Go from "tinkering" to "stable setup"

Configuration
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so, i’ve been “tinkering” with hass for months now. Discovering possibilities, creating automations, making neopixel ring lights using nodemcu with rgb leds,…

but a lot of times, things just… stop working. I don’t think it’s my network because I have a really fast and stable network. But i keep getting a lot of “unavailable” 's, interruptions,…

For example, I have set up an automation that, when my honeywel T6 smart thermostat goes from “off” to “heat”, a neopixel light (via nodemcu in esphome) turn on green, and when I turn my thermostat off, if blinks white 2 times and turns off. but sometimes the nodemcu isn’t reachable, so the automation doesn’t run properly, so I don’t know if the heating is off or on.

I could go for only philips hue lights, but it would spend 50€ just for a “warning sign for the thermostat”
are there other, more stable “arduino-like” things that I can use? that work under more conditions?

I have bought 15 nodemcu’s from different brands, and only 3 of them still work properly after a year. and it’s not the wifi or the distance, because the ones still working are the farthest away from the router and the cheapest.

thoughts?

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What software are you running on the NodeMCU ESP8266 boards? Also, a decent quality power supply is a must, from my experience. Like you, and have been tinkering with Hass for a few months. I have been trying ESPHome on ESP32 and ESP8266 based NodeMCU style boards. I have a UniFi wireless network and everything has been stable in my testing, but it’s all on the workbench, not deployed throughout the house.

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I run this setup in production with google home power supplies that I bought off amazon, 2 for $15 i think. Either way, no issues and no drops.

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Can you describe your network hardware?

I have 50 or so ESPHome based nodes with no issue. Using a Ubiquity multiple AP setup.

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I have Hue lights (10) and 5 nodemcu’s ( 4 configured in hass), and 3 plugs via Tuya

so it’s hard to figure out if it’s my network or the nodemcu’s itself.

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Not your network clients.

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You mean routers etc?

I have Telenet (a provider that uses his own router) with a second Access point.
(modem: DOCSIS 3.1 WIRELESS (DOCSIS)

I have a 3rd linksys router that I use in bridge mode where I connect my nodemcu’s to.
I seperated my 2.4 and 5 ghz network to see if it makes a difference.

but it’s really hard to find out what the connection issues are.

I’ve been thinking about restarting from scratch, and setting up everything from zero, but it’s going to be a lot of work.

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it’s all via esphome