Time2Jet Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 I’m sure there have been threads on all of these subjects, but I’d be very interested to have the forum members share opinions and success stories about any stand-out third party drivers, add-ons, software and/or hardware. There are so many interesting choices today, that it’s hard to ferret out the best of the best. Care to share a good integration or product? Interesting integrations is also a topic that rears now and then... but it’s always fun and helpful to hear success stories. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-defunct- Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 My personal favorite, Philips Hue color bulbs. Gary Leeds UK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanchow Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Best thing I’ve seen in the past few years is Bond bridge. Fills a massive gap in Control4 and has skyrocketed to become one of our top drivers in the past month. Controls Somfy RTS shading, every single RF fan sold at Lowe’s and Home Depot among with RF controlled fireplaces. http://www.chowmainsoft.com/bond-control4 thegreatheed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Lowe Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Rachio Irrigation controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 KODI is still the 'best' 3rd party driver in function and design. Emoji Experience Icons is the funniest one (actually started more as a joke) Hardware wise....not sure really. Hard to think of one thing that REALLY jumps out above the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Cohen Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 7 hours ago, alanchow said: Best thing I’ve seen in the past few years is Bond bridge. Fills a massive gap in Control4 and has skyrocketed to become one of our top drivers in the past month. Controls Somfy RTS shading, every single RF fan sold at Lowe’s and Home Depot among with RF controlled fireplaces. http://www.chowmainsoft.com/bond-control4 This got my attention, especially reading from your website about using a 'Bond Fan Speed Controller' to add 'smarts' to a non-RF, non-IR fan. In my somewhat older home, there is a Hunter Fan/Light in the Kitchen, that is controlled by 1 switch, with no 'smarts' at all. I don't have separate control of the Fan and Light, and have to use the chains if I want the Fan On/ Light Off, Fan Off/Light On, etc. We have a Control4 Switch there, not dimmers, as a Dimmer would burn out the fan, as we were told. I can use Control4 to turn the Fan/Light On, but have to use the chains to do anything else. Would it be possible to wire in that Bond Controller to separate out the Fan and Light functionality so that we could operate it as if this was installed with separate circuitry for the Fan and Light? Or are we limited by the original wiring, which would have to be redone to accomplish this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Leeds UK Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Sky Driver from Alan is the best 3rd Party Driver Phillip Hue / Alexa / Axis Gear tdougray 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMHarman Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Best thing I’ve seen in the past few years is Bond bridge. Fills a massive gap in Control4 and has skyrocketed to become one of our top drivers in the past month. Controls Somfy RTS shading, every single RF fan sold at Lowe’s and Home Depot among with RF controlled fireplaces.http://www.chowmainsoft.com/bond-control4Sounds a lot like the materlink driver. Glad there is competing products in that space. Sent from my E6603 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWD Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 8 hours ago, Matt Lowe said: Rachio Irrigation controller. Since I set mine up a year ago I haven't touched a thing. What benefits does it add? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollerAgent Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 9 hours ago, alanchow said: Best thing I’ve seen in the past few years is Bond bridge. Fills a massive gap in Control4 and has skyrocketed to become one of our top drivers in the past month. Controls Somfy RTS shading, every single RF fan sold at Lowe’s and Home Depot among with RF controlled fireplaces. http://www.chowmainsoft.com/bond-control4 Will the Bond allow me to integrate Somfy RTS wireless motors without the use of the Somfy MyLink hub? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Will the Bond allow me to integrate Somfy RTS wireless motors without the use of the Somfy MyLink hub?Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanchow Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 5 hours ago, LollerAgent said: Will the Bond allow me to integrate Somfy RTS wireless motors without the use of the Somfy MyLink hub? Yep. What is also nice is since it’s wifi you can throw bond anywhere that you have wifi coverage. Controls up to 30 devices per bond bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecheech Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 5 hours ago, msgreenf said: 5 hours ago, LollerAgent said: Will the Bond allow me to integrate Somfy RTS wireless motors without the use of the Somfy MyLink hub? Yes Very interesting. I have some non-motorized roller shades that I'd like to automate. I started looking into somfy retro-fit motors and got discouraged by the need for a receiver and just forgot about the project. Anyone ever go through