Comment by hunter2_

6 days ago

Might be able to use a flipper zero as the sensor, if the cats are chipped. Then you'll have data to catch any unusual usage, like a urinary blockage, before it becomes a serious problem! At that point you're a smart switch and Home Assistant script away from fan control.

I would recommend to use an TVOC sensor that detects smell very easily and then automatically switch on a fan. Could be a fun project.

Just need: - TVOC sensor like the SGP41

- ESP32 microcontroller

- Electric Relay

  • I’m highly unimpressed by my couple of SGP41 sensors, but they would probably work for this application.

  • Interesting idea. Do TVOC respond with enough signal to low level aromatics verses all the particles from cooking or pollution?

Garply had a blockage once and he did a remarkably good job of communicating the problem to us directly!

  • As a fellow cat person, I feel pretty confident interpreting what’s being implied here. :-)

    Beautiful home and contents, btw! It seems expensive but more than a few folks would have spent the same money on “nicer marble” or something.

    • Heh, I actively dislike "nice marble" or anything that just looks expensive without providing any functional benefit.