Home Assistant running on an NSPanel Pro in 5 minutes

[@TormodNicholasMortonTorgersen]

Thank you! Ordered some of these some days ago and waiting for them to arrive. Please do more videos of these, with advanced options. These units and other dashboards are one of the main reasons I'm switching from homey to HA

[@smart_home_australia]

I've glad you enjoyed the video @tormodnicholasmortontorger205. Personally I like these screens and the opportunities are endless with them. I'll see what I can come up with for the advanced features and if there is a demand for them.

[@TormodNicholasMortonTorgersen]

@@smart_home_australia thank you! What you have showed here is a great starting point for me that have never used neither them or similar.

[@smart_home_australia]

You are most welcome. Good luck and i'll get back with an advanced feature video.

[@TormodNicholasMortonTorgersen]

@@smart_home_australia received the nspro today. Impressed with build wual, feels better the the nonpro. Anyway, can't wait on your "advanced" video!!

[@smart_home_australia]

The "advanced" video is going to be a long term project. Although I have done it, its going to be a nightmare to video due to the screen grabs on the device itself. But needless to say it is planned and will be coming out shortly :)

[@1Poe]

Great video! It looks super easy to show HA sensors to the panel. Can it be done also on older NsPanel ( with push buttons)?

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @1Poe, I don't have the NSPanel (none pro) but from what I have read it doesn't have a Web browser so you cant use this method. But if you do then pls let us know. There is a method to get HA running natively on this panel but it involves cracking it open and flashing code to the panel.

[@1Poe]

@@smart_home_australia Thanks for your answer. I have just bought 2 normal NsPanel (for the price of 1 PRO) and Ewelink doesn't show the web browser feature for them. That means I will stick to my plan to flash EspHome and customize my sensors to be displayed. In couple of years, I will probably upgrade to Pro because this is the smallest (all in one & ready made) equivalent to fully kiosk..... Thanks to your video, now I know how to do it.

[@arriewarrie]

Would love to sideload the fullykiosk to it. So I’m waiting for sure for that video.

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @arriewarrie, yep, it's on the schedule, just waiting on the NSPanel Pro desk mount to arrive.

[@stenwieth-knudsen5385]

Tak!

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks @stenwieth-knudsen5385, really appreciate the support.

[@KorayKüpe]

If there is add URL feature on the app, why people try to sideload the HA companion app still? What is the difference?

[@smart_home_australia]

Native running Apps are usually quicker, you get better compatibility (browsers, especially none chromium based ones) can have issues rendering complex screens, whereas the native App should be fine.

[@miabull128]

Hi. You mentioned adding external access through Nabu Casa but can I just use this device locally? Like I would with a tablet. I don’t have the nabu casa subscription.

[@smart_home_australia]

Yep. you can use either. :)

[@miabull128]

@@smart_home_australia you’re a rockstar, thank you!!

[@PeterScargill]

Locally works - but too slow to be useful.

[@miabull128]

@@PeterScargill thanks for the heads up. General consensus was kind of mixed from what I’ve read on what I wanted this product for so haven’t pulled the trigger just yet. Waiting to see how the software develops or future iterations for now.

[@MarkSnop]

where did you get the default dashboard? Great video other than I didnt have the dashboard

[@smart_home_australia]

The magic of video. lol. I created it on a desktop. The created a specific user for the panel and associated it as the default dashboard. Coming up is a fully local install of HA on the NSPanel pro. Also a way of creating NSPanel pro dashboard, I think you’ll really enjoy that video.

[@MarkSnop]

when is that video going to come out? Did the previous version of the NS panel, have a different chip in it? I guess that’s the non-pro version? I tried to flash the chip I guess but the software wouldn’t connect so I’m guessing it’s because it was the pro

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @MarkSnop , Sorry I'm not sure about the previous version of the NSPanel (the one with the buttons). I do know that it does NOT have a browser so this method of loading HA will not work. The next video should come out in about 2 weeks, just finalising the script as its about 100+ steps and the version control between different side loaded app can be tricky.

[@m.h.323]

Does this also work with the normal NsPanel instead of Pro?

[@smart_home_australia]

Alas no. the "standard NSPanel" doesn't have a web browser.