the process of retrofitting somfy motors into roller shades for purposes of automating? I'd be interested in understanding how you did it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 32 minutes ago, joecheech said: Very interesting. I have some non-motorized roller shades that I'd like to automate. I started looking into somfy retro-fit motors and got discouraged by the need for a receiver and just forgot about the project. Anyone ever go through the process of retrofitting somfy motors into roller shades for purposes of automating? I'd be interested in understanding how you did it. no i haven't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggzlot Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 4 hours ago, joecheech said: Very interesting. I have some non-motorized roller shades that I'd like to automate. I started looking into somfy retro-fit motors and got discouraged by the need for a receiver and just forgot about the project. Anyone ever go through the process of retrofitting somfy motors into roller shades for purposes of automating? I'd be interested in understanding how you did it. Motors go in the tube. I’ve had to remove my motor for service and I easily added a clutch mechanism in the tube. How big is the tube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMHarman Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Very interesting. I have some non-motorized roller shades that I'd like to automate. I started looking into somfy retro-fit motors and got discouraged by the need for a receiver and just forgot about the project. Anyone ever go through the process of retrofitting somfy motors into roller shades for purposes of automating? I'd be interested in understanding how you did it.I did it with the $50 morning rising RF ones on amazon. Just buy the motor that fits the tube size. Power it and you are done. Anyone need somfy battery packs?Sent from my E6603 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South Africa C4 user Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Coolest drivers (off the top of my head): Blackwire Emojis (released on 1 April one year but much more than just a joke) Mitch’s Renamer Driver (a must for HE users) Alan’s IFTTT driver (allows integration of almost anything) Annex4’s LG driver (Toast messages are cool) Control4’s native irrigation driver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecheech Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 13 hours ago, SMHarman said: I did it with the $50 morning rising RF ones on amazon. Just buy the motor that fits the tube size. Power it and you are done. Can you send link please? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slash007 Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Are these drivers something that I can add myself using HE, or does a dealer have to install them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMHarman Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Can you send link please? Thanks!Here depending on tube type. 25mm 1in tubeMorningrising 12V DIY Electric Roller Blind/Shade Tubular 25mm Motor Kit & Remote Controller https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DZQ43AI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qYATDbNVDA5XT38mm 1.5in tubeMorningrising 12V DIY Electric Roller Blind/Shade Tubular Motor Kit Suit for 1.5 inch/38mm Diameter Tubes Without Remote Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L8FW95E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8YATDb2W06XNASent from my E6603 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMHarman Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Are these drivers something that I can add myself using HE, or does a dealer have to install them?Any driver needs a dealer install. Usually you can muck with the parameters after, e.g. time to run from open to close. This requires a master driver install then the blind driver in each relevant room and the dealer binding up down stop etc between those. You then need to train the rf commands to the master driver. Sent from my E6603 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecheech Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 41 minutes ago, SMHarman said: Here depending on tube type. Thank you. Did you integrate these into your C4 system? If so, how? With Bond Bridge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ERDrPC Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 How loud are the motors? I can't find a link for the battery powered version or is there a way to convert to battery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMHarman Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Thank you. Did you integrate these into your C4 system? If so, how? With Bond Bridge?I used the materlink. But the bond bridge looks like a new / different version of the same tool that connects via WiFi no by cat.Bondhttp://www.chowmainsoft.com/bond-control4Matterlinkhttps://www.matterlink.sg/Both seem the same to me. Sent from my E6603 using Tapatalk joecheech 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMHarman Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 How loud are the motors? I can't find a link for the battery powered version or is there a way to convert to battery I am using 12 v mains. I tried batteries. They expired to quickly. 60db at a meter away according to splmeter app on my phone. Sent from my E6603 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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