I recently decided to upgrade my traditional doorbell system to something more modern and integrated with my smart home setup. After doing some research, I settled on the Shelly Button 1 as it seemed like a great fit for my needs. Here’s my journey and some tips for anyone looking to do the same!
The Setup
I had an old wired doorbell system that I wanted to replace. The system consisted of a button at the front gate and a chime inside the house. Unfortunately, the previous owner had removed the chime, leaving me with just the button and some wiring.
The Shelly Button 1 was the perfect solution. It allowed me to keep the existing button while integrating it seamlessly with my smart home ecosystem. I connected the button to my existing wiring and set it up with openHAB to send notifications to my smartphone whenever someone presses the button.
Challenges and Solutions
- Wiring Configuration: At first, I wasn’t sure how to connect the Shelly Button to the existing wiring. After some trial and error, I realized that the Shelly Button could be connected directly to the wiring without needing additional components.
- Power Supply: I was worried about the power supply since the Shelly Button requires 12V. However, I found that the existing wiring already provided enough power, so no additional adapters were needed.
- Configuration in openHAB: Setting up the button in openHAB was straightforward. I used the built-in MQTT integration to connect the Shelly Button and created a rule to send push notifications whenever the button is pressed.
Results
The integration has been a huge success! Not only does it notify me when someone presses the doorbell, but it also gives me the flexibility to customize the notifications based on my location or time of day. For example, during the night, I can set it to send a silent notification to avoid waking up the whole house.
Tips for Others
- Check the Wiring: Before purchasing any devices, make sure to inspect the existing wiring to ensure compatibility with your chosen smart button.
- Use MQTT Integration: If you’re using openHAB or a similar system, MQTT is a great way to integrate the Shelly Button without needing additional hubs or bridges.
- Customize Notifications: Take advantage of your smart home platform’s automation rules to tailor the notifications to your specific needs.
Overall, I’m thrilled with how this project turned out. It’s a great example of how modern smart home devices can enhance and simplify everyday tasks. If you’re looking to upgrade your doorbell system, I highly recommend giving the Shelly Button 1 a try!
Best regards,
Snatsch