From Lawns to Load Panels: Building the Connected Home with Gavin Campbell – HGG645
Gavin Campbell from HomeTech.fm joins me this week to explore the latest innovations in home technology. From robotic lawn care with the Segway Navimow to smarter energy management through electrical upgrades and real-time monitoring with Emporia Vue. He shares practical insights on enhancing home security with reliable camera systems and highlights the growing momentum behind Home Assistant Community Days. It’s always great to have Gavin on the program. Thanks for listening!
In this episode, we sit down with Gavin Campbell for an insightful discussion on emerging technologies transforming the modern home. From smart lawn care solutions to comprehensive energy management and advanced home security, Gavin offers a thoughtful perspective grounded in personal experience and practical application.
We begin with a timely conversation about lawn maintenance during the spring season, highlighting Gavin’s use of the Segway Navimow—a fully autonomous robotic lawnmower. He details how the device navigates complex yards, avoids obstacles, and operates efficiently enough to turn heads in the neighborhood. Gavin outlines the straightforward installation process and emphasizes the convenience and satisfaction of automating a traditionally labor-intensive task.
As the conversation progresses, we explore broader themes in home automation, focusing on Gavin’s recent upgrade to a 200-amp electrical panel. He shares the rationale behind this decision, driven by the increasing energy demands of modern smart homes and the anticipated growth of electric vehicle adoption. The discussion also includes a preview of his plans to implement the Emporia Vue energy monitoring system, which will provide real-time visibility into energy consumption at the circuit level. Gavin illustrates how this kind of insight not only supports cost efficiency but also enhances the functionality and intelligence of a connected home.
Home security emerges as another key topic. In light of recent car thefts in his neighborhood, Gavin underscores the importance of investing in high-quality security camera systems. He discusses the limitations of consumer-grade smart cameras and advocates for solutions that prioritize accurate human detection and reduce false alerts. His recommendations are informed by personal experience and reflect a commitment to ensuring both safety and reliability in home surveillance.
The episode also introduces listeners to Home Assistant Community Days—a growing initiative that fosters local engagement among home automation enthusiasts. Gavin explains how these events facilitate knowledge sharing, live demonstrations, and hardware exchanges, providing a valuable platform for both newcomers and experienced users to deepen their understanding and expand their networks.
Throughout the conversation, Gavin brings a balanced blend of technical expertise and real-world insight. His experiences offer practical guidance for anyone looking to enhance their home through technology—whether through intelligent automation, energy optimization, or robust security infrastructure. This episode is a comprehensive look at how thoughtful integration of smart technologies can improve everyday life and future-proof the modern home.
Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg645
Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #645 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.
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Links
Chapters
[2:01] Lawn Care Talk
[2:53] Electrical Upgrades
[8:27] Energy Monitoring Solutions
[13:46] Home Automation Devices
[19:30] Backup Power Solutions
[24:15] Robot Lawn Mower Review
[34:36] Home Assistant Community Days
[38:43] Capitalistic Meetup in Omaha
[40:15] Home Assistant Community Day Announcement
[41:57] Home Assistant Updates Discussion
[43:01] Home Automation Dashboard Comparison
[44:31] Device Discovery in Home Assistant
[47:07] Security Camera Setup Experience
[53:41] Neighborhood Theft Experience
[58:26] Evaluating Security Measures
[1:08:30] Camera Planning and Quality Discussion
[1:09:45] Upcoming Tech Reviews
[1:12:16] Impact of Tariffs on Technology
[1:15:24] Closing Remarks and Community Engagement
Summary
- Lawn Care and Gardening Updates[0:00]
- Jim Collison and Gavin Campbell discuss their lawn care routines, with Jim mentioning he mowed twice in a week and applied fertilizer.
- Gavin shares his experience with raking, seeding, and dealing with birds eating the seed.
- Jim thanks Patreon subscribers and mentions the Amazon affiliate link on the site.
- Jim thanks Ed Sullivan for joining the previous episode and wishes him safe travels on his vacation.
- Gavin’s Power Panel Upgrade[3:10]
- Jim and Gavin discuss Gavin’s decision to upgrade his power panel from fuses to a modern 200-amp service.
- Gavin explains the issues with his old panel, including power outages due to his wife using a hair dryer.
- Jim shares his own experience with upgrading his panel, including the cost and the process of bonding the neutral and ground.
- Gavin mentions the surprise of finding multiple circuits on one fuse and the newfound breathing room in his panel.
- Energy Management and Automation[6:23]
- Gavin talks about his LED light bulb swap and the significant energy savings it brought.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the Emporia energy sensing system, which Gavin plans to install to monitor power usage on each circuit.
- Gavin mentions using a power strip with energy-sensing plugs to manage battery charges and automate power management.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the potential of using home automation devices to track energy usage at the plug level.
- Home Assistant Community Day[18:10]
- Gavin introduces the Home Assistant Community Day, an event where users can gather and discuss home automation.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the various events happening around the world, including one in Ohio hosted by TJ Huddleston.
- Gavin mentions the potential for hardware swaps and giveaways at the events.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the importance of a good user interface and the frequent updates in Home Assistant.
- Gavin’s Robot Lawn Mower Experience[24:35]
- Gavin shares his experience with the Segway Navimo I series 1 robot lawn mower, which covers up to 5000 square feet.
- Gavin describes the setup process, including mapping the lawn and programming the mower’s routes.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the mower’s features, such as animal detection and the ability to handle slopes.
- Gavin mentions the mower’s quiet operation and the positive reactions from neighbors.