[@KorayKüpe]

Can I use the default UI for my devices in HomeAssistant or is this the only option?

[@smart_home_australia]

This method is just a browser accessing the HA UI from within the Sonoff OS. You can also have the HA UI run as an App, kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZmskIx-qs-UjKc. In either method you can always switch to the native OS, although the native is alot harder.

[@KorayKüpe]

@@smart_home_australia I think this solution is slower than app one. That’s the main difference. Thanks for the reply.

[@JaridMitchell]

How do I do this with the non-pro? Is there a video on that?

[@smart_home_australia]

Sorry but the NSPanel (none pro version) does not have a web browser feature, so you can't use this method.

[@margeo20]

Is the screen always on, or can be turned off after a certain period of inactivity? For example, could it automatically turn on again when touched?

[@smart_home_australia]

If you are running it through the browser then yes, it has an auto dim and auto sleep mode. And also has a proximity sensor to wake it when a hand approaches it. Also check out kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZmskIx-qs-UjKc

[@margeo20]

@@smart_home_australia thank you!

[@smart_home_australia]

You're most welcome.

[@haarlemaustraliaofficial4065]

Can you please guide which one we should have in Australia? Is it European one or US one? Secondly is there any panel to have more than 2 buttons like if we have 3 or 4 devices to control? Last question, can we control fan speed on the screen of this panel?

[@smart_home_australia]

Afew questions there. :) The NSPanel Pro is available in two main versions: - NSPanel-EU (European version) - NSPanel-US (US version) Since both panels support voltage range of 100-240V and 50/60Hz, both are compatible with Australia's standard of 230V 50Hz system. The EU version's dimensions are closer to Australian wall switch plates, making it potentially easier to install: - NSPanel-EU: 86x86x41.7mm - NSPanel-US: 120x74x41.7mm While the device has various certifications (CE, FCC, RoHS), it's important to note that specific Australian electrical certification (e.g., RCM mark) is not mentioned in the available information. While the NSPanel Pro can technically work in Australia, it's essential to pay attention to Australian regulations. Consult with a local electrician if you have any doubts about its suitability or installation requirements for use in Australia. As for buttons, there is only the NSPanel that comes with buttons, the NSPanel Pro and new NSPanel Pro 120 do not. As for Fan control, yes you can build a NSPanel dashboard that allow for fan control. Pretty simple to do. Links to each model on the video with discount codes. I hope that helps.

[@susanhalle57]

Great video, thank you! Do you know if this would work with the NSPanel (first model)? I've been struggling to flash it but haven't had much luck.

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @susanhalle57, I don't have the first panel to test for you, but I don't see why now. It's simply displaying a webpage and not flashing the device.

[@susanhalle57]

@@smart_home_australia Thanks for getting back to me 🙂 I'll give it a try and let you know.

[@smart_home_australia]

Good luck Susan. I'm sure it will work.

[@thosharmon5901]

No. It will very likely not work with the original NSPanel. That model is not Android-based and has no browsing capabilities.

[@susanhalle57]

Hi ​@@thosharmon5901. Thanks for your reply. Ok, so I'll try to flash it, maybe I'll have better luck this time.

[@aaajp3]

Have watched and Subscribed for some time - Great Show. However -PLEASE turn up your volume while recording or uploading. Thanks - JP Sydney

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks JP. Sound is set to improve dramatically in Jan with new equipment. Thanks for your continued support. 👍

[@countertony]

I've been trying to get my head around these - presumably they're intended to be wired into an existing light switch wall box? Do the buttonson the front operate as a 'dumb' light switch if the house's HA installation goes offline?

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @countertony, depends on how you wire and configure it. In the video I have the none button variety, but if you check astirtech.com/sonoff-nspanel-smart-scene-wall-switch/, you can see that the wiring has two wiring outlets so it is not just a panel but does have relays that allow it to act as a switch.

[@AsangaDeSilva]

Is that Approved in Australia?

