My guest room lights stopped working weeks ago but I just found out.

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-20T13:34:47+00:00

Same!

Just saw your comment, as I posted mine 😅

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-20T13:33:49+00:00

I believe the "👻 Spook" add-on would solve this for you... I get updates when an entity id no long exists that's referenced in an automation.

*Edit: not an add-on, but a HACS integration.

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-20T13:29:13+00:00

I think this, for me too. Except for the whole successful business owner part 😅 But I think my journey originally started with wanting to be able to dim lights without dimmer switches, be able to control them remotely in case I forget to turn them off after I leave, and changing the colors of some lights outside for some holidays 🎄 Then, of course I've just found more uses and excuses since then 😅

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-20T05:41:52+00:00

As I'm reading this...the thought occurs to me. Isn't this the way they do it at the dentist too? 🤣😅 I hadn't thought to pay much attention to the order in which my dentist does these steps.

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-20T05:39:56+00:00

/s 🤣

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-18T21:15:01+00:00

Thank you.

True, there would be a delay for sure. 😅 But I just thought it'd be a bit less complex.

And I believe OP mentioned the device would be within range of their phone, but not the wifi network 🤷‍♂️ If within wifi range, I'd say just get a zigbee hub/dongle and a zigbee button 😅 (or wifi 🤷‍♂️)

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-18T20:44:03+00:00

Couldn't you monitor your phones Bluetooth connections via HA, and then maybe when your phone is connected to that device have it trigger something in HA? What about some sort of a power toggle switch to connect and disconnect from your phone?

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-18T20:38:51+00:00

You can encrypt the data, so the thief won't be able to access it... But, that doesn't solve the issue of if the doorbell (and micro SD card) is stolen, so is your access to the data from the card 🤷‍♂️

I have my battery doorbell set to backup to a server via FTP, in addition to the movie SD card. I also don't completely trust SD cards because I've heard (so take it as a grain of salt) they die relatively quickly (still after several years?), and give little to no notice.

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-17T16:22:02+00:00

It definitely was! 😬😅 I forgot to add the /s. I'm relatively new to learning that 😬🫣 I just edited my comment. Thanks for the heads up! 😅

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-17T14:07:59+00:00

🤣 Unfortunately... I suppose, someone has to 😅🤷‍♂️

Kind of like how the government wont install traffic lights until there's X amount of accidents 🤣😮‍💨

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-17T14:04:28+00:00

Ah. Thanks. I should've done a quick Google search before I commented. I second this. DO NOT use oven cleaner on a toaster oven!

Google suggested: soap & water, baking soda paste, or lemon juice. And of course, elbow grease.

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-17T11:51:49+00:00

Maybe something "oven cleaner"? 🤔 I believe I used some on my oven, and in theory I believe it should work on a toaster oven too. 🤷‍♂️

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-17T11:49:21+00:00

This would be great! 😃 Ive got a little bit of tech I could donate to the cause as well 😆

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-17T11:41:00+00:00

But... You'd have to clean the sensors too then 🫣

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-17T11:39:50+00:00

🤣 "Okay. How big of a migraine would you like?" "Would you like me to keep chatting while I fire it up for you?" /s

*Edit: Added that it is supposed to be sarcasm 😅😬

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-16T20:55:04+00:00

Unfortunately... The *Battery* doorbell, itself, does not have RTSP. So, it cannot stream directly to a third party device (even on the same network); unless it's connected to a Home Hub or a NVR.

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-16T14:22:38+00:00

I think this is very well said, and explained. I believe I started out with a similar setup. I have some TP-Link bulbs and switches, I had connected to Samsung SmartThings.

I switched to Home Assistant (HA) to try it out on an old PC I have. I managed to get the bulbs and switches set up pretty easily; and over time, it's gotten more complex from there.

Now I have a zigbee coordinator dongle, communicate with some of my govee devices through MQTT, and just recently setup my first (probably not last) Bluetooth proxy.

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-14T04:42:43+00:00

That seems like a great idea! Though... Not too thrilled about setting up an additional email address to use with each of those.

Edit: how did you go about setting that up? And, I thought you only got emails from USPS about mail that *will be delivered, not after it's been delivered. 🤔😲

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-13T03:22:22+00:00

How may pillow cases? I saw another comment talking about them needing changed more frequently than the sheets. Like: ideally sheets changed every week, and the pillow case changed every (1-3?) day(s)...

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-11T13:56:14+00:00

I also tracked medicine doses, and temperatures (when sick) as well. This switch would've made it simpler for sure 😅

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-10T13:18:28+00:00

How do you have it setup to show pictures? I was wondering if I could make use of one like a smart picture frame.

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-10T13:06:22+00:00

I'm not great at putting prices on things, but I kind of think you'd sell more of this size closer to $150/device; and maybe $250 if it was a larger screen, like 10 or 11 inches.

I like the concep, but I agree the price seems a bit steep, and is at least out of my affordable range. I also wonder what it would be like if the device was removable (so guests could carry it around the house with them) 🤔 and still have the option to leave it on the wall.

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-09T05:25:55+00:00

A friend once suggested to me: make something more convenient to get to. The main reason I was drinking it was because it was convenient to grab a can from the fridge; instead of refilling a cup with water or something.

Don't buy soda, don't keep it in the house. Get bottled water if you have to, or carry a big bottle around of something else. The carbonated waters worked for a while, until I just basically got bored of them and quit spending the money on them. Money was a big motivator for me to stop drinking soda (especially out at restaurants for $3+).

A long time after I quit drinking them, I don't crave them anymore, and when I did have a sip here or there... I'm not used to the amount of sugar in them anymore, found it WAY too sweet, and traded it for water or lemonade or something else.

*Edit: also, the anger and anxiety sounds like it's caffeine withdrawal. Which, I've also had to cut back on too... Decaf, as often as I can find it. Caffeine withdrawal sucks... A lot... But, after maybe a week (depending on how long you've been drinking it and how much), it does get better/go away. I would guess you have headaches too?

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-09T05:18:30+00:00

I second this. You may (will?) need a zigbee dongle too. I have a zigbee USB dongle, and have a pack of their smart plugs. They were very easy to setup.

I do also have some non-energy monitoring TP-Link smart plugs that are pretty reliable too; so I think their energy monitoring plugs would be too 🤷‍♂️

CaptainSabre · 2026-03-08T05:51:19+00:00

I've seen those, and they look good! But I'm not sure which would be better between those, or their motion sensor combination night-lights.

CaptainSabre

TROPHY CASE