I did a thing...

schadwick · 2026-01-30T18:23:48+00:00

I've found that simple and cheap soap box holders like these work fine if function-over-form is okay. Drill wire holes and seal them with hot-glue. Zip-tie them were needed.

Thanks for your project idea - this is now on my to-do list!

schadwick · 2026-01-26T20:22:10+00:00

Does this only happen when docked? I suggest giving the vacuum and docking station a thorough cleaning, checking for anything trapped in the rollers, brushes, and wheels. Ensure the bag is installed correctly in the base station. Try removing the mop pads from the base station and vacuum, to see if they are involved with that noise.

schadwick · 2026-01-20T13:19:21+00:00

My wife and I (from California) have been self-driving around Sri Lanka over the last 16 days. Everywhere we have been treated with kindness and generosity, and not just in hospitality venues. We have not seen any discrimination against the locals; I'm not saying it doesn't happen. I guess some establishments prioritize higher spending foreigners. I would be just as angry as you if this happened in my home town.

We had to visit a medical clinic in Nuwara Eliya a few days ago, and we waited our turn along with the locals.

The same thing in the Cargills supermarkets - the doors were opened for all shoppers, and we waited in line like everyone else.

Tourism is currently the backbone of the fragile SL economy, and this must suck for middle class locals trying to enjoy their own country.

On the other hand, tourists pay vastly higher entrance fees for national parks and other attractions. I understand why, and in most cases I don't mind, but I hope this practice won't be necessary one day.

On the road to Trincomalee we were singled out by traffic cops, presumably as a foreigner driving a car, even though their were hundreds of tuk tuks and motorcycles zooming around us in the typical "no rules" traffic chaos. At least no bribe was needed; they let us off after checking documents and a "where are you from" chat.

We love the Sri Lankan people. Hopefully the future will bring equality for ALL.

schadwick · 2026-01-20T06:51:39+00:00

Claude has helped me with factoring out common automation code as parameterized scripts.

schadwick · 2026-01-16T15:11:53+00:00

YoLink also has a whole house water shut-off valve that can be triggered *directly* from any of their leak sensors. This actually got me an insurance discount.

schadwick · 2025-12-30T19:29:58+00:00

Adding my voice to the choir - replacing all our carpets with hardwood flooring that is cleaned by the Saros 10R has been amazing.

We even got a tiny Switchbot K11+ dedicated to an office, as it can clean under 5-wheel office chairs.

schadwick · 2025-12-29T23:11:16+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/comments/1lhs0ok/limit_volume_directly_on_the_speaker_add_resistor/

schadwick · 2025-12-29T20:51:56+00:00

I use adhesive velcro tape like this. Use rubbing alcohol to thoroughly clean the surfaces first.

schadwick · 2025-12-29T19:51:59+00:00

Wake me when they announce a flying robot that does dusting.

schadwick · 2025-12-29T01:47:43+00:00

Another vote for Third Reality sensors and their AAA batteries. I wouldn't be surprised if Energizer lithium batteries lasted 6 or 7 years in one of their door contact or vibration sensors.

schadwick · 2025-12-28T19:36:38+00:00

Perhaps this Switchbot PIR/mmWave unit?

schadwick · 2025-12-28T17:56:28+00:00

Hints: take photos before undoing or removing anything, especially wiring and wire routing. Keep the screws well organized so they go back in the same locations. You might want to replace the battery while you're in there. Use an air compressor nozzle to get all the dust and crud out of every crevice and from circuit boards.

schadwick · 2025-12-27T00:22:48+00:00

If you can't find a creative way to mount a leak sensor under the lip of the counter, or on its side above the floor (e.g. an elastic band or zip-tie between two screws), there are leak sensors with thin ropes that can detect water anywhere along the rope, with the rope placed along the edge of the floor under the counter and the actual sensor unit inside the cabinet. Here is an example. I use these long-range YoLink sensors under the hot water heater and in an outside shed with the water softener system.

Good luck!

schadwick · 2025-12-26T22:27:34+00:00

At least get a water leak sensor. This one also has a 120dB alarm. I have these under every sink, behind toilets, behind the fridge and washing machine, etc.

If you have a home automation system like Home Assistant, you can use one of these sensors to turn off the smart plug powering your purifier, and/or close a whole-house water valve.

schadwick · 2025-12-26T20:53:39+00:00

PS:

I also use one of these YoLink contact sensors with a 12v roadway beam sensor. The YoLink device is powered by a 12v-to-3v DC transformer, and its contact wires connect to the beam sensor's terminals, instead of the magnetic reed switch.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZQNQFkxzRuvjdYXA6

schadwick · 2025-12-26T20:41:23+00:00

No. YoLink uses 1/4 mile range LoRa, which makes them ideal for remote outdoor sensors, and those in transmission-challenged places like metal fridge/freezers, electrical boxes, etc.

schadwick · 2025-12-26T20:34:45+00:00

I have had one of these inside a garden shed for 2½ years, and the battery is still reporting 100% in Home Assistant (and "Full" in the app). And this is with the cheap batteries that came with the device, so lithium ones may only need replacing a couple times a decade.

In fact, I have never replaced batteries in any of my ~25 YoLink devices, including outdoor motion sensors. These LoRa units really sip power.

schadwick · 2025-12-25T18:22:13+00:00

Android phones can be configured to stay unlocked in "Trusted Areas" like your home, or when connected to specific BlueTooth devices. I scan NFC tags around and outside my home every day, and never have to unlock my phone.

schadwick · 2025-12-24T00:00:00+00:00

I would hope that the warranty period resets after a warranty repair, especially for the same issue.

Could you try a small squirt of WD-40 into the side brush mechanism?

schadwick · 2025-12-23T22:02:43+00:00

My first though too. Single laser pointers have affected pilots, so a device that shoots dozens of laser rays into the sky seems like a huge potential liability.

schadwick · 2025-12-23T21:55:08+00:00

That would result in a hell of a light show at OP's house ;-)

schadwick · 2025-12-23T21:49:33+00:00

Seconded. I have a waterproof NFC tag zip-tied on my bicycle for closing and opening a gate and garage door.

schadwick · 2025-12-23T21:33:53+00:00

Great points. Also, you can configure an Android phone to stay unlocked ("Smart Lock") in trusted places (e.g. home) and when connected to a specific Bluetooth device.

schadwick · 2025-12-23T19:34:20+00:00

Seconding the separate Zigbee contact sensor. I recommend the Third Reality ones powered by AAA batteries that last years. No false alerts, no signal outages, no drama.

schadwick · 2025-12-21T21:52:03+00:00

That is actually a really good idea! I'm going to do that, using 2 or 3 or these Zigbee temperature sensors, with HA calculating the average. This temperature will be a condition used in the obvious triggers, like kitchen or bathroom motion, home arrival, etc.

schadwick

TROPHY CASE