Smart Home Automation Forum

Hi!  Newbie and KinCony products enthusiast here..

I'm about to build a new house and would like to use KinCony products. What I would like:
- Control devices via Ethernet / Wifi. I would like to use cable as much as possible.
- Home Assistante to control from Phone
- Control devices using Siri (preferred), Alexa or Google
- Control devices from Internet (WAN)
- Have a plan B in case KC868 server goes down. e.g:  if Raspberry hangs I would still like to power on/off lights via traditional switch
- Control Temparature sensors
- Control TV
- Control Garden Irrigation
- Doors sensors
- Dimming lights (not all, just in base floor)

Size:
- Two floor house
- 70-80 bulbs. some paired together per room. Not sure how many Wall Switches.
- 2 TVs
- 3 doors sensors (opened/closed)
- 2 temperature sensors 
- 5 courtain motors

Question/doubts:
- COMPONENTS: Would https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/S...67057.html satisfy all the requirements?  Am I missing components??
- CABLING: Not sure how to proceed with cabling and best practices. Should I cable both floors to Distribution box?  Should I divide electric cabling from ethernet/RS485 in different pipes?  Would be good to concentrate cabling in second floor and then connect to first floor (Distribution Box)
- SWITCHES: If using smart wall switches, how can I still use traditional switching in case KC868 goes down?
- GARDEN IRRIGATION: How to control this?

I would really appreciate help.
Thank you

Question/doubts:
- COMPONENTS: Would https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/S...67057.html satisfy all the requirements? Am I missing components??
--> answer:
"Distribution Box" control ON/OFF devices.

- Control Temparature sensors : how many channel of sensors? you can chose any KC868-A series board for sensor, just have GPIOs.
- Control TV: chose KinCony AG Pro controller, send IR signal to control your TV or aid conditoner.
- Control Garden Irrigation : use by KC868-H32B Pro relay controller.
- Doors sensors: one KC868-H32B Pro have 6 channel digital input port, it can use for door sensors.
- Dimming lights (not all, just in base floor) : use KC868-D16 16 channel dimmer controller.

- CABLING: Not sure how to proceed with cabling and best practices. Should I cable both floors to Distribution box? Should I divide electric cabling from ethernet/RS485 in different pipes? Would be good to concentrate cabling in second floor and then connect to first floor (Distribution Box)

--> answer:
two soltuion:
a. every floor put a Distribution box.
b. make a big Distribution box for two floors.
both can use, it's up to your house structure.
we suggest use ethernet cable, not need to use RS485.

- SWITCHES: If using smart wall switches, how can I still use traditional switching in case KC868 goes down?

--> answer:
NOT use smart wall switch, use push button traditional switch panel , their cable need connect to KC868-AK board. if switch broen, easy find a new one replace. if KinCony smart controller broken, also have manual control button way with H32B Pro's buttons or AC contcator's button.

- GARDEN IRRIGATION: How to control this?

--> answer:
use KC868-H32B Pro relay controller is ok, usually control pump for ON/OFF.

(12-09-2023, 03:51 AM)admin Wrote: [ -> ]Question/doubts:
- COMPONENTS: Would https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/S...67057.html satisfy all the requirements?  Am I missing components??
--> answer:
"Distribution Box" control ON/OFF devices.

- Control Temparature sensors  : how many channel of sensors? you can chose any KC868-A series board for sensor, just have GPIOs.
- Control TV: chose KinCony AG Pro controller, send IR signal to control your TV or aid conditoner.
- Control Garden Irrigation : use by KC868-H32B Pro relay controller.
- Doors sensors: one KC868-H32B Pro have 6 channel digital input port, it can use for door sensors.
- Dimming lights (not all, just in base floor) : use KC868-D16 16 channel dimmer controller.

- CABLING: Not sure how to proceed with cabling and best practices. Should I cable both floors to Distribution box?  Should I divide electric cabling from ethernet/RS485 in different pipes?  Would be good to concentrate cabling in second floor and then connect to first floor (Distribution Box)

--> answer:
two soltuion:
a. every floor put a Distribution box.
b. make a big Distribution box for two floors.
both can use, it's up to your house structure.
we suggest use ethernet cable, not need to use RS485.

- SWITCHES: If using smart wall switches, how can I still use traditional switching in case KC868 goes down?

--> answer:
NOT use smart wall switch, use push button traditional switch panel , their cable need connect to KC868-AK board. if switch broen, easy find a new one replace. if KinCony smart controller broken, also have manual control button way with H32B Pro's buttons or AC contcator's button.

- GARDEN IRRIGATION: How to control this?

--> answer:
use KC868-H32B Pro relay controller is ok, usually control pump for ON/OFF.

COMPONENTS:
- Control temperature sensors: 2 sensors
- TV: How to extend controller with KinCony AG Pro ?
- Dimming lights: how to connect, extend Smart DB 32CH with KC868-D16 ?

CABLING:
a. Two boxes mean two smart controllers?  Or I would have only a KC868-H32 Pro?  If two controllers, how con I manage both as one ?
b. With one Smart DB 32CH, how many wall switches can I connect?

Do you have a basic cabling/wiring diagram of how to connect switches to Smart DB ?
Does one Wall Swich of 6 buttons count as ONE digital input?

GARDEN IRRIGATION: Ok!

Thanks for the answers

- TV: How to extend controller with KinCony AG Pro ?
--> answer:
just integrate AP Pro to home assistant by wifi. then you can also use Tuya app remote control your IR devices. Multi controller can integrate to home assistant at the same time.

- Dimming lights: how to connect, extend Smart DB 32CH with KC868-D16 ?

--> answer:
make another DB for Dimmer controller -D16, add LED driver inside, we have video tour about it:
https://youtu.be/kmzjdaa85tA

CABLING:
a. Two boxes mean two smart controllers? Or I would have only a KC868-H32 Pro? If two controllers, how con I manage both as one ?

--> answer:

Yes， multi controller all connect to your router, they all integrate to home assistant, use by one software, different controller not need wire connect with each other, just only connect with ethernet cable to your router.

b. With one Smart DB 32CH, how many wall switches can I connect?

--> answer:
MAX 32 channel switch button. But sometime will have 2 or 3 buttons control one light, that cost 1 channel.

Do you have a basic cabling/wiring diagram of how to connect switches to Smart DB ?

--> answer:
see here , all diagram at here:
https://www.kincony.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=33

Does one Wall Swich of 6 buttons count as ONE digital input?
--> answer:
need 6 digital input port, it connect with KC868-AK switch board, not connect to H32B Pro relay controller directly.

(12-11-2023, 11:55 PM)admin Wrote: [ -> ]- TV: How to extend controller with KinCony AG Pro ?
--> answer:
just integrate AP Pro to home assistant by wifi. then you can also use Tuya app remote control your IR devices. Multi controller can integrate to home assistant at the same time.

- Dimming lights: how to connect, extend Smart DB 32CH with KC868-D16 ?

--> answer:
make another DB for Dimmer controller -D16, add LED driver inside, we have video tour about it:
https://youtu.be/kmzjdaa85tA

CABLING:
a. Two boxes mean two smart controllers?  Or I would have only a KC868-H32 Pro?  If two controllers, how con I manage both as one ?

--> answer:

Yes， multi controller all connect to your router, they all integrate to home assistant, use by one software, different controller not need wire connect with each other, just only connect with ethernet cable to your router.

b. With one Smart DB 32CH, how many wall switches can I connect?

--> answer:
MAX 32 channel switch button. But sometime will have 2 or 3 buttons control one light, that cost 1 channel.

Do you have a basic cabling/wiring diagram of how to connect switches to Smart DB ?

--> answer:
see here , all diagram at here:
https://www.kincony.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=33

Does one Wall Swich of 6 buttons count as ONE digital input?
--> answer:
need 6 digital input port, it connect with KC868-AK switch board, not connect to H32B Pro relay controller directly.

Attached is the amount of Switches (20) and Bulbs (56) that I will have with the amount of buttons per switch.

The intention is to build one Smart Distribution Box for each flor (2 in total with one KC868-Server) and use LED bulbs (12v)

Please provide input on how many channels I should consider for this setup. Also take into account 5 Cameras to be connected to the system.

Really appreciate your help

do you means:

first switch panel is 3gang?
a gang for a1--a6 bulbs
b gang for b1--b2 bulbs
c gang for c1 bulb

i understand correctly?

(12-14-2023, 02:53 AM)admin Wrote: [ -> ]do you means:

first switch panel is 3gang?
a gang for a1--a6 bulbs
b gang for b1--b2 bulbs
c gang for c1 bulb

i understand correctly?

Yes Kincony. Correct.

Also please comment what kind of bulb you recommend to use. Thanks

if you just want ON/OFF , use relay controller with any lamp is OK.
if you want to use LED strip for dimmable light, suggest chose DC12v or 24V LED strip. or DC bulb for dimmer controller is better. AC220v bulb for dimmer. Sometimes the compatibility is not very good and there may be some minor issues.

(12-14-2023, 03:35 AM)admin Wrote: [ -> ]if you just want ON/OFF , use relay controller with any lamp is OK.
if you want to use LED strip for dimmable light, suggest chose DC12v or 24V LED strip. or DC bulb for dimmer controller is better. AC220v bulb for dimmer. Sometimes the compatibility is not very good and there may be some minor issues.

What about the sizing of the Smart Distribution boxes?  How many componentes and KC868-Hx you suggest?

size according to your devices quantity, no limit.
you need to confirm your load type firstly, then chose which controller to install.