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I had the same issue, unfortunately my washing machine does not have an API. I used a raspberry Pi with a camera, using OCR i was able to detect the remaining t
by styxit 3y ago
I had the same issue, unfortunately my washing machine does not have an API. I used a raspberry Pi with a camera, using OCR i was able to detect the remaining time from the display. Having an API like this would have been so much easier.
I did create an opensource web app so you are able to see your remaining time, laundry history, and get (push/mail) notifications. Since you only need to push the remaining seconds to an http endpoint it probably is easy to use with the solution described in the article.
https://github.com/styxit/laundry-admin https://github.com/styxit/laundry-admin
- mft_ 3y agoTangent, but how did you handle lighting for the camera? I'm intermittently working on something similar to read a gas meter, but am struggling to find a way of lighting the digits sufficiently, while not leaving reflections on plastic over the digits. I've tried Pi-controlled LEDs and a smart bulb, with little success, so far.
- zombielinux 3y agoTry switching your spectrum. I bet that plastic is transparent in UV or Infrared and with some minor camera surgery, you could get some visible light filter in there. Alternately, try some polarizing filters instead.
- michaelt 3y agoTry diffuse lighting - the classic option is a light pointing at a white shower curtain. That should cut down on the specular reflections. Alternately, get yourself a movable light, a live view through the camera, and move the light around until you find a position that gives you a good image.
- jve 3y agoFor "I'm done" notification, I use relay with power metering - looking at the power pattern, home assistant can be set up for notification after x time when that graph drops to floor.
- dicknuckle 3y agoShelly has a few relays with power metering and they offer lots of local-first and open ways of communicating. I use one to control power to my 3d printer.
- bartkappenburg 3y agoExactly, that's also my setup. Works as a charm! The power meter is a zwave switch which sits between the socket and the washing machine.
- sgerenser 3y agoSame here. I’m sitting here reading stuff about reporting time remaining and wondering why that matters? Isn’t the concern just when its done? I got one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LN3C7WK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LN3C7WK . Connected it to my HomeBridge server (all local), set up a push notification using when the energy drops below 5 watts (which happens about 1-2 minutes after the cycle ends).
- shmoogy 3y agoI setup a power monitor that resets a 5 min timer every time the power usage goes over X. It would still be nice to have an idea of how much time is left - I've considered setting up a pi-camera to OCR the display.
- MengerSponge 3y ago> unfortunately my washing machine does not have an API I'd love to see the breakdown of who would prefer a network-connected washing machine with an API vs who would prefer a device that you have to operate with buttons and switches like a cave man.
- teekert 3y agoI guess a time is near when we want our washing machines and dryers to operate at peak solar power. So some kind of (very, very preferably local) api would be nice.
- clarkema 3y agoCaveman here. I put the washing in and then set a countdown timer on my watch.
- hamburglar 3y agoWould be interesting to intercept the network traffic going from the washer to the manufacturer’s web service. It’s possible the API is simple enough that you could sub in your own little server that accepts and tracks the status events.