Thanks Dave. I run Home Assistant core on Docker, that makes things a bit more tricky to install sometimes, there’s no add-on store. I’ll install the add-on manually some time and see how it goes 
I think the ESPHome add-on and dashboard is rather important if you build up a collection of ESPHome devices. It is the easiest way to adopt the devices, alter the YAML to your own configuration (once you know how it works!) and read the logs in real time to hunt down errors or problems and get the latest updated libraries as they are written and updated.
I looked at installation of ESPHome when you run HA on docker, and it’s somewhat involved. In this video a guy shows how to install ESPHome using Docker, but you have to choose from esp32 or esp8266 during the install. Some of my devices are esp32, some like the smart plugs are esp8266… so I’m not sure if I’d need two installs. Plus the install looks like a real PITA. So while I appreciate the advice, I think I’ll skip it for now.
Nobody needs two installs…
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I haven’t found appropriate documentation on it yet, so it’s difficult to know what’s required. Everything’s easier if you use Home Assistant OS, but I didn’t want to dedicate a device to just HA. So I’ll just leave the ESPHome install for now.
You don’t need to use HAOS for ESPHome.
I’m running HA Supervised on a stock Debian bullseye that is multi purpose and utilised for a variety of tasks. But this also allows me to run a range of Add-On’s.
Home Assistant supervised is a docker container as is each of the add-on’s.
"home_assistant": {
"installation_type": "Home Assistant Supervised",
"version": "2023.11.0b4",
"dev": false,
"hassio": true,
"virtualenv": false,
"python_version": "3.11.6",
"docker": true,
"arch": "aarch64",
"timezone": "Australia/Brisbane",
"os_name": "Linux",
"os_version": "5.14.0-odroid-arm64",
"supervisor": "2023.10.1",
"host_os": "Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)",
"docker_version": "24.0.5",
"chassis": "",
"run_as_root": true
},
Interesting… I already run HA as a docker container, could I add that on, or does it replace the existing Docker setup? I’m fairly happy with my current setup, adding add-ons is usually easy enough, but when they don’t document a manual install process it’s a bit tricky.
I didn’t even know the add-on’s were adding additional docker containers, but here they are.
Do you have an ‘Add-On’ section in your settings, what happens when you activate it?
Nope. Looks like you have HA Supervised installed on the OS, whereas I have HA running on Docker. If I want to add add-ons I download them from github and put them in the correct folder.
I do a few extra things on the Pi4 that means I want to keep the server generic. I had problems with HA core being difficult to update, so I went to Docker. It took a lot of effort to get HA / PostgreSQL / AppDaemon working with the other software I use.
I don’t think ESPHome is important enough to me to change my install type, at least not right now. It works fine, I wanted to tweak a few things but not enough to go to that much effort.
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Thanks, but I don’t really want a command line, I’d prefer something integrated with Home Assistant. This has taken over the thread somewhat, apologies for that. It seems like there’s a steep learning curve and I don’t have time to spend on it right now.
The new firmware I uploaded to the Athom Smart Plug is working fine. The only downside was having to set it up again from scratch. It’s sending data to HA every 10 seconds, which is what I was trying to avoid because I don’t need massive amounts of history for those entities, I solved that by turning the history for that entity off entirely.
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Hey @tomwaldnz, @markpurcell and co, you’re getting a little off topic;)
Edit: I see you’ve acknowledged that above Tom. Cheers.
Please just read the docs (till the end)!
https://esphome.io/guides/getting_started_command_line#bonus-esphome-dashboard
Thank you!
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I bought four and all of these failed: started rebooting, and now are bricked.
Sometimes these show up on wifi, have an ip according to the router, but are otherwise unresponsive to ping or any connection.
Model: Athom Smart Home Model PG01V2 - EU156A
Ordered on 12 Oct 2022 at : Athom Global Store on aliexpress
First use: on 2022 Oct 26
First failure: exactly one year later. (all failed within three months)
Usage: not switched much/at all. These where always-on and used for measuring power. Even those measuring “nothing” where broken eventually.
Cause: I guess these only lasted a dozen ESPHome updates, and the memory is corrupt. Each plug had their problems first appear after an update + reboot.
Plugs I owned that worked fine for years:
- Koogeek smart plug KLSP1. (no longer available with ESP8266 inside)
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Super! Nice pictures. How did it turn out?
Since I have 4 of these shitty plugs, i might try too. #repairallthethings
I repaired all, around 30
all of them the same issue: capacitor
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30! oh wow!
I might do mine when the time comes.
Do you have any recommendations on sizing and selecting good capacitors?
Can I buy cheap on Ali Express or do you need to pick quality etc.
We should start building up some tips / photo’s etc on the fix so that the more adventurous can try.
I just put 16V 680uF
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I wonder if V3 includes any reliability / lifetime improvements…
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Saw that. Not available for UK yet. Ironically my plugs are still working but I might stress test the new version on higher rated appliances (if released in UK format).
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