At Oz Smart Things, we often receive questions from customers about automating home systems with smart devices. One recent inquiry came from a customer who was using the Shelly Plus 1PM, DS18B20 sensor, and the Shelly Plus Add-On. They wanted to automatically turn off their system when the temperature reached 70°C, and have it turn back on when the temperature dropped below 70°C.
While they managed to create an action to turn the system off at 70°C, adding a rule to turn it back on caused the device to stay on continuously, and manual control was difficult. If you're facing a similar challenge, here's how to solve it.
The Problem
The customer wanted to control the Shelly Plus 1PM based on temperature readings from the DS18B20 sensor. Specifically, the system should:
- Turn off when the temperature exceeds 70°C.
- Turn back on when the temperature falls below 70°C.
However, they encountered an issue where adding a second action to turn the system back on created a conflict, preventing manual control.
The Solution: Create a Virtual Thermostat
The best way to automate this kind of temperature control is to create a virtual thermostat in the Shelly Smart Control app. This feature allows you to easily set up temperature thresholds for both turning off and turning on the device without causing conflicts between the two actions.
Here’s how to set it up:
Step-by-Step Guide:
-
Open the Shelly Smart Control App: If you haven’t already, download the app and log in.
-
Go to the Room Setup:
- Navigate to All Rooms.
- Select the room where the Shelly Plus 1PM and DS18B20 sensor are installed.
-
Create a Virtual Thermostat:
- In the room settings, click on Thermostats.
- Select Create a New Thermostat.
-
Set Temperature Thresholds:
- Set the turn-off temperature at 70°C.
- Set the turn-on temperature below 70°C (e.g., 65°C or 69°C depending on how quickly you want the system to react).
-
Save and Apply Settings:
- Once your thermostat is configured, save the settings.
- The virtual thermostat will now control your Shelly Plus 1PM based on the temperature readings from the DS18B20 sensor.
By creating a virtual thermostat, you’ll avoid conflicts between multiple actions and ensure that your system behaves exactly as you want.
Why Use a Virtual Thermostat?
A virtual thermostat simplifies the process of controlling your smart devices based on temperature changes. Instead of setting individual actions that might overlap or conflict, the thermostat feature in the Shelly app ensures smooth operation with predefined temperature ranges for turning the device on and off.
Conclusion
With the Shelly Plus 1PM, DS18B20 sensor, and Shelly Add-On, you can easily automate your home’s temperature control. By using the virtual thermostat in the Shelly Smart Control app, you’ll avoid the complications of conflicting actions and gain a reliable, hands-off way to maintain your desired temperature range.
If you have any more questions or need further assistance with Shelly products, feel free to reach out to us at Oz Smart Things! We're always here to help you get the most out of your smart home setup.
Check out our wide range of Shelly products on our website: OzSmartThings.com.au.