Hello to the group. Long time stalker, first time poster.
I have read everything about the _anything and the new _Omnithings used to connect new devices. I have read other posts on how folks tried to do this as well.
I need some help from the group please.
I need suggestions on:
A good board like a ESP32 that will pair with SmartThings using above mentioned tools. Open to anything as long as it is relatively user friendly and holds a solid mesh network connection. All Zwave and Zwave plus devices currently, and we do not have drops.
Steps to pin out the recliner to know what I really need to add on besides an adapter board or connector for the pins. Waiting on the chair to see if it is a DIN connection.
How to control all 6 buttons and the home button without disabling those on the recliner. (i want both buttons and app access) I wonder if I need to add a passthrough connection so the buttons will function.
A good pairing (Daughter) board, or solder on connector that will take the DIN (I assume) or whatever connection the recliner has. It has 7 keys.
They will be delivered tomorrow so this is just the ramp up. I want to order what I need as soon as they are delivered and start getting voltage and resistance readings so I can get this going.
I am looking at the ESP32 boards, but a lot of them online look like cheapy remakes. I want to buy a good board with a solid mesh network connection. Using all Z Wave and Zwave plus devices currently.
I am also buying recliners that seem to have the same hardware, so we are adding three boards that need to have have unique device_ID for SmartThings network.
Also thinking of attaching a speaker under the recliners to scare the cats out from under the couch as it closes. I am sure I can find a noise we barely hear that pisses them off enough to move. Maybe a bobcat growl…
If you want to use ST_Anything (original project by my son and I) or OmniThing (my son @leinax’s latest project) to control your recliner, you will be using a Wi-Fi based platform, like the ESP32 or ESP8266. These microcontrollers do not take part in either the Zigbee or Z-Wave mesh networks.
If you require Zigbee or Z-Wave, you will be adding a lot of complexity to creating your own DIY integration for your recliner. I do not have any experience with custom DIY Zigbee or Z-Wave integrations, except the ST Arduino Zigbee ThingShield which is no longer sold.
If Wi-Fi is acceptable, I would look at an inexpensive NodeMCU ESP8266 board, assuming it has enough digital I/O pins for your project. 7 buttons might be a stretch. An ESP32 would be a better choice for 7 usable pins.
and this one for ESP8266 (more mature, but less I/O)
Questions for you to ponder…
Do you have an electrical schematic of this recliner?
What functions are you expecting to control via SmartThings?
Are there any additional safety considerations aside from the cats being caught underneath? (Note: Children are my biggest concern here! I can just see one child saying “Alexa, close the recliner” while a sibling/friend is underneath it!)
Does the built-in button panel expect single button presses? Or do you have to press and hold for some functions to work?
Does this effort require the switching of any 120/240VAC power via the microcontroller? If yes, I would be very concerned about electrical/fire safety.
Or just low voltage DC signals? What voltages are we talking about?
Lots more to consider, but that’s something for you to start pondering…
Excellent. Just the person I wanted to meet here. Thanks for the prompt reply.
Yes, Looking at the ESP32 and WiFi is fine.
Do you have an electrical schematic of this recliner? Still digging. I hope one comes with it tomorrow.
What functions are you expecting to control via SmartThings? recline/decline Lumbar in/out, power headrest up/down and a home button that closes it all up. That is seven commands. I would like those and three additional saved settings that would recall position 1, 2 &3
Are there any additional safety considerations aside from the cats being caught underneath? (Note: Children are my biggest concern here! I can just see one child saying “Alexa, close the recliner” while a sibling/friend is underneath it!) Youngest is 16, not an issue.
Does the built-in button panel expect single button presses? Or do you have to press and hold for some functions to work? It is a press and hold, instant stop at release.
Does this effort require the switching of any 120/240VAC power via the microcontroller? If yes, I would be very concerned about electrical/fire safety. Unsure, I doubt it as it is a standard 110 plug.
Or just low voltage DC signals? What voltages are we talking about? Still looking for that schematic.
Teenagers have teenage friends. Teenage friends are idiots. (Just sayin’ )
I guarantee you some teenager is going to think it’s funny to tell Alexa to change the recliner position while another kid is in it or under it. Because, again, idiots.
Heck, they’ll probably make a YouTube video and it will go viral.
Set up your recliner automations so they don’t run when you are not in the room.
Yeah Kids can get dumb.
I will attach a heat sensor and add a few lines of code so sensor is checked fist before actuating the motors. That way anything over 85*F will be safe.
Should be getting the wiring schematic in with the furniture tonight. Confirmed that it is with the paperwork.
Looking at the couch, I need 20 I/O if I want both recliners on the same device (Ideal) . Other wise I am buying four devices rather than three. I see that your ST_Anything esp32 has over 20 I/O so it is theoretically possible if I modify all the names of the up/down …etc in device Handeler as well as max and min volts.
Ordering parts tonight once I see the connections as I do not want to cut them due to warranty.
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