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I advocate heavily against buying devices (light bulbs, garage door openers, etc) that are designed specifically to work with these smarthome services directly. Instead buy into an established framework like insteon or zwave and add on a hub that works with Alexa/Google/Apple or whatever else comes out next month.
That service or technology might change or go out of business. Garage door openers should last 20 years. What will happen to Alexa in that time frame? Will the API change breaking compatibility with older devices? Will Amazon start charging a subscription premium that you don't want to pay for any more?
Instead, buy a "smart" contact closure switch and figure out how to interface that with your smarthome platform of choice (homekit, alexa, googlehome, etc). A dry contact switch will simulate what happens when you press the garage door open button that's mounted on the wall and it can can be made to work with any type of smart home service.
Examples:
Take either of those technologies (zwave or insteon) and search for how to interface it with alexa. There are a large number of solutions out there depending on your needs. The good news is that you are investing in a platform that you can expand on that is not specifically tied to Amazon - you could easily control the same hardware with HomeKit or Google Home or whatever next month's flavor is.
Kill-o-watt is good, but you can monitor up to 16 circuits (comes with 8 sensors) at your electrical panel with this $110 setup: https://www.amazon.com/Emporia-Monitor-Circuit-Electricity-Metering/dp/B08G37ML2R
Or a cheaper $20 single circuit alternative: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JB9B2QL/
I think what you want is BOND.
You'll install a remote-control kit (sold separately, but some are linked in the above review article) and then use BOND to act as an extra, WiFi enabled remote control.
This doesn't quite fit your needs (more than $200, 16 channels, 1-3 phase) but in case anyone else is interested: I flashed an Emporia Vue with ESPHome and it provides full panel monitoring, completely local. It has been working flawlessly for about a year now.
On Amazon the 16-channel version is only $165, and the 8-channel ver is only $125.
https://www.amazon.com/Emporia-Monitor-Circuit-Electricity-Metering/dp/B08G37ML2R
I hate being that guy but like... this is a sub for professional sysadmins, not for hobbyists to ask tech support questions.
Anyway, I think what you're looking for is a smart plug of some kind.
You probably saw the one without energy monitoring. This one has energy monitoring. And there are some other differences as well. I was also confused at first
There are simpler ways to accomplish this, but you can use a Sense Energy monitor along with Home Assistant's integration for it.
I was all set to buy a sense system, then I found this:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CJGPHL9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I think this might give you a much better insight into where you are consuming the most power.
You might want to start with one, and decide if a second one would be beneficial. It sounds like with the number of circuits you have a second one could be helpful.
I bought Bond to control my dumb ceiling fans but also, at least partially, for the promise that "sometime soon" it would be able to control my garage door. Two years later it still only controls my ceiling fans and I've given up. I now control my garage door with meross.
Bond works well enough but it's not as smart as buying a ceiling fan that is natively smart. Bond, for example, controls the lights on my fans but has a hard time keeping track of it's on/off state especially if you've made adjustments manually or with the OEM remote. It also isn't the strongest signal so if you have multiple ceiling fans spread over a large enough area you'll need multiple units.
Put a 120v relay inside the outlet box. Either leave the outlet, or remove it, cut the plug off, and hardwire the light directly to the relay inside the box.
I use the ones Insteon makes, because I run an Insteon network, but there are z-wave/zigbee ones out there.
Not vouching for this model or brand, but something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Enerwave-ZWN-RSM1-PLUS-Wireless-Control-Required/dp/B01G7OD1F8
Or use a Shelly1, which is wifi/mqtt.
Related products on Amazon actually showed me exactly what I remember seeing before also, here's the link!
BOND | Smart Home Automation | Make Your Old Ceiling Fan or Fireplace Smart Through WiFi | Works with Alexa and Google Home | Remote Control with App | Compatible with iPhone or Android https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071GVGVVH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_b9hECbG247AEX
if you can reach the plug easely, most smart plugs have buttons that can be controlled locally, something like this might work:
https://www.woot.com/offers/kasa-smart-plug-mini-with-energy-monitoring
Woot has these today for $9.99. Amazon is selling them for $23.46
I’ve seen this idea elsewhere. But get a smart plug, you can set a timer to switch the plug off/ hence kill power to the charger after a set amount of time. I did this last night on my second balance session. Set the timer for 11 hours 45 minutes. Worked flawlessly. I like this model Limited-time deal: Kasa Smart Plug HS103P4, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa, Echo, Google Home & IFTTT, No Hub Required, Remote Control, 15 Amp, UL Certified,4-Pack , White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RCNB2L3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MZ4Z5PWVB753VT8RTHN0
Why not get an Emporia Smart Home Energy monitor. I can measure consumption at each circuit real-time or over a period of time. I can also setup notification triggers as needed.
