Using off-peak and solar, controlling when major users of electric start.

[ericmark]

here at 77p

 

[ericmark]

Might get them for other things, not looked at postage. Did not know they existed, thanks @omega015 that may be good idea for other items.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Where are they 77p?

Probably the price on Aliexpress, before you log in, without shipping and without VAT.

 

[omega015]

That price if you look carefully is for the extra plastic attachments only, it does not come with the fingerbot. But they are not too badly priced though if you click the other options they will likely be around £12. The other brand (and possibly the orginal) was called SwitchBot so you might want to compare both versions.

EDIT: Also double check that certain versions dont need a hub/gateway, I think the SwitchBot one does but not sure about fingerbot. They also might have different comms versions like wifi, bluetooth and zigbee (which will need a gateway of some sort).

 

[ericmark]

Already have zigbee so not a problem, looked at washing machine two buttons to turn on, and any protrusion would get knocked, so not really an option. What I really need to auto switch on is to know state of charge like the iboost+ does, where I need to be exporting before it switches on. Today 11:36 am and battery 23%, so likely today best option is to wait until off peak starts, running now will mean the battery will run out early so will be using peak power.

Seems best option is second battery then will not need to worry about when used.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Already have zigbee so not a problem, looked at washing machine two buttons to turn on, and any protrusion would get knocked, so not really an option.

Our machine, has an on/off button, and a start button, simple, n/o contacts, with a dial to pre-select the wash type. It would be rediculously easy, to just solder a pair of wires across the start button, and have a smart switch start the washer, assuming the on'off button were pressed manually beforehand. Often as not, the on/off is left on and forgotten about anyway

 

[ericmark]

Yesterday typical problem, I moved all the washing from washing machine to tumble drier, then the soap ball fell on the floor, spilling soap all over the floor, and I realised the washer had not been started, so put all the clothes back, wiping up the soap, and turned washer on instead, then realised really too late, had forgot about time change, but running now.

I look today battery state of charge 83% overcast, weather forecast does not say how much sun shine, so do I use drier in the day, or wait for off-peak tonight.

Now have a second battery, so does not matter so much, but I am becoming a slave to the weather.