Checked on a neighbor’s plant watering system. I set it up for them in December, and it’s been working perfectly for six weeks. The controller (with a built-in pump), tubing, and drippers cost around $35. The only drawback is the controller’s battery, which needs recharging about once a month. An $8 smart plug allows them to remotely initiate charging from Arizona.
Category: Smart Home
Adding a Shutoff Valve to Our IoT
We have moisture sensors under appliances and sinks connected to our Internet of Things to alert us of leaks. Now, I’m aiming to automate the water shutoff process. Working with this ceiling space today was quite a challenge while exploring ways to install motorized overlays to control the valve levers. Unfortunately, there’s no space to automate the hot water valve, but I may have better luck with the cold water valve.
Happy Grass, Smart Watering
Relaxed day: walking, reading, troubleshooting, …. Here I’m troubleshooting a plant watering schedule on a Hubitat home automation hub. I finally set up schedules for a water pump that irrigates the long line of grasses on our balcony. Back in the day, a plug-in mechanical timer would’ve done the job.
Rolling Green, Smart Scenes
Built a project box for wirelessly controlling lights on our mobile green wall via our Zigbee mesh network and Hubitat hub. Now, these lights seamlessly join lighting scenes controlled by voice, app, or household events.
When Tech Says “No”
I’ve now replaced all of our smoke detectors, including this one in the kitchen that also detects carbon monoxide. They’re connected to the Internet and Google Home, but I can’t silence false alarms with a voice command like “Hey Google, STFU” because UL standards disallow that.
Google’s Love Bug
When we leave our home we tell Google to turn off all the lights. In recent times, Google has decided to play cool jazz once the lights are out. This morning I reviewed the settings and concluded this is a bug. We’ll now avoid Google’s attempts at romance by using a different voice command.
Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up
Sometimes we just go with the flow with YouTube Music’s recommendations for dinnertime music.
Smart Range Hood Lighting
Satisfied my inner nerd, at least for today: modified wiring to make lights in the range hood smart, probably invalidating the warranty. The lights are now included in scenes with other kitchen lights, and can be adjusted by voice.
The Dishwasher has WiFi!
Today, after somehow managing without for 2 years, discovered the dishwasher has WiFi. We can now ask Google how much time it has left to run. It can automatically order supplies from Amazon, but I fear a truckload might arrive. Soon I’ll be able to get out again, a good thing.
Internet of Things
Completed moving our Internet of Things over to a new hub. We can control all lights, temperature, etc., via our iPads, phones, voice (using smart speakers), wall switches, presence sensors (motion), or events (e.g., bright sunshine). It’s a geeky hobby.