Washer & Drier Notifications

#1

My take on getting notified when the laundry is complete. These pistons use current sensing outlets to trigger notifications.

Washer

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Drier

drier_notifier
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Adding wait after text is spoken Laundry Monitor
#2

Can I ask what type of plugs you are using for monitoring your washer and dryer? Do you need to set a variable or can you just go by the power consumption?

#3

I’m using these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MI5V5N6

The variable is used to prevent short spikes or dips from triggering the notification. I’m using these in a fairly new LG front-loading pair so they both have very irregular power usage second to second both when running and even when you just open them.

I needed the variable so I could track an actual state-change.

#4

Thanks @edalquist, I plan to try this out for my dryer today. Curious to know if you tried to run it without the isRunning variable? I would have thought that the “else if” condition would have been enough?? Please note that I am completely new to all of this (inclduing programming terminology), so just trying to educate myself. TIA.

Edit: I am trying it with a Wemo Insight switch/plug, and a Condensor Dryer which also has non-consistant power draw.

#5

The isRunning variable is needed to track state. Otherwise if you have power go above 30W for one second and then stays below for one minute you get a “done” notification.

You need to set a flag once the device has been running for long enough that you know it is actually on (and not just someone opened a door) then use that on/off flag to decide if the power staying low is it transitioning back from actually running or just back from a short spike.

#6

@edalquist What kind of power switch/outlet are you using for your dryer? I have a dryer w/ 240v supply.
I am assuming that normal ST switch or Iris switch is only 120v.

#7

I linked the switches I use. I have a gas drier so it only requires a standard (in the US) 15A @ 120V outlet.

For a 240v supply you could use one of these https://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=AEONDSB09104 with a power cable that breaks out the three wires into individual shielded conductors and put the clamps around the two hot legs. Then that thing would report current power usage.