🔋 Battery Charger Notifications & Actions

[Blacky]

GitHub Link Click Here

Fully charged notifications - let’s keep the power flowing and the jobs rolling!

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Version: 1.7

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The Automation Process:

• Charger Trigger:

  • The automation is triggered by an entity ON state, time or a button press.

• Power Settings:

  • Enter the power sensor entity that measures the live current draw of the charger. Common devices with these sensors include smart plugs, energy meters, etc.
  • The automation ends when the charger’s current draw falls below a set value.

• Notification Options:

  • Send notification messages to one or multiple devices when the charger starts, finishes or the watchdog is triggered.
  • Your end message can also include estimates of total power consumption and cost.
  • Include duration tracking in your end message to track the charger’s operational time for the task or cycle.
  • Opt to sends a repeated notifications to remind you when the charger cycle is complete.
  • Limit when notifications can be sent by using Notify Time Restrictions - helpful for avoiding alerts while you’re asleep.
  • Notifications are compatible with both Apple iOS and Android devices, ensuring universal accessibility.

• Energy Tracking:

  • Use energy tracking to estimate the total energy usage (kWh) for each completed cycle. You can also choose to include the estimated cost of that cycle in the end notification.
  • Or simply update the start and end helpers without including any energy information in the end notification - useful for your own custom actions or other Home Assistant logic.

  Disclaimer - These values are estimates and should only be used as a guide. Please avoid relying solely on these estimates for accuracy and use them at your own risk. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or resulting losses, damages, inconvenience, or anything else that may occur.

• Time Tracking:

  • Runtime Tracking - Records the total runtime of your charger by updating a text helper each time it completes a full cycle.
  • Duration Tracking - Tracks how long the charger was running during each individual cycle and includes this duration in the end notification message.

• Cycle Counter:

  • Use the cycle counter to track the total number of cycles completed by your charger. You can also choose to include this information in your end message.

• Service Reminders:

  • Service reminders help you track charger usage and perform timely maintenance.
  • Cycle-Based Reminder - Notifies you when a service is due based on the number of cycles completed.
  • Time-Based Reminder - Notifies you when a service is due based on the total time the charger has been in use since the last service.

• Watchdog:

  • The watchdog option monitors the charger cycle completion.
  • It sends a notification if a cycle completion fails within the specified time frame.

• Auto OFF:

  • Choose whether to automatically turn OFF an entity (e.g., a smart plug) when the automation finishes.

• Custom Actions:

  • Tailor custom actions to suit your preferences and needs, enhancing the automation’s functionality.
  • Configure actions such as triggering announcements on platforms like The Voice (HA), Google, Alexa, etc., to keep you informed about charger events.

• Custom Conditions:

  • Enter any custom conditions to further customize the automation process.

CHANGELOG

• Version: 1.7 - 13 June-25 - Update triggers, added notification tags and 2 new options to reminder notifications and trigger bug fix.
• Version: 1.6 - 6 June-25 - Initial release

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[Blacky]

FAQ

Q: How do I set up the energy tracking options?

A: Please Click Here

Q: What are the notification options on iOS and Android devices

A: Please Click Here

[Blacky]

FAQ: How Do I Set Up the Energy Tracking Option?

1. What is the Energy Tracking Option?

The Energy Tracking Option estimates how much energy (kWh) your battery charger uses during each completed cycle. Optionally, it can also estimate the cost of that energy usage and include this information in the end notification.

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2. What Do I Need to Use This Option?

To enable full energy tracking, you’ll need:

• A sensor that reports energy usage in kWh (not Watts).
• A sensor or input number helper that provides the electricity rate (cost per kWh) (optional, for estimated cost).
• Two input_number helpers:
  • One to store the start kWh value.
  • One to store the end kWh value.

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3. What If I Only Want to Use the Start and End Helpers?

You can choose the option:
“Enable - Update Start & End Helpers Only”

This lets you:

• Record the start and end energy values for each cycle.
• Use them in your own automations or calculations in Home Assistant.
• Skip sending energy information in the notification.

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4. What Kind of Energy Sensor Should I Use?

