Living in a smart home.
Sounds easy.
When everything works, it is, indeed, a very smooth house.
But I think my wi-fi router is not happy with the number of devices I have connected to The Internet Of Things (IOT).
About 65, depending on who is home at any given time. At least 60 all the time.
My 5ghz side works perfectly, but the 2.4 ghz radio just can't seem to handle all the devices all the time. But sometimes for days, the whole thing works at 100%. Then the radio starts cutting out the 2.4 ghz devices, made noticeable by the Chromecast-dedicated monitor showing the black screen of juggling death. (Can't connect to IOT for some reason). Sometimes the whole system then returns to normal in just a few moments; other times, almost nothing 2.4ghz will stay connected. There's just no way to tell. I have the router and modem reset every two days, as an automation, and that usually clears things up nicely, but SHEESH, sometimes doing nothing has the same result.
I either need a new router, or something added.
(Yay! another gadget!)
Anyway, here's what I have connected...
MANY Google devices, including Home Minis, Chromecasts, Chromecast Ultra, a few Chromecast Audio dongles - which almost NEVER work all together for very long.
Except the Ultra, which is on 5ghz. It works perfectly, and always.
and music device groups are not reliable either. There are three groups, "All the speakers" (7 devices),"Front room" (4 devices)and "Office group" (2 devices)
Again, when it works, the sound is awesome throughout our cave. When it doesn't function as expected, I start missing my germanium diode radio from 1960. You know, the one with the clip on a wire, and an earphone. You clip it to a chain link fence and you could tune AM radio WITHOUT A BATTERY!!!
OK, back to the smart devices...
20 lamps, smart lights, or light strips.
Echo wall clock, 3 Amazon Echo Dots,
5 Google Home Minis, 10 or more A/C power switches and
ten computers/tablets/e-readers.
oh, And a wireless printer.
Some routines and automations with IFTTT, SmartHome (switches and lights)
and Infrared Remote RMINIs by Broadlink to automate/emulate all the remote controls.
"Alexa (or Hey Google), Desk On" turns on the lamp on my office desk, turns on the TV, turns on the audio amplifier, selects the TV for input, mutes the speakers, and sets the cable channel. It then gives me my morning news/weather.
That's convenient as heck!
"Illuminate" Lights up the front two rooms, "Bedtime" turns off almost all the lights in the front of the house and sets small, dim blue-filtered lights for safety.
Whichever room you are in, you can say"Turn on the Lights" and all the lights IN THAT ROOM ONLY will come on. "Turn off the lights" works the same way.
Lots more...
Anyone think I am nuts? Well, keep that inside, ok?
HELP! I don't want to go back to manual everything. But I need this stuff to work all the time, because when it doesn't, life is actually MORE complicated than before smart devices.
@UncleKenInAZ on FB or TWTR
Snack & Dip Seasoning on each side of the steak. rub it evenly into the meat. drizzle some Kikkoman brewed Soy Sauce (careful, it's SALTY) over that side of the meat and put it on a big plate, wet side DOWN. repeat rub/soy on the top. cover with plastic wrap to hold the liquid tightly to the steaks. Marinate for a couple hours, or a day - it's your schedule, not mine. Remove from fridge at least 20 minutes before cooking to bring the meat closer to room temp, the inside will cook faster without burning the outside.
