Gavin Campbell with Electrical Upgrades, AI Automation and a new Robot Lawn Mower is on the way – HGG640
Gavin Campbell, co-host of HomeTech.fm joins me this week. We discuss how unpredictable weather affects tech and the importance of automation for preparedness. Gavin shares his latest upgrades, including a Wi-Fi-enabled water heater, a smart electric lawnmower, and plans for a major electrical panel upgrade to support future automation and EV charging. We also explore the pros and cons of self-hosting and using local AI models for smarter home monitoring. Thanks for listening!
Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg640
Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #640 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.
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Links
https://esphome.io/guides/getting_started_hassio
https://apolloautomation.com/collections/sensors
https://us.navimow.segway.com/products/navimow-i110
https://www.netstor.com.tw/product_series.aspx
https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/usw-48-poe
Chapters
[0:07] Introduction to Home Gadget Geeks
[3:01] Celebrating Birthdays and Food Delights
[5:48] Home Automation Updates
[10:03] Challenges with Smart Water Heaters
[10:54] Speculating on Automation Industry
[12:52] HVAC Perspectives on Smart Devices
[15:27] Exploring ESPHome and Custom Devices
[18:27] Home Assistant Resources and Insights
[23:19] Integrating Hubitat with Home Assistant
[25:43] Home Assistant Setup Options
[27:47] Indoor Plant Care Automation
[34:27] Innovative Uses for Android in Home Automation
[40:48] Electric Lawn Mower Adventures
[41:34] Grass Talk
[42:47] Self-Hosting Adventures
[45:01] Automatic Mowers and Rain
[48:27] UPS and Power Outage Solutions
[56:19] AI Integration in Home Automation
[1:04:42] Upgrading Electrical Panels
[1:15:26] Upcoming Reviews and Gadgets
Extended Outline
- Weather and Power Outages[0:00]
- Jim Collison discusses the bizarre weather in Nebraska, including a thunder ice storm.
- Gavin Campbell mentions similar weather in his area, including light snow and warm temperatures.
- Jim talks about the impact of the weather on his commute and the melting of snow.
- Jim shares his experience with a generator and how it helped him during the power outage.
- Birthday Celebrations and Home Automation[5:30]
- Jim and Gavin discuss their recent birthday celebrations, including a big party and a dinner out.
- Jim mentions the flickering lights during the storm and his readiness to use the generator.
- Gavin talks about his new water heater and its automation features, including a Wi-Fi module.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the benefits of home automation and the challenges of integrating new devices.
- Water Heater Automation and Home Assistant[5:45]
- Gavin explains the features of his new water heater, including temperature adjustments and water sensor integration.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the challenges of integrating home automation devices with home assistant.
- Gavin mentions the limitations of the water heater’s Wi-Fi module and the potential for using ESP home devices for better control.
- Jim and Gavin speculate on why major manufacturers struggle with automation in appliances.
- Home Automation Challenges and Solutions[11:24]
- Jim shares his experience with a furnace replacement and the reluctance of some HVAC professionals to use smart thermostats.
- Gavin talks about his neighbor’s resistance to home automation and his role in programming their devices.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the slow adoption of home automation in the HVAC industry.
- Gavin mentions the use of ESP home devices for creating custom automation solutions.
- Plant Moisture Sensors and Home Assistant[16:08]
- Gavin discusses the plant moisture sensors he received from Apollo automation and their integration with home assistant.
- Jim and Gavin talk about the benefits of using home assistant for monitoring and automating various devices.
- Gavin mentions the challenges of integrating home assistant with other home automation systems.
- Jim shares his experience with using home assistant for monitoring his car’s status and other devices.
- Self-Hosting and Network Upgrades[42:52]
- Gavin talks about his self-hosting setup, including a rack in his basement with Unraid and a Dell rack mount server.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the benefits of using Unraid for home automation and storage.
- Gavin mentions his recent Wi-Fi upgrade to UniFi Wi-Fi six devices and the ease of the upgrade process.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the importance of having a reliable UPS for home automation systems.
- AI and Home Automation[47:59]
- Gavin discusses his use of Olama for AI-based automation and its integration with home assistant and security cameras.
- Jim and Gavin talk about the challenges of using AI for home automation, including noise interference and processing power requirements.
- Gavin mentions the use of Nvidia video cards for running Olama and the need for cooling modifications.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the potential of using AI for local processing and the benefits of NPU chips in new devices.
- Solar Generators and UPS Systems[48:16]
- Jim shares his experience with using a solar generator as a UPS system and the benefits of lithium-ion phosphate batteries.
- Gavin discusses the reliability of power outages in his area and the decision to invest in a more expensive UPS system.
- Jim and Gavin talk about the cost-effectiveness of solar generators and the potential for using them as backup power sources.
- Jim mentions the availability of solar generators in the market and the potential for savings.
- Unraid Upgrades and ZFS Support[53:07]
- Jim and Gavin discuss the recent upgrade of Unraid to version 7.0.1 and the introduction of ZFS support.
- Gavin mentions his hesitation to upgrade due to initial reports of issues and the eventual smooth upgrade process.
- Jim and Gavin talk about the benefits of ZFS for data integrity and the challenges of using it with Unraid.
- Gavin shares his preference for Unraid’s flexibility and the ability to use different drive sizes.
- Home Automation and AI Integration[56:19]
- Gavin discusses his use of Olama for AI-based notifications and the integration with home assistant.
- Jim and Gavin talk about the challenges of using AI for home automation, including noise interference and processing power requirements.
- Gavin mentions the use of Nvidia video cards for running Olama and the need for cooling modifications.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the potential of using AI for local processing and the benefits of NPU chips in new devices.
- Upgrading Electrical Panels and AI Development[1:04:34]
- Gavin Campbell discusses a recent meeting about developers building AI applications that run locally on machines, not requiring full modules on the MPU.
- Jim Collison mentions the early phases of processing tasks between different systems and expresses excitement about upgrading his electrical panel.
- Jim shares his experience with a contractor who upgraded his service from 100 amps to 150 amps, regretting not going to 200 amps.
- Gavin explains his decision to upgrade from 100 amps to 200 amps, mentioning the approval from the CEO of his house and the outdated electrical panel from the 1980s.
- Details of the Electrical Upgrade[1:07:19]
- Gavin describes the old electrical panel with a mix of screw-in and pull-out fuses and the decision to upgrade to avoid potential shocks.
- He mentions adding a whole-home surge protector and a 30-amp transfer switch to power essential appliances during power outages.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the cost of the upgrade, with Gavin noting that the price was lower than expected due to additional features.
- Gavin plans to add a dedicated line for his rack to avoid issues with the current setup, where the rack shares a line with the upstairs bathroom.
- Old Wiring and Dedicated Circuits[1:08:42]
- Jim and Gavin discuss the challenges of old wiring and the importance of dedicated circuits for high-load appliances.
- Jim shares his experience with old wiring in his house and the need for dedicated circuits for areas like his workshop.
- Gavin plans to observe the upgrade process to learn more about electrical work and mentions pre-planning work done by the electrician.
- Jim talks about a YouTube channel in New Jersey that frequently upgrades electrical services to accommodate EV charging stations, highlighting the evolution from fuses to breakers.
- Generators and Future-Proofing[1:15:06]
- Jim inquires about Gavin’s plans for a generator, and Gavin mentions having access to a neighbor’s generator if needed.
- Jim suggests that now is a good time to buy a generator due to increased competition and variety in the market.
- Gavin explains that he bought all his electrical supplies from Canadian Tire, a local store.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the importance of understanding electrical loads, especially with the rise of EVs, and the potential need for higher amperage services.
- Home Tech FM and Gavin’s Role[1:15:18]
- Gavin mentions upcoming reviews for the Navi Mo lawn mower and the Homie Pro home automation hub.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the Home Tech FM Slack channel, where Gavin is referred to as “Gavin as a Service” for his troubleshooting advice.
- Gavin shares a story about a Z-Wave antenna issue and the unexpected success of his suggested solution.
- Jim humorously compares Home Tech FM to their show, noting the detailed nature of the discussions on Home Tech FM.
- Upcoming Shows and Closing Remarks[1:18:19]
- Jim reminds listeners about the upcoming live shows and special guests, including Ed Sullivan, Marv B, Aaron Lawrence, and Mike Wieger.
- Jim mentions a future episode on barbecuing and grilling, inviting Gavin to share his grilling experiences.
- Gavin expresses his enjoyment of grilling and mentions his recent purchases inspired by the show.
- Jim thanks Gavin for joining the show and expresses his desire to have him on more often, while Gavin humorously notes that he could have been a guest for other topics.