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @AsangaDeSilva, good question. Firstly, I'm not an electrician and I would always say that you should seek confirmation from a qualified electrician. However, this is sold on Amazon.com.au. The NSPanel Pro hold 4 certifications of CE Certification, RoHS Certification, UKCA Certification and SRRC Certification. Although the AS/NZS 3820 certification is not listed, but there are other methods for certification. That said, I have reached out to my contact at Sonoff to confirm that the device complies with certification standards and will reply back once I get confirmation.

[@AsangaDeSilva]

@@smart_home_australia thanks for the detail reply.

[@jeedubef3328]

@@smart_home_australia did you hear back from Sonoff re: Australian certification?

[@smart_home_australia]

@@jeedubef3328 Yep, sorry I thought I'd added it, the Nspanel pro has CE/UKCA/SRRC/RoHS certification.

[@tomkilikidis]

How did you wire these in? They aren't compliant in Australia

[@smart_home_australia]

The NSPanel Pro comes has CE/UKCA/SRRC/RoHS certification. For my testing it was not powered by mains powered. As I mentioned in the video you should always check with local electrical certification to make sure it complies.

[@markusheitmann]

New to the smart home community.. got my ns panel pro today.. but i want the home assistant, can the nspanel act like a hub? I mean can i add Zigbee or any other device directly from the nspanel or do i have to get a "home assistant green hub"?

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @markusheitmann, in the video it shows you how to display home assistant on the NSPanel Pro but Home assistant is running on a sever elsewhere. I don't believe that Home Assistant can run natively on the NSPanel Pro. However, if you dont want to run Home Assistant then you can use the eWeLink software and connect zigbeee devices directly to the NSPanel Pro.

[@SuperKnightwind]

does ewelink have limitations to how many nspanel pro we can add? I plan to install more than 20 of these in our building..

[@smart_home_australia]

Not that I'm aware of, however be careful if you are using a iHost with NSPanel Pro's (ref: forum.ewelink.cc/t/ihost-support-for-multiple-nspanel-pros/26113). However as this is a substantial installation, I'd recommend verifying this with a call the Sonoff Tech support.

[@FrankyDigital2000]

Maybe i don't understand, but why would you need external access to HA on the panel?

[@smart_home_australia]

You might be controlling a HA that is not located on premises, for instance a holiday home or parents home.

[@FrankyDigital2000]

Aha! Didn't think about that. I'm just looking to use this display as a glorified wall switch, so when external access is not required, and the panel user has limited rights, this looks quite safe to use (relating to the chinese webserver comments)@@smart_home_australia

[@smart_home_australia]

Yep, its very safe if used to reference your local instance. Alternatively watch the other video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZmskIx-qs-UjKc) where I install Home Assistant companion app locally instead of running it through a browser.

[@robertf7741]

Maybe its me but i would never enter my nabu casa remote password in a Chinese webserver linked device.

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @robertf7741, that's an interesting point you raise. I guess its a personal preference, but if you are concerned then you can load a VPN on the NSPAnel Pro, via side loading.

[@robertf7741]

@@smart_home_australiaproblem is that is saved into the panel. So potentially locally and in the cloud. I would 100% try to prevent my nabucasa password to be saved in such devise.

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @robertf7741, yes I see your point. I don't see a way around that issue.

[@MartinHiggs84]

Any easy way to draw a box of the screen dimensions to easily make them?

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @martinhiggs6937, The screen is 480 x 480 pixels and 3.95" square. If you want to draw a box on the screen from Home Assistant then you'd need to do this in a dashboard. and for that you are limited to tiles, so not really.

[@MartinHiggs84]

@@smart_home_australia that makes perfect sense 😊

[@smart_home_australia]

You're welcome.

[@PeterScargill]

Well I'm based in Europe (Spain) and both NSPANEL PRO and NSPANEL PRO 120 work no problem here (230v). HOWEVER I just watched this video and seeing the commend abou the lo res screen on the NSPanel Pro, I tried the NSPanel Pro 120 with Home Assistant - I had to find SOME use for the panel as it has no idea where either my nearest village or town are for weather purposes... I figured the web page Home Assistant might be worthwhile, afet all, Home Assistant works just fine on my Samsung Android phone - sadly, no. Technically it works but is so slow as to be unusable. I'll give this a miss. If the NSPanel Pro 120 and NSPanel Pro were Tasmota compatible, I'd convert both of them. I have an original NSPANEL in my bedroom which is running Tasmota, reading my own sensors and with 2 buttons, controlling timesd bedside chargers and lights - much more useful IMHO..

