It is difficult to turn a group of lights on and off with an ActionTiles tile. This post from URTechTherapy provides a solution for switching a group of lights on and off.

1. Create SmartThings scenes for on and off
2. Create SmartThings Lighting Group with all lights
3. Create SmartThings Virtual Switch (add to “My Devices”)
4. Create SmartThings Smart Apps Automation for each Scene (on and off)
5. Create SmartThings Automations for on and off
6. Authorize Virtual Switch to ActionTiles and add to panel
   

Add Den LEDs On scene with action on for both devices
Add Den LEDS Off scene with action off for both devices
Add Den LEDS Group group with both devices
Create Den LEDs Virtual Switch in SmartThings
Add SmartApp/Smart Lighting/New Lighting Automation/Activate these scenes

My attempts at home automation started back in the 1980’s with x10 devices with power line signaling. These devices are long gone. I’ve chased inexpensive and DIY additions ever since with a lot of effort and a lot of fun with a modest outlay. Here are some of my devices:

• Etekcity 433 MHz RF switches and remotes
• Amazon Echo, Echo Show, Dots, Fire HDs, Fire sticks, switches
• OpenHab, then Home Assistant/MQTT
• Google Chromecast, Chromecast Audio, Nest Hub, Chromecast with Google TV
• Sonoff/Tasmota switches, power switches and RF bridge
• Meross switches and garage door opener
• Momentum garage door opener
• Ambient Weather Station
• Wireless 433 MHz ceiling fan remote control
• Logitech Harmony remote controls with hubs
• Wyze cams, pan cam, motion sensors, door sensors, home security
• SmartThings Hub/ActionTiles

This creates a serious challenge for integration. I thought OpenHab could be the solution but it will be just one of the pieces. The difficulty is a bit too high for me. I plan to migrate to Home Assistant. Samsung SmartThings with the ActionTiles companion is my smart home integration solution now. There is a lot of support. The difficulty is reasonable. The use of cheap Amazon Fire HD tablets makes smart device information and control intuitive and convenient.

I started this phase of home automation with the addition of a SmartThings Hub. After installing the SmartThings app and the ActionTiles app on my phone, I rounded up various old tablets to get started. I planned to use wall-mounted tablets to control my smart home.

I solved two problems using a post by Andrew Connell. I had a broken and unneeded NuTone intercom. I also needed to power my wall mounted tablets. I removed the intercom base station and ran power into the the open hole. I added a monitor wall mount, an HP monitor and a Raspberry Pi for an information kiosk. This covered the open hole. I also added a 24 volt power supply to power the tablets.

I removed all the intercom speakers and used the speaker wires to provide 24 volts from the power supply. I used USB Buck Converters to drop the voltage to 5 volts for USB power to the tablets. I used mostly Fire HD 8 tablets with Makes by Mike wall mounts which covered the speaker holes. I used a Fire HD 10 for the main station in the master bedroom.

I used another post by Andrew Connell to configure the Fire HD’s as home kiosks for SmartThings.