My wife just bought a pinball machine

🛎️ Get Help
1

...and I want to be able to control things based on when it is turned on or off. It uses a standard 110V US outlet.

I haven't played around with current (or power) sensing outlets, but that seems like the most straightforward way to do so. Any hints/suggestions regarding what modules to use, and any pitfalls with this scheme? Or any alternative things I haven't thought of (without, of course, having to modify her new toy, of which she is very protective).

Oh, yeah... and Z-wave or Zigbee... Either one will work, not really leaning one way or the other.

2

Put a smart switch on the plug and mess with her for a few days and turn on and off randomly.... :slight_smile:

1 Like
3

Then she'll never let me play it...

4 Likes
4

Kasa plugs are nice but they dont have any power reporting just on and off

5

I use thess Sengled smart (Zigbee) plugs to tell when my TVs are turned on....

It's not mentioned in the Amazon description, but they report power level.

Sengled Smart Plugs, Hub Required, Works with SmartThings and Amazon Echo with Built-in Hub, Voice Control with Alexa and Google Home, 15Amp Smart Socket, Work as Zigbee Repeater, ETL Listed, 2 Pack https://a.co/d/0lD6mGd

6

Kasa do have energy monitoring models.

1 Like
7

This is a zwave plug that I use and has power usage
https://www.amazon.com/NEO-Z-Wave-Monitoring-Automation-SmartThings/dp/B088FKDBLW

1 Like
8

Ahh didnt know that

9

Don’t those still have to be polled for the power report?
I would lean toward Zigbee since it handles the increased traffic much better than Z-wave.

1 Like
10

Yes, they do still need to poll.

11

Pictures or it didn't happen...

12

IMG_1191
IMG_11911920×2560 370 KB

With my kitty Nezumi modeling it...

9 Likes
13

Godzilla pinball machine.... seriously jealous...

1 Like
14

Yeah... She's a keeper!!! And no, she doesn't have a sister.

4 Likes
15

Meanwhile, wife: New cat bed, check! :heart:

16

I have an Elektra (1st 3 level Pinball machine ever made). A simply zigbee or z-wave outlet should be fine. Even the bumper and flipper coils aren't going to have much of a draw.

17

The most precise power metering device I have is Shelly 1 PM Plus, and I tested many devices. Althought wi-fi, it is very, very stable and a trustable trigger to power based automations.

1 Like
18

Depends upon the model. Some do, some don't.

1 Like
19

Please put a covering on that window, the sunlight will fade the game's artwork eventually even if UV is filtered out. :slight_smile:

Congrats, that is a great game.

If you have any trouble with it, and eventually you will... check out the forums at Pinside.com for help.

20

So what you're saying is we just need to get rid of you. Thanks that's clear now.

:rofl:

The sengled plugs that monitor power have been very good for me. Haven't had any issues with them.

1 Like