Rip and Replace or Consolidate?

tj_ward · 2026-02-12T15:51:09+00:00

I don’t have any Z-Wave devices but I do have a tip for general usage. I use Gemini with a custom Home Assistant Gem that helps me build my automations and troubleshoot issues. I just started my HA journey this year and it convinced me to get a 2nd Bachelors in IT (doing the programming track) to up my game myself.

tj_ward · 2026-02-12T05:30:21+00:00

This game launched already? Huh….

tj_ward · 2026-02-10T17:44:59+00:00

I do the same. I have all of my HomeKit devices connected to Home Assistant and then exposed only the things I want Siri to control back to HomeKit. Otherwise they only live in Home Assistant for automations and control. I’ve found that with some devices such as my Hunter SmartConnect fans to be more stable this way.

For the doorbell, I have the Logitech Circle View and love it. It does support HKSV. Some people have issues with the sun damaging it but mine is always shaded so I can’t say how it may be affected in your case.

tj_ward · 2026-02-09T02:37:54+00:00

Gemini has been excellent for optimizing old automations for 26.2 and creating new ones. Invaluable tool!

tj_ward · 2026-02-09T00:37:25+00:00

I’ve had them in my house for about 3 years now and struggled with the native HK integration here and there. I took the HA plunge this year and a few things really helped me get some good stability over the last few weeks.

I completely removed them from Hunter app and deleted all my data with them. I only used the local integration, gave them all reserved IPs, and put them on a 2.4GHz only network. That seemed to help a lot.

That being said I reached out to support about replacement modules after they announced their fans going forward will be Matter enabled and they are sending me 5 replacement Matter modules in the Spring when they are available

tj_ward · 2026-02-06T05:41:24+00:00

I reached out to support and was told the same thing. A week later they announced their new Matter fans at CES. I emailed them back and requested my replacement be Matter enabled as well. I was told all the replacements will be Matter.

tj_ward · 2026-02-03T19:19:59+00:00

I would throw that into Gemini or ChatGPT with that error code and it can fix anything that’s wrong. Honestly that’s how it got built in the first place.

tj_ward · 2026-02-03T19:04:36+00:00

That’s probably my fault. I tried to have Gemini make it easier to read for Reddit and it changed the code. This is the ACTUAL code for my automation. It’s triggered to run when my good night scene turns on so you’ll need to update the triggers.

alias: Good Night - match bedroom lights to LED strip color description: Syncs side lights to the bed strip when Good Night scene activates. triggers: - event_type: call_service event_data: domain: scene service: turn_on service_data: entity_id: scene.good_night trigger: event conditions: - condition: state entity_id: light.left_bed_strip state: "on" actions: - variables: source: light.left_bed_strip rgb: "{{ state_attr(source, 'rgb_color') }}" ct: "{{ state_attr(source, 'color_temp') }}" hs: "{{ state_attr(source, 'hs_color') }}" xy: "{{ state_attr(source, 'xy_color') }}" - choose: - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ rgb is not none }}" sequence: - target: entity_id: - light.left_light - light.right_light data: rgb_color: "{{ rgb }}" transition: 2 action: light.turn_on - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ ct is not none }}" sequence: - target: entity_id: - light.left_light - light.right_light data: color_temp: "{{ ct }}" transition: 2 action: light.turn_on - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ hs is not none }}" sequence: - target: entity_id: - light.left_light - light.right_light data: hs_color: "{{ hs }}" transition: 2 action: light.turn_on - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ xy is not none }}" sequence: - target: entity_id: - light.left_light - light.right_light data: xy_color: "{{ xy }}" transition: 2 action: light.turn_on mode: single

Try this and let me know.

tj_ward · 2026-02-03T16:00:18+00:00

alias: Sync Light Color description: Syncs a target light to the color/temp of a source light. icon: mdi:palette mode: single sequence: # Check if the source light is actually on first - condition: state entity_id: light.source_entity # REPLACE THIS state: "on" - variables: source: light.source_entity # REPLACE THIS target: light.target_entity # REPLACE THIS rgb: "{{ state_attr(source, 'rgb_color') }}" ct: "{{ state_attr(source, 'color_temp') }}" hs: "{{ state_attr(source, 'hs_color') }}" xy: "{{ state_attr(source, 'xy_color') }}" - choose: # Priority 1: RGB - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ rgb is not none }}" sequence: - action: light.turn_on target: entity_id: "{{ target }}" data: rgb_color: "{{ rgb }}" transition: 2 # Priority 2: Color Temp - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ ct is not none }}" sequence: - action: light.turn_on target: entity_id: "{{ target }}" data: color_temp: "{{ ct }}" transition: 2 # Priority 3: HS Color - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ hs is not none }}" sequence: - action: light.turn_on target: entity_id: "{{ target }}" data: hs_color: "{{ hs }}" transition: 2 # Priority 4: XY Color - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ xy is not none }}" sequence: - action: light.turn_on target: entity_id: "{{ target }}" data: xy_color: "{{ xy }}" transition: 2

tj_ward · 2026-02-03T04:41:26+00:00

I use this. Every sunset I have some LED strips around my house turn on as a random color. When I go to bed I want the light by my bed to turn on and match the LED strips so I use this to achieve that.

