Motorized Skylights & Windows: Automatic Temperature Sensing
Introduction
This is the first article in this series about creating a skylight temperature sensitive monitoring system using the BroadLink® HA-RFIRW-5V RF-IR blaster automation hub phone app and ES-WIFI-5V e-Air environmental sensing module (a companion product).
The e-Air environmental sensor can monitor VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) air quality, temperature, humidity, light level, and sound level.
It also has IFTTT event capabilities (if-this-then-that) that can trigger the automation hub to activate our skylight/window openers, blind motors, smart film, drapery motors, and many other devices, such as fans and LED lights.
In this article we will be discussing the temperature aspect of the sensor as applied to the operation of a skylight opener motor, such as the dual setup you see in the picture. This photo was kindly provided by one of our clients that we helped to make a dual skylight motor system for a fairly heavy unit. You can also offset weight issues with spring loaded systems, gas shocks, and counter-balancing weights.
You can also see more info about the actual RollerTrol™ motors that open and close windows and skylights here:
motorized skylight/window actuators
Buy These Products In Our Online Automation Store
If you are interested, you can also purchase these products in our DIY online automation store.
The BroadLink® ES-WIFI-5V e-Air Environmental Sensing Module
This environmental sensor can be used to trigger the closure of multiple shade and blind motors (and our skylight/window openers), and there are 3 main components to this system:
- The ES-WIFI-5V e-Air Environmental Sensing Module
- The HA-RFIRW-5V automation hub (see article series about automating blind motors here)
- Our skylight motor kits with remote control (see article about installing skylight actuators here)
Environmental Sensor Specifications
| Model | ES-WIFI-5V |
| Material | Flame-resistant PC |
| Height | ~6" ( 15cm ) |
| Input Voltage | 5V DC |
| Input Current | 1.0A |
| Working Temperature | 0-50°C |
| Operating Humidity | ≤80% |
| Wireless Power | ≤0.5W |
| Wireless Type | Wi-Fi 2.4GHz b/g/n |
| Operating System (phone or tablet) | Android / IOS |
| Supported IOS Version | IOS 7.0 or above |
| Supported Android Version | Android 4 or above |
The HA-RFIRW-5V RF/IR Blaster Hub
If you didn't see the previous article series about using our HA-RFIRW-5V RF/IR blaster hub for home theater, you may be interested to review that series about the RF and IR "learning" capabilities. The IFTTT environmental sensor is an add-on to that system, using the smart hub to simulate remote control of devices with RF or IR.
The next article will discuss the software setup and activation of the IFTTT (if-this-then-that) environmental sensor.
Buy These Products In Our Online Automation Store
If you are interested, you can purchase these products in our DIY blind and shade online store.
Articles in this series:
Part 1-Temperature sensitive skylights and windows: Introduction (you are here)
Part 2-Temperature sensitive skylights and windows: Activating the sensor
Part 3-Environmental sensor program installation
Part 4-Environmental sensor IFTTT event handling
Also, see the related articles about our other devices: