achillesmf
Freaked Out
- Joined
- May 18, 2017
- Messages
- 177
- Reaction score
- 63
Hi,
I would like to share a quick configuration I made using Alexa in order to control lights on my statues. Wouldn't it be cool in the comfort of your couch to ask Alexa to turn on all your statues at the same time?
++++++Do it at your own risk. If you give the leds more voltage you will increase the electrical current and burn the leds, then game over.+++++++
So, I find crazy that nowadays these companies still develop statues and figures to use batteries. Once the thing is in a shelf chances are you will never light it up again. And some prefer not to store it with batteries because those leak!
Here a small demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW2cHj3C9cc
Behind the scenes:
https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/Urf0ZBwBgcYPUKfkKpdui5nkB70oLEF5g1JJmjWTfB2
Make sure you check the voltage of the batteries, in the example of the video C3PO face uses 2x1,5V so 3V but Ironman and R2D2 use 3x1,5V so 4,5V. Multiple possibilities, for example I could use 2 different power adapters the first with 3V and the second with 4,5V but I tested and by giving 3V and I was satisfied with the brightness. Therefore I used 3V power adapter to light up all the statues in the vid. The power adapter is connected to a smart switch that is connected to alexa. If you connect the power adapter negative to the positive of the statue and vice versa do not worry, its just like installing batteries upside-down, leds are made to handle reverse voltage and do not light-up.
Ensure you adjust the power adapter voltage to the corresponding voltage from the batteries or less.
I have another smart switch turning on statues on the other side of the room. The same voice command controls both smart switches because I grouped them. Being wifi I have no hassle with cables all over.
There are so many possibilities these days, the equipment I used is just a reference:
Amazon Alexa echo dot
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Amazon-Echo-Dot-Add-Alexa-To-Any-Room/dp/B01DFKC2SO
Wifi Smart plugs
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0713SKWQ1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Multivoltage power adapter, i picked this because it comes with a quick connector to the wires and it has the 3V which is the minimum I needed
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XN5KP8G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Colored and thin wiring, love them!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KQ2JNLI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you want more colors to hide cables even more buy the second box:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KQ2JPY8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Quick connectors, you may want to pick more discrete ones
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GB7J8C6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Tons of tiny zip ties
https://www.amazon.com/Outus-Nylon-...8&qid=1503757735&sr=1-5&keywords=4+in+zip+tie
Statues lights are to be ON short periods for your enjoyment, they wont last forever so I leave mine ON for few minutes per week, while we are looking. Ideally the shelves would be pre-wired with quick connectors for the best result.
The shelves themselves should have their own lights and circuits, controlled by a different voice command. And be aware of kids harassing Alexa
Again, be extra careful about the voltage of everything, train with something you love less. Have fun and keep pushing vendors to leave this long battery-age.
I would like to share a quick configuration I made using Alexa in order to control lights on my statues. Wouldn't it be cool in the comfort of your couch to ask Alexa to turn on all your statues at the same time?
++++++Do it at your own risk. If you give the leds more voltage you will increase the electrical current and burn the leds, then game over.+++++++
So, I find crazy that nowadays these companies still develop statues and figures to use batteries. Once the thing is in a shelf chances are you will never light it up again. And some prefer not to store it with batteries because those leak!
Here a small demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW2cHj3C9cc
Behind the scenes:
https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/Urf0ZBwBgcYPUKfkKpdui5nkB70oLEF5g1JJmjWTfB2
Make sure you check the voltage of the batteries, in the example of the video C3PO face uses 2x1,5V so 3V but Ironman and R2D2 use 3x1,5V so 4,5V. Multiple possibilities, for example I could use 2 different power adapters the first with 3V and the second with 4,5V but I tested and by giving 3V and I was satisfied with the brightness. Therefore I used 3V power adapter to light up all the statues in the vid. The power adapter is connected to a smart switch that is connected to alexa. If you connect the power adapter negative to the positive of the statue and vice versa do not worry, its just like installing batteries upside-down, leds are made to handle reverse voltage and do not light-up.
Ensure you adjust the power adapter voltage to the corresponding voltage from the batteries or less.
I have another smart switch turning on statues on the other side of the room. The same voice command controls both smart switches because I grouped them. Being wifi I have no hassle with cables all over.
There are so many possibilities these days, the equipment I used is just a reference:
Amazon Alexa echo dot
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Amazon-Echo-Dot-Add-Alexa-To-Any-Room/dp/B01DFKC2SO
Wifi Smart plugs
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0713SKWQ1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Multivoltage power adapter, i picked this because it comes with a quick connector to the wires and it has the 3V which is the minimum I needed
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XN5KP8G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Colored and thin wiring, love them!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KQ2JNLI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you want more colors to hide cables even more buy the second box:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KQ2JPY8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Quick connectors, you may want to pick more discrete ones
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GB7J8C6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Tons of tiny zip ties
https://www.amazon.com/Outus-Nylon-...8&qid=1503757735&sr=1-5&keywords=4+in+zip+tie
Statues lights are to be ON short periods for your enjoyment, they wont last forever so I leave mine ON for few minutes per week, while we are looking. Ideally the shelves would be pre-wired with quick connectors for the best result.
The shelves themselves should have their own lights and circuits, controlled by a different voice command. And be aware of kids harassing Alexa
Again, be extra careful about the voltage of everything, train with something you love less. Have fun and keep pushing vendors to leave this long battery-age.