I’m using iHost and many other devices from Sonoff.
But because slow data transfer between Sonoff WiFi and iHost I need alternative. I described the problem here if someone want to read:
Now the question:
What alternative software can I use to manage my Sonoff Smart Home devices to pass data like temp in real time to server and execute scenes in real time.
So what alternative systems can I use? Will I get real time data transfer from Sonoff devices to local server with that alternative system?
Will I have change Sonoff devices firmware or can I keep it?
I switched to HomeAssistant (HA) and never looked back. I’m using ewelink just to set up devices and some behaviours but anything else goes through an raspeberry pi4 with HA on it. HA opens a door to incredible automations, customisation and can support aditional devices from other vendors at the same time. There is an learning curve but will worth the effort. There are tons of guides, tutorials and ideas all over internet. Good luck!
As Jon said, there is an plugin that will make it work. When I buy a new Sonoff device, I’ll go in ewelink to pair it then the plugin will see it by default in HA. If your other devices are in the same LAN(sonoff or not) usually they will be discovered automated by HA. I Dont undestand why you need many mini PCs, in my case i have just one rasperry pi4 with HA zbt-1 connected via LAN with the router. It manages around 40 devices plus the security cameras feeds(6), TVs, ACs, and other non sonoff devices, toghether. One heads up, that plugin wont support all sonoff features, let say the customisation of the lights on an TX ultimate switch(that you’ll have to se it on ewelink first), BUT will see the Bell and Alarm functions that I haven’t see in Ewelink or had any ideea they existed.
Just some ideas, not more:
I have the same set of devices (more, then 100) and also Ihome+Advanced Plan+Mobile app.
There is a strange thing with Ihost docker:
If you login in in your mobile Ewelink app - you will automatically log off in you Ihome docker.
If you login in Ewelink web on PC - no problem, you still log in in Ihome docker.
There is some connection between fact, still you log in in Ihost docker or not. I had a problem with slow work of Ihost interface on PC since summer of 2024. It started to work w\o lags only after I deleted all scenes, which worked with THR316D relays on Ihost (scenes still work in Ewelink app now only).
And my observation was, that all lags begun, then I logged in Ihost docker under my account. If not - evetithing is working. So, something is wrong in work of THR316D on Ihost.
Ihost represented like a local server for devices, helps to be independed from Internet connection. But practice shows, that there is a some permanent connection with Ewelink cloud and fact of getting sync token for your devices after log in from cloud.
So it’s important, still you or not to be logged in Ewelink account permanently (have or not Internet connection).
I thought, that initial log in fact needs only for getting custom names of devices and futher work with them, but not ;-<
Now possible decision of problem is next:
You have to have one more account.
After that you share your devices (noth whole home!!!, doesn’t work) for this account.
You will log in under this account in Ihome docker and creates all scenes with shared devices.
So, factically you will use different accounts for Ewelink web + Mobile app. \ Ihost docker.
I was lucky enough to switch on time. I Also have an NSPanel Pro wich is useless now, il keep it mounted for the clock screensaver until I’ll find a proper replacement…
Try to open ewelink app on the phone, see if your TH316 works better as long as ewelink app is open on the phone. I have trouble with POWR320 and POWR316, not updating power datas in iHost. but when ewelink app is open, they work as before, updating every second or so…
Actually I’m doing that and this is solving all the problems.
This is solving data flow (which is broken in my opinion) between devices and iHost. That also include NS Panel Pro.
When Android app eWeLink is running then everything is like it should be.
PS.
I discovered one more thing… turn off the phone app. Then cut off the internet for your home but keep router working.
You will be surprised… it will result the same way like with running phone app.
So this is another prof that something regarding data flow in Sonoff system is broken.
But it wasn’t bad whole time… first NS Panel Pro was affected and didn’t get data from sensors in real time. Then in recent weeks/months iHost is showing the same problem.
Good, make a video and open a ticket, submit iHost logs, divice IDs, describe the problems…etc… they should resolve the problem but need debugging info
1 - normal use (like it should be by default) - but data flow is broken
2 - normal use + android app running - data flow is OK
3 - normal use + internet cut off but router is working - data flow is OK
PS.
From my personal point of view I have only 2 problems with Sonoff system.
1 - mentioned above data flow between devices and iHost (I fixed it temporarily with eWeLink app running on Android ) But from what I see it affect many more Sonoff users.
2 - I want to use Sonoff ZigBee Bridge Ultra as sound device for scenes on iHost.
Everything else is working OK for me. This is status for today. Because I can’t guess what will be broken or fixed tomorrow.
