Switchbot Bot Alternative
Ping Weafer
Wondering if anyone knows of something other than Switchbot that will press a button. I've been using a Switchbot button press device with the original hub for about a year (without HE integration) to turn on a Rinnai propane heater in an outbuilding when we want to go work in that building. It's been flaky, and doesn't always turn on the device because it doesn't always seem to get the command via wifi (even though all the other wifi devices in that building are just fine). So, for another building with the same need, I bought the new Switchbot 2 hub, which also has a temperature and humidity sensor built in, in hopes of it being a more reliable device.
I just checked the temperature for that hub, and it reported a much higher temp than I thought reasonable, and much higher than a Hubitat-connected sensor in that building. So, I got out of my nice, warm bed and trekked over to that building and sure enough, the Switchbot was way off. I've sort of lost faith in their products, and would like to find an alternative if a better one exists. Any ideas? And no, I'm not going to tear into the innards of my propane heater to solder something to a board, which is a common suggestion from some. I just want to reliably press a button, remotely.
I don't think anyone makes anything like switchbots. I think wiring in a relay will be the only way to do it. I mean I suppose you could build some kind of frame with a magnet/transformer driven rod connected to an esp32, but by the time you got through doing that in time and materials, it would have been cheaper and less time consuming to install a relay like a zen 16/17 or MHCozy
I use a zwave dry contact relay to "press" my recirculation button on my Rinnai hot water heater display. I soldered wires to both sides of the button and use the relay to push it via virtual device or dashboard. An Arduino could do it as well if you prefer to stick with Wifi.
Fingerbot is the obvious alternate as has been suggested. There's also HA, which has both a direct integration for Switchbot devices via a bluetooth connection to a RPi or via a bluetooth adapter. Then use the HE > HA integration to trigger it via a virtual switch. This works, but you'll need an ESP32 to extend the range if it's in an outside building.
The other way is via a D1Mini ESP32 that you flash to become MQTT bluetooth controllers for switchbot. This is the method I use and prefer because it's faster than the direct connect method and allows you to put the D1Mini within range of the Switchbot devices (it can control multiple devices), but as far as your WiFi range is.
Thanks for the suggestions. I was not aware of Fingerbot and may give it a try. One of the problems I have with Switchbot is that it sometimes takes 2-3 "presses" using their app to actually activate the button-pushing device, and sometimes the button HAS been pushed, but the app doesn't give me an acknowledgement. So, pushing it again has the opposite effect of what I desire. Frustrating... Once the little button-pushing device gets a signal from the hub, it never fails to work - the problem is with their blasted hubs, which I find to be unreliable. Perhaps this zigbee approach will be better.
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First of all, switchbot claims to work with most rocker switches. It comes with a sticker with a little loop that you attach to the switch (sticker) and the switchbot arm (loop) so it can pull the switch back the other way. You simply change the mode in the app for it to work this way. Works great with my rocker light switch.
That would make it cost only 100
The only alternative I know of is fingerbot which is currently on kickstarter ( -control-all-devices-remotely-through-voice-or-app). I ordered one, they say they will ship in April or may I think. Similar kind of price though.
Also you could even roll your own hub, if that is your thing.
Search switchbot here and you can find some users using an ESP32 (which has wifi and bluetooth) that bridges switchbot controls through MQTT. A fairly popular thread IIRC.
If cloud being ok, then there should be tons of wifi-based options on Amazon (or whatever online stores in your local market). In US for example, a quick search would get you some ideas:
Amazon.com Search: smart + garage
Best Smart Garage Door Opener Controller 2021 Reviews by Wirecutter (nytimes.com)
However, it has one flaw from an automation perspective. It will turn itself off if there is no sound played through it for 20 minutes and requires one to manually press the button to turn it back on. Some users have hacked together something to play an inaudible sound through the speaker periodically to keep it on but Bose warns that the battery may overheat and cause a fire. I was given this speaker as a gift before I was into home automation so had no idea to look for this seemingly simple feature.
Anyway, because this is written in Python it will be of limited use in setting up an OH binding. It also seems to only work on Linux which would cut out Windows and Mac OH users from being able to use such a binding.
