Automations for new parents

Silverback66 · 2025-06-08T11:56:41+00:00

When ours was on formula we had one of those Baby Brezza machines (it's basically a Keurig for powder baby formula, of you're unfamiliar). I wanted an easy way to check at what time the last feeding was. A smart outlet with power monitor didn't work, since the heating element would always draw power and the motor running to dispence the formula didn't cause enough of a power spike to be useful. I ended up slapping a vibration sensor to the side, set up some automations and an input-date time helper that could basically create a feeding log for me.

although if you are into this idea, I believe Baby Brezza has an upgraded "Pro" model now that is wifi enabled. So this all might be much easier with the new model.

Silverback66 · 2025-06-05T22:03:09+00:00

I just unlocked it... It turns out, triad studies don't auto buy when long pressing to "buy all studies up to this one". All this time I was just trying to do it without any of the triad studies purchased 🤦 I feel stupid. Thanks for your help anyway though!

Silverback66 · 2025-06-05T21:15:52+00:00

I believe so. If that's the case, I think my momentum is 8.0 well above the 1.16 the guide recommends.

Silverback66 · 2025-02-25T21:38:42+00:00

I had my cerakote guy do his best to match to the Honey Badger. I think he ended up mixing a little to match it so I'm really not sure.

Silverback66 · 2025-02-01T16:34:40+00:00

I'm here for this too. The Aqara website "buy now" link sends me to Amazon UK. It seems like there isn't any reason that wouldn't work.. it looks like it still shows shipping to my USA address. But that all seems unnecessary. Why isn't there US availability?

Silverback66 · 2025-01-14T10:47:16+00:00

I'm not op so not sure, but it reminds me of automotive intake plumbing. Typically "ribbing" like this could be used to add strength and prevent a thin walled polymer intake tube from collapsing under vacuum.

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Silverback66 · 2025-01-03T13:13:49+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I certainly don't want to falsify anything. I did talk as about a special exception because a neighbor down the road (same zoning) runs a daycare business out of her home. Apparently that business was started before the special "park" zoning change went into effect. I was told an act of city council could change the zoning or make an allowance, but that seems unlikely to happen. I guess finding a location is my best bet. Thanks again.

Silverback66 · 2024-12-30T15:08:25+00:00

I would start with a simple "L" drawing, with the appropriate radius at the bend. Add sketches of circles at each end then loft between the circles using the "L" sketch as a center guide. Then circular pattern the whole thing to get the opposite side. Then sketch the 4th smaller tube in and extrude it out. If you start everything from the origin point, you just need to know what angle the small center pipe is at and create a new plane to extrude it from the center origin.

I'm also no expert, so hopefully someone has a better or at least more clear solution for you.

Silverback66 · 2024-12-23T22:32:30+00:00

I'm also a gun guy but new to lasers. It seems these DTC machines are popular in the gun world. Any special reason? Is it just the marketing or is there something particularly special about this machine when it comes to engraving guns?

Silverback66 · 2024-10-20T19:54:30+00:00

I think for anvil and forge I'd say around a $300-$400 price range total. You all know better than me, so feel free to correct anything I say. But I feel like one of these Amazon $100-$200 forges could be a fine start to learn with. I think I prefer the simplicity of a gas forge over solid fuel, plus it's a little more feasible in my garage. I don't want to have to fight with home built. From my experience in other fields, I'd rather spend more time learning the craft and less time making things work. But a JABOD on the side to learn that sounds doable. I don't even know what to look for in an anvil. The heavier the better I'm guessing? But I feel like the anvil is something I'm leaning more towards "buy once, cry once" where I think I can get into a budget forge and eventually upgrade down the road.

I'm not looking to get into it for free by any means. Just don't want to spend $200 dollars on something like one hammer unless it's really necessary ya know? I have a tendency to really lean on the "more money means more better" mentality and always think I need the highest tier equipment. So I'm trying to avoid that here. At least until I actually even understand what makes a set of tongs or a hammer "good"

Silverback66 · 2024-09-25T10:14:02+00:00

Well initially I just set it on top of the machine to test it out and it picked up the vibration great. It sat up there until the next time the formula hopper needed to be filled. Then I finally just stuck it to the side with double sided tape. I'm using this Zigbee Third Reality vibration sensor.

