Before HASS 2021.12, I would let some of my Hue lamps flash using the service light.turn_on with the flash argument. Now that we’ve moved to the new API, that functionality is no longer supported.
Instead of hacking together a script that would flash lights and then restore them to their original state while keeping in account a bunch of other integrations and automations that mess with lights, I would rather just use a dedicated device for this.
So, I’m looking for a device (either wifi or zigbee) to use as notification light. Ideally, It could flash or stay on with a set color.
Any color smart bulb with HA integration would be able to stay on with a set color, even an extra Hue bulb.
Flash can be made with scripts for these too if they do not support it natively.
An ESP controlled lightstrip might also be an option.
I was in the same boat, so I ended up putting together my own. WLED controlled 8x8 LED matrix housed in a deep wooden picture frame. Total cost about $15 USD. Notifications and mood lighting on demand.
Personally for this, I just use a Pi with either a Blinkt or a Unicorn pHat on it.
I have the Blinkt version on my desk reading out the status of 8 devices on my network, and a Unicorn version reading out 16 other devices in my lounge.
Both are driven by simply home-brewed Python3 scripts and fed the data from HA via MQTT and automations.
1 - Wemos D1 mini
1 - 8x8 WS2812B led matrix (amazon)
1- 5v power supply (had an extra from another project)
1 - 3.25" x 3.25" x 2" wooden picture frame my wife had.
I really love your project. Any way for you to share a video seeing your project in action? I want to build a notification LED box to get notified by Home Assistant for all kind of stuff, ex.:
Sure… might take me a little while tho… I’m traveling for business for the next 2 weeks. (I love having HA running to make sure my wife and kid don’t leave lights on when they leave in the morning, checking cams for packages and strangers, doors closed, etc.)
The verbal description of the automations / notifications I use so far:
Dryer is done. When the vibration sensor stops moving… after 1 minute… we get a telegram notification and the notification light turns on for 1 minute: effect: washing machine, color blue. Then turns off. (Only if someone is home.)
Doorbell. Someone pushes the zwave button outside that I have rigged up as a doorbell. Camera in window records the guest for 10 seconds and sends the clip via telegram notification to me and my wife. Notification light turns on for 20 seconds: effect blink, color red. (Only if someone is home.)
Mood lighting. Just setup a scene tied to a button in HA that turns on the notification: effect: Candle, color dark orange. (We don’t have fireplace so… this is the next best thing to the Yule Log TV channel at Christmas time.
I haven’t set up any others beyond those yet… but I’m sure I’ll keep adding more. (For instance… I now need to get 2 door sensors for my detached garage (main door and side entrance) and set up a notification if I forget to close it. Thanks for that one!)
Thing got a bit hectic around here, but I made some gifs…
The blue one is when laundry is done. Runs for 30 seconds.
The red one is when someone rings the doorbell, but it only triggers if someone is home. (If no one is home, we just get the telegram notification with a video clip of who is at the door.)