Camouflage Homey (pro) 2023 or Homey Bridge

[Tuomas_Levoniemi]

Hi,

I understand that some people think Homey (Pro) is a beautiful home decor centrepiece.

However, my philosophy is to hide all possible wires and devices. Of course, Homey could be placed in a closet, but the device’s range is better in a central location on the ceiling.

I also want to hide the converters and power cables or implement them so that separate power supplies are not even needed.

I also consider it particularly important that the heart of home automation is connected to the home network with a fixed data connection (ethernet). I don’t trust Wifi, which is too easy to disrupt if you want.

The implementation consists of four main elements:

1. Camouflage Homeyn Pro 2023
2. Ethernet PoE switch (Ubiquiti)
3. USB Ethernet converter + 3 meter USB C cable (Data + Power) (Ubiquiti)
4. Fixing to the ceiling (3D printed bracket)

Ps. I will also post the pictures when the Homey Pro is in place on the ceiling.
Ps2. I know that this concealment (probably) blocks the infrared features, but I don’t need them. If I had to, I guess you could leave holes in the vinyl where the IR transmitters are?

[Peter_Kawa]

Please do monitor Homey’s core temperature when you stick it to a ceiling.

[Tuomas_Levoniemi]

Good point!

I’m checking the temperature. However, I don’t think that the thin adhesive film can affect the cooling of the device very much.

[FKey]

Do you mount it to the ceiling in its normal orientation? Or “upside down”

If you put it upside down cooling fins that are at the top are going to radiate more heat to the print…

I like your solution!

[Peter_Kawa]

Thx! I wasn’t concerned about the film, but about the hot air not being able to go up.
When Homey is getting too hot, you can consider removing the top cover, and/or leave a little space between Homey and ceiling.
I would never mount it upside-down btw.

[CoonHouse]

Or you could paint your ceiling black.

Sorry, couldn’t help it.
But is it really that important to have it in the middle of the room? Mine is stuck away in the hallway, together with more hubs and stuff.

Or are you using IR?

[Tuomas_Levoniemi]

The central location is not necessarily that important, but on the other hand, the installation in this way is neat and practically out of sight.

The importance of the signal range depends on which technology is mostly used (such as Z-Wave = Mesh) or some point-to-point technology (such as Zigbee or Wifi).

I don’t use IR. Which would hardly even work through the plastic film.

[CoonHouse]

I believe Zigbee is mesh to. I have Zigbee devices very far away from my Homey, but with device’s in between (same for my Z-Wave device’s). And WiFi device’s connect to you AP, not directly to Homey.

[Tuomas_Levoniemi]

The film is thin. I have not noticed that the film or the position affects the device’s heat-up.

This is what the result looks like…