Cheap ways to turn dumb or semi smart things into smart things

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Just curious what other people are using to turn their dumb or semi smart things into proper smart things.

I use the broadlink drivers to control my Rf light switches, my ir airconditioning, Rf ceiling fan, or projector, ir audio amplifier...

I use esp8266 devices that send a http post to to indicate when lights are on (they are plugged into the down light plugs so only power up when the lights are on) so they stay in sync. So this provides feedback from the semi smart lights

I use SmartThings multi purpose sensors to sync when my split air conditioners are on. So they stay in sync and also know the temperature of the air coming out.

I use an esp8266 with current clamp to measure when my projector is on.

I use a smart things multi sensor to determine when the washing machine is on (vibration) then have an alarm when it goes inactive for longer than 5 minutes. Use the switch part of it to stop the notification task that sends announcements every 30 minutes when the machine has finished.

I use smart things water leak sensor to measure when the bath is full and send notification when its full.

I use xiaomi temperature and humidity sensors to determine when the bathroom humidity rises well above the humidity outside the room and turn the extractor fan on. The fan is running off a sonoff wifi device flashed with tasmota.

I use esp8266 and hubduino for my Venetian blinds that are custom designed with servo motors instead of the manual cords they had to tilt/angle them.

I use the ifttt integration my roller blinds to send them up and down based on temperature outside or google voice.

I use my broadlink device to open my ebay special Rf controlled gate actuators that uses samsung SmartThings multi sensor to verify the gates are opening (both accelerometer and the switch).

I use my blue iris security camera system to trigger things in hubitat like turning outside lights on through the http post capability.

I use SmartThings motion sensor to turn the brightness of my tablets mounted (3d printed picture frame) on the wall when someone is in the room.

I use smarttbungs multi sensor to determine if a window is open when the blinds are shut.

I use a SmartThings multi sensor to detect vibration when my Rf ceiling fan is turned on.

Things I'd like to develop further are

  • ways to determine if lights are on that don't have a plug light my downlights or easily capable of adding a esp8266 with current clamp. Other than buy fibaro dimmers or similar.
  • ways to determine if the projector screen is down or up, possibly having a limit switch that operates quickly (maybe esp8266 based?)
  • Xiaomi mi robot vacuum (original) integrated into hubitat. I had it with Home Assistant but the installation became corrupt with HA a few times with different cards so I have up on HA and much prefer hubitat... So I'm reluctant to go install hacked apks and firmware changes plus change location to mainland China to get it going again with the methods shown on here.. But may be forced to go this path. I don't want just starting and stopping, I also want the status so I can determine when the vacuum is stuck or bin is full.
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Regarding the light state detection that isn't a down light with a power plug... Maybe I use an esp8266 with a photo resistor to detect luminance in almost real time? Then tape it to the fluorescent tube (it's in a car port)... Or use a current clamp on a esp8266. But then I need permanent power and neutral there. Perhaps I put a power outlet there and use the http post when it boots.. But same again I need neutral and permanent power..

Was hoping there was a zigbee battery sensor that could detect the state of the light, but the motion sensors of xiaomi only measure lux when motion is triggered so not useful..

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I'm curious what creative ideas that aren't purely off the shelf products that others have used in the home.

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I use a lot of contact sensors with external cables connected to I can send ‘actions’ to HE

I have a rain sensor connected to a contact sensor (all powered by a 12vdc psu - sensor via a little voltage dropper circuit)
This will instantly tell Hubitat when it’s raining so that I can automatically shut my conservatory windows and also announce what other windows are open.

I have a cheap Chinese ‘break-beam’ setup which it connected to another adapted contact sensor which announces when someone is near the front door.

I have another contact sensor connected to a 5v relay which is powered by a 5vdc psu
If the power goes off the contact closes and HE sends alerts etc.

I’m sure there are others :slight_smile:

Andy

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I am curious about this adaption? Is that where you have used the rain sensors reed switch in place of the zigbee sensors reed switch? Any links of pics you have handy?

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Any link for that?

I've got Hue Outdoor motions on the drive and front garden, plus Ring doorbell / motion which are OK for turning floodlights on at night in response to general motion..... but a beam break for actual "person" detection would be pretty cool (I say person as presumably you can mount it in such a way that it's 99% sure that a human has walked through it as opposed to a dog / cat / squirrel / bird / etc).

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This is the original device I made over when I was on SmartThings

The only thing I have changed over the years is fitting it better into a watertight box
and I have changed the voltage regulator because it got wet.

Andy

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I used something similar to this (although I got it on ebay)

I am lucky that the entrance to my house is almost enclosed so I was able to put one part of the sensor on each wall
People break the beam as they approach the front door.

Andy

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Hi,

How well has the rain sensor been on "clearing" after the rain stops? I've looked at these sensors often but have been put off by the thought that a small wet leaf can lock it in the raining condition for a long time.

John

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They have a built-in heater which is turned on when wet.
This dries out droplets quite quickly but I have never had a wet leaf on mine so cannot comment on that

Andy

1 Like