Hey everyone, I wanted to share a small project I recently completed in my kitchen that has made a huge difference in our daily life. It’s all about creating a more comfortable environment while watching TV, especially during those cozy evenings with my wife.
The issue we faced was pretty simple but annoying: the bright overhead chandelier would glare in our eyes while we were watching TV. Turning it off wasn’t an option because we still wanted some ambient lighting. Dimming it manually every time we turned on the TV was a hassle, so I decided to automate the process.
Here’s what I did:
-
Dimmer Setup: I installed a Finder dimming module that supports 0-10V control. This allowed me to adjust the brightness of the chandelier smoothly, which is a much nicer experience than just turning it on or off.
-
ESP8266 and Arduino Integration: To detect when the TV was on or off, I used an ESP8266 module connected to the TV’s USB port. This module sends a signal to my Loxone Miniserver whenever the TV’s power status changes.
-
Automation Rules: I set up two simple rules in OpenHAB:
- When the TV turns on, the chandelier dims to 60% brightness.
- When the TV turns off, it returns to full brightness.
-
Fail-Safe Mechanism: I added a switch to disable the automation if needed, ensuring that the system doesn’t interfere if we manually adjust the lights while the TV is on.
The result? It’s been a game-changer! The lights now adjust seamlessly without any manual intervention, and my eyes are no longer strained during movie nights. Plus, it’s been a fun learning experience working with different components like ESP8266, Loxone, and OpenHAB.
I’d love to hear if anyone else has tackled a similar problem or has suggestions for improvements. Happy automating! 