You must use a sensor that:

• Reports increasing total energy (kWh) values, not live power usage (W).
• Does not reset during the cycle - for example, most sensors provide daily totals, which is usually fine as most cycles complete on the same day. However, be aware that daily sensors typically reset at midnight, which can cause issues when calculating energy usage for cycles spanning two days.
• Updates frequently enough to capture accurate values at the start and end of the cycle.

Note: If your sensor updates infrequently, the snapshot taken at the start or end may not reflect the actual usage at that exact moment. This can affect the estimated values.

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5. How is the Estimated Cost Calculated?

The formula is:

Estimated Cost = (End kWh - Start kWh) × Cost per kWh

The cost rate is captured at the end of the cycle and used for the full calculation, even if the rate changes during the cycle.

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6. Can I Customize the Notification Labels?

Yes. You can set:

• The title before the energy usage value (e.g., “Consumption” → “Consumption 0.56 kWh”).
• The title before the estimated cost (e.g., “Approx Cost $” → “Approx Cost $0.42”).

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7. How do I create an electricity rate number helper?

You may already have an electricity rate sensor that adjusts dynamically throughout the day as your pricing changes. Keep in mind that this blueprint captures the rate when the appliance ends, and that value remains constant for the entire cycle, even if your sensor’s value changes based on the time of day. This may lead to an inaccurate estimated cost if your electricity pricing varies during the cycle. As long as the sensor reports the cost per kWh, you can use it.

If you don’t have a sensor, or you’d prefer to use a fixed electricity rate, you can create a number helper instead:

Note: This helper can be reused across all your automations.

1. Go to Settings > Devices & Services, click on the Helpers tab, then click + CREATE HELPER and select Number.

2. See the example below of my Electricity Rate number helper:

   

   Example of the Electricity Rate in the UI

   

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8. How do I create the start and end number helpers?

You will need to create two number helpers: one for the start and one for the end. These helpers must be completely independent and only used in one automation and in one input.

1. Go to Settings > Devices & Services, click on the Helpers tab, then click + CREATE HELPER and select Number.

   

2. Enter a name for your number helper and choose an icon if you like.

• Min / Max – For the start and end number helpers, set the maximum to a value higher than you’ll ever need. I recommend using 10 million (10,000,000, that’s 7 zeros). If needed, just keep adding more zeros. The minimum value should be set to 0.

• Display mode – Since I am not using it as a slider in the UI, I selected ‘Input field’.

• Step size – I recommend setting this to 0.001.

  

4. You’re done. Now just add the two number helpers to the Energy Tracking - Start Number Helper and Energy Tracking - End Number Helper inputs in your automation.

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Enjoy

Blacky

Back to FAQ: Click Here

[Blacky]

FAQ - A Guide to Notification Options on iOS and Android Devices

iOS ONLY OPTIONS

What are Notification Interruption Levels on iOS?

On devices running iOS 15 and later, you can configure the interruption level for your notifications to ensure they are delivered according to your preferences. This feature allows you to choose how notifications are presented and how they interrupt your activities.

Interruption level	Breaks through Focus	Overrides Ring/Silent switch on iPhone and iPad
Default	No	No
Critical Notification	Yes	Yes
Time Sensitive Notification	Yes - Must be enabled in focus	No
Quiet notifications without waking screen	No	No

Notification Sound - iOS Only

The Home Assistant app for iOS includes built-in notification sounds, and you can import sounds from your iOS device into the Home Assistant app. Custom sounds can also be added via iTunes or from your cloud storage.

Note: In the blueprint, make sure to enter the full filename (including the file extension) in the Notification Sound - iOS Only input, as shown below. If left blank, your device will play the default notification sound based on its settings.

• Built-in Notification Sounds:

  Home Assistant includes some built-in sounds that are already preinstalled in the Home Assistant iOS App.

  1. On your iPhone, go to:
     Settings > Home Assistant App > Notifications > Home Assistant Notification Settings > Sounds
  2. Tap the Bundled tab.

  These are the built-in Home Assistant sounds. You can copy the file names into your Notification Sounds – iOS Only input.

• iOS Device Sounds:

  You can also import iOS system sounds into the Home Assistant iOS App.

  1. On your iPhone, go to:
     Settings > Home Assistant App > Notifications > Home Assistant Notification Settings > Sounds
  2. Tap the System tab, then select Import System Sounds.
  3. Wait for the sounds to load, then restart your device.