More from ChatGPT
Jim Collison and Gavin Campbell discussed various home automation and tech gadgets. They shared experiences of bizarre weather, including a thunder ice storm in Nebraska. Gavin upgraded his water heater to a smart model with Wi-Fi, allowing remote temperature adjustments and notifications. He also received plant moisture sensors from Apollo Automation, which integrate with home assistant. Gavin recently acquired an electric lawn mower from Navi Mo, which he plans to review. They also discussed the benefits of UniFi Wi-Fi upgrades, the challenges of integrating AI with home assistant, and the potential of using NPU chips for local AI processing. Gavin Campbell and Jim Collison discussed recent developments in AI and electrical upgrades. Gavin shared his experience upgrading his electrical panel from 100 to 200 amps, including adding a whole-home surge protector and a 30-amp transfer switch for his generator. Jim mentioned his own upgrade from 100 to 150 amps and the importance of dedicated circuits. They also talked about the rise of EVs and the need for higher amperage services. Gavin plans to review the Navi Mo lawn mower and the Homie Pro home automation hub. Jim highlighted upcoming live shows and special guests, including a barbecue episode.
In this episode, we dive deep into some fascinating topics surrounding home automation and technology with Gavin Campbell, a seasoned tech enthusiast and co-host of HomeTech.fm. We begin by discussing the unpredictable weather patterns that have been affecting our areas, leading to intriguing phenomena like thunder snow and ice storms. This naturally leads into the importance of preparedness, which segues perfectly into our discussions around home automation technologies, including Gavin’s recent enhancements to his own home systems.
Gavin shares his experience with upgrading his water heater to a more modern unit equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing for remote monitoring and control through his home automation setup. We explore the advantages of such automation — such as efficiency and convenience — and delve into the complications that often accompany new technologies, particularly when dealing with manufacturers that may not have fully embraced modern automation strategies.
Our conversation then turns to various smart home devices, including sensors and lawn care technology. Gavin discusses his new electric lawnmower from Navimo that will soon be put to the test as the season changes. He expresses excitement about its features and the prospect of automating his lawn care. We touch on the integration with home automation services and how such a device could fit seamlessly into a well-rounded smart home strategy.
As we navigate through the episode, we dive into specifics about Gavin’s self-hosting environments, utilizing Unraid for effective server management, and the importance of having a robust backup solution like a UPS for uninterrupted operation. Gavin shares insights into his newly upgraded server rack, including a 16-bay disk array that exemplifies his deep commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency and reliability.
An engaging aspect of the discussion includes the practical application of AI in home automation systems. Gavin describes his experimentation with local AI models within his smart home, illustrating how this adds a layer of intelligence to his notifications and monitoring via integrating camera feeds with intelligent analysis. The conversation touches on the necessity of ensuring equipment can handle the demands of modern technology, drawing a comparison to the shift from cloud computing back to localized processing as a solution for enhanced performance.
Gavin also reveals his plans to upgrade the electrical panel in his home, moving from an outdated 100-amp service to a more future-proof 200-amp system. This upgrade includes adding a whole-house surge protector and provisions for potential electric vehicle (EV) charging. We discuss the implications of these upgrades for both current home automation capabilities and future energy needs.
Finally, we highlight upcoming projects on Gavin’s horizon, including reviews of the lawnmower and the Homey Pro hub, intended to enhance his home automation experiences even further. Gavin’s tales of triumphs and trials in home automation serve as a valuable resource for anyone interested in diving deeper into the world of smart technologies.
Join us as we unravel these exciting topics and gain insights from Gavin Campbell, as he navigates the ever-evolving landscape of home technology.
Some of the key products mentioned in the conversation include:
- Navimo Lawn Mower: Gavin received a review unit and plans to test it in the spring, noting its potential for automated lawn mowing.
- Reams Water Heater: Gavin installed a new water heater with a Wi-Fi module for remote temperature control and monitoring.
- ESP Home Devices: Discussed as a way to create custom sensors and integrate with home automation systems.
- Apollo Automation Plant Moisture Sensors: Gavin received these to monitor indoor plant moisture levels and integrated them with Home Assistant.
- Olama (AI): Gavin uses this for local AI processing, integrating with home assistant and security cameras.
- Home Assistant Voice Box: A preview edition device that Gavin found challenging to use due to background noise interference.
- NetStore Drive Rack: Gavin added a 16-drive rack for his server setup, praising its ease of use and flexibility.
- UniFi Wi-Fi 6 Access Points: Gavin upgraded his home network with these, finding the process straightforward.
- APC Rack-Mount UPS: Gavin added this to protect his server and networking equipment during power outages.
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Popular Tags: Podcast, Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison, home automation, Gavin Campbell, HomeTech.fm, smart home, Unraid, UniFi, Nvidia, Apollo Automation, Navi, APC, Harbor Freight, Canadian Tire, Blue Iris, Home Assistant, Homey, ESP Home, Ollama, Bliss OS, Open Media Vault
