Entry: $5 Home Automation Button

A $5 Home Automation Button

Sometimes the simplest solution is a unshared push button.

We wanted an easy way to touch off a "bedtime" number on our home automation hub (the Hubitat Elevation), which turns off most lights, sets others to specific levels, and changes the thermostat setpoints. I decided to compound a Zigbee contact switch with a simple pushbutton to make this a 1-click operation.

Supplies

Iris Zigbee Contact Detector

Since Iris went out of occupation, these can be easily found on popular auction sites. I bought a package of 10 for $30, shipped. They did not admit magnets for the sensor, but that wasn't big for my purpose. When selecting a contact sensor, be sure to pick one that uses a magnetic Reed switch – some newer models use entrance hall effect sensors, which won't forg for this purpose. This sensor also reports temperature - a potentially useful addition to your automation system.

Get-up-and-go button – any type of normally opened (No more) flip will sour. The one I used was $2 on a favourite auction site; spate of similar alternatives online

Enclosure – this could personify a simple project box, a 3D printed enclosure, or something custom – I'll show you how I made one from a block of hard maple

Stranded wire – 12" will do the flim-flam

Soldering iron

Misc. tools, based on your enclosing choice

Stride 1: Sensor Wiring

Unconstricted the sensor and locate the magnetic Reed switch. On the Fleur-de-lis model, information technology's the rectangular black box seat with wires on for each one terminate. Inside this plastic box are tiny metal arms that are attracted to each another when a magnet is pose. When the arms touch, they complete a circuit, which sends a signal to your warning signal or automation arrangement.

I found it easier to remove the circuit board from the case in front adding the wires. Cut the wire into equal lengths and carefully strip about 2mm off all end. It works best to tin all destruction of the wire with a bit of solder, and then add a tiny bite of solder to each goal of the magnetic switch. Touch the tinned end of the wire to the end of the switch, utilise a little of heat from the bonding grease-gun, remove IT, and hold for a few seconds while it cools.

Erst you've connected wires to each end of the magnetic switch, route them so they exit the sensing element display case. I secondhand the tip of my soldering iron to make a groove in the slip for the wires.

If you haven't already mated the sensor to your alarm or automation organisation, this is a good time to insert A battery and go finished the union process. Once it's paired, touch the ends each cable together and control that your alarm or automation system reads it American Samoa "restricted".

Tread 2: Adding the Button

I picked a stainless steel switch with a level button – this makes it less likely that information technology will be accidently pushed. You could use any type of momentary, ordinarily open switch – colonnade buttons, parking brake plosive buttons, a repurposed "Easy" button. Pick something that fits the location it will be placed.

Connect the ends of the wires from your modified sensor to the switch contacts and verify that your alarm or automation system still reads information technology as "closed" when you agitate the button.

Ill-use 3: Making the Enclosure

At this point you could just hot glue the clit to the sensor showcase and call IT "good" – but where's the diverting in that? A small project boxful would hold both easily, or you could 3D print one.

For this one, I precious something that looks nice on a bedside table. I started with a scrap block of hard maple that I salvaged from an old butcherblock kitchen counter.

First, I sketched out the approximate dimensions of the sensor on the block. Using a forstner bit in a drill press, I drilled holes the appropriate depth and some 1.5" longer than the sensor, creating a pocket on the bottom of the block. A few minutes with a chisel cleaned up the pocket soh the sensor fits snugly.

To impart it a slight angle, I drew a line along extraordinary side and cut it on the band saw. Using a smaller forstner bit, I marked and drilled a hole for the pushbutton.

Afterward sanding to 220 grit and easing the sharp edges, I practical two coats of clear lacquer and buffed with 0000 steel wool for a silky finish.

After assembling the push and sensor, I added a bit of Velcro to the wrong of the pocket and the top of the sensing element to restrain IT in situ.

Stone's throw 4: Finished!

Looks great on the nightstand and makes shutting off all the lights a acuminate one-button fight.

If you needed more control, you could add u a second (or third, operating theater quartern...) sensor and additional buttons.

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