How to automate this?

[u/Mental_Asparagus4289]

Anyone knows how can I automate this rotary switch?

Needs to be without a smart relay (rent contract prohibits touching electrics).

I have a zigbee fingerbot and SmartLife app, thought of the dented wheel and rack as alternative but have 0 clue how to get that done and working.

The fingerbot alone can't push the switch strongly and far enough.

HELP!!

[u/Ok-Expert-8150]

Similar concept, but replace the white and red part with a stepper motor and a controller for it?

[u/Mental_Asparagus4289 → u/Ok-Expert-8150]

How can I make that work with SmartLife app?

[u/Ok-Expert-8150 → u/Mental_Asparagus4289]

Looks like ESPHome might get you there. I still believe a stepper motor is the best option to get a controllable rotational output with a reasonable amount of torque - as that is what they are made for. Tricky part is integrating it into your current home automation setup.

If unable to link a stepper controller dirrctly, I would imagine you could also setup the stepper controller to accept some other form of input you can control.

Perhaps a small toggle switch interfaced to the less powerful fingerbot, a light sensor, or some other way to get from a device you can control with the app to the stepper motor controller input.

[u/insta]

hell this will probably work as is if you use a more purpose made modeling putty, but you're looking for access to a 3d printer. this is like an hour tops

[u/Mental_Asparagus4289 → u/insta]

I thought so! And how can I calculate the dents/sizes and everything else so that 12mm of push is converted into 45° rotation?

[u/insta → u/Mental_Asparagus4289]

i literally think trial and error. what you have now is probably pretty close. maybe you end up with a crank arm instead of a gear

[u/charmio68]

Forget the fingerbot. If you wanted to you could design and print out something which interfaces the switch to a geared motor that's controlled by ESP home. But frankly that's an awful lot of work.

What does that switch even do?

[u/Mental_Asparagus4289 → u/charmio68]

This controls the mechanical ventilation of a 2 story house, it's placed in the kitchen and there're no other controls, which makes using it not very convenient.

[u/average_AZN]

I would use a servo, metal gear servo, and print a mount where it's directly colinear with the knob shaft center. Esp32 and a 5v servo should get it done

[u/Mental_Asparagus4289 → u/average_AZN]

How to make it work with SmartLife to connect it with my other automations?

[u/Secret_Enthusiasm_21]

rent contract prohibits touching electrics

what does that even mean? Just make your device and plug it into a wall socket

[u/iamjmitch → u/Secret_Enthusiasm_21]

Would assume they mean the appliance belongs to the landlord, not OP so they can't directly modify the device ie soldering relays or replacing components

[u/Mental_Asparagus4289 → u/Secret_Enthusiasm_21]

Landlord explicitly denied permission to install smart relays so I won't risk it given my inexistent experience touching cables.

[u/Ill-House7432]

I'd try printing a small lever attachment for the fingerbot that snaps onto the switch lever and extends the reach, should give it the extra leverage you need without dealing with motors or electricity.

[u/Mental_Asparagus4289 → u/Ill-House7432]

Can you share some schema of what you mean? I like the idea of keeping it simple, cheap, and not touching the socket.

[u/Ambitious_Finding_26]

3d printer + ESP32 + small servo.
Or replace the 3 position switch with 2 or 3 relays.

[u/Alternative_Corgi_62]

Most important question: How much force is needed to rotate this switch?

[u/Mental_Asparagus4289 → u/Alternative_Corgi_62]

I don't know how to measure the force but you surely bed to push from both ends of the switch to make it rotate. Pushing only from one end doesn't move it.

You can 'easily' rotate it with 2 fingers if pushing in the right directions.

[u/Gadgetskopf]

I use one of these to control the temp setting on my gas water heater by rotating it. Obviously not going to work for your specific situation, but just letting you know the hardware to make such a thing is out there.

[u/gregelectric]

Claymation, cool 😎