Hi everybody,

Last night our car was ransacked by a hooligan, we accidentally left the car doors unlocked (Subaru 2021 does not autol-ock doors…). So I wish to do a bit of automation to spook away these pesky thieves. Normally my Ring Floodlight will pick up movement and turn on the floods, but this is winter in Quebec and we have a temporary car shelter because snow is so damn annoying, click here if you have never seen one.

So what I’m thinking for a project is really simple:

  • Add a motion sensor inside the shelter
  • Add a LED strip to light up when the movement sensor pick up someone, maybe go into funky mode with a red/white blinking pattern.
  • I use as a primary hub SmartThings, and I have a VM running of Home Assistant
  • The challenge here is making this “bloody hell it’s cold here” proof, we do get a few days a year up to (or down to) -40’C (or -40’F your pick this is where they meet-ish).

Anyone has suggestions for parts to make this winter-friendly? Am willing to try an ESP32 w/ WLED if that makes the most sense although never used it. Also any other ideas to do this are welcome.

Thanks!