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi Peter, well they have to build these to a price point I guess. I know that there have been some issues raised by others about the amount of memory and the limitations this raises. But if they made this the "best" they could, would you pay twice the price? I know that I wouldnt, but I do think there is a market for a professional or engineering version that would be 50% more that resolved these issues with higher spec parts. I think that would sell. I might suggest that to Sonoff and see if the power of the influencer can adjust their product design, I've done this with other manufacturer so if enough of us lobby them, maybe they will consider it.

[@bestonyoutube]

Im confused by this video. What do you mean "Home Assistant running on an NSPanel Pro". You mean you install Home Assistant on the device? Not sure how this makes any sense. Dont you use a local Home Assistant server on a mini PC?

[@smart_home_australia]

This video shows you how to configure the NSPanel Pro to display the HA dashboard via the built in browser and to have it easily and automatically available. If you want to run the HA companion App on the NSPanel Pro, then watch this video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZmskIx-qs-UjKc). As for running HA OS on the NSPanel Pro stand alone, the hardware is not powerful enough to run HA standalone. I hope that helps.

[@bestonyoutube]

@@smart_home_australia Im still confused. So youre saying HA is not running on the panel, it just connects to a HA server and shows information. So your entire title and video is wrong. The title says "HA running on..." and also you say it several times in the video. It gives the impression, that a HA server is running on the panel. Which is obviously not true, right.

[@PeterScargill]

It is a web page showing Home Assistant and many of us run HA on Raspberry Pis with great success, mini PCs not needed. Back on subject, this ewb page HA representation is VERY slow.

[@xbox360benji]

Nice...a little pricey for me I will wait lol..thanks matey !

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks @xbox360benji, check out the link for a 30% discount.

[@xbox360benji]

30% is massive thanks matey ..now to immpress the wife lol@@smart_home_australia

[@smart_home_australia]

Sorry no discount code for impressing the wife, but have flowers ready !!

[@xbox360benji]

lol @@smart_home_australia

[@thosharmon5901]

Your videos are well done. keep up the good work...but please, please, I beg you...turn down the transition music! You don't speak very loud, so with every transition, you wake the whole house! 🤫

[@smart_home_australia]

lol. Yes sorry about that. Sound has been an issue that thanks to Santa should now be resolved 😀🎅

[@aliuyar6365]

thnks

[@smart_home_australia]

You're welcome @aliuyar6365

[@DingDingPanic]

Rename the video, its deceptive. It should have been called Home Assistant Displayed on an NSPanel Pro

[@smart_home_australia]

Thanks for your feedback @DingDingPanic. I did consider that but didn't want to get bogged down in symantics as the outcome is the same.

[@DanielR577]

@@smart_home_australia ​ As there is Homeassistant core on Android I find both the title and your intro saying "running" home assistant "on" a NSPanel Pro misleading at minimum. Homeassistant is NOT running on NSPanel Pro, you only "access" or "control" your Homeassistant instance via NSPanel Pro. And the outcome is clearly not the same if you still need a seperate server for it while running core on Android makes the NSPanel really run HA on it.

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @DanielR577, yes you are correct, however, HA running on the NSPanel Pro is a much more involved process. Saying that I hear you and will be putting out the full "HA RUNNING on the NSPanel Pro" will be coming shortly. Then people can make their own choice as to the way they wish to proceed. :)

[@oneiropagides342]

It only runs in America, England or Australia? So, we in Europe do not exists, right? hahahah

[@smart_home_australia]

Well I live in Australia but was born in England ;) But seriously, as long as its certified to run in your country and fits into a baseplate that's sold in your country then there is no reason why not. But maybe only for subscribers ;)

[@galdakaMusic]

Device that cost more than a brain of the House (Rpi5). No way.

[@smart_home_australia]

Hi @galdakaMusic, as with all such devices, its a device to meet a specific user case and for some this will be the perfect solution.

[@FrankyDigital2000]

Cheap ass