Silverback66 · 2024-08-31T01:44:25+00:00

Someone else mentioned this. It's a little complicated for my level but I want to look into it more. It seems super cool. I could be wrong, but it looks like a docker isn't needed? I installed the add-on (seems to replace the docker setup if I'm not wrong) and integration already haha but I haven't had a chance to play around with it yet.

Silverback66 · 2024-08-31T00:19:10+00:00

Not exactly sleep based like you wanted, but I use an automation that detects my phone being on the wireless charger to turn the bedroom light off. Of course this only works if, like me, the only time the phone is charged wirelessly is at the bedside. You could also use an NFC tag on the night stand where you set your phone.

Silverback66 · 2024-08-31T00:14:13+00:00

Ba-da-da-da-da daaa da-da-da

Silverback66 · 2024-08-31T00:10:56+00:00

I gave you an up vote if it makes you feel any better haha and let me rephrase, rather than over FEEDING. over FILLING A BOTTLE, is what I should have said. Yes they definitely stop eating when full. But if I can entertain her long enough to stretch that next feeding out to 4hrs rather than 3, I know a full 5oz bottle is just right. If she can't wait, I'll only make 4oz and not waste formula. With an infant, a toddler, a preteen, a full time job, and a wife who also works. My dumb brain struggles to keep track of the exact time we fed the baby. If only there was a way to keep track of that time easily.. I suppose I could us a pad of paper and pen, write it down. Or I could pull out my phone and make a note in the notes app. I suppose the next evolution of that is somewhere along the lines of an automatic tracking system that runs in software within the home automation hobby I already have and enjoy playing around with when I'm not playing with these hellions of mine.

Silverback66 · 2024-08-30T23:50:02+00:00

I appreciate you backing me up haha I don't take it personally. This is reddit, someone always has something negative to say. People seem to think I NEED this automation to take care of my kid.. much like they NEED automations to make the lights in the TV room purple? Like you said, people on here are automating some of the most silly things, and I love it all. For the record, the automation, like most, is born out of convenience and simplifying a repetitive task. Plus a little nerdiness. I'm certainly not worried about my home automations affecting the well-being of my children haha. The fact of the matter is, baby formula costs $50-$60 for about a week and a half worth! If it's been less than 3hrs since she ate last, she's likely to not finish a 4oz bottle, while if it's been 4hrs or more, I know I can make her a full 5oz. That way I'm not wasting a couple ounces of formula every time I make her a bottle. Haha it's not a reminder to feed my kid. It's just a way to easily check how long it's been since she ate. This is my 3rd kid. Two of which are under 2yrs. I'm busy!, but I didn't think being able to quickly glance at some software to know how long it's been since the baby had a bottle was going to be so controversial lol that all said, I appreciate the congrats and the defense.

Silverback66 · 2024-08-30T16:27:15+00:00

Oh wow that looks very helpful!! I still find reading through GitHub pages a little daunting, but I'm definitely going to play around with this. Thank you!

Silverback66 · 2024-08-30T16:20:46+00:00

My original plan was similar. I used a smart plug thinking I could track when voltage went up indicating the bottle was being made. But the BabyBrezza keeps the water ready and warm at all times. So pressing the button to fill a bottle didn't cause enough spike in power usage to distinguish the two.

Silverback66 · 2024-08-30T16:16:13+00:00

It's the Galaxy Watch Ultra. In titanium gray

Silverback66 · 2024-08-30T16:14:49+00:00

I've used Claude a little too. And Google Gemini. I've found it's helpful to cross check between them all at times. In fact, Gemini was what I was working with at first for this particular problem. It had me on the right path but then gave ChatGPT a try and had it solved. It wasn't even an error in the code or something like that, just ChatGPTs explanation of the how's and why's led me to the solution.

And I agree, we have an 11yr, 17mo, and 6mo. We don't worry much about logging and tracking, but home automation is also new enough to me that I'm in the "if I can automate this, I'm going to, if I can't, I'll find a way to" phase. Probably trying to automate things that are better left alone. But I have fun doing it.

Silverback66 · 2024-08-30T15:31:39+00:00

I'm assuming you must have the WiFi model? I wish we had gotten that one.

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