Emporia Smart Home Energy Monitor with 16 50A Circuit Level Sensors | Real Time Electricity Monitor/Meter | Solar/Net Metering https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CJGPHL9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TX3M6BED1038R6JT8RR8
Setup an Octopi! It is an absolute game changer when it comes to interfacing with your printer.
I recommend the "Bed Visualizer" plugin (Note you'll need a BLtouch or other automatic leveling probe for this to work), the "Dashboard" and "UI Customizer" plugins for a bit nicer of a ui, and buy yourself a TPLink Kasa KP115 smart plug off amazon and then download the "Tp-Link Smartplug" plugin. That'll allow you to monitor power usage and remotely turn your printer on and off. I love this because if I have a print ending in the middle of the night the printer will automatically turn off after the print is done. It also will automatically turn off your printer if you have a Thermal runaway situation.
Since you are running Octoprint anyway, you might be cheaper, and easier in the long run, to add a relay instead. I have bought the relay, but have not done the install yet, so this is theoretical knowledge.
A relay works by taking a small voltage (like the 5V that the Pi can generate right off the bus) and using it to allow a larger voltage to pass through. Think of it like a powered switch. There are three lugs on the relay. I will call them A B and C. If there is voltage coming from the Pi to the relay, then A and B will be connected. if there is not, then B and C will be connected. This lets you setup the relay in one of two ways: Normally powered or Normally Dead. If you cut the main 24V power line in the power supply, you can hook it up so that it is normally powered, unless the Pi shuts it off. This way you can still print (from SD Card) without the Pi on or connected. The Pi will keep it shut off when you are not using it. If the Pi fails, the printer will be on.
The second way (and the way I intend to do it) is to have the relay normally off, and the Pi will turn it on. This way, if the Pi is not working, neither will the printer.
The way this works, you use an addon in OctoPrint called "PSU Control" It will turn on the Power supply to the printer when you are ready to use it, and turn it off when you are done. Think of a desktop printer that goes into standby mode when not needed, but wakes when you are ready to use it.
Here is the relay I got: (out of stock right now, but gives you an idea)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VRUAHLE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Edit: minor word changes
Output is pretty standard. 12v 1-2amps. Just about every LED driver will do that. Lot's of Hue compatible Zigbee LED drivers on Amazon. Here's one I found that should work. https://www.amazon.com/GLEDOPTO-Controller-Compatible-SmartThings-Lightify/dp/B07R32CS17
OK got it. I hope you don't mind all my questions. Hopfully this is the last of it.
I have amazon prime so is this close enough to your link above: https://www.amazon.com/Tolako-Module-Arduino-Official-Boards/dp/B00VRUAHLE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474495841&sr=8-1&keywords=5V+to+12v+relay
Also, what end would I connect the 5v to trigger the other end 12v?
Thanks again!
I use
Works perfect for fan and fan speed as well as lights.Works with window unit a/c's also that have remotes!
If your fan doesn't have a remote already you can install one....
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073JQFDXG/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1
This is supposed to work the best and can control fans in multiple rooms with one device, but it's $99.
I use the Bond Fan controller. It’s not HomeKit compatible yet but the company has said its coming soon. It works well with Alexa to control speed and lights. You would need to have remote control modules in each fan but they are reasonably priced ~$20 per fan.
I think you could do something like this thing, an in wall zwave switch, though I’m not sure of a current brand/model off hand given this one is discontinued.
Z-Wave In-Wall Fixture Module
https://www.homedepot.com/p/206590919
Edit:
Think this is what you need:
ENERWAVE Z-Wave Plus Relay, Hidden Smart Switch Wireless Remote Control to Lights and Ceiling Fans, 120-277VAC, 10A, Neutral Wire Required, ZWN-RSM1-PLUS, Black https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01G7OD1F8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_moQwFbH61P8RV
>What I'd like to do is a wireless trigger, basically cut the wire, put some kind of wireless relay in the middle and have that relay complete the circuit.
You should be able to do that with a zigbee/z-wave/wifi relay, like this https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Z-Wave-Multi-Input-Output-Contact/dp/B00B6RZ7MM
That is very strange.
Note that there is an older app, the original one, called ihc
Can you try searching for that? I still use it on my Android. It asks me to upgrade to the Broadlink App but I haven't bothered to do so.
So are you mostly using it for IR (infrared) or rf (radio frequency) ?
Bond is probably the best RF controller competitor to Broadlink:
https://www.amazon.com/Automation-Ceiling-Fireplace-through-Control/dp/B071GVGVVH/
Well...in searching - looks like I found a cheap competitor...with a coupon its only $18!!
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Infrared-Conditioner-appliances-Compatible/dp/B0BBV7M924
I have no idea if its any good or not - hard to beat the price though.
Get one of these ASAP. Mine paid for itself in three months.
> If you just want to monitor your power, I would suggest going with Emporia as it is cheap and easy to install
Iotawatt is a similar alternative and is what I bought in 2020, I really like it.