Hey everyone, I’m diving into the world of smart lighting automation, and I wanted to share my journey so far. I recently set up a few Sonoff lights and switches using Tasmota firmware, and I’m trying to figure out how to differentiate between physical button presses and automation-triggered actions. This has been a bit of a puzzle, but I’m excited to share what I’ve learned and get your thoughts!
First, I discovered that Tasmota allows for MQTT payload customization. By tweaking the firmware settings, I can send specific messages when a physical button is pressed. This means I can create unique triggers for my automations, ensuring that manual actions don’t interfere with scheduled routines. For example, I can set my lights to respond differently if I press the button versus if a motion sensor activates them.
I also stumbled upon the Rule Machine feature in my setup, which has been a game-changer. I’ve been experimenting with creating rules that turn off lights based on motion and humidity sensors in my bathroom. The idea is to have the lights stay on during a shower but turn off automatically once the room has dried out. However, I’m still figuring out how to prioritize humidity over motion when turning off the lights. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Another interesting challenge I faced was getting my Raspberry Pi to control a fan using GPIO pins. I managed to set it up so that the fan runs on 3.3V for quieter operation, but I want to switch to 5V when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold. I’m working on a script that will toggle between the two pins based on temperature readings. It’s been a fun project, and I can’t wait to see it in action!
I’d love to hear about your experiences with Tasmota, MQTT, and automation. Have you found any creative ways to customize your smart devices? Let’s discuss and maybe inspire each other with some innovative solutions!
Cheers, Nick