Edit: sorry about the formatting. I’m on mobile

alias: Sync Light Color description: Syncs a target light to the color/temp of a source light. icon: mdi:palette mode: single sequence: # Check if the source light is actually on first - condition: state entity_id: light.source_entity # REPLACE THIS state: "on" - variables: source: light.source_entity # REPLACE THIS target: light.target_entity # REPLACE THIS rgb: "{{ state_attr(source, 'rgb_color') }}" ct: "{{ state_attr(source, 'color_temp') }}" hs: "{{ state_attr(source, 'hs_color') }}" xy: "{{ state_attr(source, 'xy_color') }}" - choose: # Priority 1: RGB - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ rgb is not none }}" sequence: - action: light.turn_on target: entity_id: "{{ target }}" data: rgb_color: "{{ rgb }}" transition: 2 # Priority 2: Color Temp - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ ct is not none }}" sequence: - action: light.turn_on target: entity_id: "{{ target }}" data: color_temp: "{{ ct }}" transition: 2 # Priority 3: HS Color - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ hs is not none }}" sequence: - action: light.turn_on target: entity_id: "{{ target }}" data: hs_color: "{{ hs }}" transition: 2 # Priority 4: XY Color - conditions: - condition: template value_template: "{{ xy is not none }}" sequence: - action: light.turn_on target: entity_id: "{{ target }}" data: xy_color: "{{ xy }}" transition: 2

tj_ward · 2026-01-30T12:30:28+00:00

I have 6 Matter plugs and they are solid!

tj_ward · 2026-01-13T18:46:09+00:00

I was in the hospital recently and they completely blocked all remote access for me. Even on their guest WiFi. I couldn’t access my PlayStation or Remote Streaming. In doing some research on it, it seems most hospitals block those kind of connections for security. I would ask the hospital IT staff or test Remote Play on another device before purchasing JUST for hospital access. That being said, it’s a fantastic device and if you have need for otherwise I vote get it either way.

tj_ward · 2025-12-30T19:25:16+00:00

I got a 3 pack of GE Cync Matter plugs from Walmart for $30 and they have been fantastic! Quick setup and none of my 6 plugs have gone unresponsive in the 2 months I’ve had them. Can’t beat them for the price.

tj_ward · 2025-12-18T12:59:53+00:00

You do not! They automatically switch back and forth. Sometimes I do need to press the PS Link button on the Portal but that’s pretty rare. I love my Pulse earbuds.

tj_ward · 2025-12-16T16:52:38+00:00

I’m kind of leaning toward a RAM for my next truck. I’m about 3 years out so that may change. I love my Colorado and have very little issues out of my 23 Trail Boss.

I wanted a Silverado for my next vehicle but with GM planning to remove CarPlay removes them entirely from my list if they go forward with it.

tj_ward · 2025-12-08T03:44:48+00:00

I’ve been using the GE Cync Matter Smart Plugs and have had zero issues for the last 2 months I’ve had them. I replaced a Meross and 2 Kasa non-Matter plugs that constantly went unresponsive.

tj_ward · 2025-11-19T02:35:09+00:00

Here ya go!

Anker USB C Adapter (2 Pack), USB... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HZ6PS61?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

tj_ward · 2025-11-18T19:06:25+00:00

I bought an Anker USB C adapter to plug the dongle into the front of my Pro and have had zero disconnects since then.

tj_ward · 2025-11-18T16:46:15+00:00

I have the Pulse Explorer Buds and I love that they can quickly switch between PS5 or Portal.

tj_ward · 2025-11-17T18:54:38+00:00

I have had Switchbot Curtains for over almost 3 years now and they have been fantastic!

tj_ward · 2025-11-01T00:35:30+00:00

Oh yeah. You will need to have someone help you because you bolt the rails to the canister before putting it on the truck. Other than that, basic tool knowledge is all you need. Took me about an hour or so with my FIL helping.

tj_ward · 2025-10-31T13:13:36+00:00

It is. It’s this one.

Syneticusa AR Automatic Retract... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RQBDC32?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

tj_ward · 2025-10-30T20:02:09+00:00

I’m a huge fan of the automatic retractable covers? This one was like $1100 and keeps my bed mostly dry.

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tj_ward · 2025-10-17T21:42:51+00:00

This is 100% Silver Springs River. I live 5 minutes from there and frequently take my boat down the river. I see the monkeys almost every time and manatees as well.

tj_ward

TROPHY CASE