Author Topic: Smart homes (Read 104821 times)

brodes18 · « **Reply #120 on:** October 03, 2018, 09:16:07 AM »

https://automatedabode.com/using-a-smart-thermostat-on-shabbos/

Dan · « **Reply #121 on:** October 03, 2018, 10:49:18 AM »

Quote from: brodes18 on October 03, 2018, 09:16:07 AM

https://automatedabode.com/using-a-smart-thermostat-on-shabbos/

Article is wrong. Ecobee does have a disable standby screen option and the ability to set the brightness the same for active and inactive.

tzifanya54 · « **Reply #122 on:** October 03, 2018, 11:29:01 AM »

Quote from: Dan on October 03, 2018, 10:49:18 AM

Article is wrong. Ecobee does have a disable standby screen option and the ability to set the brightness the same for active and inactive.

That's why we need this:

Quote from: Dan on September 28, 2018, 09:41:29 AM

I prefer it.
Perhaps I'll write up a DDMS post comparing my experience with all of them.

brodes18 · « **Reply #123 on:** October 03, 2018, 01:34:20 PM »

Quote from: Dan on October 03, 2018, 10:49:18 AM

Article is wrong. Ecobee does have a disable standby screen option and the ability to set the brightness the same for active and inactive.

Good to know. Regardless, I like the part about automating a shabbos mode using the API. I might set this up for myself.

TribeTechReview · « **Reply #124 on:** October 07, 2018, 08:44:15 PM »

I just wrote a two part article on the Wyze Cam. It is a cute little indoor camera that is only 19.99 and does not have any cloud storage costs (14 days free). Best thing is that the motion sensor can automatically be turned off for shabbos and Yom Tov. See this article and other smart home articles on tribetechreview.com

ev · « **Reply #125 on:** October 11, 2018, 04:36:08 PM »

Quote from: Dan on October 03, 2018, 10:49:18 AM

Article is wrong. Ecobee does have a disable standby screen option and the ability to set the brightness the same for active and inactive.

Disabling the standby screen is not the same as disabling the proximity sensor. I you disable the standby screen timeout then the Ecobee will not display the standby screen but it will still dim the screen brightness after some time. When the proximity sensor is activated again the standby screen brightness will get brighter. You do have the ability to set the screen brightness to the same level for both active and standby thereby negating the problem of causing this modulation on Shabbos. However, the downside to this approach is that besides having the screen brightness cranked up all the time, you also lose the outside weather station reporting you would normally have on the standby screen. If you however just put a piece of opaque tape on the proximity sensor the device will change to active mode when touched and will go back to standby after the set timeout.

I should have included your option in my article. I probably didn't think of it at the time because when I got my Ecobee I in general didn't like the idea the proximity sensor activating the screen every time I passed by even during the week. There is no way to disable the proximity sensor and have the functionality I described so I just covered it with a small piece of tape which is barely noticable.

Now that you have pointed this out I will update the article. Since these settings are adjustable with the API it would be possible to have the settings changed right before Shabbos and Yom Tov and changed right back afterward.

Dan · « **Reply #126 on:** October 11, 2018, 04:52:14 PM »

Quote from: ev on October 11, 2018, 04:36:08 PM

Disabling the standby screen is not the same as disabling the proximity sensor. I you disable the standby screen timeout then the Ecobee will not display the standby screen but it will still dim the screen brightness after some time. When the proximity sensor is activated again the standby screen brightness will get brighter. You do have the ability to set the screen brightness to the same level for both active and standby thereby negating the problem of causing this modulation on Shabbos. However, the downside to this approach is that besides having the screen brightness cranked up all the time, you also lose the outside weather station reporting you would normally have on the standby screen. If you however just put a piece of opaque tape on the proximity sensor the device will change to active mode when touched and will go back to standby after the set timeout.

I should have included your option in my article. I probably didn't think of it at the time because when I got my Ecobee I in general didn't like the idea the proximity sensor activating the screen every time I passed by even during the week. There is no way to disable the proximity sensor and have the functionality I described so I just covered it with a small piece of tape which is barely noticable.

