I spent the weekend moving scenes, automations, and appdaemon scripts over to node red. I really like it. Its a really nice setup and so far (after a learning curve on how the included FSM module deals with invalid triggers) is much nicer to work with than the built in stuff and python.
The only bits of friction I ran into are likely just unfamiliarity with the right patterns to use:
- Looking up entity names in fields that are not intended as entities (ie: inject node) needs a separate window open on the HA entities search screen; its especially hard to find select entities but that’s more of a naming issue inside HA.
- How on earth do you take a trigger message as input, then just create a whole new message as output (other than writing it as a function node)? The change node has no way to just start with a new message, and the inject node can’t be triggered. In a complex pipeline the message kept building up goop and I just wanted to emit a simple message at the end of it.
- A lot of examples in the built in docs show use of top level message properties other than ‘payload’, and some require it (like Trigger uses the top level ‘delay’ property), but this pattern of using top level properties isn’t well supported in some nodes.
The ‘platform’ for the FEIT ones at costco are really well built. They make the Insteon units look like they were a one off hobby project. That’s the part that has the power circuitry, screw terminals, etc. The wifi module used to be ESP based but they switched about a year ago to a newer BK723 chip, these can be reflashed with a ‘OpenBeken’, which is a newer project that has similar functionality to Tasmota but for these newer chips.
The only downside I’ve seen with these is OpenBeken is not as mature and the units ‘hang’ now and then requiring a power cycle (like 2-4 weeks). I have some of the older ESP based units that are otherwise identical and they never hang, this has been getting better with upgrades so likely will eventually be fixed.
If you are OK with soldering you can buy the ESP controller modules on Amazon for about $1 each and just replace them and run stock Tasmota (you have to unsolder the module to reflash it either way, so its not a big deal to just put a different one on). The module pinout and electrical interface are identical.