Smart Home Solutions Including "Fridge ON" Monitoring

• 

  coffeeinmyveins on 24/02/2023 - 11:52

  +4

  how do we monitor if our fridge is on when the fuse blows or power goes out? It happened the other day and we didn't notice until evening. It would have been great to go turn it back on more quickly (fuse blew due to dodgy USB charger).

  Couldn't you just have a smart plug plugged into the wall outlet and the fridge plugged into that, and if the fuse is blown then the smart plug will not be accessible via your web app of choice because it's offline?

  • 

    ESEMCE on 24/02/2023 - 12:12

    UPS on the Fridge if outage is so frequent?
    Then it'll;
    a) keep the fridge running for a bit and
    b) beep annoyingly at you until power is restored.

    Can probably get Smart UPS these days that send you a message when the UPS is running on battery power.

    4G backup integrated modem (like a Telstra Smart Modem, running off the UPS as well) would resolve issues with the internet going down even if power goes out.

    • 

      1Kenobi on 24/02/2023 - 13:47

      The beep of a ups would do.
      I was hoping for an alert on my phone in case im not home.
      We have a Tesla battery and solar but its no help if the fuse trips

      • 

        ESEMCE on 24/02/2023 - 14:25

        Is it really a frequent enough issue that it needs a solution?
        Sure, annoying that it happened, but sounds like it was a once off event.

  • 

    boomramada on 24/02/2023 - 13:00

    This trick would work, even better with a smart plug which can monitor the current.

  • 

    apple2016 on 24/02/2023 - 15:41

    This would be the easiest was. smart plug or switch.
    Setup an simple automation to raise and alarm if the plug/switch goes down.
    apple homekit / ITTT etc.

• 

  spackbace on 24/02/2023 - 12:18

  +1

  we would also like a switch via SMS or smart phone (using 3/4g) to be able to turn on/off our bushfire sprinkler system.

  Does such a thing exist? Because it would need it's own power source (so a battery or UPS)

  OK so here is a 4G modem with battery backup. You'd have to have a UPS as well for the smart switch.

  So a UPS, with both the smart plug and the 4G modem with battery backup plugged into it (note, UPS not necessary for the modem, just a backup solution as you already need the UPS for the plug)

  • 

    1Kenobi on 24/02/2023 - 13:44

    Pump has a 12 v battery so i can use this

  • 

    apple2016 on 24/02/2023 - 15:38

    Does such a thing exist? Because it would need it's own power source (so a battery or UPS)

    the solution would be to assume its down if its not reporting itself as online. Can be achieved with ITTT etc.

• 

  boomramada on 24/02/2023 - 12:38

  +1

  how do we monitor if our fridge is on when the fuse blows or power goes out? It happened the other day and we didn't notice until evening. It would have been great to go turn it back on more quickly (fuse blew due to dodgy USB charger).

  Either access the thermometer in the fridge through IOT device or add a wifi thermometer in to the fridge and set the notification on sudden temperature drops.

  we would also like a switch via SMS or smart phone (using 3/4g) to be able to turn on/off our bushfire sprinkler system. The pump can already be turned on/off via a 12v WEMO maker but that relies on the internet working and it is not that robust as a solution. (assume SMS/3g/4g is available)

  Just add wifi enable switch to the motor, which you can remotely turn on/off.

  • 

    spackbace on 24/02/2023 - 12:39

    +1

    The pump can already be turned on/off via a 12v WEMO maker but that relies on the internet working

    • 

      boomramada on 24/02/2023 - 12:42

      +1

      Its all depend on if bushfire hit the house or the mobile tower first:)
      My bad, I read it wrong.
      I would just put the thermometer on the gutter, if thermometer hit 60c (maybe 100c?). turn on the sprinkler.

      or something like this https://microcontrollerslab.com/iot-fire-detection-esp32-fla…
      few meters away from the house , or program in a way, if there is no ping from iot device, turn on the sprinkler too LOL

      • 

        1Kenobi on 24/02/2023 - 13:51

        The temp gauge idea is worth trying

        We do have a modem with 4g backup but the optus tower that goes too is further bush

        If i use a telstra sim it can pick up a tower away from fire risk but its too far for good 4g but works for sms

        • 

          boomramada on 24/02/2023 - 15:39

          @1Kenobi: The idea of automation is to trigger based on sensors without any human interaction so you don't need to rely on mobile network, especially during a bush fire. Human interaction is good as a backup.

• 

  SBOB on 24/02/2023 - 12:39

  +1

  There are modem devices which have io and can be configured to trip outputs based on incoming commands.
  They need some level of programming

  One like this might be suitable but at least gives you an idea of what search terms to use
  https://www.iot-store.com.au/products/industrial-cellular-mo…

• 

  bargaino on 24/02/2023 - 14:57

  +1

  I have a Zigbee door-sensor with thermometer inside the fridge, hooked to Home Assistant.
  It alerts me if the door is open too long, or temperature rises.

  Something like this: https://www.smarthome.com.au/product/aeotec-smartthings-mult…

• 

  Keplaffintech on 24/02/2023 - 20:10

  +3

  Suggestion, don't put the smart plug on the fridge, put it on an empty outlet on the same circuit. Smart plugs can fail themselves, or default to off if power surges, leaving you without a running fridge.