Hi everyone, I wanted to share my recent experience integrating an ESP controller with Shelly devices to automate my sauna. It’s been a fascinating journey, and I hope my insights can help others looking to do something similar.
First, I started with the ESP controller, which I’ve been using to manage the sauna’s climate system. The setup involves a PID controller for precise temperature regulation and an AC dimmer for smooth power control. However, I wanted to add an extra layer of safety by incorporating a power contactor to cut off the 230V AC line when the sauna isn’t in use.
The challenge was figuring out how to trigger the contactor based on the climate mode. I imagined using a lambda function to handle the logic, but I wasn’t entirely sure where to implement it. After some research and trial and error, I realized that integrating Shelly’s GPIO pins with the ESP controller was the key. By setting up a simple automation rule, the contactor now activates seamlessly when the sauna switches to heating mode and deactivates when it turns off.
One thing I’d like to explore further is the ability to reorder automation rules, especially for schedules and triggered actions. Currently, it seems like only shortcut rules can be moved around, which limits the customization. I’d love to see an option to organize all rule types in a more flexible manner, perhaps by time or area grouping.
Overall, this project has been a great learning experience. It’s amazing how combining different devices can create such a seamless and efficient system. If anyone has tips or suggestions for further optimization, I’d love to hear them! Happy automating! 