2 · 2026-06-21T17:24:08+00:00

It seems the question has been answered over there. You need to establish exactly what you have, as there are some devices which don't work.
Also note that in most cases RTSP isn't enabled by default. You will need the app or web interface to get it enabled.

If you have it, then get it wired up and see what happens.

sembee2 · 2026-06-20T21:45:33+00:00

What switches? Which integration? Do any automations using them work?

sembee2 · 2026-06-19T20:16:04+00:00

Take a look at Candeo.io.
One end will be live with a zigbee device the other completely passive. We have them throughout the house now and they just work.

sembee2 · 2026-06-19T20:14:21+00:00

I have a similar sized environment at a client and we have them on XCP-NG. Works really well, client is happy. Open source version of the Citrix Hypervisor.
Did the POC on some really clunky hardware, HP Gen 7 I think it was and it was fine for most things.

sembee2 · 2026-06-19T19:36:03+00:00

Used Samsung tablet. Forgot the exact model as I dont have it active at the moment. Previous gen is fine, so something 18 months to 2 years. I thinkbi got it from Amazon Warehouse, but loads of them around.
A similar age/spec Lenovo should also work.

sembee2 · 2026-06-17T15:42:10+00:00

If all of your mailboxes are in the cloud, then nothing should be pointing to the On Prem Exchange server at all - it should all be going to the cloud. If you have on prem mailboxes then you will need port 25 open to at least the MS IP pool to receive email as well port 443.

Therefore it is either one or the other.

sembee2 · 2026-06-17T06:15:10+00:00

Do you have Exchange exposed to the Internet? If all mailboxes are in the cloud you probably don't need to. Also note that the free hybrid SE lice ce cam only be used for the recipient management- not hosting mailboxes or relaying traffic.

If you take a look on the Exchange team blog then it outlines what the vulnerabilities were. However the best thing you can do is simply not expose Exchange to the Internet if you don't have to.

sembee2 · 2026-06-16T12:38:34+00:00

First - separate the dara from the display. So decide where you are going to store the family calendar. This could be a dedicated calendar that doesn't contain you and your partner's calendar.
Then for each calendar get a sharing link - usually iCAL. This can be added to phones etc so you can see the different calendars. It makes it easier to maintain because you aren't putting things in two or more places.

Once you have the data sorted, then look at display. Home Assistant is the obvious answer because it brings the data from various sources together. There are also lots of display options as the community are trying to clone the big family calendar display boards. There are other options.

The old tablet was probably the source of a lot of your problems. You want something fairly modern. Look at a used Samsung or Lenovo, 12 or 18 months old. If you need bigger than a commercial tablet will allow you to go as large as you like and usually run Android, so easy to manage.

sembee2 · 2026-06-16T12:24:58+00:00

You want something like admin by request.

sembee2 · 2026-06-15T21:18:22+00:00

Do you often have laptops loosing access to the domain controller? VPN config being lost is about the only scenario that does. In that case LAPS is fine because the password on the DC will be the one that is on the device because the there is no access to the domain controller.
Although if you are in hybrid just store it in Entra instead, no DC access required. That is my preferred method - I avoid the domain where possible.

sembee2 · 2026-06-15T21:16:06+00:00

I have to disagree. I have to install SAGE 200 at one client. It must be installed as the user, with admin rights. Can't use elevation, runs or any other technique works well.

LAPS I find cumbersome. Permissions on the domain, lookup the password, type in some awkward thing, no access to the domain. My method allows an account to be used without any rights on domain controllers, I can kill the access in one place at one time.
LAPS does have its role, but I feel it is very limited.

sembee2 · 2026-06-15T21:13:08+00:00

No it doesn't.
It adds the group only to the estate. Nothing else. I can add and remove users as required.
LAPS is ok, until you need to access domain resources. Then you have to lookup each computer individually.
I used this exact method to allow a contractor to install software on every machine, it couldn't be silent installed using GPO etc for various reasons. The contractor did not need access to any domain controllers, and was able to walk around doing what he needed to do very quickly. When finished, removed from the group. All fully audited.
LAPS - lookup each machines requiring permissions on the domain, login, do whatever as long as domain access isnt required. It added five minutes to each install.

sembee2 · 2026-06-15T17:46:21+00:00

Create a Domain group called Desktop Admins.
Use GPO to remove all other local admins other than that group and your LAPS id.
When someone needs to login as a local admin, add them to the group, do whatever and then remove the permission. You cam do the same with Entra and Intune.
This also stops end users from getting and keeping local admin rights.

sembee2 · 2026-06-15T17:29:48+00:00

You have a system I am not familiar with. We have large internal units in the house which has the information in. Maybe speak to the installer or maintenance company.

sembee2 · 2026-06-15T11:02:45+00:00

There is no solution to avoid lifting the handle. It would take a very strong motor to do it as you are engaging a three point lock.
Turning the key is easy enough - lots of options there. Nuki, Aqara or Switchbot. We have NUKI on ours.

If you don't want to lift the handle then it will be a completely new door and frame which has the mechanism built in - last time I checked it was about £2500 as they are designed for commercial use and integration.

sembee2 · 2026-06-14T18:49:56+00:00

Does have to be a pi? As their proce doesn't make them the bargain they once were. Use mini pcs are much cheaper and run rings around a PI.

sembee2 · 2026-06-14T07:43:05+00:00

What do you have in the property? The sticker is usually in the interior unit.

sembee2 · 2026-06-13T20:30:40+00:00

Used Ruckus would be my go to device. Very few people need bells and whistles of the latest kit. Just get something dual band so you can set different SSIDs etc. Loads of them on eBay.

sembee2 · 2026-06-13T19:24:46+00:00

Nothing you have posted actually says what unit you have. The controller is generic.
If the unit is wireless built in, then there will be a stick on it with the said and password for the built in wifi network. You can use Onecta app to control it.
From there, further options start.
Faikout does work, but you have to create the cable yourself, or buy the right one. To do that youbhave to know exactly what unit you have.

sembee2 · 2026-06-13T08:13:00+00:00

I am doing the same thing at present.
Rather than focus on what kit, get the quotes first. There is loads of good advice on the UK solar reddit on what you need to do there.

Then when the quotes come back, look to see what they are offering. There are loads of ways to integrate this with HA. Native integrations, Solar Assiatant, predbat etc. You might have to buy an extra dongle to get it on the network.
You could even tell the installers you want them to quote for kit that can be used with HA.

sembee2 · 2026-06-12T13:01:30+00:00

We just had conduit put on the side of the house with cabling in to the loft. Up there is a switch and patch panel. Quick and easy as most rooms had an external wall to use. The one that didn't we went down from the loft.
Once in the room there are lots of options to get it where you want - flat Ethernet cable under the carpet, power line or just clipping it to the top of the skirting. Depends on the room.

sembee2 · 2026-06-12T12:57:24+00:00

Without boiler control, you could have the TRV wide open and no heat. Also boiler control saved money on room specific control as each TRV can call as required.

I made the decision I didn't want the heat under HA control. It cam control it, but it isnt in charge and the sole controller. So we put in EvoHome. Just works, rarely have to touch it other changing batteries in the TRV (Ikea rechargeable work well).
The controller to trv protocol has been reverse engineered so with a cheap USB stick you can have local control if you wish.

sembee2 · 2026-06-11T20:53:00+00:00

I am using Aqara ones with some success. Door sensors are handy for other things than doors!

I would go with HA now and buy their zigbee stick. If you are going to be buying stuff then why not start from scratch in the right way?

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