- Home Security and Camera Setup[34:20]
- Gavin recounts a recent incident where his neighbor’s truck was stolen, highlighting the importance of security cameras.
- Gavin explains the limitations of other neighbors’ camera setups and the benefits of his UniFi Protect system.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the importance of notifications and person detection in security cameras.
- Gavin mentions plans to upgrade his front camera to a higher quality model with better night vision capabilities.
- Home Assistant Integrations and Customization[34:33]
- Jim and Gavin discuss various integrations available in Home Assistant, including TP Link, Phillips Hue, and Subaru.
- Gavin shares his experience with the Home Assistant dashboard and the ability to customize it extensively.
- Jim mentions using Home Assistant on a Surface Pro and the convenience of having a dashboard for home automation.
- Gavin talks about the frequent updates in Home Assistant and the importance of staying up-to-date with new features.
- Subaru Subscription Service and VPN Providers[47:02]
- Jim discusses his Subaru subscription service, which includes features like auto start and maintenance reminders.
- Jim mentions the expiration of his subscription and the possibility of re-subscribing with a discount.
- Gavin and Jim discuss the importance of having a good VPN provider and the strategies for getting discounts on renewals.
- Jim shares his experience with Bit Defender as his VPN provider and the automatic discounts he receives.
- Neighborhood Crime and Security Measures[51:25]
- Gavin shares his experience with a recent car theft in his neighborhood and the importance of security cameras.
- Gavin explains the limitations of other neighbors’ camera setups and the benefits of his UniFi Protect system.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the importance of notifications and person detection in security cameras.
- Gavin mentions plans to upgrade his front camera to a higher quality model with better night vision capabilities.
- Final Thoughts and Future Plans[1:01:44]
- Jim and Gavin discuss the importance of having a good neighborhood and the support from neighbors.
- Gavin mentions plans to upgrade his front camera and the benefits of having a higher quality model.
- Jim and Gavin discuss the potential of using professional monitoring services for security cameras.
- Jim and Gavin wrap up the conversation, expressing their appreciation for the discussion and looking forward to future updates.
- IR Lights and Camera Placement[1:02:01]
- Gavin Campbell discusses the benefits of using IR lights to avoid issues with rain, snow, and spiders on cameras.
- Jim Collison shares an experience with birds nesting near his cameras, highlighting the importance of camera placement.
- Gavin Campbell mentions a YouTube video that influenced his approach to camera placement, emphasizing the need for different quality cameras in various locations.
- Jim Collison talks about the convenience of Ring’s subscription service and its usefulness in detecting package deliveries.
- Home Tech and Z-Wave Devices[1:09:06]
- Gavin Campbell highlights a recent episode of Home Tech FM featuring Agnes from Zooz, discussing the impact of tariffs on small businesses.
- Gavin Campbell plans to review network-connected Z-Wave or Zigbee controllers to improve home automation coverage.
- Jim Collison encourages listeners to check out Home Tech FM for more in-depth discussions on home tech.
- Gavin Campbell and Jim Collison discuss the potential long-term impact of tariffs on tech prices and consumer behavior.
- Tariffs and Tech Decisions[1:11:55]
- Jim Collison and Gavin Campbell discuss the rising costs of hard drives and other tech products due to tariffs and demand.
- Gavin Campbell mentions companies that have publicly disclosed the financial impact of tariffs on their operations.
- Jim Collison notes that some companies are temporarily absorbing the cost of tariffs to avoid raising prices for consumers.
- The conversation touches on the potential for increased inflation and the potential for recycling old technology to reduce e-waste.
- Used Hardware Market and Recycling[1:14:26]
- Gavin Campbell advocates for the used hardware market as a cost-effective alternative to new products.
- Jim Collison considers offering a recycling service for old equipment to reduce e-waste.
- The discussion highlights the shift away from traditional PCs to mobile devices like phones and iPads.
- Jim Collison and Gavin Campbell reflect on the political implications of tariffs and their impact on tech decisions.
- Discord Group and Hosting Services[1:15:04]
- Jim Collison invites listeners to join the Discord group for the Average Guy Network, emphasizing its friendly community.
- Jim Collison thanks Christian from Maple Grove Partners for providing secure and reliable hosting services.
- Jim Collison encourages listeners to send feedback and join the live audience for future episodes.
- The conversation concludes with a reminder of the new live show time at 7pm Central, 8pm Eastern.
More from ChatGPT
Jim Collison and Gavin Campbell discussed their experiences with home automation and gadgets. Gavin shared his recent upgrade from a 100-amp to a 200-amp electrical panel, highlighting the benefits of increased capacity and future-proofing for electric vehicles. He also talked about his new Segway Navimo robot lawn mower, which he finds convenient and efficient. Jim mentioned his use of Home Assistant for home automation, noting its frequent updates and customizable dashboards. They also touched on the importance of security cameras, with Gavin emphasizing the need for reliable person detection and smart notifications. Gavin Campbell and Jim Collison discussed their experiences with home security systems, focusing on false alerts and the effectiveness of cameras. Gavin mentioned upgrading his neighbors’ Ring cameras and planning to upgrade his own front camera for better night vision. They also talked about the impact of tariffs on tech companies, with Gavin citing a $255,000 tariff cost on $167,000 worth of products. Jim shared his reliance on good neighbors and the convenience of Ring’s subscription service. Both agreed on the importance of strategic camera placement and the potential benefits of network-connected Z-Wave or Zigbee controllers for better home automation.
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Popular Tags: Podcast, Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison, Gavin Campbell, home technology, robotic lawnmowers, Segway Navimo, autonomous features, home automation, energy management, 200-amp panel, Emporia View, home security