  You can now use iOS system sounds in your notifications by copying the file names into your Notification Sounds – iOS Only input.

• Via iTunes:

  1. Connect your device and open iTunes.
  2. Select your device and go to File Sharing.
  3. Choose Home Assistant and add your WAV files (formatted as 32-bit float 48000Hz).
  4. Click Sync and disconnect the device.
  5. On your iPhone, go to:
     Settings > Home Assistant App > Notifications > Home Assistant Notification Settings > Sounds
  6. Tap the Import tab and select Import sounds from iTunes File Sharing.

• Via Cloud Storage:

  1. Install and log in to your cloud storage app (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive).
  2. Upload your WAV files (formatted as 32-bit float 48000Hz) to the cloud.
  3. On your iPhone, go to:
     Settings > Home Assistant App > Notifications > Home Assistant Notification Settings > Sounds
  4. Tap the Import tab, select Import custom sound, choose your files, and tap Done.
  5. Restart your device if needed.

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ANDROID ONLY OPTIONS

What are High Priority Notifications?

Notifications will appear immediately in most cases. However, in some cases (such as when the phone is stationary or when the screen has been turned off for a prolonged period of time), default notifications will not ring the phone until the screen is turned on. High priority notifications are designed to alert you to important events or updates that require your immediate attention, ensuring they are received promptly even in these situations.

What are Sticky Notifications?

Sticky notifications are a type of notification that remain on your device’s notification shade until they are manually dismissed by the user. Unlike regular notifications, which can disappear when they are tapped, sticky notifications ensure that important messages are persistently visible until you actively clear or swipe them away, ensuring that critical information stays visible until addressed.

Notification Channels

What are Notification Channels?

Notification channels are a feature for Android devices only. They allow you to categorize notifications, making it easier to manage and prioritize them. Each channel can have its own settings, such as notification style, sound, vibration, blink light, app icon badges, locked screen, and do not disturb, ensuring that you receive notifications in the manner most appropriate for each type of notification you receive.

How Do I Create a Notification Channel?

Before creating channels, it is best to consider what channels you would like to have for your notifications. This will help you structure it correctly, as once you create a channel, it can be removed but will never be deleted unless you reset your app. Taking the time to consider how you would like it structured will help you in the long run.

Some ideas for a channel structure are as follows:

You could just set the notification type. Emergency, General Notification, Dinner Ready, Time for Bed, Appliance Finished, etc.

Or maybe something like this.

1. Critical

• Sound and pop-up.
• Vibrate.
• Blink light.
• Locked screen.
• Ignore Do Not Disturb.
• Description : Notifications for emergency situations (e.g., fire alarm, flood alert, smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, security breaches).

2. High

• Sound and pop-up.
• Vibrate.
• Locked screen.
• Ignore Do Not Disturb.
• Description : Notifications for reminders (e.g., upcoming appointment, power outage, rubbish reminder).

3. General (Default)

• Sound.
• Vibrate.
• Description : Notifications for general updates (e.g., appliance finished, battery low).

4. Low

• Silent.
• Vibrate.
• Description : Notifications for less critical updates (e.g., appliance started, unavailable sensor, battery low).

5. Minimal

• Silent and minimized.
• Description : Notifications for non-urgent updates (e.g., reminder, Home Assistant update avalible).

To create a new channel, simply enter a name in the input. When your automation sends the first notification, it will create the channel on your device. After the channel is created, you can customize its notification settings to your preference directly on your device.

How Do I Edit a Notification Channel?

There are a few ways to do this:

1. On your device, go into Settings > Notifications > Home Assistant and you will see categories. These are your channels. Select the one you would like to customize and make your adjustments.
2. When a notification is received, slowly slide it to the left and you will see a settings icon. Click on it, and it will take you to categories. These are your channels. Select the one you would like to customize and make your adjustments.

How Do I Delete a Notification Channel?

I have a blueprint that will help you remove a notification channel. See link below.

Android Notification Channel Manager

Hope this helps to explain some of the settings

Enjoy

Blacky

Back to FAQ: Click Here

[Blacky]

Initial release 1.6

Fully charged notifications - let’s keep the power flowing and the jobs rolling!

I’ve been using this blueprint for over a year now to notify me when my power tool batteries are fully charged, and it’s been incredibly handy. When you’re busy working, it’s much easier to get a message on your phone than constantly checking whether the batteries are ready. It’s saved me so much time, so I thought I’d share it with you!

If you’ve been using my Appliance Notification & Actions blueprint, this will look very familiar. It’s based on that same foundation but is more tailored for charging batteries, with a few extra options designed specifically for that use case.

How I use it:

I use a smart plug, with my battery charger plugged into it. My smart plug has a physical button to turn it ON/OFF.

• When I want to charge my batteries, I plug them into the charger and press the smart plug button.
• I receive a notification when charging starts and another when it’s done.
• Once charging is complete, I use the Auto OFF option to turn the smart plug OFF after 10 minutes, saving power and adding convenience.

I don’t personally use many of the other features, but I’ve kept them in the blueprint, just in case they’re useful to others.

My YAML for my settings

alias: Battery Charger - Shed
description: ""
use_blueprint:
  path: Blackshome/battery-charger-notifications.yaml
  input:
    power_sensor: sensor.battery_charger_current_consumption
    start_notify_device:
      - your_device_here
    include_end_notify: enable_end_notify_options
    end_notify_device:
      - your_device_here
    include_power_tracking: enable_power_tracking_and_cost
    power_consumption_sensor: sensor.battery_charger_today_s_consumption
    cost_per_kwh: input_number.electricity_rate
    start_power_consumption: input_number.battery_charger_start_kwh
    end_power_consumption: input_number.battery_charger_end_kwh
    include_duration_tracking: enable_duration_tracking
    entity_trigger: switch.battery_charger
    trigger_options:
      - entity_trigger_enabled
    include_start_notify: enable_start_notify_options
    include_entity_off_end_option: entity_off_enabled
    entity_off_end:
      - switch.battery_charger
    end_reminder_notification: enable_reminder_notification_notify
    end_reminder_notification_entity: switch.battery_charger
    end_reminder_notification_time_delay: 9
    end_reminder_notification_max_count: 1
    start_notify_tag: power-tool-charger
    end_notify_tag: power-tool-charger
    watchdog_notify_tag: power-tool-charger
    charger_switch: switch.battery_charger

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Enjoy

Blacky

[Maynstream]

I have set this one up. But since I’ve charged my car battery yesterday I can’t test it right away😉! But I like your blueprints so it should be ok!

[Blacky]

@Maynstream

Nice one, you have a few more options to start the charging. Time may be set at a lower rate at night or you could create a binary sensor that turns ON when your exporting to much solar to the grid.

You also have the option to turn OFF your charger when it is done.

All the rest is similar to the appliance blueprint.

Blacky

[Maynstream]

Charged my car’s battery last night. The Appliances blueprints use a power sensor as trigger. But I can’t use that for this one, can I? At least, it didn’t trigger with a power sensor. So it really has to be a “on” sensor?
I created a button, to be sure and entered: binary_sensor.25_kabelvergrendeling (cable lock) as trigger. See how that goes next time I charge the battery.

[Blacky]

@Maynstream

Sorry my bad … the trigger is confusing and I can see a bug in it. I will fix it and update the blueprint. New release will be out soon.

Blacky

[Blacky]

New Update 1.7

Fully charged notifications - let’s keep the power flowing and the jobs rolling!

New Features

• Triggers - The trigger options have been reworked for clarity and flexibility. You will need to reconfigure your trigger selections after updating to this version.

• Auto OFF - You can now select multiple entities.

• Notification Tags - Use a tag to keep your notifications organized. When a new notification with the same tag is sent, it replaces the old one, preventing clutter from multiple notifications for the same appliance.

• Reminder Notification Options - Added two new options:

  • Enable Reminder Notification + Notify When Done: Receive repeated reminders until the Reminder Notification Entity is ON or the maximum notification count is reached. When the entity turns ON, a one-time notification will be sent using the Notify When Done Message.

  • Enable Reminder Notification + Clear When Done: Receive repeated reminders until the Reminder Notification Entity is ON or the maximum notification count is reached. When the entity turns ON, the notification will be cleared.

Bugs Fixed

• Fixed a bug in the trigger as it was using the Auto OFF - Entity

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Enjoy

Blacky