ORIGINAL REDDIT POST
How to automate this?
Anyone knows how can I automate this rotary switch? Needs to be without a smart relay (rent contract prohibits touching electrics). I have a zigbee fingerbot and SmartLife app, thought of the dented wheel and rack as alternative but have 0 clue how to get…
Anyone knows how can I automate this rotary switch? Needs to be without a smart relay (rent contract prohibits touching electrics). I have a zigbee fingerbot and SmartLife app, thought of the dented wheel and rack as alternative but have 0 clue how to get that done and working. The fingerbot alone can't push the switch strongly and far enough. HELP!!
Collected discussion
Change out the switch and then put the old one back before you leave??
Read this as “Sesame Street lock” and was very confused for a minute.
Yeah, needed to see it to figure it out!
Landlord explicitly denied adding smart relays or touching the electrics at all. Honestly after that I really don't want to mess around with something I'm not an expert in. I'm aware that a smart relay is the best solution, I'm looking for alternatives.
Right??? It was useful to visualize it, I guess you can also scan it directly. I don't have a printer myself. Good luck
I'm aware this is the best solution, I'm looking for alternatives.
No, boths electrics are well separated. It's a matter of reducing fire hazards.
This
wtf I mean this is genius, I’m buying a playdoh to make 3d printing prototypes
The cylinder MUST remain unharmed.
If that's a rotary switch with two fixed positions just put a relay behind it (like a Shelly 2, or whatever other brand your heart desires) and call it a day. Just be careful to wire it correctly. Measure and follow the wiring of the rotary switch. Unless you burn the house down, nobody will it was ever there. If that's a potentiometer / dimmer... Can't think of a good solution. Any mechanical interfacing with the esiting knob will have to be well connected both to the wall and the knob, or else things will come apart or slip. As for surprise visits (of they actually take place), I would check the local legislation and maybe consider finding a more respectful landlord.
A child would automate the heck out of the playdoh.
The clay model 😂😂
I did a similar automation with a servo + esp32.
Not sure if it’ll fit, but Yale has an automated door lock that fits over the lock. Might actually work with a 3d print shell.
Might try looking into making a Sesame Smart Lock do what you want. https://candyhouse.co/products/sesame5_us
Stepper motor and belt
I have no idea, but love your clay models!
did you make this with play-doh?
Is this a shared wall unit? Most rent contracts that have electric clauses do so to discourage stealing power from your neighbor.
I was going to say just use Play-Doh but I see this isn't your first automation project, that looks good
Cut a wooden disc to size to fit snugly in the recessed circle. Cut a slot in the wooden disc so the disc fits over the "handle". Fit a pin (dowel, screw etc) to the disc. The pin should be located over where the "..." would show. Use a linear actuator to rotate the disc.
I would take an aqara roller blind motor that can move roller blinds with a chain and then take a rack. this would have a rubberised coating on the underside and the switch moves In the past, you could solve something like that with fishing technique (construction building gausts)...
ESPHome with a servo and a friend (or service) that can 3D print the parts? Getting a U-shaped piece to grab the rotary switch is “easy” and then you just need to stick the servo to something.
You still at it 💀🥀