Desh Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 Hey guys, Has anyone used the CBI ASC as a smart automated timer for geysers or pool pumps? Trying to find out if it can integrate into Home Assistant. Seems like a great all in one device to use as a smart timer at a decent price, instead of having to add additional relays or contactors when using Sonoff's or Shelly's. https://cbi-lowvoltage.co.za/asc-qr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jatho Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 What do they cost? I think its unlikely that it works in Home Assistant would most probably only work with their app. Nothing comes up for Home Assistant CBI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desh Posted October 16, 2020 Author Share Posted October 16, 2020 I see Voltex have them for R553.50. I also did some research and see no default Home Assistant integrations for it. Just got feedback from the marketing guys at CBI, they state that they have downloaded home assistant and their device is not compatible with it. Thought it would be a great substitute from Sonoff's and relays. But seems that will have to be the go to for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jatho Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 The Sonoff with external really is a good option and not too much of a hack to put together, did it for my geysers about a month ago and was very worthwhile has definitely made a difference with my consumption, all in I think it cost me about R475 per geyser. Desh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tariq Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 has anyone used the astute timer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbyleveldt Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 (edited) On 2020/10/16 at 12:34 PM, Jatho said: What do they cost? I think its unlikely that it works in Home Assistant would most probably only work with their app. Nothing comes up for Home Assistant CBI I paid around R450 each from LiteGlo. Only way I managed to get it working with Home Assistant was to get Tasmota loaded on it. It involved replacing the internal WiFi module with and ESP module (another R60). I broke down the process below; I even got power monitoring to work https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/cbi-astute-power-monitor-switch-tasmotized.1108106/#post-26290342 Edited October 24, 2020 by gbyleveldt JAvandermerwe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desh Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 5 hours ago, gbyleveldt said: I paid around R450 each from LiteGlo. Only way I managed to get it working with Home Assistant was to get Tasmota loaded on it. It involved replacing the internal WiFi module with and ESP module (another R60). I broke down the process below; I even got power monitoring to work https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/cbi-astute-power-monitor-switch-tasmotized.1108106/#post-26290342 Great work! Seems like a lot of work though. Managed to find this possible workaround, I've not tested as yet though. https://community.home-assistant.io/t/tuya-local-with-energy-monitoring-and-without-tuya-convert/173564/9 gbyleveldt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jatho Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 On 2020/10/24 at 3:25 AM, gbyleveldt said: I paid around R450 each from LiteGlo. Only way I managed to get it working with Home Assistant was to get Tasmota loaded on it. It involved replacing the internal WiFi module with and ESP module (another R60). I broke down the process below; I even got power monitoring to work https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/cbi-astute-power-monitor-switch-tasmotized.1108106/#post-26290342 Wow great effort man I never would have thought about replacing with an ESP module, I suppose not an open heart surgery everyone would be comfortable with but definitely worth giving it a go if you have good soldering skills and can flash ESP modules, really like that the power monitoring works as well (and this module is rated to comfortably handle geyser loads) gbyleveldt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbyleveldt Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Thanks man. I actually installed two of them over the weekend. One for the geaser and one for the pool pump. I don’t really need power monitoring for either applications (I know what these draw when on), but in the case of the geaser I like the 30A rating and in the case of the pool, I like that it’s DIN rail mountable. Aaaaand I saw a pic of BW selling them for R350 now. I’m gonna go grab a couple more at that price. Just for in case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tariq Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) hi @gbyleveldt, are you sure that is not the standard CBI timer, as the two are the same on the outside. I bought mine at Voltex for a bit over R500, took a bit of fiddling, but got it to pair up, now I can switch on the geyser on/off when ever i see there is unused solar pv available, and it fits on my MINI rail db. Edited October 28, 2020 by Tariq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbyleveldt Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 6 hours ago, Tariq said: hi @gbyleveldt, are you sure that is not the standard CBI timer, as the two are the same on the outside. I bought mine at Voltex for a bit over R500, took a bit of fiddling, but got it to pair up, now I can switch on the geyser on/off when ever i see there is unused solar pv available, and it fits on my MINI rail db. Not sure, I just saw the pic from the side. The guy that posted it seemed convinced it is the Astute though. I tried looking at my local Builders, but I was met with that faraway look so didn't bother further Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloubul7 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 18 minutes ago, gbyleveldt said: Not sure, I just saw the pic from the side. The guy that posted it seemed convinced it is the Astute though. I tried looking at my local Builders, but I was met with that faraway look so didn't bother further In short, normal builders customer service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desh Posted October 29, 2020 Author Share Posted October 29, 2020 20 hours ago, Tariq said: hi @gbyleveldt, are you sure that is not the standard CBI timer, as the two are the same on the outside. I bought mine at Voltex for a bit over R500, took a bit of fiddling, but got it to pair up, now I can switch on the geyser on/off when ever i see there is unused solar pv available, and it fits on my MINI rail db. Hi @Tariq, I can confirm that they are the Astute's, however the guy at Builders Rivonia mentioned that each of the larger BH stores received 4 stock items each as a launch offer. From what I've experienced, the staff cannot tell the difference between one and the other, and are very quick to mention that they do not have stock. I was being redirected to the Bryanston store as they had 3 in stock, when the guy realised that he had found 2 units as I was about to leave the store. At R349 they're a steal, but the hassle of trying to get your hands on them may not be worth the trouble. LiteGlo still have them for R470 each - which seems to be the next best deal. And another member posted on @gbyleveldt mybb thread that he was able to get them working with power monitoring on HA using the LocalTuya solution - https://github.com/rospogrigio/localtuya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbyleveldt Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 Hi Desh, you don’t perhaps have the barcode of the item still? Maybe that can help if I go back to builders so they can check. Although I’m debating if I feel like the aggravation.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminous Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 This is the code Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbyleveldt Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 Awesome thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MongooseMan Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Found 3 (bought 1) at the builders express next to the hyper in durban, in case anyone from the 031 is looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GVC Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 Also managed to buy the last one at Builders in Witbank.....works awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MongooseMan Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 (edited) It certainly lowered the average age of component in my DB Edited November 8, 2020 by MongooseMan Bobster. and gbyleveldt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tariq Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 Now available at Builders in Cape Town for R349 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desh Posted November 9, 2020 Author Share Posted November 9, 2020 Glad you guys managed to get your hands on these, great price for now. Haven't installed my devices as yet, hoping to get them configured and working this week. Are you guys using the CBI app or the Tuya app? How are you finding the app? On 2020/11/08 at 9:05 AM, MongooseMan said: It certainly lowered the average age of component in my DB Digging the retro look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MongooseMan Posted November 9, 2020 Share Posted November 9, 2020 I'm primarily using home assistant, used the tuya-local integration to access the switch. Desh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isetech Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 I have installed a few of these already ... found them while looking for a timer to control 4 kw geyser elements ... I "dont" recommend the standardtouch CBI timers to customers after being burnt too many times. I have installed one at home to monitor the power consumption of my geyser ... and also to see if it is going to last longer than 6 months. Pros - 30 amp resitive load. Easy to pair and setup. manual override. Kwh recording. Current draw of the appliance voltage ... not sure how accurate the reading is ... still have to check using a true RMS meter. Even the price is pretty resonable for the switching capacity. Cons - it doesnt hook up to home automation devices. Talking about price ... I have been buying them for just under R500 from the elctrical wholsalers ... I contacted CBI in connection with the price at builders warehouse ... they said builders is running a special on the product at R349 inc vat ... Contacted builders warehouse ... they have no idea what I am talking about ... went to a branch ... pointed out the label and promotional ad on the wall still no idea ... they cant tell me if they have stock anywhere in the country ... I know for a fact that CBI have stock because I can get stock from all the electrical wholesalers. Trying to get one from builders could be a challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbyleveldt Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 I think I posted somewhere that you should rather try the builder's express. They still don't know what it is, but at least you can point them to it. I bought 4 at the local express last Friday. Even with the default firmware, the voltage readings are off - in some cases by almost 10%. If you don't mind DIY you can make a below average unit perform brilliantly though, if accurate power monitoring is important to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isetech Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 Builders warehouse get a 0/10 for customer services ... I go to the store walk with the person to the shelf point at the label on the shelf which has a bar code a price and a promo ad with pictures of the product on the advert with a full description of the product ... which is then removed taken to the PC ... the bar code inserted and I am still told they dont stock the item. I then go onto their website hook up a live chat ... send pictures of the label ... share the pictures and label posted on this forum ... and I am told they dont stock the item. I call their riverhorse trade depot and try the same thing ... sorry we dont stock this item. I give up ... I cant waste anymore time ... its cheaper for me to buy the product at the wholesaler and get it delivered to my office :( It is sad that CBI went from being the number one selling product in SA at a reasonable price availbe at all wholesalers to becoming the most expensive DIY product. If someone figues out where to get these units or what code to use ... please share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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