Now that you have pointed this out I will update the article. Since these settings are adjustable with the API it would be possible to have the settings changed right before Shabbos and Yom Tov and changed right back afterward.

People have said the opaque tape trick works on the 3 Lite.

I have the old 3 and can't get the tape trick to work. When I cover the sensors it stays in active mode, so there's no benefit of that for me over leaving the brightness on the same level for active and inactive.

I do lose the weather, but unless someone wants to sell me a 3 Lite at the discounted price I don't think I'll switch just for that.

ev · « **Reply #127 on:** October 11, 2018, 06:12:52 PM »

I have the 3 and I use black electrical tape to cover the proximity sensor. I've done the same on the Ecobee 4, though on that model the sensor is on the bottom left side. The Ecobee 3 lite doesn't have a PIR sensor so you can't get confused with the proximity sensor. On the Ecobee 3 the proximity sensor is adjacent to the PIR sensor. The proximity sensor is the one that is further left and a bit lower down. You only need a very small piece of tape to cover it.

I imagine that the reason it stayed active in your situation may have been because of the type of tape you used.

Dan · « **Reply #128 on:** October 11, 2018, 06:14:07 PM »

I used blue painters tape. Are you saying I need to go buy some black tape for it to work?
Have a picture of your tape solution?

ev · « **Reply #129 on:** October 11, 2018, 06:22:01 PM »

Sure I'll send you one when I get home.

Dan · « **Reply #130 on:** October 11, 2018, 06:22:45 PM »

Should I buy this?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B19JLS/?tag=cl03f-20&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Or this?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TOW5Y88/?tag=cl03f-20&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

ev · « **Reply #131 on:** October 11, 2018, 07:02:33 PM »

I just used the cheap black electric tape that I had. I imagine that either will work. It is probably an optical proximity sensor pulsing infrared light. When the light is reflected back the device knows something is there. Thus you need to use black tape so that the light doesn't reflect back.

ev · « **Reply #132 on:** October 11, 2018, 07:04:53 PM »

I would buy the duck tape because it is more matte and would probably be a bit less noticeable. Electric tape is more glossy and tends to discolor when stretched.

ev · « **Reply #133 on:** October 11, 2018, 09:55:54 PM »

Quote from: Dan on October 11, 2018, 06:14:07 PM

Have a picture of your tape solution?

Attached

Dan · « **Reply #134 on:** October 11, 2018, 10:13:32 PM »

Quote from: ev on October 11, 2018, 09:55:54 PM

Attached

Thanks, black tape ordered.
What are the 2 sensors on the top left?

ev · « **Reply #135 on:** October 12, 2018, 10:28:58 AM »

I believe they are both parts of the proximity sensor. In the picture you will notice the LED light emitting IR which is not visible to the human eye but is visible on a camera (without an IR filter). The tape is covering the sensor that is supposed to receive the reflected IR light from the LED. On the bottom left corner is the PIR sensor covered by a semi transparent plastic.

Dan · « **Reply #136 on:** October 16, 2018, 06:07:17 PM »

Quote from: ev on October 11, 2018, 09:55:54 PM

Attached

When I tape over just one sensor (like your picture) then the screen changes when I waive my hand in front of it.
But works perfectly when I cover both sensors, thanks!

Who knew that dark blue tape would be different than dark black tape?!?

ev · « **Reply #137 on:** October 16, 2018, 06:19:47 PM »

Glad to be of help.

aygart · « **Reply #138 on:** October 23, 2018, 08:26:40 AM »

Does anyone have recommendations for smart locks for an office?

zgoldglantz · « **Reply #139 on:** November 12, 2018, 11:14:48 AM »

Does anybody know of a smart alarm system that can be set on a timer so it works friday night?

I have been reading through the forums and it seems like everyone's solution for Shabbos is to disable their security systems and cameras over Shabbos. I want to be able to have the alarm set for Friday night (probably midnight to 6am). Is there a smart security system that allows this?

I am in the market for a security system and want to know what people do for Shabbos if they are interested in securing their home over Friday night. I currently have Frontpoint but want to get rid of it before the 30 day cancellation period is up and I get locked into a contract. Been thinking about getting Ring. TIA!