How do/did I do this? Connect the dryer to Indigo/X10

For those people with access to Insteon it looks like this might work:

http://www.insteon.net/2423A5-SynchroLinc.html

I see this is an old thread but here is my solution in case anyone is still reading it. I used a pressure sensor to detect when my clothes dryer is running. There is a little write up about it on my blog.

http://www.installationexperiences.com/ ... -with.html

I don't currently monitor my dryer but some years ago I simply hooked up wires from the
dryers buzzer, which sounded briefly when the dryer finished, to a Powerflash module.

Worked great with no visible wiring.

Carl

trying to use this setup but having trouble getting the x10 motion sensor to communicate with my indigo hardware...followed directions to change address to A3 for one and kept default A1 for others but they don't seem to reflect 'on' or 'off' within Indigo. Can someone help me here?

Well, I am about to test a new method to detect clothes dryer & Clothes Washer, integration....

The sensor I need should be arriving tomorrow (8/20), so I'll be able to tell you Saturday or Sunday... if this works...

That'd be great. I bought an ms16 and plan to modify as above. Having trouble a) getting indigo to recognize unit and b) figuring out trigger so that when light sensor detects the "done" light going off to send a text msg. Thanks again!

This also works if you are willing to do a little fiddling with the triggers, and has the advantage of keeping track of how much power these things are using:

http://www.smarthome.com/2423A1/iMeter-Solo-INSTEON-Power-Meter-Plug-In/p.aspx

And it's the same price as the synchrolinc.

This also works if you are willing to do a little fiddling with the triggers, and has the advantage of keeping track of how much power these things are using:

http://www.smarthome.com/2423A1/iMeter-Solo-INSTEON-Power-Meter-Plug-In/p.aspx

And it's the same price as the synchrolinc.

Thanks for the recommendation. How would this help me know when my washing machine has completed cycle vs using the light sensor on the cheap MS16? This also would only be able to be used on a washer as the dryer is a 220v plug.

Well, I am about to test a new method to detect clothes dryer & Clothes Washer, integration....

The sensor I need should be arriving tomorrow (8/20), so I'll be able to tell you Saturday or Sunday... if this works...

any update?

Well, I am about to test a new method to detect clothes dryer & Clothes Washer, integration....

The sensor I need should be arriving tomorrow (8/20), so I'll be able to tell you Saturday or Sunday... if this works...

any update?

Not exactly...

The vibration detector (Smarthome # 79605, or #330) does work for vibrations, but the washer / dryer doesn't seem to produce the "right" vibration direction for the sensor to detect...

The sensor is basically a "hammer" designed switch, the vibration "slams" the switch closed for a moment... When wired up, it works with the DS10A, triggerlinc, etc..... But the sensor has a particular axis.... The washer and dryer do "vibrate" but it's side to side, and I can't find a combination that works. I may just pick up a induction sensor....

The Water Detector (Smarthome # 79633 or WLS) looks like a good option for detecting water issues, though...

Well, I am about to test a new method to detect clothes dryer & Clothes Washer, integration....

The sensor I need should be arriving tomorrow (8/20), so I'll be able to tell you Saturday or Sunday... if this works...

any update?

Not exactly...

The vibration detector (Smarthome # 79605, or #330) does work for vibrations, but the washer / dryer doesn't seem to produce the "right" vibration direction for the sensor to detect...

The sensor is basically a "hammer" designed switch, the vibration "slams" the switch closed for a moment... When wired up, it works with the DS10A, triggerlinc, etc..... But the sensor has a particular axis.... The washer and dryer do "vibrate" but it's side to side, and I can't find a combination that works. I may just pick up a induction sensor....

The Water Detector (Smarthome # 79633 or WLS) looks like a good option for detecting water issues, though...

Just an update.... The vibration sensor did work, but it effectively spammed the log, since it was going off every second...
And I can't tell what cycles it detected, since I had the dryer and washer on the same DS10a... (Either sensor could trigger the DS10a).

I suspect it was the spin cycle on the washer that triggered it, but I'm not sure...

for thomasw: couldn't reply thru PM.

Long time ago, but I think I just attached the dryer buzzer to a Powerflash module and had the software I was using
at the time , ECS, monitor when it became on. I might have had to use a relay as the buzzer might have been 110v
which the Powerflash would not have liked.

Sorry I don't have more details....but it was over 10 yrs ago.

Carl

I have the washer/dryer plugged in through an iMeterSolo. I tracked how much power they consume when running, and created notifications accordingly. I can't check the specifics right now, but something along the lines of:

If Kitchen: Washer/Dryer power is between 250-300 W, enable Washer Done trigger. The trigger sends a Prowl notification "Washer Done" when the power drops below 20W.

If Kitchen: Washer/Dryer power is between 350-500 W, enable Dryer Done trigger. The trigger sends a Prowl notification "Dryer Done" when the power drops below 20W.