Jerome's Easton recliner with power lumbar. I need some ideas

(Shannon T Moxley) #1

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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…

#2

Tagging @ogiewon @erocm1231

(Dan) #3

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.

I use this one for ESP32 (less mature, but more I/O)

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…:slight_smile:

(Shannon T Moxley) #4

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.
#5

Teenagers have teenage friends. Teenage friends are idiots. (Just sayin’ :wink:)

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. :scream:

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.

JMO

(Shannon T Moxley) #6

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.