This is going to be long post, but I have considered all angles and need some advises / additional views as you all may be more thoughtful than me.

My current setup, Google Home -> LG TV (Turned half smart using Chromecast) -> Soundbar and Dining and Bar lights with Yeelight.

I plan to change my current light and fans switches (2 and 3 gang type) to smart switches to further connect with Google Home.

Basically, living room, dining room, staircase, 2 Guest Rooms , Upstairs living room and Master room lights and fans.

Now I'm looking at Sonoff, but most of the light switches doesn't have neutral, all but one of them has a side 20amp power for AC. First thoughts to pull the neutral from that , however may not be good idea safety wise? Thoughts?

Second thoughts, Broadlink or Xiaomi Aqara. However broadlink needs hub? Xiaomi Aqara seems to be only 2 gang type, I do need 3 gang switches by the way.

Appreciate some insights, thoughts into this.

1) Yes, using GH, however Sonoff Basic is? I am planning to replace wall switches, how will Sonoff Basic suit this?

3) Home assistant would need extra raspberry pie and config? In this case might not be favourable as I'm trying to minimize devices for the smart home. Combine Aqara 2 gang with 1 gang might be an option, but it creates extra drilling work lol.

Seems like either pulling neutral or broadlink is the best option.

Yes, concern here is on safety, as some AC will be turned on daily.

Noted, appreciate your input as well.

Can I take it?

Bulk for Raspberry Pi 3B+, 32GB micro SD with Home Assistant (Hass.io) and MQTT broker installed for RM240 not inclusive of postage

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2. kelembai
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Anyone interested in this can add yourself in the list or PM me. Thanks

Update 1:

Still got one space left for the bulk. Fast fast take. biggrin.gif
The parts already ordered and on the way. Target date if finished installed this week will shipped out to you all by next week. thumbup.gif

So after reading around.

Seems like i'll need a set of aqara (due to 1 location on stairs) need dual way switch.

As for Broadlink / Sonoff, sonoff is better off. I'll bite the bullet and try to get the neutrals sorted out.

Hope all works, else RM600 for the sonoff will fly...

I counted that i need 4 pieces of 3 gang type and 5 pieces of 2 gang type, that will cover most if not all places.
Wifi dead zone, i may have some.

However other than placing GH all over the house, is there a better idea?

House is only 2.5k sqrt build up.

Currently I'm running 2 AP, both with different names but ultimately linking to same router.
Not exactly sure will be an issue or not.
Can't find info online.

On side notes, I have gotten an electrician over, dude doesn't recommend pulling neutral from side 20amp switch. Dilemma.

Automation based on presence? I'm trying to avoid motion sensor at the moment, don't want too many gadgets lying around the house yet.

Currently buying 9 switches. But im back to square one after what the electrician told me.

Anyone else pulling neutral from ac/heater power just beside the wall switch?
Would appreciate more feedbacks.

He has concern the neutral support both and worried of overload.
But i have reservation on his experience dealing with smart switches.

The load pull should be minimal only to support the wifi for Sonoff.

I have option of Broadlink, Aqara and Sonoff now.

Broadlink (need hub) not favourable, but no need neutral. Someone mentioned alot problems, but when google seems minimal
Aqara (need hub) no need neutral, I'll need a set of this to replace one of my switch. Hoping can do it without hub.
Sonoff , best looking, no hub, concern on just the neutral.

All the neutrals currently used for AC . Some ac on once a week , some on daily . The switch that pull it is all lights or fan . Lights are led , fan is normal Panasonic

AP frequency should be 20 channel need to double check . I’m not worried in the dead zone yet . This problem worst come to worst I get damn powerful router lol

I have Xiaomi yeelight . Setup is tricky and not easy . So I’m not keen on Xiaomi ecosystem where I can . By the way can I use Xiaomi switches without gateway ? Or the gateway is a must

"Usually the 20A switch is serve directly by a single 20A MCB. "
Does this means if i check in DB i can confirm it?

" Usually the fan even probably loop through lighting N wire."
Sorry, in layman terms, if the fan and light loop through the lighting N wire, then i connect it to the side 20AMP ac neutral, not an issue?


Just make sure your two AP channels are not overlapping each other. Both 2.4GHz? If they are and if you are setting them for 802.11n, then use channel 3 and 11.

Sounds doable, I'll leave this to the last, i have tinkered with them previously, not per my expectations.

question, don't you think it is odd to have aqara, and sonoff in the house together, not counting your existing dumb plug?
I for one, prefer uniformity -.-

yes, that's why damn headache.
No one has proper integration.

Apple normally has the best, but they are lagging way behind google home

So I have been thinking hard about your sentence.

Sonoff as 2 way switch.

Here's my situation, my staircase has 2 switch, one on first floor another on ground floor.

Ground floor, no issue to tap the nearby neutral belonging to AC switch.
First floor has no nearby neutral.

Can I change just the ground switch to Sonoff, and use it as 2 way with the one on first floor?

It sounds impossible... but ideas are welcomed lol

And based on your suggestion on extra gang, i have cancelled all 2 gang and chose all 3 gang type

Yes, both dumb switches.

Thanks. Received the Raspberry Pi.

No idea how to start using it LOL

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