I'm finally done. I automated my home with 30+ smart home gadgets.
Sensors are everywhere—all across the farm. I feel like a crazy person.
My most clever home automations so far:
Sensors are everywhere—all across the farm. I feel like a crazy person.
My most clever home automations so far:
First, another breakthrough on preventing bugs: In addition to solving mosquitos (see the last tweet on my profile), I've solved flies too.
Buy this product, trust me:
"RESCUE! Outdoor Disposable Hanging Fly Trap"
The most effective fly trap on Amazon.
Buy this product, trust me:
"RESCUE! Outdoor Disposable Hanging Fly Trap"
The most effective fly trap on Amazon.
It's a mix of natural smells that flies can't resist. They choose it over you even when you're cooking meat.
Once they're inside that bag, they're trapped.
Use 2 bags, each 30 feet away from you. Replace monthly. Hallelujah.
Once they're inside that bag, they're trapped.
Use 2 bags, each 30 feet away from you. Replace monthly. Hallelujah.
Anyway, onto home automations.
Speaking of bugs, I stopped them from coming inside with this automation:
When a door opens, a sensor turns on an overhead fan that creates a downward current mosquitos can't get past.
Sensor = Eve Door
Device that turns fan on = Kasa Smart Plug
Speaking of bugs, I stopped them from coming inside with this automation:
When a door opens, a sensor turns on an overhead fan that creates a downward current mosquitos can't get past.
Sensor = Eve Door
Device that turns fan on = Kasa Smart Plug
I live in a place with high UV. And I want to minimize skin cancer risk.
So, my WeatherFlow Tempest gadget is a sensor placed outside that gives on-property readings of temperature, UV, wind, and more.
It's far more accurate than your local weather service.
So, my WeatherFlow Tempest gadget is a sensor placed outside that gives on-property readings of temperature, UV, wind, and more.
It's far more accurate than your local weather service.
You can use its data to trigger smart devices.
For example, any time the UV is above 5, my outdoor lights turn red. When it's below 5, they turn green. This way I can eyeball safety levels at all times.
Lights: Govee RGBIC
Logic app: IFTTT
For example, any time the UV is above 5, my outdoor lights turn red. When it's below 5, they turn green. This way I can eyeball safety levels at all times.
Lights: Govee RGBIC
Logic app: IFTTT
Next, I have a robot lawn mower that covers 1 acre. It pays for itself in 6 mo given the cost of lawn mowing here.
It's dead quiet. No more lawnmower noise.
It uses GPS, then drives itself back to its charging station when done, and recharges itself.
The Husqvarna Automower.
It's dead quiet. No more lawnmower noise.
It uses GPS, then drives itself back to its charging station when done, and recharges itself.
The Husqvarna Automower.
This next one surprised me. It turns out you can extend your wifi signal unbelievably far. Like a mile away. At fast speeds too.
You do this using a special router that has a high gain antenna. The tradeoff is directionality.
Meaning...
You do this using a special router that has a high gain antenna. The tradeoff is directionality.
Meaning...
It'll broadcast wifi in only a 90 degree pattern. So if you want long-range wifi in 360 degrees, you'll need to buy 4.
I mesh-connect it to my main wifi. Now I can roam far away from my home and my phone auto-switches between routers.
Router: TP-Link EAP610-Outdoor
I mesh-connect it to my main wifi. Now I can roam far away from my home and my phone auto-switches between routers.
Router: TP-Link EAP610-Outdoor
Speaking of long distances, I have a driveway and can't get my security cams to detect cars that far from my router given all the trees.
So I use an underground car sensor with *1 mile range.* It has dry contacts to connect to smart sensors or Ring.
Sensor: Dakota Alert
So I use an underground car sensor with *1 mile range.* It has dry contacts to connect to smart sensors or Ring.
Sensor: Dakota Alert
On the topic of security, systems like Ring have weak sirens. Your neighbors may not even realize an alarm is going off.
So I bought a "30w outdoor siren" from Amazon and connected it to a smart plug I control with my phone.
At 130dB, this AWAKENS THE DEAD and scares everyone.
So I bought a "30w outdoor siren" from Amazon and connected it to a smart plug I control with my phone.
At 130dB, this AWAKENS THE DEAD and scares everyone.
For fellow BBQ lovers:
The propane tank monitor below alerts you when you're low on propane. It's helpful for avoiding running out of gas halfway through a cook and ruining cook/smoker timings.
It uses ultrasound to detect how much is left then pings your phone.
The propane tank monitor below alerts you when you're low on propane. It's helpful for avoiding running out of gas halfway through a cook and ruining cook/smoker timings.
It uses ultrasound to detect how much is left then pings your phone.
For BBQ, I also use these meat probes to pull meat out at the right temperature for maximum juiciness 😂
It's interesting how many people spend a lot of money on quality meat then eyeball doneness. That's self-sabotage.
I've tried every popular one, and I like Chef IQ the best.
It's interesting how many people spend a lot of money on quality meat then eyeball doneness. That's self-sabotage.
I've tried every popular one, and I like Chef IQ the best.
Onto something health-related. Having shades gradually open in the morning is good for you—apparently. Incremental exposure to sunlight when waking.
You attach a smart curtain roller and schedule it during wakeup.
Roller: Aqara Smart Curtain Motor
You attach a smart curtain roller and schedule it during wakeup.
Roller: Aqara Smart Curtain Motor
I'm having fun with Homepod's "Intercom" feature. If I put a Homepod mini in each hangout location on the property, I can broadcast my voice to everyone once it's food time—by just speaking into my phone.
For pets, the PortionProRx automatically feeds them and can store multiple meals at once.
And the Eufy pet camera and treat dispenser keeps an eye on them and lets you remotely reward them.
And the Eufy pet camera and treat dispenser keeps an eye on them and lets you remotely reward them.
Watch this pet cam fire treats:
This one feels out of Iron Man: The Aqara Presence Sensor FP2.
It knows where you are in your room at all times so you can trigger smart devices at each location. Such as turning on the TV when you sit on the couch or turning lights on at the dinner table.
It knows where you are in your room at all times so you can trigger smart devices at each location. Such as turning on the TV when you sit on the couch or turning lights on at the dinner table.
For example, watch this YouTuber walk around his room and see how the sensor tracks him:
Also, I know I've been quiet on X.
What I've been working on:
1. I've been full-time investing out of Julian.capital. A bit under half of my investing is in deep tech startups.
What I've been working on:
1. I've been full-time investing out of Julian.capital. A bit under half of my investing is in deep tech startups.
2. The agency I founded built a service to help startups launch great ads: bellcurve.com. This solves a big problem for startups. Check it out.
3. SeedChecks.com, which is how startups get investment from VCs, has processed thousands of decks so far.
3. SeedChecks.com, which is how startups get investment from VCs, has processed thousands of decks so far.
4. VCSheet.com, our free database of VCs to contact, is growing from our programmatic SEO work.
5. In my free time, I'm obsessed with hifi audio, UFC, and writing stories. My latest guide is on hifi: julian.com
5. In my free time, I'm obsessed with hifi audio, UFC, and writing stories. My latest guide is on hifi: julian.com
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