Question

New member, excited to be here. Working on planning out a central control panel based on a tablet. I'm going to be mounting it in the wall. A few questions. 1. It appears like ActionTiles with Smartthings hub is one of the best options. True? 2. What kind of hardware is everyone using? Tablet, wiring (for charging), and mount.  

Answer 1

If you have a good budget, get a real automation platform installed. The best wall mounted tablet options are an IPad, and LaunchPort. If you’re on a tight budget, you need a ST hub, and Action tiles on an HD8 or 10. and buy the mount from a dude named bob. (literally).  and you can get a POE splitter for power. takes a poe cable and splits it to a 5v 1a output for charging. iPad and launchport is where it’s at though.  

Comments

@fugue tell me more about this mount from Bob

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@bcd I think his name is Bob Stringer.? Not sure. But he’s around the Samsung smart things page. It’s a 3D printed device that mounts like a picture frame.  

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Also www. vidabox. com

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@fugue “dude named Bob”. Man that cracked me up ! What a great laugh that was

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@nekton funny as hell. that’s how I found it.  I think it is Bob Strenger

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@nekton I actually found his info, I could message him if your on the hunt.  

Answer 2

Control4, Savant, RTI, URC, Crestron for the platforms. If you can swing it.  

Answer 3

Unfortunately this is "sure babe but don't spend all our money" project.  

Answer 4

I am using a raspberry pi 3 running home assistant and for the most part modbus with power on the cat3 cable. Other thing include Philip's Hue lighting, Honeywell thermostat, Water heater control to use power when at low price many other odds and ends.  

Comments

@clepsydra I admire your use of the cable you have.  

Answer 5

I have 5 Fire HD 8's and an HD 10 all PoE with awesome makesbymike 3d printed mounts, running ActionTiles in Fully Kiosk Browser with SmartThings hub. Works great.  

Comments

@rudimentary I think we need to be friends.  

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Mark, PM me like the wind or email me (address via PM). From a Facebook perspective, I only friend people I know IRL. Sorry about that!  

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@rudimentary totally understand!  

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Stupid question I'm sure as I have alot and I mean alot of wifi smart devices not using hubs. Is there a way with action tiles to include stuff on the geeni app? I. E Merkury innovations stuff?  

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@rudimentary wait what? How are you making Fire tablets not throw ads on your screensaver, and keep the browser present 100%, even after power failure? I have been thinking I need to spend for rootable droids so they can wake up on camera motion, and always ensure my panel is shown. My setup is very customized OpenHAB, so just gimme a browser that will always be present (without spraying light into bedrooms) and I’m good.  

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Kevin, I didn't register the "with ads" Fire tablets and so no ads. If you don't connect to wifi during setup you can avoid registration. Google for articles on the exact steps. I have a UPS in my wiring closet where the PoE switch is that powers the tablet, but haven't had any power failures since I installed them in December. When I first power them on, as I've done after very occasional FK/AT wonkiness I do have to swipe up to get past the lock screen. Other than that they run 24/7 for months with no ads or interruptions.