Monitoring Washing Machine with Xiaomi Vibration Sensor

General
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I recently stumbled upon a clever use for my spare Xiaomi Vibration Sensor, and I wanted to share my experience in case others might find it useful! :tada:

I attached the sensor to my washing machine to monitor its operation. After some experimentation, I noticed a consistent pattern: the sensor detected vibrations when the machine door was slammed shut, during the washing cycle, and especially during the spin cycle. This gave me an idea—why not create an automation to notify me when the washing cycle is complete? :blush:

Here’s how I set it up:

  1. Vibration Detection: The Xiaomi sensor detects vibrations caused by the washing machine’s operation. I created a history stats sensor to count the number of vibration events over a 15-minute window. This helps in determining when the machine is actively running.

  2. Boolean Tracking: I set up a boolean sensor named washing_machine_running. This sensor tracks whether the washing machine is actively in use. It switches to true when the vibration count exceeds a threshold, indicating the machine is running.

  3. Automation Workflow:

    • When the boolean sensor detects the machine is running, it triggers an automation.
    • The automation waits for 15 minutes to ensure the cycle has completed (including the spin and any residual vibrations).
    • After the delay, a notification is sent to my phone, letting me know the washing cycle has finished. The boolean sensor then resets to false to prepare for the next cycle.

I tested this setup several times, and it consistently works perfectly! The notifications are timely, and I no longer have to wait by the machine to check if it’s done. :smile:

This setup has been a real lifesaver, especially when I’m busy with other tasks around the house. It’s satisfying to see how a simple sensor and some smart automation can make daily chores a bit easier. If anyone has questions or wants to troubleshoot their own setup, feel free to ask! :hugs: