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Just seen a gubbins from Sensibo that claims to turn any AC unit with a remote control to smart functionality.
When I asked the man who services it if there was a way of making it smart he said no.
Our unit is over 10 years old.
Who is right?
https://sensibo.com/products/sensibo-sky
Pretty much anything can be made "smart" depending on how dumb and how heath robbinson you're happy for that to be, so yes the gubbins is "right".
There will probably not be a proprietary, neat, fully integrated solution available for your unit as a retrofit, so the service engineer is "right".
What do you want it to do that's "smart" that it doesn't do already?
I wondered about this a few years back when we had standalone ductless AC units. Theoretically all you would need is be a gubbin that spoke the AC remote's 'language' (a bit like you used to 'program' a TV remote control to your TV), and also spoke to your phone/ Nest app/ etc. At the time it seemed nobody did one, but it never seemed that complicated, and the benefits of being able to do things like "sense the room temp and turn the AC off", or "cool the house down a little because I'm coming home" would be pretty large.
So yes, I reckon it's doable and, if you got the money, worth a shot!
It's for the shop and keeping the chocolates cool.
Being able to turn on the AC remotely would be brilliant if the weather forecast proves innacurate
Theoretically all you would need is be a gubbin that spoke the AC remote’s ‘language’...
...if you got the money, worth a shot
One of these
IR Smart Remote Control, Smart home automation, Panamalar wireless WiFi Universal IR Control Hub Compatible with Alexa and Google Home for Apple Android Smartphones (IR001) https://amzn.eu/1N7jC2q
And one of these
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor | Know your air, Works with Alexa, Certified for Humans device https://amzn.eu/fThw5ok
should do that assuming you use alexa for your smart stuffs.
Being able to turn on the AC remotely would be brilliant if the weather forecast proves innacurate
See above, should do temp and humidity control with those (I've no experience of the IR thing, was just the first Google result, cheaper ones doubtless exist) just the IR thing will do solely off site control.
wow, amazed to find that site is legit, it's got scam (or at least, very high pressure sales tactics) written all over it 🤣
DB is right, I successfully managed to make an old AC smart by soldering a smart relay (one of these https://shellystore.co.uk/product/shelly-uni) over the contacts of its power button, and then using a power-sensing smart plug to provide on/off feedback. If you're not into bodging already though I'd probably give that approach a miss!!
The more "off the shelf" solution is to use a IR-to-WiFi bridge (which I'm guessing is what that Sensibo device is?)
These are well regarded, although I've never used one myself: (Broadlink RM4)
and will allow you to control IR devices via an app on your phone (assuming the AC unit has an IR remote)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Newest-Broadlink-UNIVERSAL-Automation-Compatible-BLACK/dp/B088WF9MJ6/ref=asc_df_B088WF9MJ6/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=427896427194&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14026165031020743933&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007226&hvtargid=pla-926172705035&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=99265829923&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=427896427194&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14026165031020743933&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007226&hvtargid=pla-926172705035
daft question - how is your current unit switched/controled. Does it have any external inputs?
Sweet! I'm reno'ing a big ol' house at the moment, and have wondered about sneaking in 1-2 standalone AC units along these lines. But I'd need them to fit into the wider HVAC smart control system, so the above is all excellent info. STW strikes again!
If you're doing a full renovation surely just insulate it properly rather than sticking AC in?
Broadlink ordered. As above ,well done STW.
Let's hope I can make it work!
dangeourbrain
Full Member
If you’re doing a full renovation surely just insulate it properly rather than sticking AC in?
Also that, and it should probably be enough. AC is just me daydreaming, and used to a decade of N American summers!
Broadlink arrived and fitted.
The box needs to be visual to the remote and the remote visual to the air con so acement is key.
One slight flaw is that if the ladies turn the Aircon on using the iPad in the shop I can't see if it's turned on while I'm away.
Hopefully I can see through the thermometer.
One slight flaw is that if the ladies turn the Aircon on using the iPad in the shop I can’t see if it’s turned on while I’m away.
What are you using to do that through the ipad?
Can you link an ifttt to switch the ac based on temp and take away the manual controls.
The box needs to be visual to the remote
Obvious point is obvious but that should only be for copying the code. Once done you should be able to put the remote in a drawer and forget where it is.
It would be good if having turned the Aircon on via the shop iPad I had the same screen on my phone.
Is that the IR units ap?
Where are those reads coming from? temp and humidity especially?
[s] If that's the IR unit's app that's suggests feedback from the ac unit to the IR sender which seems unlikely. [/s] ignore that. The broadlink unit has a temp and humidity sensor internally.
Ok in which case that looks more like an iPhone/setup issue - that app should definitely show the same readings on both devices simultaneously. (possibly there are reads on the iPhone I just can't see them in the image).
Potentially the status (on off) is local as there's no way to know if the system is actually on or not with an IR sender and a dumb device.
Given it appears to have temp and humidity control though ideally you don't want to have anyone turning it on or off manually.
yeah that’s a flaw with all IR controllers, no feedback.One slight flaw is that if the ladies turn the Aircon on using the iPad in the shop I can’t see if it’s turned on while I’m away.
Workarounds: as you say, you could probably deduce it via the temperature.
If the AC unit has a regular plug, any power-sensing WiFi plug will tell you whether or not the thing that’s plugged in is running or not.
Cheap WiFi camera pointed at the AC so you can see visually whether it’s on or not… there have been a couple recently on Amazon for around £20 ish