How I Achieved Seamless Smart Lighting Automation with Govee

General
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How I Achieved Seamless Smart Lighting Automation with Govee

Hi all,

I wanted to share my journey in creating a smart lighting system using Govee products. My goal was to automate my kitchen lights to dim when the TV is on, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience without eye strain. This project was a fun challenge that combined hardware setup, programming, and a bit of creativity.

The Problem

When my wife and I enjoy our evenings in the kitchen, the bright chandelier often caused glare and discomfort, especially when watching TV. The solution had to be seamless and not disrupt our daily routines.

The Solution

I decided to use a Finder dimmer module to control the chandelier. The dimmer has a fade-in/fade-out feature, which adds a nice touch. Here’s how I set it up:

  1. Hardware Setup

    • Dimmer Module: I used the Finder 15.11.8.230.0400 dimmer, which supports 0-10V control.
    • ESP8266 Arduino: To detect the TV’s power status via its USB port.
    • Loxone Miniserver: For parsing and forwarding signals to OpenHAB.

  2. Automation Logic

    • When the TV turns on, the lights dim to 60%.
    • When the TV turns off, the lights return to 100%.
    • If the lights are manually turned off while the TV is on, they stay off.

  3. Programming

    • ESP8266 Code: The Arduino detects the TV’s power state and sends UDP messages to the Loxone miniserver.
    • OpenHAB Rules: These rules handle the dimming logic based on the TV’s state.

Challenges and Tips

  • Level Conversion: The ESP8266’s input is 5V tolerant, so I added a simple level converter.
  • Signal Parsing: Ensure the UDP messages are correctly parsed in Loxone to trigger the right actions in OpenHAB.
  • Testing: Incremental testing helped identify issues early, like ensuring the dimmer didn’t conflict with manual controls.

Outcome

This setup has transformed our kitchen into a comfortable viewing area. The dimming effect is smooth, and the automation works reliably. It’s a great example of how smart home devices can enhance daily life!

I’d love to hear how others have automated their lighting or solved similar problems. Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions below!

Cheers,
[Your Name]