I just came across their Kickstarter campaign, and the Switchbot Curtain seems like a thoughtfully designed device, from the way it grips the curtain rod/rail to the optional solar panel. Hopefully it works out well for you!
For multiple reasons I decided to make an abstraction for switchbot as I already had a MQTT broker running. I created a Docker container that translates an incoming mqtt command from openhab (or even google) and scans for the requested switchbot via a bluetooth stick and sends the command, based on the lib that switchbot made available.
If anyone is interested you can find the code here: GitHub - dietah/mqtt-switchbot: Control a SwitchBot switch via mqtt messages
The available docker is compiled for amd64 as I had difficulties with the arm bluetooth stability.
Next, lets talk batteries: As I mentioned before The switchbot has a single built in 18650 battery that gets charged via a USB-C port on the back, while the Zemismart uses rechargeable lithium ion 14500 batteries that are charged with a micro USB but also could easily be replaced if need be. Because the Zemismart uses two batteries in series the motor runs off of roughly 7.4 volts compared to the 3.7 volts for the Switchbot. This is the likely reason that the zemismart motor was more powerful because increasing the voltage supplied to a DC motor will increase its torque, but it also means that the motor will be less energy efficient, so to test their capacities, I set up an automation to open and close the curtains every two and a half minutes and recorded them to see when they would finally run out of battery.
In my test the Zemismart opened and closed continually for a little over 40 hours before the curtains stopped closing 100%, this represents an impressive 480+ open/close cycles before there was a noticeable decrease in performance. The switchbot? Well, after the same 40 hours the switchbot app still reported 53% battery and the stupid thing took a total of 4 days of continuous opening and closing before finally failing to close the curtains all the way, 4 days! Lets take a quick second and recognize my family for putting up with the curtains opening and closing every two and a half minutes for 6 days straight. The switchbot EASILY takes this category with well over 1000 open close cycles on a single charge of a single 18650 lithium battery.
So, with a range of features as intricate and as broad as this, it makes sense that consumers are flocking to the MicroBot Push in droves. After all, there is very little negative that we can say about it.
As we have established, the Microbot Push is right up there among the best products when it comes to enhancing your smart home experience. But, this by no means goes to suggest that it is perfect in every regard.
As a result of these complaints, many of you have been actively seeking a more reliable and cost effective option. So, if you have found yourself in this group, here are the three best alternatives out there.
For those of you in the know, you will already be aware that the SwitchBot Bot is considered by most as the most direct competitor to the MicroBot Push. So, it will be no surprise that this one is first on our list.
Another apparent strength of the WeMo Maker is that you are given an extra level of control over your equipment. Not only can you switch things on and off in the normal way, but you can also set schedules for your devices.
So, above you have the three best alternatives out there for the MicroBot Push. In our opinion, each one of the above can rival and even improve upon the performance of the MicroBot Push and are all worth considering.
Ich bin per Zufall ber den SwitchBot Bot gefallen. Gefllt mir vom Konzept her nicht so schlecht und knnte mir vorstellen, das z.B. fr die Kaffeemaschine zu verwenden. Allerdings strt mich da wieder dieses Gateway, welches man quasi zwingend braucht.
Gibt es da Alternativen?
Set up in 3-second, Turn ON/OFF on your Smartphone Remotely. Wireless Mini Robotic Button&Wall Switch Pusher, make any dumb switches&button smart in second. A must-have smart home gadget. App Control, Timer Control, and Voice Control....
Bin gerade ber den thread gestolpert, vielleicht ja noch fr jemand interessant. Ich kann zur Ansteuerung/Statusabfrage des switchbot folgendes Projekt fr den esp32 und dann als mqtt device in symcon empfehlen:
Allows for multiple SwitchBot bots and curtains to be controlled via MQTT sent to ESP32. ESP32 will send BLE commands to switchbots and return MQTT responses to the broker. Also supports Temperatur...
Geht das nur per PHP? Und wenn ja wie? Habe es versucht und bin gescheitert.
Habe se mit SetValue (String) / RequestAction versucht, aber das hat nicht funktionniert. Er sendet nicht ber MQTT an den ESP32. Mir fehlt aber auch die subscription fr