Hey everyone! I wanted to share an exciting project I’ve been working on to enhance my home’s lighting system. After experimenting with various lighting solutions, I decided to create a custom circadian lighting setup using Node-RED. This journey started with a desire to mimic natural daylight patterns for better comfort and sleep. I’ll walk you through my motivation, implementation, and some key takeaways.### MotivationI was initially drawn to circadian lighting for its promise of regulating sleep-wake cycles by mimicking natural light. However, existing solutions fell short in several areas. They either increased brightness too much during the night or failed to simulate a gradual sunrise, which is crucial for a smooth wake-up experience. Additionally, the color temperature transitions didn’t align with real-world sunlight changes. These flaws inspired me to design a more intuitive system tailored to my needs.### ImplementationThe core of my setup revolves around Node-RED, a powerful tool for creating custom workflows. I integrated this with Shelly Dimmer and RGBW2 devices, controlled via MQTT. Here’s a breakdown of the main components:1. Circadian Lighting Logic: I programmed the system to follow natural daylight patterns, adjusting both brightness and color temperature throughout the day. This ensures a gradual transition from warm to cool tones and back, enhancing comfort.2. Feeding Lights: To prevent sudden changes, especially at night, I implemented a feature where lights dim gradually before reaching their target brightness. This prevents abrupt awakenings.3. Maximum Light Mode: For nighttime use, I added a mode that bypasses the dimming feature, ensuring full brightness when needed without disrupting the overall system.### Key Considerations- Real-World Alignment: I focused on making the lighting changes mirror actual daylight transitions. For instance, the system starts with warm tones at sunrise, transitions to cooler tones during the day, and shifts back to warmer tones in the evening.- Flexibility: The system is designed to be adaptable. Whether you’re an early riser or prefer a later start, the settings can be easily adjusted to fit your routine.### Tips for Success- Start Small: Begin with one room and gradually expand as you refine your setup.- Experiment with Timing: Find the right balance between brightness and timing to suit your lifestyle.- Document Changes: Keep track of adjustments to understand what works best for you.This project has been incredibly rewarding, not just for the improved lighting but also for the sense of accomplishment from creating something personalized. I hope this guide inspires others to explore custom lighting solutions and enhance their smart homes further!