Home Assistant Podcast Home Assistant On Wheels: We’re going Inside the SmartyVan
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Mar 24, 2026 Mike (SmartyVan), a YouTuber and vanlifer who converted a Mercedes Sprinter into an off-grid smart RV, walks through designing mobile smart-home systems. He covers power choices like solar and alternator charging. He discusses Starlink on the move, Bluetooth presence and geolocation, wired vs Zigbee sensors, PoE cameras with Frigate, and reliability considerations for life on the road.
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Hardwire Critical Sensors To Avoid Battery Failures
- Hardwire critical sensors (doors, leak detectors) where possible to avoid coin-cell replacements and sluggish battery sensors.
- Use powered reed or dry-contact sensors for instant response and long-term reliability in builds you hand to others.
Turn Off Risky Loads Based On Presence And Obstruction
- Automate dangerous or wasteful loads by presence: turn off water pump, inverter, and other draws when nobody is home.
- Use obstruction detection to disable Starlink and save power when satellite lock is impossible.
Add A Service Mode For Maintenance Visits
- Add a service mode toggle for shop visits that disables heaters, Starlink, and unlocks to prevent dangerous or embarrassing behavior during maintenance.
- Use it to keep electromagnetic drawer locks engaged and stop automations while technicians work.