Home Assistant in Docker #3: docker-compose.yml for Home Assistant and MariaDB explained

In the current post series, I’m describing the path I took from a regular Home Assistant setup on Home Assistant Blue to a home server with Docker and various software. Assuming we already have ODROID-N2+ with Debian Buster and Docker setup, our next step would be bringing Home Assistant

Home Assistant in Docker #2: Installing Docker on ODROID-N2+ with Debian Buster

In the current post series, I’m describing the path I took from a regular Home Assistant setup on Home Assistant Blue to a home server with Docker and various software. Assuming we already have ODROID-N2+ with Debian Buster, our next step would be Docker installation. Previous posts series: * Debian

Home Assistant in Docker #1: Debian Buster on ODROID-N2+ aka Home Assistant Blue

I ordered Home Assistant Blue on the day it was announced at Home Assistant Conference on December 13, 2020. It was exactly what I wanted – powerful hardware without any noise. And nice-looking, of course. It was a great speed improvement compared to Raspberry Pi 3B+, but this hardware can handle

b-parasite DIY soil moisture sensor gets ZigBee and Zigbee2MQTT support

Did you remember a b-parasite project? It now has a ZigBee firmware sample you can integrate into Home Assistant through Zigbee2MQTT! Usually, smart soil moisture sensors use BLE or even WiFi for data transfer. But we want ZigBee, right? Why we want it is a topic for a separate post,

Home Assistant Lovelace mobile dashboard example

I hate to dig into thousands of lines of someone’s YAML code and think I’m not the only one. That’s why I decided to tear down my Lovelace dashboard here for everyone who wants to reuse its components or get some inspiration for their dashboards. My Lovelace

Automatic Home Assistant backup to Google Drive

You definitely should back up your Home Assistant regularly at least to avoid losing configurations you spend a lot of time on. Home Assistant has a tool for this also with a lot of improvements added recently, like automatic addon backups before updates. But, you know it is not very

Popup with any cards for your Home Assistant Lovelace dashboard

Sounds nice, right? That was my dream for some time and I finally found the way to implement it using a powerful browser_mod addon for Home Assistant. First of all, you need to install browser_mod preferably through HACS. The main purpose of browser_mod is to control any

Home Assistant Lovelace Custom Button Card templates collection

This is my collection of templates for the Custom Home Assistant Lovelace Button Card. Badge Flexible, responsive button showing additional state icons in the corners. Template badge: layout: vertical variables: size: 70 tap_action: action: toggle hold_action: action: more-info custom_fields: top_left_info: | [[[ if (variables && variables.

Using stepper motor to control amplifier volume knob with ESP8266 and ESPHome

My living room multimedia setup consists of numerous devices with varying degrees of stupidity. I’m chasing to improve it adding additional DIY hardware and functionality not always because of hate of TV remotes but also because I’m in love with IoT and soldering. First, I’ve added WiFi

IR code reader with ESP8266 Wemos D1 mini and ESPHome

Quick step-by-step guide on assembling an IR receiver for reading IR codes from your remotes based on Wemos D1 mini, Wemos IR shield, and using ESPHome. Components used 1. The housing from Broadling RM Pro+ 2. Wemos D1 mini development board 3. Wemos IR shield 4. USB to micro-USB cambe

DIY Smart Appliance: Adding WiFi power control to an integrated amplifier

Previously I was using JBL Bar connected to a TV in my living room. It was controlled with WiFi IR bridge, so whenever my Chromecast or PS4 was in playing state, the Bar was turned on and ready. Now I have passive speakers with a simple integrated amplifier, and it

Building WiFi IR remote control for any TV with ESP8266 Wemos D1 mini and ESPHome

Many modern TVs can be controlled not only with an IR remote. Many could be easily integrated with Home Assistant or any other smart home solution. Samsung smart TVs, LG with WebOS… But what if your TV is so dumb it even don’t have WiFi or Bluetooth? Today we’