Is there a cheap alternative to SonOff that works with HA?

Hardware
1

This they locked the option to use external API, I am looking for an alternative that will also work with HA.
I don’t want to solder the device, looking for a device that works right out of the box (IE the XIAOMI light bulbs).

Anyone know of such an alternative?

Thanks in advance,
Naor

2

I’ve stopped bothering with soldering the Sonoff devices, I just hold the pins in place with a rubber band whilst I’m flashing tasmota.

Admittedly yes you still have to buy a USB serial converter yoke and set up the arduino flashing software, but I do them in batches of a few at a time and it really can’t be beat.

Otherwise you’re looking at nearly 10 times the cost for a branded solution like the TP Link devices available here.

Aliexpress has some Xiaomi plugs and wall sockets. I’ve not tried these (requiring UK plugs myself - these ones seem to have chinese, AU or US pins?) but they are a lot cheaper at around 10 euro. I use Xiaomi Aqar sensors all around the house and they are great quality and highly reliable, so I would hope their plugs would be similar.

2 Likes
3

I second this although I never even bothered soldering in the first place. And I don’t use an elastic band I just hold it in place which I admit is very fiddly so next time I might take your tip!

And I would say if you can use HA, you shouldn’t be put off by flashing the sonoff. The USB serial converter only cost me a pound or two.

4

For the devices I tried in the past, you don’t even have to connect a cable if you can upload the SonOTA firmware via wifi. From here you can upload TASMOTA or even ESPURNA (my favorite for wifi sockets)

5

@foraster second this way

Tasmota have instructions here on flashing OTA

1 Like
6

Thanks, was looking for something like this…

7

The issue is that Sonoff have blocked the OTA Tasmota flash on newer firmwares (1.6+) so you have no choice now but to physically flash the firmware (unless something has changed in the last month or so since I last looked into this)

8

Yes with latest firmware Sonota does not work unfortunately.

9

Well, sonoff have a great verity of devices suitable of almost every aspect. but out of HA reach since last versions… I have not only the standard sonoof but also the smart socket and the light adapter so a native support for HA will be something to put some money on it… but there’s nothing.
So I am trying to re-route my plans for a simple out of the box solution with HA support even if it will cost few more bucks (only few… yeah?).

I guess xiaomi smart home is my best ‘runner-up’ solution for now.

10

Sonoff flashed with Tasmota works perfectly with HA. You can even get Sonoff to work with the EweLink app if you use a binary switch and IFTTT so I don’t know why you say it doesn’t work.

11

Assume he either thinks he’s inept at soldering, which we all know you don’t have to, or it will invalidate the worthless warranty.

12

This is quite interesting… do you have a link to a guide that explains how to do so? I can live IFTTT…

Thanks!!

13

You can have a look here

1 Like
14

It can be a little intimidating if you’ve never done it before.

15

I’ve flashed a few sonoffs with no problems at all but there is always room for more information so I just read this. I think it is a fantastic write up which I will be keeping for reference. Thanks.

I also looked at the running on a USB stick article. Also interesting although I couldn’t work out if there was any conclusive conclusion about whether it was beneficial!

Finally the idea of running it on an SSD sounds perfect but again the comments were a little vague. Is this possible now or something that will happen in the future?

Sorry this has become a bit off topic, I’m happy to move it elsewhere if appropriate.

16

Regarding USB, I’ve been running off one for a few months no with zero issues. I am not convinced either way that it’s beneficial or otherwise. I know some people who have issues with SD-Cards swear by USB but so far as I am aware they have the same kind of memory anyway. I think either way, a quality card/stick will help.

Regarding SSD, I have an SSD I took out of my Macbook when I upgraded it and I am planning on using that when HassOS is released so I’m waiting. I think some people are doing this now with ResinOS but when HassOS comes out it will require a re-setup so I’m waiting for that. It’s possible now and I assume the same procedure as the USB I detailed.

Glad you enjoyed the writeup. Sometimes I do those for my benefit so I have a handy reference and don’t forget what I did.

17

He specifically mentioned “no soldering” rather than didn’t fancy flashing them.

18

Working on it… I’m not afraid of writing some code so this looks like a perfect solution.

Ill let you know if it solved my problem (it should, since you are all doing it already :grinning:)

19

@DavidFW1960

Well… something is wrong with the automation code in the guide. HA notify there’s a problem with it. Looking into some examples and they do looks like having a different syntax.

This is the original code from the example:

- action:
  - data:
      event: sonoff-2-on
    service: ifttt.trigger
  alias: Home Assistant Switch On
  condition: []
  id: 'some-unique-number'
  trigger:
  - entity_id: input_boolean.sonoff_switch_2
    from: 'off'
    platform: state
    to: 'on'
- action:
  - data:
      event: sonoff-2-off
    service: ifttt.trigger
  alias: Home Assistant Switch Off
  condition: []
  id: 'some-unique-number'
  trigger:
  - entity_id: input_boolean.sonoff_switch_2
    from: 'on'
    platform: state
    to: 'off'

Does someone have it already working and want to share it? It will be quicker that trial and error.

This is what I made from examples, can you guys look at it at tell me if it’s correct?
# Example of entry in configuration.yaml
automation:

alias: Home Assistant Switch On
  trigger:
    platform: state
    entity_id: input_boolean.sonoff_switch_2
    from: 'off'
    to: 'on'
  action:
    service: ifttt.trigger
    data: {"event":"sonoff-2-on"}
alias: Home Assistant Switch Off
  trigger:
    platform: state
    entity_id: input_boolean.sonoff_switch_2
    from: 'on'
    to: 'off'
  action:
    service: ifttt.trigger
    data: {"event":"sonoff-2-off"}

Thanks a lot guys!!

20

The guide/blog I linked to is 100% working. I suggest you have e look at what you have not copied correctly.

Also it is impossible to decipher what you have done from what you have posted. You need to post code correctly or it is impossible for anyone to help you at all.