Hey everyone, I recently took on a fun challenge to integrate my classic Bitron doorbell system into my smart home setup. It’s been a great learning experience, and I wanted to share my journey in case anyone else is looking to do something similar!
The Setup
I live in a rented flat with a traditional Bitron AN-0002 intercom system. The doorbell has two pushbuttons (one at the entrance and one on the apartment door) and two bells inside the flat. While the system works perfectly as-is, I wanted to add a bit more functionality to make it ‘smart’.
Goals
- Disable Bells Individually: Especially useful when the baby is sleeping. I didn’t want the bells to ring in certain situations.
- Home Assistant Notifications: Get notified in the app when someone rings the doorbell.
- Remote Door Opening: While not a top priority, it would be nice to open the door from inside the flat using Home Assistant.
The Solution
After some research and experimentation, I found that using a combination of relays and smart switches could achieve most of my goals. Here’s how I did it:
- Disabling the Bells: I installed smart relays on each bell’s circuit. This allows me to control whether the bell rings or not through Home Assistant. It’s incredibly handy for those quiet moments!
- Notifications: I set up a simple automation in Home Assistant that sends a notification to my phone whenever the doorbell is pressed. It uses the built-in binary sensors from the intercom system to detect the ring signal.
- Remote Door Opening: While I didn’t fully implement this yet, I did test the concept by using a relay to simulate the button press on the Bitron AN-0002. It worked like a charm! I plan to integrate this into my routine once I finalize the automation.
Lessons Learned
- Compatibility is Key: Not all traditional systems are easy to integrate, but with the right hardware, it’s possible.
- Start Small: I tackled one feature at a time to avoid overwhelming myself.
- Community Support: The Home Assistant community has been invaluable. If you’re stuck, don’t hesitate to ask for help!
Final Thoughts
This project has been incredibly satisfying. It not only enhanced my living experience but also deepened my understanding of how smart home systems can work with older infrastructure. If you’re considering something similar, I highly recommend starting with a clear plan and taking it one step at a time.
Happy smartening! 