Smart Plugs

GoPitt88 · Dec 5, 2017

I've been dosing manually for a couple months now, and want to setup a dosing system w/o buying an expensive controller. I bought a couple dosing pumps from BRS, and now looking at timers to use. Has anyone used any of the Bluetooth or wifi smart Plugs that are available? If so, what do you recommend? I'd like to setup multiple schedules during the day for each pump in order to stabilize the tank's parameters. Please advise. Thanks! [emoji16]

themcnertney · Dec 5, 2017

I have two smart plugs that plug into my wall outlet by Etikcity. They are used to turn on and off my lights by using Alexa or the app. I like them. You can set routines and schedules. Don't see why this wouldn't work to turn on and off a pump for your dosers.

GoPitt88 · Dec 5, 2017

Dan McNertney said:
I have two smart plugs that plug into my wall outlet by Etikcity. They are used to turn on and off my lights by using Alexa or the app. I like them. You can set routines and schedules. Don't see why this wouldn't work to turn on and off a pump for your dosers.

Thanks for the advice!

GoPitt88 · Dec 5, 2017

Any others with advice?

Wrasse-cal · Dec 5, 2017

I like the idea in theory, but have reservations in practice. I personally have about 40 smart switches in my house all controlled by SmartThings. Given my own experiences with it, I wouldn't trust it to dose anything. Every now and then, for example, a light fails to follow the programmed routine. Even if it's 99% reliable, a dosing pump failing to turn off 1% of the time could be catastrophic.

GoPitt88 · Dec 5, 2017

p.o.t.u.s said:
I like the idea in theory, but have reservations in practice. I personally have about 40 smart switches in my house all controlled by SmartThings. Given my own experiences with it, I wouldn't trust it to dose anything. Every now and then, for example, a light fails to follow the programmed routine. Even if it's 99% reliable, a dosing pump failing to turn off 1% of the time could be catastrophic.

Yikes!!! That’s good to know!

dealseer · Dec 5, 2017

GoPitt88 said:
Any others with advice?

I can recommend TP-Link smart switches. They’re the only ones I’ve found reliable enough for this purpose.

Wrasse-cal · Dec 5, 2017

For something not essential

dealseer said:
I can recommend TP-Link smart switches. They’re the only ones I’ve found reliable enough for this purpose.

Mine are mostly all z-wave. That perhaps could have something to do with it. That said, there is much grumbling and groaning on the smartthings fora regarding robustness of the system.

GoPitt88 · Dec 6, 2017

So if smart plugs/outlets are not reliable, then, what's the best digital timer I can use for the control of dosing pumps?

dealseer · Dec 6, 2017

Sorry, can’t help you. I only use smart plugs.

RWS6605 · Nov 26, 2018

I realize this is an old thread but am curious if anyone has been using the TP-Link systems? I saw it mentioned in the thread.

I just ordered the new 6 outlet WiFi power bar. Hoping to do away with all the random digital timers that take up space.
https://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/cat-5516_HS300.html

Any thoughts on this?

RWS6605 · Nov 26, 2018

I realize this is an old thread but am curious if anyone has been using the TP-Link systems? I saw it mentioned in the thread.

I just ordered the new 6 outlet WiFi power bar. Hoping to do away with all the random digital timers that take up space.
https://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/cat-5516_HS300.html

Any thoughts on this?

I don’t have google home or Alexa and would be using the app only. I don’t trust the listening devices....