Automate with Phone Charger or Ambient Light - Home Automation Challenge Part 2

Ready for a home automation challenge? In this follow-up, I’ll solve challenges submitted by some of you. First, let’s make unplugging my phone a trigger for morning automations. Then we’ll figure out how to have the lights automatically turn on during the daytime, if it’s cloudy outside. Challenge accepted!

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0:00 Intro
0:51 Phone charger triggers automation
2:32 Alerts when phone is done charging
3:46 Ambient light - IFTTT
4:44 Ambient light - Echo Flex motion sensor
5:43 Ambient light - 4 in 1 sensor
7:07 I've made a huge mistake
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Song titled Crux by Nihilore
Song titled The End by EVA

Disclaimer: Smart Home Solver was sent the Inovelli 4 in 1 sensor for an unbiased review. Our opinions are 100% our own and not influenced. We have never been paid for any reviews.

[brittanyparker-vaughan]

That for being thorough and re-uploading. I really love this series so far and appreciate that you cater to all three major ecosystems.

[harrymacdonald-preston]

Your really inspiring and you have made me do things I wouldn't usually do and I have transformed my home into a smart home and I just want to say thank you :)

[Betoballestas]

I'm from Colombia, it's always difficult try to build up a smart home in my country, but this channel has helped me a lot, thanks you dude, you keep going!

[EsotericArctos]

Sorry to be the one to correct you, but the Hue ecosystem, including Bulbs, Sensors and Switches, can be used on ANY zigbee device to control ANY other device if you pair them with Smartthings, Hubitat or any other Zigbee Hub. I am currently using Hue Motion Sensors, with Light and Temperature readings, on a deCONZ Conbee II Stick with Home Assistant and the control my ZWave and WiFi connected lights. They are really easy to pair too, you just use the reset switch on the device then pair them up (or in the case of globes, factory reset with the dimmer switch control).
Apart from that, loving this challenge series.

[j_sheph]

Glad there are people like you offering inspiration to others to create and tinker.

[jesuislejoseph]

Hi Reed I think it’s great you trip loaded this video probably knowing you wouldn’t get as many views. I think it shows great commitment to your viewers and what you do. Thanks for being great and continue the good work. This series is great 👍

[kirstenbakker]

These videos are sooo good!
Will be moving into a new house hopefully before the end of the year, and I can't wait to implement home automations in our new home EVERYWHERE.

[SpaceStrike]

You man are a very good you tuber. Spending this extra time and losing all the first set of views to reupload and help us. Thank you

[einein]

MUCH respect on the do-over after finding a better way

[RestNPizza]

Glad you added Tasker to the video. The most powerful automation app for a smartphone ever. It's incredible what you can do with it

[ClintGriffin]

I'm excited for this series! I just made the transition from Wink to Smartthings and I'm ready to learn how things work.

[RetroAdz]

Hey Reed, you mentioned iOS shortcuts, but have you seen Bixby Routines on new Samsung phones? It uses the same UI as SmartThings If/Then and you can trigger SmartThings scenes based on things that happen on your phone, such as unplugging. It's like a very basic Tasker with a much easier UI

[abdelrahmanbarakat]

They are so simple yet full of information

[MekaniQ]

You should try the Nokia Sleep. It's a sleeping sensor that works with IFTTT! For example, when you get into bed, turn on the lights and when you get out of bed, turn off.
Thank you!
I love your vids!

[smilevskii__]

I just wanna say i love you dude i love this channel it helps me a lot sorry for bad grammar but still i wish i had this home

[ygesh]

Your videos are so helpful.
Question :Any way to trigger alexa/google routines after disconnecting to a specific bluetooth device at specific time?

[berylwhite]

We all make you make mistakes! But you're smart enough to correct yours. Thanks for being honest and thanks for being helpful. Stay safe and you may need a wig to put underneath that hat by the time this mess gets over with. All my best take care

[TheHellis]

Keep in mind it's not only bad to have the phone on charge all night, but also dangerous.
A phone/device battery should never go to 100%. Unless you have a very new phone then it probably does not have the feature to stop at a certain percentage.

I would suggest a bed sensor instead.
Something that either weights the bed or a pressure sensor in the mattress.
You can find information about how to build such a device in the home assistant forum.
If that is compatible with your system.

Regarding charging the phone I solved that with smart plugs that you switch on and the charger charges the phone.
Then an automation cycles the power on and off a few times just to figure out what device I have plugged in to this charger.
Once it knows that it monitors the battery percentage through an app and stops the charging at 90%.
Then makes an announcement in the speakers about it.

[scottmorris]

Couch Potato Challenge!
Set up a tablet GUI to operate lights, see cameras, doorbell, and act as a remote control.

I can't seem to find the Smartthings Virtual switches in IFTTT, so I can't make an automation like yours, do you need a ST Hub or similad for that?